Candidates may check out the major differences between the UGC NET vs GATE, and exercise the best chances available under the two entrance exams.
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) and Graduate Aptitude in Test in Engineering (GATE 2023) are both entitled as the tough national level entrance exams in India, for entry admissions into renowned institutes in India. The UGC NET is conducted for post-graduate students whereas GATE is for graduate engineering students.
The way of carrying out the entrance exam shares similarities, but the aim and vacancies, age limit, score validity of the exam conduction for UGC NET and GATE is for two different purposes. Check out the main differences pointed out in this article.
Table of Contents
- UGC NET and GATE: Overview
- UGC NET vs GATE: Differentiation
- UGC NET Vs GATE Subjects
- UGC NET vs GATE: Eligibility
- UGC NET Vs GATE Exam Pattern & Syllabus
- UGC NET Vs GATE - Which is a tougher exam?
- UGC NET Vs GATE Validity of Scores
- UGC NET Vs GATE JRF Opportunities
- UGC NET vs GATE: Advantages
- Career Opportunities: UGC NET and GATE
UGC NET and GATE: Overview
Numerous science students frequently become confused among GATE and UGC NET exams. While both are national-level exams conducted for different science subjects, their objectives are distinguishable. The best way to understand the two exams are:
- UGC NET: The UGC NET is a national standard examination held for post-graduate candidates conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), twice a year. The main aim of this exam is to select eligible candidates for providing admissions for posts of Lectureship and/or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)/ Assistant Professors within the top-notch Indian institutes/colleges. Also, UGC holds the authority to inspect, validate, and finalize the seat vacancies for the different positions in various colleges/universities.
The UGC NET Exam is conducted twice a year in June & December.
- GATE: The GATE Exam is another national level entrance test held for graduate engineers which are conducted together by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven IITs on alternating turns.
The main point behind the GATE test is to provide seats into post-graduate engineering courses/ technical courses (M.tech/M.E./Ph.D) into the popular academic institutions/colleges or IITs and NITs.
For engineering enthusiasts, GATE performance is widely accepted in most institutions, the score marks are also used for PSU recruitment.
UGC NET vs GATE: Differentiation
Both UGC NET vs GATE are national-level examination and popular. Each year thousands of candidates appear for both exams. Given below is the sorted explanation between the differences of UGC NET vs GATE.
| Events | Differences | |
| Name of the Exam | UGC NET | GATE |
| Test-level | National | National |
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency | IISc and seven IITs |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) i.e. Online | |
| Entrances Test for | Lectureship (LS) and JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) | M.E./ M.Tech/ Ph.D. and PSU Recruitment |
| Frequency | Twice a year | Once in a year |
| Language Medium | English and Hindi | |
| Exam Duration and paper | Consists: Paper-I (90 minutes) and Paper-II (90 minutes) Total hours: 3 hours |
3 hours |
| Number of subjects | 81 | 27 |
| Questions Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)s | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)s |
| Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)s | ||
| Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions | ||
| Total number of questions | 81 | 65 |
| Age Limit | JRF: 33-35 Years (category basis) | No age limit |
| Lectureship: No age limit | ||
| Paper Subjects | 81 subjects | 25 disciplines |
| Exams Score Validity | 2 years/lifetime (depends) | 3 years |
| Official website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in | gate.iitb.ac.in |
UGC NET vs GATE: Subjects
The main difference is in the number of subjects. CSIR NET has five subjects whereas GATE has 27 subjects.
GATE Subjects
- Aerospace Engineering
- Architecture and Planning
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Ecology and Evolution
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Sciences
- Instrumentation Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Physics
- Statistics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Bio-medical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Electronics and Communication Engineering
- Geology and Geophysics
- Environmental Science & Engineering
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mining Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Production and Industrial Engineering
- Textile Engineering and Fibre Science
UGC NET Subjects
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences
UGC NET vs GATE: Eligibility
The following requirements are to be made by the candidates appearing for either the upcoming exams.
For UGC NET
General: Students should obtain at least 55% marks in Masters degree/equivalent in subjects like Electronic Science, Social Science, Computer Science and Application.
ST/SC/OBC: Equivalent domains for general category
PhD: about 5% marks relaxation is provided for candidates who have completed the PG program before September 19, 1991
For GATE
Obtain a degree in Engineering/Technology/Science/Agriculture/Arts/Commerce.
