UGC NET Age Limit 2025 is one of the most important eligibility criteria for candidates applying for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor. While the maximum age for JRF is set at 30 years, the Commission offers relaxation to reserved categories such as OBC, SC, ST, PwD, and female candidates. On the other hand, there is no upper age restriction for Assistant Professor, making it open to candidates of all age groups. Understanding the category-wise relaxations and exemptions is essential before applying.

Also Read: UGC NET 2025

UGC NET Age Limit 2025 Overview

The UGC NET age limit 2025 for JRF has been fixed at 30 years and the age relaxations are also specifically designed for reserved categories. Those candidates who belong to the OBC, SC, ST, PwD, and women applicants receive a relaxation of 5 years and can apply up to 35 years of age.

UGC NET Age Limit 2025 For JRF

Candidates must check the category-wise UGC NET Age Limit 2025 before applying. Here’s a detailed table showing the maximum age limit and applicable relaxations.

Also Read:  UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025

Age Relaxation Rules for JRF

1. OBC (NCL), SC, ST, PwD and Women Candidates
   

• • Age relaxation: +5 years
    
  • Maximum eligible age: 35 years
    

2. LLM (Master of Laws ) Degree Holders

• • Age relaxation: +3 years
    
  • General Category – Eligible up to 33 years
    
  • Reserved Categories (OBC, SC, ST, PwD, Women) → Eligible up to 38 years (35 + 3)
    

3. Ex-Servicemen

• • Age relaxation is provided as per Government of India norms.
    
  • The exact relaxation depends on service tenure and applicable rules.
    

4. Transgender Candidates

• • Age relaxation is granted based on their social category (OBC, SC, ST, etc.).
  • No separate fixed relaxation; it follows the category they belong to.

Example: A general category male candidate with an LLM degree can apply till 33 years, while an OBC female candidate with LLM can apply till 38 years.

UGC NET Age Limit 2025 for Assistant Professor

There is no upper age for Assistant Professor. This opportunity has been open to anyone for a career as lecturer, associate professor, or professor in the universities and colleges of India. The UGC NET certificate for Assistant Professor is valid throughout the lifetime after qualifying. 

Also Read: UGC NET Notification 2025

UGC NET Age Limit 2025 for General Category

UGC NET Age Limit 2025 for General Category is one of the most crucial criteria for eligibility. For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), candidates from the General (Unreserved) category must be within the prescribed upper age limit. Check details below:

UGC NET Age Limit for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)

Candidates belonging to the OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) category are provided relaxation in the age criteria to ensure equal opportunities in research and teaching careers. This provision encourages wider participation from OBC candidates in higher education. Below are the details:

Also Read: UGC NET JRF 2025

UGC NET Age Limit for Female Candidates

Female candidates are provided special consideration under the UGC NET eligibility framework to promote their active participation in academia. This initiative helps create a balanced representation of women in research and teaching professions. Such supportive measures also encourage more women to pursue higher education and contribute to the academic community.

UGC NET Age Limit for LLM Holders

Candidates with an LLM degree are granted 3 years age relaxation.

• General: Eligible till 33 years.
  
• Reserved (OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Female): Eligible till 38 years.
  

UGC NET Age Limit for Ex-Servicemen

Ex-Servicemen are also given additional relaxation as per UGC/GoI rules. This ensures fair opportunities for those who served in the armed forces.

UGC NET Age Limit – Number of Attempts

No limit on attempts – Candidates can appear any number of times within the prescribed age limit.

Example: A general category JRF aspirant can attempt till 30 years, but after crossing the limit, they can still appear for Assistant Professor (no age bar).

Also Read: UGC NET Application Form 2025

Reservation Policy for UGC NET Seats

The UGC NET follows the Government of India’s reservation policy to ensure equal opportunities in higher education and research for candidates from diverse backgrounds. Category-wise reservation is applied to the total number of seats available for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor posts. This policy helps promote inclusivity, social justice, and fair representation across academic institutions.

Reservation Breakdown:

• 15% of seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates.
  
• 7.5% of seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates.
  
• 27% of seats are reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC) – Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) candidates.
  
• 10% of seats are reserved for General – Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) candidates.
  
• 5% of seats in all the above categories are reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) with 40% or more disability.
  

Conclusion

The UGC NET Age Limit 2025 is crucial for aspirants, especially those targeting Junior Research Fellowship. While JRF has an upper age cap of 30 years, various relaxations ensure inclusivity for women, OBC, SC, ST, PwD, Ex-servicemen, and LLM holders. For Assistant Professor, there is no age restriction, allowing candidates from all backgrounds and ages to pursue a career in academics.