How to Become an Assistant Professor: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Salary

Ahana Bhaduri's profile photo

Ahana Bhaduri

Content Writer

India is home to more than 581 PhD colleges out of the 39,000 colleges that offer PhD courses across various disciplines to educate and build careers as Assistant Professors, Professors, Associate Professors or Lecturers. Pursuing a career as an Assistant Professor is one of the most sought-after professions considering the fact that approximately 6,00,000 students appeared for the UGC NET 2024 exam last year. 

As per the latest development reported by The Times of India, UGC has announced that a PhD is no longer a mandatory educational requirement for the post of Assistant Professor across various colleges and Universities. This act was taken to speed up the process of filling vacant positions in India and also to increase the talent pool who have been waiting for a long time to get into the system.

In order to become an Assistant Professor, candidates must pursue a master’s degree across any discipline of their choice with a minimum aggregate score of 55% or above from a recognized college or university. They are then required to clear various PhD entrance exams such as UGC NET, IIT JAM 2024, CSIR UGC NET, GATE etc, post which they would be eligible to get admissions across any top PhD Colleges in India such as IITs, IIMs, and JNU.

Check:

The average salary of an Assistant Professor is INR 4.00 LPA. The salary of an Assistant Professor usually depends on various factors such as qualifications, job sectors, experience, and skills. According to UGC, as per the new amendments by the 7th pay commission, new lecturers' salary has considerably increased. The earlier band for Assistant Professors was between INR 37,400 - 67,000 per month but post recommendation, it stands at a whopping amount of INR 1.31 L per month.

Check Also:

How to Become an Assistant Professor: Quick Facts

Eligibility Candidates must have completed a master’s degree in any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 60% or above
Candidates must also clearUGC NET 202exam
Employment Opportunities Associate Professor, HOD, Counselor, Professor
Required Skills Research Skills, Analytical Skills, Knowledge about Topics, Counseling, Training
Starting Salary INR 2.90 LPA
Average Salary INR 4.00 LPA
Highest Salary INR 10.9 LPA

What Does an Assistant Professor do

Assistant Professors are academic professionals who teach across colleges and universities and guide their respective students in particular subject domains. They also help the students with their research and dissertations and mark their assessment assignments. Read More: Associate Professor Jobs

Some of the essential duties of an Assistant Professor are discussed below, 

  1. Assistant Professors are responsible for assisting their college/university in all activities, and events and helping in the smooth administration of the institute.
  2. Assistant Professors are also responsible for the recruitment and training of the junior teaching staff like ad-hoc professors.
  3. They must also conduct their own research, write dissertations, and publish articles & journals.
  4. Assistant Professors are also in charge of representing their college/university at various conferences and seminars.
  5. Assistant Professors teach undergraduate and postgraduate students and guide them in their research work and help them clear their doubts.

Assistant Professor Qualification

There are certain requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to become an Assistant Professor. Some of the major qualifications to become an Assistant Professor are listed below for your reference. 

  1. Aspiring candidates must complete a bachelor’s degree in any relevant discipline from various streams such as Arts, Commerce, Humanities, Law, Social Sciences, Science, Languages, Journalism & Mass Communication and etc.
  2. It is also required that the candidates must complete their master’s degree in any relevant discipline preferably in the same discipline as in bachelor’s program
  3. Besides fulfilling the above qualifications, it is also mandatory for the candidates to appear for National Eligibility Test (NET) which is conducted by UGC or the CSIR.
  4. Candidates must also pursue PhD from any recognized university which is ranked among the top 500 universities,
  5. To become an Assistant Professor in the discipline of Management studies, candidates must have a master’s degree in any related discipline or full-time 2 years PGDM declared equivalent by AIU.

Assistant Professor Eligibility Criteria

There are certain eligibility criteria that must be followed to start a career as an Assistant Professor in India. Some of the essential eligibility criteria are discussed below for your reference. Read: How to Become a Lecturer in India

  1. Candidates must complete their bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum aggregate score of 50% or above from a recognized institute 
  2. Candidates must also complete their master's degree across any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% or above from a recognized institute.
  3. Candidates need to qualify in the National Eligibility Test (NET) or a State Level Eligibility test- SLET/ SET.
  4. Candidates who are or have completed a PhD program, then the candidate is exempted from appearing in UGC NET exam.

UGC Guidelines for Assistant Professor

Since it is a mandatory requirement to clear the UGC NET exam, there are certain guidelines that are set by UGC for recruiting Assistant Professors. There is also direct recruitment for Assistant Professors which is usually done on merit by the duly constituted selection committee. UGC has laid down some basic eligibility criteria as well which are discussed below for your reference. 