UGC NET vs GATE: Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Now we will talk about the differences in the exam pattern for both of these exams. It is depicted in the below table.
| Particulars | NET Exam | GATE Exam |
| Mode of Exam Conduction | Online | Online |
| Time Limit | 180 Minutes | 180 Minutes |
| Total Papers | 5 | 27 |
| Sections for Each Paper | 3 | 2 |
| Pattern of Questions | MCQs | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | ||
| Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions | ||
| Total Question for Any Paper | 55-75 (vary for different papers) | 65 |
UGC NET vs GATE - Which is a tougher exam?
Since both UGC NET vs GATE are highly competitive, each year candidates appearing for the exams is increasing. Therefore, let us see which is tougher.
| Parameters | GATE | NET |
| The complexity of Exam Pattern | It is more complex. There are three types of questions: MCQ, MSQ and NAT | Less complex than GATE. Only MCQ type questions |
| Exam Conduction | Once every year | Twice every year |
| Applicants | Almost 10 Lakh+ candidates every year | 2.5 Lakhs+ candidates every year |
Though these two exams serve different reasons, they can not be compared. Still, if we need to make a decision, we have to say GATE is a tougher exam.
UGC NET Vs GATE Validity of Scores
GATE score is theoretically valid for three years, but that is applicable for admission in different institutes. If one wants to apply for jobs at PSUs, only the latest GATE score is valid. The NET score has a two-year validity. However, there is no validity for a lectureship certificate.
UGC NET Vs GATE JRF Opportunities
After cracking GATE Exam, students can pursue M.Tech in top universities as well as some integrated PhD programmes. Candidates with a good GATE score are also eligible for the award of JRF in CSIR laboratories.
With a valid UGC NET score, eligible candidates can become JRF directly in different IITs, IISC, and other universities.
UGC NET vs GATE: Advantages
Now we know which exam is more challenging, so let us assess the advantages of both the exams. It is beneficial for the candidates to learn the advantages while appearing for the exams.
| Sl.No | UGC NET | GATE |
| 1 | Admission into IITs, NITs, M.Tech, PhD, and reputed colleges | A career in Lectureship/ admission into PhD degree research |
| 2 | Recruitment in PSUs | |
| 3 | Fellowship in Management at IIMA, B, C | |
| 4 | PGDIE course at NITIE Mumbai | Eligible to apply into IITs, NITs, and other organizations |
| 5 | Salary income depends on the level of degree. | Salary income depends on the level of degree ranging from |
| 11,000 while pursuing M.Tech and will gradually increase after each year completions | ||
| For IIT and IISC, the fellowship stipend would be 70,000 per month | ||
| 6 | The NET score is valid for 2 years for JRF and a lifetime for Lectureship | The GATE score is valid for 3 years |
Career Opportunities: UGC NET and GATE
Most of the important aspects of clearing such exams can be advantageous for:
PhD
A student is eligible to apply for PhD in NIT/IIT/state institutions with the GATE score.
The NET Score can be used for PhD admission into the different institutions of IIT and NITs across the country.
Masters of Technology/M.E
A qualified GATE candidate can take admissions into Master's degree courses like M.Tech/M.E.
While only post-graduate completion candidates or those pursuing in the final year are eligible to appear in the NET exam.
Research
Candidates who have earned degrees from IIT and NIT are eligible to apply for PMRF's monthly scholarships of 70,0000-80,000 and annual research grants of 2 lakhs for selected scholars. GATE score is mandatory for entry into NIT/IIT admissions. The huge advantage of the GATE score is getting the chance to join into research by the government organization for Nuclear Research Program at ISRO, BARC, and TIFR.
Scholarship/Stipend/Income
Students pursuing Master's degree courses are presented with a stipend amount of 13,000-14,0000 during their project/internship period studies. A stipend is also presented to the students who have cleared for NET JRF or GATE.
The fellowship program for the NET candidates is available for qualifying students with JRF marks, which will be provided by the University Grant Commission (UGC) or several institutions offering different schemes. About INR 25,000/- stipend is credited to students during their period of research. Also, the validity period of this offer lasts for 2 years since the date of issue of the JRF letter.
Note: Candidates qualifying for Lectureship will not be considered for JRF.
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