Gujrat SET Exam (GSET): Application Process, Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria

According to the guidelines provided by UGC, The Government of Gujarat, Department of Higher and Technical Education & Department of Employment have nominated The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda as the State Agency for conducting the Gujarat State Eligibility Test (GSET) for the Assistant Professor Post in Universities/Colleges of Gujarat. The National Educational Test (NET) is conducted by UGC for various subjects along with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) which conducts combined tests for science subjects. Candidates qualifies for a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and/or to become Assistant Professors after passing in these tests. The State Governments or their agencies has been authorized by UGC to conduct the State Eligibility Test (SET) for Assistant Professors.

GSET is a great Government Job Opportunity for teaching in Gujarat. The GSET consists of two papers. Where, Paper-I is the general paper for all candidates, while Paper-II covers a total of 33 different subjects from which candidates can select. A candidate who has cleared the State Eligibility Test (GSET) will be eligible for appointment as Teaching Assistant / Lecturer only and not for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). The key highlights of the GSET exam are mentioned in the table below:

Examination Fee

GSET Exam Pattern

A total of two papers Paper-I & Paper-II will be conducted in the GSET Exam. Both the papers consists objective type questions only. The language of both the papers will be English & Gujarati except language and science subjects as their questions will only be in English language. In case of any disagreement in reference to the translation in any question of Paper-1 and Paper-2, the English version of the Paper will be considered relevant.

GSET Paper-I Exam Pattern

Paper-I is a general exam for all the aspiring candidates. Organising body sets this paper evaluates the teaching or research aptitude of the aspirant. It primarily analyse the reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness of the aspiring candidate. Paper-I consists of 50 objective type compulsory questions, two marks each. GSET Paper 1 Exam Pattern is provided in the table below:

Exam Pattern for GSET Paper-II

GSET Paper 2 is subject-oriented exam, a total number of 33 different subjects are there for Paper 2 from which a particular subject is chosen by the candidates. Candidates must select their preferred subject while registering for the GSET Exam. Aspiring candidates are advised to select their preferred subject according to their expertise in post graduate level. All the 100 questions of Paper-II are compulsory. GSET Paper-2 consists a total of 100 Objective Type Questions based from the subject that is chosen by the candidate. Complete exam pattern for GSET Paper-II is provided

The Optical Mark Reader Sheet (OMR Sheet) will be provided to the candidates to answer the questions of Paper-1 and Paper-2 separately. It is compulsory for the candidate to turn up for both the Paper-I & Paper-II. The candidate must return their original OMR Sheet of Paper 1 and Paper 2 to the exam hall invigilator before leaving. The candidates can take the duplicate copy of their Paper 1 and Paper 2 question paper booklet and the OMR answer sheet with them. There will be no revaluation or retest in GSET exam.

Syllabus for GSET Examination

The exam syllabus of Gujarat SET (GSET) will be equivalent to UGC / CSIR-NET. The syllabus of Science subjects like Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth Sciences will be equivalent to CSIR - NET. But the exam pattern will be equivalent to UGC - NET. Other than that the syllabus of all subjects will be equivalent to UGC - NET.

GSET Paper 1 Syllabus

The main reason of conducting the GSET Paper 1 is to analyse the teaching and research aptitude proficiencies of the aspiring candidate. Candidates should have perceptual skills, such as understanding, analysing, evaluating, and reasoning abilities.

Candidates should understand the basics of teaching and learning in colleges and universities. They should also know how people, the environment, and natural resources interact and how these interactions impact our quality of life.

Here is the complete Paper 1 syllabus for GSET Exam:

GSET Paper 2 Syllabus

The syllabus of GSET Paper II modifies as per the subject chosen by the aspirant. There are a total number of 33 different subjects available for the Paper 2. Complete list of all the subjects that a candidate can select in the GSET Paper II is provided in the table below:

Complete Subject-Wise GSET Paper 2 Syllabus is provided here: GSET Syllabus

Procedure & Criteria for Declaration of GSET Result

There is a specific procedure and criteria to declare the result of GSET Exam. The step by step GSET Result Declaration Process in provided below:

• Step 1: The total number of candidates who qualifies for the Assistant Professor position will be only 6% of the total candidates who appeared for both GSET Papers.
• Step 2: Now, These qualifying slots are allotted among the different categories on the basis of Gujarat Government's reservation policy.
• Step 3: To qualify in the GSET Exam, aspiring candidates must be appeared in both the Paper 1 & Paper 2. General and General-EWS category candidates requires at least 40% aggregate marks, while candidates from reserved categories (SC, ST, SEBC (Non-Creamy Layer), PWD (PH/VH), and third gender) need at least 35% aggregate marks to qualify in the GSET Exam.
• Step 4: The number of qualified candidates in each category for any subject will be determined using a specific calculation method:

Total number of candidates declared passed for the qualification of Assistant Professor in the subject "Economics" for Scheduled Castes (SC) (assume that number of candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) who have secured at least 35% aggregate marks in both papers combined for the subject “Economics”

“Economics” (×) Total slots for Scheduled Castes (SC) as per step-2 (÷) Total number of Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates securing at least 35% aggregate marks in both papers combined for all subjects

GSET Eligibility Criteria

There are multiple factors to become eligible for the GSET Exam:

