New Delhi, April 25 -- Students holding four-year undergraduate degrees are now eligible to directly pursue a PhD and appear for the National Eligibility Test (NET), as per information shared by UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar.

Kumar highlighted that candidates aiming for a PhD, with or without a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), must have secured a minimum of 75 percent marks or equivalent grades in their four-year undergraduate program.

Previously, NET candidates were required to hold a master's degree with a minimum of 55 percent marks.

Speaking to PTI, Kumar explained, "Candidates with four-year undergraduate degrees can now pursue a PhD and sit for NET. They are permitted to choose the subject for their PhD, regardless of the discipli...