UGC NET Reservation Policy and Support for Candidates 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
There is lot of confusion related to UGC NET Reservation 2025.
In this article, we tried to simplify it in easy to understand language.
Let us understand how this works and who benefits from it.
The Government of India provides reservation to ensure equal opportunity for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.
UGC NET follows this reservation policy strictly.
1. Reservation for Assistant Professor Jobs
If you apply to any Central University or institution deemed to be a university, the following reservation rules will apply:
| 15% seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates. |
| 7.5% seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. |
| 27% seats are reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non Creamy Layer) candidates, as per the Central List. |
| 10% seats are reserved for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) from the General category. |
| 5% of seats in each of the above categories are reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) having 40% or more disability. |
Note: Reservation for OBC is only valid if your category is listed in the Central List of OBCs by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).
Check the list at: www.ncbc.nic.in.
State OBC list candidates who are not in the Central List must apply under the General/Unreserved category.
EWS reservation is based on guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Education.
2. Support for Persons with Disabilities (PwD/PwBD)
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 provides clear rules to help candidates with physical or learning challenges.
Here’s what it offers:
Definitions:
- A “person with benchmark disability” has 40% or more disability.
- A “person with disability” may have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory issues that affect participation in normal activities.
Exam Assistance for PwD Candidates:
- If you have a benchmark disability and have difficulty in writing, you can use a scribe (someone to help write the exam) or request extra time.
- If you are blind, have cerebral palsy, or cannot use both hands, you automatically get the right to a scribe if you request it.
- For other disabilities, you must get a certificate from a government hospital to show that a scribe is needed.
- You can bring your own scribe, but their qualification must be one level below yours.
- You must submit a formal undertaking if using your own scribe (format available in the annexures of the Information Bulletin).
Extra Time:
- If you use a scribe or are eligible for a scribe but choose not to use one, you will still get extra time.
- This compensatory time is 20 minutes per hour of the exam.
- For the 3-hour UGC NET exam, that means an extra 60 minutes.
3. Medical Certificate Requirement
If you have a disability but do not meet the 40% benchmark, you may still get extra time or a scribe only if you provide a medical certificate.
This certificate must come from a multi-member medical board which includes:
| Chief Medical Officer or Civil Surgeon |
| Orthopaedic or PMR specialist |
| Neurologist (if available) |
| Clinical or Rehabilitation Psychologist/Psychiatrist/Special Educator |
| Occupational Therapist (if available) |
Any other expert nominated by the Chairperson
4. Important Guidelines and Warnings
- NTA can provide a scribe if you request one in advance.
- The scribe’s job is to only read and write as instructed by you.
- They cannot explain questions or give answers.
- If it is found that you used a scribe or claimed extra time without proper eligibility, your exam result will be cancelled.
- Candidates must carefully choose their category in the application form.
- No changes will be allowed later.
- If you submit fake documents or false information to get reservation benefits, your application will be cancelled, and you may face legal action.
- Disability will be assessed as per government guidelines (based on the RPwD Act, 2016).
Final Note
The reservation policy in UGC NET ensures that candidates from all backgrounds have a fair chance.
It also supports students with disabilities to compete equally.
However, it is your responsibility to choose the correct category, provide valid documents, and follow the rules.
If you are eligible, do not miss the opportunity to avail these benefits.
For more details and official formats for certificates and undertakings, check the UGC NET website: https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in or information bulletin.
Read our articles on UGC NET June 2025 notification and UGC NET Eligibility Criteria.
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