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The UGC NET reservation 2025 policy is implemented by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure a fair representation of marginalised communities. The UGC NET 2025 reservation criteria offer relaxation to the SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates in terms of age, application fee, marks, etc.
Candidates interested in applying for the UGC NET 2025 exam June session scheduled from June 25 to 29, 2025, must thoroughly read the UGC NET eligibility criteria 2025. Along with this, they must also familiarise themselves with the reservation of UGC NET 2025.
The OBC reservation in UGC NET 2025 is 27%. The SC ST reservation in UGC NET 2025 is 15% and 7.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, the EWS reservation in UGC NET is 10%.
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UGC NET Reservation 2025
UGC NET reservation 2025 criteria provide a fair and transparent opportunity for representation of the marginalised communities. The UGC NET reservation criteria 2025 offers category-wise reserved seat allocation.
Candidates can refer to the tabulated data below to have an understanding of the UGC NET 2025 reservation criteria:
| Category | Percentage of Reservation |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| PwD | 5% |
Aspirants can find the detailed UGC NET 2025 information bulletin in the table below:
| UGC NET Reservation 2025 Information Bulletin | Download Here |
Candidates in the UGC NET reservation quota category have a 5% relaxation of marks as a cut-off criterion in their Master's degree as an admission policy.
Q. What is the age limit to apply for the UGC NET 2025 Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
The upper age limit per the UGC NET reservation criteria 2025 for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is 30 years. 5-year relaxation of age is provided for candidates in the SC/ST/OBC category. Aspirants from the LLM and Armed Forces are also given 5 years of relaxation of age.
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UGC NET OBC Reservation
The OBC reservation in UGC NET 2025 is set at 27%. Candidates belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) must have a valid category certificate to avail of the reservation of UGC NET 2025.
Aspirants must also ensure that they get the certificate issued as per the prescribed reservation criteria of UGC NET 2025 from the government. The for backward classes (non-creamy layer) is issued and is available at the National Commission of Backward Classes (NCBC) website.
Q. Can third-gender category candidates avail of any benefits of reservation of UGC NET 2025?
Yes, candidates belonging to the third gender category are given the UGC NET reservation 2025 benefits for educational qualification, application fee, age relaxation, etc.
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SC ST Reservation in UGC NET
Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) are also included in the UGC NET reservation 2025. The SC ST reservation in UGC NET is set at 15% and 7.5%, respectively.
Candidates belonging to the SC/ST category must possess a valid category certificate issued by an authorised government body. The aspirants must check whether the certificate falls under the prescribed format of the UGC NET 2025 reservation criteria.
Q. Can candidates who had served in the Armed Forces avail any reservation criteria of UGC NET 2025?
While no reserved seats exist for candidates who have served in the Armed Forces, they are given 5 years of relaxation of age to apply for the UGC NET 2025 exam.
Also Read: UGC NET Login 2025
EWS Reservation in UGC NET
Candidates belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) have a 10% EWS reservation in UGC NET. Candidates must ensure their category certificate is issued and that it complies with the format prescribed in the UGC NET reservation 2025 policy.
Candidates can refer to the below-mentioned points to understand the policy set by the candidates to avail the reservation of UGC NET 2025:
- Candidates applying under the EWS category must not fall under the Schedule Caste (SC), Schedule Tribe (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories.
- Candidates must include their Assets and Income certificates when applying for the EWS certificate.
- Candidates' families, including the candidates themselves, must have a gross annual income of less than INR 8 Lakhs.
Q. Who cannot apply under the EWS reservation quota?
Aspirants who hold the below-mentioned possessions cannot apply under the EWS category:
- Candidates hold 1000 square feet or more of space in a residential apartment.
- Candidates holding 5 acres or more of agricultural land.
- Aspirants possessing 100 square yards or more of residential areas in designated areas.
- Students hold 200 square yards or more of residential areas in non-designated areas.
| UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025 | UGC NET Syllabus 2025 |
PwD UGC NET Reservation Quota
Candidates who have a disability can apply under the PwD UGC NET reservation 2025. 5% of seats are reserved as part of the UGC NET reservation criteria 2025 for PwD students.
Aspirants who wish to apply for the UGC NET 2025 reservation criteria under the PwD category can note the following points:
- Candidates must have 40% or more disability as per the norms set by the government.
- Candidates must have a valid "Certificate of Disability" issued by an authorised government body to avail of the reservation of UGC NET 2025.
- Aspirsat's disability must be assessed by certified professionals as per government policies.
UGC NET Reservation 2025: Age Relaxation
Candidates belonging to the SC/ST/OBC category are provided age relaxation as per the UGC NET reservation 2025 policy. Candidates can follow the table to understand the reservation criteria of UGC NET 2025 for age:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC | 5 Years of Age Relaxation |
| ST | 5 Years of Age Relaxation |
| OBC | 5 Years of Age Relaxation |
| LLM and Armed Forces Candidates | 5 Years of Age Relaxation |
Q. What is the age limit for UGC NET 2025 Assistant Professor post?
As per the norms set under the UGC NET reservation criteria 2025, there is no upper age limit for applying for the Assistant Professor post.
Female Reservation in UGC NET 2025
Currently, there are no separate female reservation in UGC NET 2025. Female candidates can only apply for the UGC NET reservation 2025 under the existing reserved category.
To do so, female candidates must have valid certificates per the UGC NET 2025 reservation criteria.
Male Reservation in UGC NET 2025
There is no male reservation in UGC NET 2025. If the candidates want to avail of the UGC NET 2025 reservation for males, they can only do so under the existing reserved categories.
To avail of the SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS UGC NET reservation 2025 criteria, candidates must present valid certificates issued by the government.
UGC NET Reservation 2025: Educational Qualification
UGC NET reservation 2025 provides a 5% relaxation in marks in the master's degree for the reserved category candidates. Candidates can follow the below-given tabulated data for more details on the UGC NET 2025 reservation criteria for educational qualification:
| Category | Educational Qualification Required |
| Unreserved/ General | 55% Marks (without rounding off) in a Master's degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognised by UGC |
| SC | 50% Marks (without rounding off) in a Master's degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognised by UGC |
| ST | 50% Marks (without rounding off) in a Master's degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognised by UGC |
| OBC | 50% Marks (without rounding off) in a Master's degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognised by UGC |
| PwD | 50% Marks (without rounding off) in a Master's degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognised by UGC |
| Third Gender | 50% Marks (without rounding off) in a Master's degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognised by UGC |
Q. Are Ph.D. candidates offered any relaxation of marks as part of the reservation criteria of UGC NET 2025?
Yes, candidates who have Ph.D. degrees are allowed a relaxation of marks under the UGC NET reservation 2025 policy. Aspirants are given a 5% relaxation in aggregate marks for applying for the UGC NET 2025. Candidates must note that their Master's degree examination must have been completed by Sep 19, 1991, to avail of the UGC NET reservation criteria 2025.
