The Ministry of Education has informed the Lok Sabha that only 6% of candidates who appear for the University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) qualify for eligibility as Assistant Professors. Among these qualified candidates, UGC awards 11,750 Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) every year.

The information was shared by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply to questions raised by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in the Lok Sabha.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SAID

Responding to questions on the number of NET qualifiers and JRF awardees, Majumdar said, "The University Grants Commission (UGC) provides JRF based on the National Eligibility Test (NET). Six per cent of the candidates who appear in the NET are qualified for Assistant Professor and out of these qualified candidates, UGC awards JRF for 11,750 slots per year."

He further added, "In addition, fellowships are also offered by different ministries and organisations to support the scholars pursuing PhD. Special fellowships are provided for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Persons with Disabilities and single girl child."

Explaining the objective of the UGC Non-NET Fellowship, the minister said that PhD scholars are eligible to work on research projects funded by various agencies. To expand support for such students, the UGC decided to provide them with a stipend through the Non-NET Fellowship scheme.

THAROOR SAYS QUESTIONS WERE LEFT UNANSWERED

After the reply was tabled, Tharoor criticised the government on X, saying several key concerns had not been addressed. "This is a disappointing answer. While the Ministry's response merely provides a broad overview of the existing UGC fellowship framework, it fails to address the core concerns raised."

He added, "The reply also sidesteps the question of whether the Government has examined the widening gap between qualified candidates and available fellowships or whether it intends to expand JRFs or revise the eligibility criteria."

Referring to the UGC Non-NET Fellowship, which currently stands at Rs 8,000 per month, Tharoor said, "Most notably, it remains silent on revising the Rs 8,000 UGC Non-NET Fellowship stipend—unchanged since 2006 despite periodic revisions being the norm."

The Congress MP also noted that he had raised the issue during a Zero Hour intervention in 2023, but said there was still no commitment or timeline from the government on revising the fellowship amount.

(With PTI inputs)

- Ends

Published By:

Princy Shukla

Published On:

Jul 22, 2026 10:34 IST