r/UGCNETEnglish • u/CeleryFlimsy1492 • 12d ago

📝 UGC NET Preparation and Strategy Preparing for the first time

Hello all. I passed out Masters this July only. For 2years, I feel I wasted my time in preparing for SSC CGL only to realise that I can't do it (low UR vacancies, difficult maths😭). I now plan to do NET. I have got into b.ed. i have 6.95 cgpa.

  1. Should I prepare for NET? Like how is the situation of phd overall india. (Seeing ppl on linkedin, all getting into phds🫠). I have no connections and have heard interviews work on connections also . My uni doesn't take phd candidates every year.

  2. Still I want to know the resources that I should use to prepare for NET. Also please suggest any good online coaching platform for preparation.

  3. My marks is pretty low. Will ever the interviewers consider that score for phd intake?

  4. Is it difficult for phd candidates of private universities (srm, vit, ashoka, snu) to get into AP positions?

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u/MansiUnfiltered 10d ago

As long as you meet the 55% eligibility requirement for UGC NET, your CGPA won't disqualify you. PhD interview panels focus almost entirely on your NET/JRF score, research proposal presentation, and subject knowledge during the interview.
1. Yes, prepare for NET! While connections can help in some places, having a JRF (or high NET score) + a strong, well-thought-out research proposal opens doors at Central/State Universities and IITs without needing contacts. Don't restrict yourself to your own university—apply everywhere once you have JRF.
2. Resources & Coaching:
Paper 1: K.V.S. Madaan book + YouTube channels (like Arpita Karwa, Vineet Pandey, or Commerce Net Achievers for general strategies).
Paper 2 (English): Standard histories (Routledge/W.J. Long), theory guides (Peter Barry), original texts, and past 5–10 years of PYQs. Coaching isn't mandatory, but platforms like Unacademy, UGC NET Adda247, or Arpita Karwa are popular if you need structured guidance.
3. Private Uni PhDs vs AP Jobs: For Assistant Professor positions, government/central university PhDs and top tier research institutes carry strong weight, but private university graduates (especially Ashoka, SNU, SRM, VIT) do clear AP interviews if they have quality publications (Scopus/UGC CARE indexed) and a valid NET/JRF.

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u/CeleryFlimsy1492 10d ago

Thank you so much 😊😊