What is the difference between NET and SET?
NET and SET exams are conducted every year to determine the eligibility of candidates for the assistant professor or lecturer posts. However, there are a few differences and similarities between the NET and SET exams. Read further to know what is the NET exam and SET exam and how are they different from each other.
Difference Between NET & SET Exams
NET and SET exams are organised every year for the candidates who are looking forward to gaining eligibility as Assistant Professors or lecturers. While the National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted at the national level to determine the eligibility of candidates as Assistant Professors or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in universities and colleges in India, the State Eligibility Test (SET) is conducted at the state level for determining the eligibility for the post of Assistant Professor in the respective state universities/colleges.
Though NET and SET exams are conducted for almost the same purposes, there are a few differences between these exams. Candidates often get confused about these two exams while making a choice. For the ease of candidates, we have shared below the key differences and similarities between the NET 2023 and SET 2023 exams. Hope these points will help candidates in clearing away their doubts regarding the exams, if any.
Q: What is the difference between CSIR-NET, and UGC-NET?
Q: Can I change my CSIR NET exam centre?
Q: What are the major differences between CSIR NET and UGC NET?
Difference Between NET and SET Exams
Have a look at the major differences between the NET and SET exams below in terms of exam conducting bodies, syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility criteria and others:
What is NET & SET?
NET or National Eligibility Test is conducted at the national level by the national-level bodies to determine the eligibility of candidates for Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or both. Following NET exams are conducted every year in India:
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
9 Dec '24
19 Nov '24 - 10 Dec '24
15 Dec '24
7 Dec '24 - 27 Dec '24
8 Jan '25
1 Jan '25 - 20 Jan '25
31 Jan '25
31 Jan '25
22 Jan '25 - 11 Feb '25
16 May '25 - 14 Jun '25
- UGC NET or University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) NET
- ICAR NET or Indian Council of Agriculture Research National Eligibility Test
SET or State Eligibly Test is conducted at the state level by various state-controlled bodies of various states. Presently, there are few states that conduct their own SET exams, check the list below.
| Assam State Level Eligibility Test (Assam SLET) |
Chhattisgarh State Eligibility Test (CG SET) |
|
| Gujarat State Eligibility Test (GSET) |
Himachal Pradesh State Eligibility Test (HP SET) |
|
| Madhya Pradesh State Eligibility Test (MP SET) |
||
| Tamil Nadu State Eligibility Test (TNSET) |
||
| Uttarakhand State Eligibility Test (USET) |
Rajasthan State Eligibility Test (RSET) |
NET & SET Exam Conducting Bodies
The NET and SET exams are conducted by different bodies. The NET 2023 exam is conducted by the national-level bodies and the SET 2023 exam is conducted by the respective state-level body. Have a look at the exam conducting bodies of a few exams below:
Q: Are MH SET mock tests tougher than MH SET exam?
The MH SET mock tests are moderately difficult which is best suitable for the preparation of the MH SET exam as the difficulty level of the MH SET exam is moderately difficult in nature. The mock test with the same level of difficulty can help the candidates securing good marks and understand the types of question asked in the exam. However, it is advised to the candidates that they should solve tougher mock tests to be prepared for the changes because there are no certain pattern of questions that are repeated in the MH SET exam. Being ready for the MH SET exam with tougher question will help the candidates to secure higher marks in the exam.
Q: Are UGC NET mock tests tougher than UGC NET exam?
Q: Can I change my APSET exam centre?
Once the APSET exam centre is allotted, candidates cannot ask the University to change it. Candidates should carefully select the preferred APSET exam centre while filling out the online application form and should ensure that they are available to appear for the exam at the allotted exam centre. Candidates should regularly visit the official website of APSET exam for any updates on the exam centre.
| Exam Name |
Exam Level |
Exam Coonducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| UGC NET |
National |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| CSIR NET |
National |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| ASRB NET |
National |
Agriculture Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) |
| MH SET |
State |
Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) |
| KSET |
State |
Karnataka State Eligibility Test Center, University of Mysore |
| APSET |
State |
Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam |
Frequency of NET & SET Exams
Another difference between the NET and SET exams is the frequency, that is, how many times the exam is conducted in a year. While UGC NET and CISR NET exams are conducted twice a year, ASRB NET is conducted only once a year. On the other hand, SET exams are generally conducted once a year, except the Kerala SET exam which is conducted twice every year.
