If you’re planning to become a Assistant Professor or researcher in India, you must have heard about two important exams — UGC NET and SET. But many students often get confused and may have questions in their minds like “What is the difference between them?” or “Which one should they choose?”.
UGC NET is a better exam if you want to teach anywhere in India or apply for research through a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). SET is a good choice if you want to become a college lecturer in your home state only.
So this blog of “UGC NET vs SET: Which Exam Is Good for You? ” will help you to analyze the best for you by explaining the key differences between UGC NET and SET exams in India. It covers eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, benefits, and career scope, helping students decide which exam suits their teaching or research goals best.
What Is the UGC NET Exam?
UGC NET, or University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test, is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This exam is mainly for students who want to become Assistant Professors in colleges and universities across India or apply for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to do research.
The UGC NET exam is held twice a year — usually in June and December. It tests your knowledge in 85 subjects like English, History, Commerce, etc., and also checks your understanding of teaching and research methods.
If you clear the UGC NET, you become eligible to apply for teaching jobs in universities and colleges anywhere in India. If you qualify for JRF, you can also get a monthly stipend while doing your PhD or research work.
What Is the SET Exam?
SET, or State Eligibility Test, is a state-level exam conducted by individual state agencies. It is mainly for students who want to become Assistant Professors in colleges and universities within their own state.
Each state has its own version of the exam, like MH SET for Maharashtra, AP SET for Andhra Pradesh, or KSET for Karnataka, HPSET for Himachal Pradesh. The rules, syllabus, and dates may be slightly different depending on the state.
The State Eligibility Test does not offer JRF, so if you are only interested in teaching and want to settle in your home state, then the SET (State Eligibility Test) is a good option. After clearing the SET, you can apply for assistant professor jobs in government and private colleges within that particular state.
UGC NET vs SET: Key Differences Explained
Feature | UGC NET | SET |
Level | National-level exam | State-level exam |
Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | State-specific agencies (like MH SET, AP SET, etc.) |
Eligibility | Postgraduate degree (with minimum required marks) | Same – Postgraduate degree (requirements may vary slightly) |
Purpose | Assistant Professor + Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)+ PhD | Assistant Professor only |
JRF Option | Yes | No |
Where It’s Valid | All over India | Only in the state where the exam is conducted |
Exam Frequency | Twice a year (June & December) | Usually once a year (depends on the state) |
Number of Subjects Offered | 80+ subjects | Limited, varies by state |
Exam Mode | Online (Computer-based Test) | Mostly offline or online, varies by state |
Language Options | English and Hindi | Depends on the state – may include regional languages |
Career Scope | Teaching + Research + PhD admission | Teaching jobs in state colleges only |
Competition Level | High – National competition | Moderate – State-level competition |
Eligibility Criteria for UGC NET and SET Exams
Eligibility Criteria Of UGC NET
Option 1: The Traditional Route
- You must have completed a 2-year Master’s degree (like MA, MSc, MCom, etc.) from a recognized university.
- You need at least 55% marks if you’re from the General category or 50% if you belong to SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories.
- Final-year PG students can also apply.
Option 2: For Students Without a Master’s Degree
- If you have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree (like an honours or research-based course) with at least 75% marks, after clearing he exam you can directly go for a PhD, and saving time and effort.
- For JRF, the age limit is 30 years (with relaxation for reserved categories).
- There’s no age limit for the Assistant Professor post.
“For detailed eligibility criteria, visit the official UGC NET Exam Guidelines
Eligibility Criteria Of SET
- You must have a Master’s degree from a UGC-recognized university.
- The marks requirement is the same: 55% for General and 50% for reserved categories.
- Final-year PG students can apply.
- There is no JRF option in SET, so there’s no age limit at all.
Note: Each state may have small differences in rules, so always check the official website of your state’s SET exam before applying.
UGC NET vs SET: Exam Pattern and Syllabus Comparison
UGC NET Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
Number of Papers | There are 2 Papers
|
Number of Questions |
|
Duration | Total 3 hours |
Total Marks | 300 marks |
Negative marking | There is no negative marketing |
UGC NET Syllabus | |
Paper 1 |
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Paper 2 | There are 85 subjects as follows:
|
SET Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Mode of Exam | Varies by state – can be Online or Offline |
Number of Papers | 2 Papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2 |
Session Structure | May be held in a single 3-hour session or in two separate sessions on the same day |
Total Questions | 150 objective-type questions |
Total Marks | 300 marks |
Question Type | All questions are multiple-choice questions (MCQs) |
Negative Marking | No negative marking |
SET exams are conducted for different subjects in various fields, and each state has its own syllabus for the exam. Here is the common syllabus for SET Exam:
SET Common Syllabus | |
Paper 1 |
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Paper 2 | Subject-specific, such as:
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Benefits of the UGC NET Exam vs SET Exam
Benefits of UGC NET
- National-Level Eligibility: You can apply for Assistant Professor jobs across India, not just in one state.
- JRF Advantage: If you clear NET with JRF, you’ll get a monthly stipend while doing research or PhD.
- Strong Research Opportunities: Many top universities prefer UGC NET-JRF holders for full-time research positions.
- Higher Chances in Central Universities: For jobs in central universities like DU, JNU, BHU, UGC NET is usually mandatory.
- Better Recognition: UGC NET is accepted by almost all public and private universities, making it a more flexible option.