• Who Can Apply: Candidates with a UGC-recognized postgraduate degree or the candidates who are in their final year can apply for the GSET exam. Candidates those who belongs to the reserved category from outside Gujarat will be treated as General category.
• Age Limit: There is no age limit for applying for the GSET Exam for the Assistant Professor Position.
• Reservation Policy: Gujarat Government's Reservation policy applied to check the candidate’s eligibility. Candidates having OBC certificates from the Central Government are not accepted for Gujarat's SEBC.
• Foreign Degrees: Aspiring candidates who have a foreign or an Indian postgraduate diploma or degree must check for an equal certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
• Marks Requirement: General/General-EWS candidates are required to score at least 55% overall marks in their postgraduate degree & reserved categories (SEBC, SC, ST, PH, VH, Third Gender) are required to score at least 50% marks in their post graduate degree to become eligible for the GSET Exam.
• Final Year Students: Final year postgraduate students can also apply for the GSET Exam but they must pass their post graduate exams within the two years of the GSET result announcement to stay eligible.
• Subjects and Restrictions: Candidates can only appear for GSET Exam in subject that is mentioned in the GSET Exam subject list. If their subject is not listed, they should apply for the UGC NET or UGC-CSIR NET. Candidates who have already qualified GSET Exam in a subject cannot retake it.
• Application Process: Candidates are not required to send a printed copy of the application or certificates to the GSET office. Candidates must ensure they meet eligibility criteria by themselves, otherwise their application will be cancelled.
• Certificates: Reserved category candidates must have valid certificates from Gujarat authorities. If in-eligible at any stage, it will result in cancellation of the GSET certificate and possible legal action.

Application Process for GSET Exam

Here are the steps to apply for the GSET Exam:

Step 1 - Payment of Exam Fee

• Visit the GSET website: www.gujaratset.ac.in to pay the fee.
• You can pay the examination fee, processing fee, and GST through Net Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card.
• Follow the on-screen instructions for fee payment and print the fee slip after a successful transaction.
• Note down the Order Number and Eazypay Transaction ID from the fee receipt for the next step.

Step 2 - Register Online for GSET Exam

• Make sure you have a recent passport-size photo in JPEG format (less than 100kb).
• Click the "Step 2-Register Online for GSET" button after logging into your account with the Order Number and Eazypay Transaction ID on the GSET website.
• Fill out the online application form carefully, following all on-screen instructions. Pay attention to details like your name, subject, centre, category, disability status, fee, and upload your photo correctly, as changes cannot be made after submission.
• After registration, print the filled online application form on A-4 size paper and keep it for future reference.

Important Notes:

• Both fee payment (Step 1) and online registration (Step 2) are necessary.
• If your photo does not appear correctly on the printed application form, email your latest scanned photo and registration details to info@gujaratset.ac.in.
• It is the candidate’s responsibility to confirm their application, download the hall ticket, and check seat arrangements/exam venue details from the GSET website. The GSET Agency is not responsible for this.

Exam Centres of GSET Exam

The exam is conducted in various cities across Gujarat. The table below shows all the centres of the GSET Exam:

Preparation Tips for GSET Exam

• Candidates should understand the syllabus thoroughly for the complete preparation of GSET Exam.
• Focus on time management and accuracy as there is time limit on the GSET Exam. It is required for the candidates to practice the question papers with setting the time limit.
• Candidates should keep themselves updated with current affairs, especially related to education and technology.
• Practice previous years' question papers and mock tests.

Similarities between UGC NET Exam & GSET Exam

• Objective: Both exams are designed to determine eligibility for the Assistant Professor role.
• Conducting Bodies: UGC NET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), while the GSET is conducted by the The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara.
• Syllabus: The syllabus for both exams is quite similar. Both cover various subjects in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce, and Sciences. Paper I tests teaching and research aptitude in both exams, while Paper II is subject-specific.
• Exam Pattern: Both exams have multiple-choice questions (MCQs). They consist of two papers:
  • Paper I: General paper on teaching and research aptitude.
  • Paper II: Subject-specific paper based on the candidate's chosen subject.
• Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility criteria regarding educational qualifications (Master’s degree with a minimum percentage of marks) are similar for both exams.

Tips for Preparing for Both UGC NET & WB SET Exams Simultaneously

• Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus:
  • Carefully review the syllabus and exam pattern for UGC NET and GSET Exams. Since the syllabus overlaps significantly, this will make your preparation easy.
• Focus on Paper I:
  • Paper I is common to both exams and focuses on teaching and research aptitude. Develop a strong foundation in this section to help in both exams.
  • Topics include teaching aptitude, research aptitude, reading comprehension, communication, reasoning (including mathematical), logical reasoning, data interpretation, information and communication technology (ICT), people and environment, and higher education system.
• Subject-Specific Preparation:
  • Choose your subject for Paper II and focus on it thoroughly. Since the subject content for Paper II in both exams is largely the same, a single preparation strategy will suffice.
  • Use UGC NET study materials, question papers from previous years, and mock tests for your subject.
• Time Management:
  • Create a study timetable that allocates specific times for preparation for Paper I and Paper II.
  • Divide your time efficiently to cover the entire syllabus and leave ample time for revision.
• Practice and Revision
  • Practice previous years' question papers and take mock tests for both exams to understand the actual exam environment.
  • Regular revision is crucial. Make summary notes for quick revision.

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