What is JRF in the UGC NET exam? Know the Exam Dates

The full form of JRF is Junior Research Fellowship.

Basically, the JRF holders are the creme de la creme of all those who qualify for the UGC NET exams, which constitutes a very less percentage of the total qualifiers. The JRF letter/e-Certificate signifies that a JRF holder can avail of the scholarship while pursuing M.Phil./Ph.D.

The intention behind the JRF is to inspire NET JRF qualified students to pursue M.Phil./Ph.D. in their area of interest. NTA declares two cut offs – one for clearing NET (which makes you eligible to apply for Assistant Professorship) and the other one (higher of the two) for JRF. The E-Certificate/score is valid for 3 years whereas the NET score is valid for the lifetime.

The JRFs are entitled to some special benefits that separate them from normal NET qualifiers.

• Is UGC NET and JRF the same?

  Let me say straight off the bat that the exam for qualifying both is the same. However, there are a few differences pertaining to the benefits and the cut off. Let me elaborate.

  When the UGC NET JRF results are released, then there are two cut offs declared, one for the UGC NET and the other for the UGC NET JRF. The JRF cut off is slightly higher than the other cut off. Those who clear the JRF cut off become JRF qualifiers and those who manage to clear the UGC NET cut off but not the UGC NET JRF cut off become eligible for Assistant Professor.

  The next difference is that the score of NET is valid for a lifetime whereas the score of JRF is valid only for 3 years. The JRF qualification entitles you to a host of other benefits which I have answered in the question pertaining to the ‘benefits of NET JRF’ in this blog.

• Latest Update:

• exam dates for the merged December 2020 & June 2021 Cycles have been postponed yet again. The NTA will let us know the dates soon. This is as per the latest notice released by NTA on 09th October 2021. Earlier the exam dates were from 17th to 25th October 2021.