  1. Candidates must have a sound academic record with a minimum aggregate score of 55% or above or an equivalent CGPA score throughout
  2. Candidates also need to clear the National Eligibility Test (NET) or an accredited test (State Level Eligibility test- SLET/ SET).
  3. Clearing NET/SLET/SET is one of the mandatory requirements for the appointment of Assistant Professors.
  4. However, candidates who are or have been awarded a PhD degree in accordance with the University Grants Commission shall be exempted from the requirement of appearing in NET/SLET/SET.
  5. A relaxation of 5% may be provided to scheduled caste/scheduled tribe/differently-abled.
  6. For recruitment of a Physiotherapy Assistant Professor, a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy or master’s degree in physiotherapy with a minimum aggregate of 55% or above. Read MoreEligibility to Become a Professor

How to Become an Assistant Professor in India

To become an Assistant Professor in India, candidates must prepare themselves right from the school level. Candidates must maintain a good academic score from the beginning and also participate in academic events and acquire certificates from school as well as college levels. Candidates must pursue their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in any of the relevant disciplines such as arts, commerce, humanities, law, social sciences, science, languages journalism & mass communication etc. 

Post completion of a master’s degree, candidates need to appear for the UGC NET exam. It is one of the mandatory requirements to become an Assistant Professor. Candidates must also publish their research papers in various peer journals as it will add value to candidates' resumes.

How to Become an Assistant Professor After 12th

Undergraduate Preparations: Some of the most crucial steps that must be followed in order to be an Assistant Professor after clearing their bachelor's degree are as follows,

  • Candidates must prepare themselves for entrance exams to pursue undergraduate degrees in any discipline.
  • Candidates must complete an undergraduate degree in any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized institute.
  • Candidates must take part in various college activities and seminars especially those related to academics.
  • Candidates can start preparing for UGC NET right from their undergraduate level so as to save time and be clear on the first attempt. 

Postgraduate Preparations: Some of the most crucial steps that must be taken after completion of an undergraduate degree in order to become an Assistant Professor are as follows.

  • Candidates must clear the entrance exam to pursue a master's degree.
  • Candidates must pursue a master’s degree in any discipline preferably in the one in which the candidate has done a bachelor’s degree.
  • Candidates must publish their research work in various magazines and peer-reviewed journals.
  • Candidates must appear for the UGC NET exam in order to pursue a career as an Assistant Professor.
  • Candidates must do various certification courses as well in order to develop teaching and research skills which will be very helpful in skill development.

PhD Courses

Candidates have ample options for pursuing a PhD degree depending upon their choice. PhD Courses can be pursued across various streams as already discussed above. Candidates aspiring to pursue PhD Courses can enrol themselves across any of the three programmes as listed below, 

  • Full-time, 
  • Part-time
  • Online PhD

Check:

Some of the top PhD Courses are tabulated below with all the relevant information for your knowledge. Check: List of PhD Courses

Parameters PhD History PhD Social Work PhD in Mechanical Engineering PhD in Legal Studies
Duration 3 Years 3 - 6 Years 2 - 5 Years 3 - 5 Years
Eligibility Candidates must have completed a master's degree in History or any other relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% or above.
Candidates are also required to appear for UGC-CSIR-NET, UGC-NET etc
Candidates must have completed a master's degree in Social Work or any other relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% or above.
Candidates are also required to appear for UGC-CSIR-NET, UGC-NET etc
Candidates must have completed a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or any other relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% or above.
Candidates are also required to appear for UGC-CSIR-NET, UGC-NET etc
Candidates must have completed a master's degree in Legal Studies or an M.Phil in Law or any other relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% or above.
Candidates are also required to appear for UGC-CSIR-NET, UGC-NET etc
Top Colleges Banaras Hindu University
University of Hyderabad
University of Calcutta
Jamia Millia Islamia
Tata Institute of Social Science
University of Delhi
Loyola College
University of Delhi
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
National Institute of Technology, Trichy
NALSAR, Hyderabad
IIT Kharagpur
NLU Jodhpur
Entrance Exams CSIR-UGC NET
UGC NET
JMI Entrance Exam
CSIR-UGC NET
CSIR JRF
GATE
UGC NET
JNUEE
GATE
JRF- GATE
NIPHER PhD
Average course fees INR 5000 - 1,00,000 INR 1000 - 2,00,000 INR 96,000- 3,16,000 INR 6000 - 1,50,000
Average Salary INR 2 LPA - 12 LPA INR 3 LPA - 8 LPA INR 3,50 LPA - 10 LPA INR 4 LPA - 12 LPA

List of Top PhD Colleges in India

India has been a hub of PhD colleges. Students from abroad also pursue PhD from India. There are more than 591 PhD colleges in various disciplines such as law, management sciences, arts and humanities, engineering etc. Many of the top colleges in India rank among the top 500 best PhD colleges globally. 

Some of the top PhD colleges in India are tabulated below for your reference.

