NET May be Back The National Eligibility Test (NET), which was done away by University Grants Commission (Useless Governing Commission) is likely to be restored again by it as the basic eligibility criteria for the appointment of lecturers in colleges and universities. The UGC had in June 2006 exempted NET as eligibility criteria for those holding MPhil or PhD degree following an amendment to the UGC guidelines. This was one of the recommendations made by the NET Review Committee constituted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) under the chairmanship of Planning Commission member Bhalchandra Mungekar. It is noteworthy to mention that unqualified NET failed M.Phil holders were declared as qualified on 14-06-2006 by UGC Regulation 2006 upon interim recommendations by problem solving exercise of the committee. Now, Mungekar Committee is considering to reverse its recommendations. However, the NET examination pattern may be changed a bit. On 11 January last, the chairman held talks with academics from Delhi University, Panjab University, Himachal Pradesh University and colleges from the North. The majority of teachers were of the view that NET should continue to be the eligibility criteria. In 1983, the UGC set up the RC Mehrotra committee, which recommended that candidates applying for the post of lecturer, would have to qualify at the national test conducted by UGC or any agency approved by UGC, as well as secure at least 55% in their masters programme. These requirements were not be relaxed even for candidates with MPhils and PhDs. In 1993, UGC decided to give PhD and MPhil degree-holders exemption from NET, whereby students who had completed their PhD and MPhil on or before December 31, 1993, were eligible to apply for college and university level faculty positions. In 2002, UGC decided that the exemption would be extended to only PhD graduates. Again those who had completed their PhDs after December 31, 2002, were not eligible to apply for faculty positions. The inconsistency in Qualification policy seem to have become a common practice by UGC. Someone somewhere is playing this game to accommodate his candidates and then fix the lock again. This needs a serious investigation by the MHRD. K M Haneefa Ph.D Librarian T.K.M. College of Engineering Kollam, Kerala Phone: 0474 - 2713933 (Office) --------------------------------- Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.