Applicability of NET & SET
Apart from these differences, one of the major differences between the SET and NET exams is the applicability. Candidates who qualify for the UGC NET, CSIR NET and ASRB NET exams become eligible to apply for the posts of lecturers or professors or researchers in any university or college at the national level. NET-qualified candidates can also apply to state-level institutions. On the other hand, SET-qualified candidates can apply for the assistant professor or lecturer posts in the respective state-owned institutions only.
NET vs SET – Eligibility Criteria
If we look at the eligibility criteria for NET and SET, there are a lot of similarities in the posts for which the eligibility test is being conducted. Have a look at the basic eligibility criteria below.
| UGC NET Eligibility |
CISR NET Eligibility |
ASRB NET Eligibility |
SET Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master’s degree in any of the UGC NET subjects) with 55 per cent (for General Candidates) or 50 per cent (for ST/SC/PWD/OBC/ Transgenders) marks. |
Master’s degree with a minimum of 55 per cent (for General Candidates) or 50 per cent (for ST/SC/PWD/OBC/) marks from the recognized university. |
Master’s degree or equivalent in the same discipline for which the candidate will apply. |
Candidates who have secured at least 55 per cent marks in their Master’s Degree and belong to any UGC accredited Universities/Institutions are eligible for the test. |
| There is no age limit for the lectureship, while the maximum age limit for JRF is 30 years. |
There is no age limit for the lectureship, while the maximum age limit for JRF is 28 years. |
There is no age limit. |
There is no age limit. |
NET vs SET- Exam Pattern
Have a look at the difference between the NET and SET exam patterns below.
| UGC NET |
CISR NET |
ASRB NET |
SET |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC NET comprises two papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2) in a single three-hour duration. |
CSIR NET Exam consists of three different sections (Part – A, Part – B, and Part- C) in a single paper, total duration is 3 hours. |
ASRB NET is conducted in a single paper that includes 150 objective-type multiple-choice questions. The total time duration is 2 hours |
SET exams are also conducted for two papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2). It may happen in a single 3 hours duration or on the same day in two different sessions. |
| Paper I carries 100 marks and Paper 2 carries 200 marks. |
It is conducted for a total of 200 marks. The marking scheme is different for each subject. |
The exam comprises 150 marks. |
The paper consists of 150 objective-type questions with 300 marks. |
| There is no negative marking. |
Negative marking is different for each subject. |
There is a negative marking for each wrong answer. |
There is no negative marking. |
NET exams are conducted in English and Hindi both, while SET exam question papers are available in vernaculars as well.
Also Read:
| UGC NET exam pattern | CSIR NET exam pattern | ASRB NET exam pattern |
| KSET exam pattern | MH SET exam pattern | APSET exam pattern |
NET vs SET - Syllabus
UGC NET is conducted for a total of 82 subjects. This exam is for the arts, humanities, and management post-graduates. CSIR NET exam is conducted for the science stream candidates who want to become JRF and assistant professors in colleges/universities. SET exams are conducted in various streams and comprise several subjects. Each SET exam has its own syllabus.
Candidates can refer to the syllabus of the following exams.
| UGC NET syllabus | CSIR NET syllabus | ASRB NET syllabus |
| MH SET syllabus | WB SET syllabus | Kerala SET syllabus |
Both NET and SET exams are important for aspirants wanting to become assistant professors or lecturers. What many candidates feel is NET exams are more competitive in nature than SET. The main advantage for the aspirants is the similarities in the syllabus and pattern of NET and SET exams; preparation for both exams can go hand in hand.
Read More:
NET Vs SET FAQs
Q. Which is better NET or SET exam?
Q. Is SET equivalent to NET?
Q. Is NET is tough than SET?
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