Which is better SET or NET?

The qualifying candidates for NET can appeal for teaching in any college in the country. The qualified candidates can only apply to particular state-owned colleges/ universities for teaching.

What are the benefits of SET Exam?

SET Exam is conducted on state-level once a year to fulfill the post of professors in state universities and provide a benefit of fellowship for the research program.

What is NET and SET Exam?

NET & SET exams are conducted to determine the eligibility for the Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship in Indian universities and colleges. There are 2 exams under UGC NET and CSIR NET whereas in SET there are many exams.

Is NET equivalent to SET?

NET-qualified candidates can apply to any college or institute outside the state. The NET Exam is organized twice a year, while the SET Exam is held only once. So, these are the two significant differences that should be known by every aspirant who wishes to become a Lecturer

State Exam stands for State Eligibility Test, this exam is also called SLET: State Level Eligibility Test. SET Exam is conducted at the state level once a year to fulfill the post of professors in state universities and provide a benefit of fellowship for the research program. The SET exams are: K SET AP SET G SET TN SET TS SET Kerala SET MP SET MH SET WB SET Assam SET

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What Is The Difference Between NET and SET Exam?, Syllabus, Eligibility

Q: What is the difference between NET and SET exam?

The NET exams are conducted for central and state level universities whereas the SET exams are conducted for States only. Both exams have their importance. Check the importance of both in the article.

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 13th, 2023

What is the Difference Between NET and SET exams? NET and SET, both the exams are conducted to determine the eligibility for college and university level lectureships and for awarding the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to Indian nationals for pursuing their Ph.D. program or research. Aspirants often apply for both the exams and prepare for them parallelly. Universities and colleges in India search for excellent talents with specified qualifications and skills. University Grant Commission (UGC) conducts two types of entrance exams: NET and SET. NET is conducted at the national level, and SET is for the state level. NET & SET Exams are conducted for the same purpose, but these exams have some differences.

Table of content

1. Difference Between NET and SET Exams
2. Similarities between NET and SET Exams
3. Preparation Tips for your NET/SET EXAM

Before moving ahead with the exam preparation, it is essential to understand the difference between UGC NET and SET exams. In this article, we have summarised the differences between UGC NET and SET exams. For ease of comparison and comprehension, the differences have been categorized into various subheads like exam conduction body, exam mode, career scope, etc.

Difference Between NET and SET Exams

We will now discuss each of these in-depth to help you understand the difference between the SET and NET exams. The following points will distinguish the exams of NET and SET:

NET vs. SET: The Exam Conducting Body

NET EXAM

NET: National Eligibility Test
This exam is conducted by the University Grant Commission (UGC)
UGC conducts the NET exam every year in June and December
NET is conducted for lectureship posts in any university or college in the country

SET EXAM

SET: State Eligibility Test
This exam is also called SLET: State Level Eligibility Test
The exam pattern of the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) is based on the National Eligibility Test conducted by the University Grant Commission (UGC) with the aid of a State university
There are the following states in which SET Exam is conducted:

SET Exam	Examination Body
HP SET Himachal Pradesh State Eligibility Test	HPSET is conducted By the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HP PSC) for the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Assam SET Assam State Eligibility Test	State Level Eligibility Test North East (SLET-NE) Exam includes Assam SLET, Manipur SLET, Mizoram SLET, Tripura SLET, Arunachal Pradesh SLET, and Sikkim SLET. The SLETNE exam was conducted by Assam (N E Region)
WB SET West Bengal State Eligibility Test	WB SETWest Bengal State Eligibility Test Exam Conducted By West Bengal College Service Commission (WBCSC)
MH SET Maharashtra State Eligibility TesT	MH-SET examinations are conducted by the University of Pune (Savitribai Phule Pune University) as the State Agency of the Government of Maharashtra and at the Government of Goa.
USET Uttarakhand State Eligibility Test	Uttarakhand State Level Eligibility Test or Kumaun university SET exam. Kumaun University conducted them to join candidates for lectureship in Uttarakhand.
MP SET Madhya Pradesh State Level Eligibility Test	Madhya Pradesh State Eligibility Test is a state-level exam for recruiting Assistant Professor/Lecturers in the state of Madhya Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) conducts the MP SET.
KSET Karnataka State Eligibility Test	Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET) Exam conducted by the University of Mysore to recruit Lectureship and Assistant Professors in Karnataka State.
Kerala SET Kerala State Eligibility Test	The Government of Kerala conducts Kerala State Eligibility Test (Kerala SET), and the organizer is Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Centre for Science & Technology
GSET Gujarat State Eligibility Test	Gujarat SET Agency, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, is conducting State Eligibility Test to make the rigorous merit-based selection for the entry-level teaching profession.
J&k SET Jammu and Kashmir State Eligibility Test	JK SET: Jammu & Kashmir State Eligibility Test Conducted By the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, to join candidates for Assistant Professors Universities and Colleges of Jammu & Kashmir State.
AP SET Andhra Pradesh State Eligibility Test
TN SET Tamilnadu State Eligibility Test	TN SLET Tamilnadu State Eligibility Test by Mother Teresa University-Kodaikanal

