Can I Apply for UGC NET in My 1st or 2nd Semester? Here’s What You Should Know

Introduction

The UGC NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test) is one of the most sought-after exams in India for those aiming to become Assistant Professors or Junior Research Fellows (JRF).

Many postgraduate students begin preparing early and often ask:

“Can I apply for UGC NET during my 1st semester | 2nd semester?”

This blog clears up the confusion and provides a complete explanation with official eligibility rules.

General UGC NET Eligibility

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree (M.A., M.Sc., M.Com, MBA, etc.) from a recognized university with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories).

Final-year PG students are allowed to apply provisionally, provided they complete their degree with the required marks before the results are declared.

Now, if you are in your 1st or 2nd semester, you might be feeling uncertain about whether you can apply.
Here’s our honest advice from Professor Academy

Don’t stress over eligibility right now.

Instead, use this phase to start preparing smartly. Because when your 3rd semester comes, you won’t just be “eligible”—you’ll also be ready.

How Early Preparation in 1st & 2nd Semester Gives You an Edge

While you cannot apply for UGC NET in the 1st or 2nd semester, these two semesters are the perfect time to lay a strong foundation for success. Instead of waiting until eligibility, you can:

Strengthen Subject Knowledge

Revise your UG concepts and start aligning them with your PG syllabus.

Start with UGC NET Paper 1 Basics

Cover topics like Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Communication, and Reasoning.

Build Reading & Writing Habits

Develop academic writing skills, which will help in research papers and JRF projects later.

Solve Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and frequently asked questions.

Time Management Practice

Learn how to balance PG coursework with UGC NET prep.

By the time you enter the 3rd semester, you’ll already be ahead of others, and your first UGC NET attempt can become your best attempt.

For 3rd & 4th Semester Students: Time to Turn Preparation into Action

Now that 1st and 2nd semester students have a clear roadmap for early preparation, let’s focus on 3rd and 4th semester students. At this stage, you are eligible to apply for UGC NET, which means it’s time to move from groundwork to action.

Here’s how you can make the most of your preparation:

1. Finalize Your Subject Mastery

Ensure your PG syllabus is thoroughly understood.

Focus on advanced topics and identify areas where you need more practice.

2. Intensive Paper 1 & Paper 2 Prep

Paper 1: Refine your teaching, research, and reasoning skills.

Paper 2: Focus on your specific subject, practicing both conceptual questions and application-based problems.

3. Solve More Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Analyze trends and frequently asked questions.

Time yourself while solving to improve exam speed and accuracy.

4. Practice Mock Tests & Assess Yourself

Simulate exam conditions to identify strengths and weaknesses.

Focus on areas where you lose marks and revise accordingly.

5. Strategic Time Management

Balance your PG coursework, revision, and UGC NET prep efficiently.

Create a realistic study timetable leading up to the exam.

By the end of your 4th semester, you should not only be eligible but also confident and exam-ready, giving you the best chance to clear UGC NET in your first attempt.

Professor Academy- Best UGC NET Exam Coaching

To sum up:

First and the Second Semester PG students are NOT eligible for UGC NET.

You can start applying from your Third Semester onward.

Preparing early is smart, but official application can begin only in the final phase of your degree.

If you are in your 2nd semester right now, focus on building strong subject knowledge so you are fully ready by your 3rd semester to attempt the exam with confidence.

At Professor Academy, we provide structured UGC NET coaching, updated materials, and mock tests to guide you from preparation to success.

Professor Academy offers exclusive online-only UGC NET coaching programs for: