UGC Reduces the NET Qualifying Criteria for OBC Candidates

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on 27 February 2014 has finally approved the proposal to reduce the qualifying criteria for OBC Candidates appearing for the National Eligibility Test (NET), which determines the eligibility of a candidate for teaching at higher education institutions.

Till now, OBC candidates had to score a minimum of 60 per cent to qualify UGC NET, but now they have got 5 per cent relaxation by the commission. With this, the OBC candidates have now come parallel to SC/ST candidates who have already been enjoying the 55 per cent qualifying score.

The proposal of relaxation for OBC candidates had been put forwarded keeping in mind the fact that a good number of OBC and SC/ST teaching posts in higher education institutions are vacant. There is around 40 per cent faculty vacancy across Central universities, and majority of which are in the SC/ST and OBC category. The decision is also accentuated following a court case where this issue was brought up.