- NEP 2020 Friendly: Under the New Education Policy, you can apply for NET even with a 4-year degree (with 75%) and start your PhD directly.
- Eligible for PSU Jobs: Some Public Sector Units (like ONGC, NTPC) consider UGC NET scores for recruitment in research and management roles.
- Boost in Academic Resume: Having UGC NET on your CV adds value and credibility, especially if you plan to stay in the education field.
Benefits of SET Exam
- State-Level Focus: Ideal if you want to teach in colleges and universities within your home state.
- Easier Competition: Since it’s state-level, competition is limited to candidates from that state only.
- Language Advantage: Some SETs allow you to write the exam in regional languages, which can be easier for many students.
- Lower Cut-offs: In many cases, cut-offs are lower compared to UGC NET, especially in non-technical subjects.
- Less Pressure: Many students find SET exams less stressful than UGC NET due to fewer candidates and simpler paper patterns.
- Local Job Preference: Many state government colleges give preference to candidates who’ve cleared their own SET.
- Good Backup Option: Even if you don’t clear UGC NET, qualifying SET can still help you build a stable teaching career in your state.
Career Opportunities After UGC NET and SET
Career Opportunities After UGC NET
- Assistant Professor Jobs Across India
After clearing the UGC NET exam, you become eligible to apply for Assistant Professor positions in central, state, and private universities and colleges across India.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
If you qualify with JRF, you can pursue research with a stipend. You will get a handsome amount of stipend per month for the first 2 years, and then the stipend will increase for the rest of the years.
- Jobs in Government and PSUs
Your UGC NET score can also help you land jobs in research-based government roles, education departments, and even some Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like ONGC, NTPC, etc.
- Research Positions in Institutes
Institutes like NCERT, CSIR, ICSSR and others often prefer NET-qualified candidates for research fellowships, assistant roles, and for their academic projects.
- Work in EdTech and Online Platforms
With the rise of online education, many platforms like BYJU’S, Unacademy, Vedantu, etc., are actively hiring NET-qualified educators for content creation and online teaching.
- Freelance Academic Writing & Consultancy
You can work as an academic consultant, content creator, or education writer for publishers, e-learning platforms, and curriculum development firms in freelancing mode.
Career Opportunities After SET
- Assistant Professor in State Colleges
If you clear SET, you’re eligible to apply for Assistant Professor jobs in your state’s universities and colleges. However, it’s valid only within the state that conducted the exam.
- Teaching Jobs in State Government Institutions
SET scores are accepted for state-level teaching posts. Many state government colleges and aided institutions give preference to SET-qualified candidates.
- Jobs in Private Colleges (Within the State)
Private colleges and autonomous institutions in your state also accept SET for faculty recruitment.
- Teaching in Regional Language Institutions
If you’re more comfortable teaching in your regional language, SET offers more opportunities, especially in local colleges and universities.
- Better Chances for Local Posts
If you plan to settle and work within your state, SET gives you a strong edge in local academic hiring.
- Teaching Jobs in Tier 2 & 3 Cities
SET is particularly helpful for getting jobs in colleges located in smaller cities and rural areas, where competition is relatively lower.
UGC NET vs SET: Which Exam Is Right for You?
Choosing between UGC NET and SET depends on your career goals and where you want to work. If you are aiming to teach at a national level—in central universities, prestigious institutions, or want to pursue funded research, UGC NET is a better option. It offers wider recognition and more career flexibility across India.
On the other hand, if you are planning to settle in your home state and are only looking at teaching roles within local universities and colleges, then SET might be more suitable. It’s comparatively easier to qualify than UGC NET, and state-level colleges often prefer SET-qualified candidates for their faculty positions.
In short, choose UGC NET if you want national-level opportunities, JRF benefits, or entry into central universities. You can go for SET if you prefer staying in your state, want to start teaching quickly, or plan to gain local teaching experience.
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Conclusion
UGC NET and SET are both great options if you’re aiming for a career in teaching or research, but the better exam for you depends on your career goals, location preferences, and academic plans.
If you want to apply for teaching jobs in colleges and universities across India, or you’re interested in pursuing research with a stipend (JRF), then UGC NET is the more powerful option.
On the other hand, SET is ideal for students who want to stay and work within their own state. It helps you become an Assistant Professor in state-level colleges and universities. The competition is slightly lower compared to UGC NET, and the syllabus is quite similar, which makes it a practical choice if you aim to build a stable teaching career in your home state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is UGC NET tougher than SET?
Ans:Yes, UGC NET is generally tougher than SET. Since it’s a national-level exam, the competition is higher compared to the state-level SET exams.
Q2. Can I appear for both UGC NET and SET?
Ans:Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for both, you can appear for both exams. Many students do this to increase their chances of getting selected for teaching jobs.
Q3. Which exam is better for PhD admission—UGC NET or SET?
Ans:UGC NET is better for PhD admissions, especially if you clear it with JRF. It’s widely accepted across universities in India and can even help you get direct admission.
Q4. Does SET offer a stipend like the JRF in UGC NET?
Ans:No, SET does not offer any stipend or Junior Research Fellowship. It mainly qualifies you for teaching posts in your state.
Q5. Can I get a government job with UGC NET?
Ans:Yes, clearing UGC NET can help you get teaching jobs in government colleges and may also be useful for academic roles in PSUs and research institutions.