NET vs. SET: Eligibility Criteria

The NET Eligibility is set differently for both the exams by the convenor institutes. We have shared the same below:

UGC NET Eligibility Criteria

SET Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who have obtained a minimum of 55% marks (General category) and 50% (SC/ST/PwD) in Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognized by UGC in the list of subjects at the Post-graduation level are eligible for this Test.
Candidates who are currently in their Master’s degree course or equivalent course or candidates who have appeared for their Master’s degree (final year) examination and whose result is still awaited may also apply for this Test.
Upper Age Limit is 30 years (For JRF).
Relaxation of upto 5 years for sc/st/obc-ncl/women/armed forces personnel’s /pwd/ transgender/ researchers , 3 years for L.L.M degree holder.
No upper age limit is set for applying for Assistant Professor.

Candidates who have achieved their master’s or post-graduation from the University Grant Commission (UGC) can appeal for the SET exam.
There is no age restriction.

NET vs. SET: Exam Pattern

You must understand the exam pattern of both examinations in a very clear manner. The preparation for each exam will depend upon the exam pattern. There is a major difference between the exam pattern of NET and SET exams. Find the complete exam pattern of both the exams below:

UGC NET Exam Pattern	SET Exam Pattern
UGC NET is divided into two Papers, I and II. Paper I carries 100 marks, and Paper-II carries 200 marks. There is no negative marking. Duration- 3 hours combined for both papers 1 and 2. No breaks in between.	The SET exam consists of two papers, i.e. I and II. Based on the state authority, the exam may be conducted in one single stretch or two sessions on the same day. The total number of questions is 150, and the marks are 300. There is no negative marking.

4. UGC NET vs. SET: Other Differences

UGC NET Exam	SET Exam Syllabus
NET is organized on a national scale, around 6% of the total candidates appearing are estimated to clear it. UGC NET is conducted twice a year. The NET-qualified candidates can apply for assistant professor in any college in the country.	The percentage of candidates clearing SET is around 7% which is higher than NET. SET is conducted once a year. The SET-qualified candidates can only apply to particular state-owned colleges/ universities for assistant professors.

Similarities between NET and SET Exams

As already discussed, both the exams are conducted to recruit Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professors.

Qualifying Procedure: The qualifying procedure for both exams is similar. Candidates are selected based on their performance in their tests.
The Frequency of exam: The NET exam is conducted twice a year, while SET Exams are conducted once a year.
Assessment: The candidates are assessed based on their General Aptitude Knowledge and Subject Knowledge in both the exams.

We hope this article has added some value to your knowledge, and it was able to clear all your doubts and confusion regarding the NTA UGC NET and SET exams.

Preparation Tips for your NET/SET EXAM

Check the preparation tips for the NET and SET exams. Candidates must check the SET & NET Preparation Strategy provided by the experts.

Check the entire syllabus and examination pattern thoroughly
Start preparing for the exam with a schedule
Practice with the previous year’s question papers and their solution
Keep revision of all topics from the topics daily
Check your progress with mock tests
Study carefully and do maintain your health.

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BYJU’S Exam Prep provides you with crisp and relevant notes with plenty of questions, mock tests, and practical application-based questions. Hence, to score better, start your preparation now and crack NET.

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Team BYJU’S Exam Prep.