Name of the Colleges Location Average Course Fees (INR)
Jai Hind College Mumbai 23,777
Bishop Heber College Thriucillapalli 21,000
Ahmedabad University Ahmedabad 48,000
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research Chandigarh 3470
School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal 46,000
National Institute of Fashion Technology Delhi 1,22,050
Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi 3970
University College of Medical Sciences Delhi 58,000
National Institute of Technology Durgapur 64,100

Benefits of Becoming an Assistant Professor

Being an Assistant Professor is considered as a profession of great reputation. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to work in the teaching sector. There are many benefits of working as an Assistant Professor. Some of these benefits have been listed below:

  • Job satisfaction: Many people enter the teaching profession because of their love for teaching and their dedication to shaping the lives of students. Therefore, the positive influence they can have on a student’s life gives a lot of job satisfaction.
  • Follow Your Interest: Being an Assistant Professor gives one the freedom to follow their interest and research in the same field. Not only research, being an Assistant Professor allows one to spread their findings and discuss them with their students.
  • Stability: Being an Assistant Professor is a very stable job with long-term security as well as the freedom to take risks and research in a domain other than the main interest. So this provides a lot of peace of mind and stability. 
  • Opportunity for Collaboration: Being in the academic field provides opportunities for cross-discipline interactions and research in collaboration with other academic experts. 
  • High Dignity: Assistant Professors have a high dignity in society since they are academic professionals and people often respect and admire their opinion on matters of importance. 

Skills Required to Become an Assistant Professor

Being an Assistant Professor requires a certain set of skills including technical and soft skills which have been listed below for your reference:

Communications skills Excellent research, writing and interpersonal skills Strong analytical, observational and Problem-solving
Presentation Passion for teaching Time-management
Public speaking published work Patience
Detail-oriented Good listener Good record of attending conferences and academic event

Assistant Professor Jobs

There are many types of professors in India and their designations vary according to job profiles. Some of these have been tabulated below for your reference. 

Job Profile Description Average Salary (INR)
Assistant Professor An Assistant Professor is responsible for teaching students and guiding students regarding academic research and course material. They must also conduct their research and write dissertations at the same time. 4.90 LPA
Associate Professor An Associate Professor is a mid-level academic professional who has a doctorate in a particular subject and teaches students regarding a particular subject. 8.50 LPA
HoD A Head of the Department is also an academic professional who heads the academic department of a college/university and is responsible for designing the course material and syllabus of a subject. They are also responsible for managing the department staff. 10.20 LPA
Professor A Professor is the highest academic professional with more than 20 years of academic experience in a college/university with a doctorate in a particular subject or field. 12.00 LPA

Salary of an Assistant Professor

The average salary of an Assistant Professor is INR 5.67 LPA. The salary of a professor depends on the qualification, skills, location, experience, designation etc. of the professor. Some of the average salaries of professors based on their job profile have been listed below:

Job Profile Average Annual Salary (INR)
Assistant Professor 5.67 L
Associate Professor 8.90 L
HOD 12.24 L
Professor 10.20 L
Senior Professor 22.15 L

How to Become an Assistant Professor: FAQs

Ques. What are the qualifications required to become an Assistant Professor?

Ans. Some of the essential qualifications required to become an Assistant Professor are that the candidates must have completed a master's degree in any discipline and must have cleared UGC NET exam.

Ques. Can I become Assistant Professor without PhD?

Ans. According to UGC, it is not mandatory to obtain a PhD to become an Assistant Professor but it is mandatory for professors.

Ques. Which degree is best to become an Assistant Professor?

Ans. Any master’s degree across any discipline is sufficient provided candidates clear the UGC NET exam to become an Assistant Professor.

Ques. Is NET compulsory for Assistant Professors?

Ans. According to the guidelines of UGC, it is required to clear the UGC NET exam but it is not required to pursue a B.Ed degree.

Ques. Is it hard to become an Assistant Professor?

Ans. No, it’s not hard to become an Assistant Professor but candidates might face some hurdles in acquiring high degrees as there will be a lot of entrance exams and tough challenges.

Ques. Are Assistant Professors permanent?

Ans. Assistant Professors are not tenured but they fulfil all the responsibilities of tenured professors and are offered under the 7th pay commission.

Ques. What is the age limit of the Assistant Professors post?

Ans. UGC has laid down the age criteria. Candidates between the age of 25 to 35 can apply for the post of Assistant Professor provided they fulfil educational requirements.

Ques. Is Assistant Professor the same as the lecturer?

Ans. Yes, both are the same thing but the term lecturer has now been abolished.

Ques. What are the PhD course fees?

Ans. The average course fees in INR 3000 -1,12,000 

Ques. What is the average salary of an Assistant Professor?

Ans. The average salary of an Assistant Professor is INR 4.00 LPA.

Ph.D. : 43 answered questions

VIEW ALL

Ques. Are master's degrees from IGNOU acceptable for admission into Ph.D courses in top universities?

● Top Answer By Anumita Mukharjee on 28 Apr 22

Ans. Yes, IGNOU is UGC approved, so masters degrees from IGNOU are acceptable for Ph.D. courses in top universities.  But to get admission you will have to meet the other eligibility criteria as well. The university will check your marks, rank, average, and age. As IGNOU is an open university, there is no age bar for learning any degree. Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. Is a Phd from IGNOU worth it/valuable?

● Top Answer By Srabani Guha on 24 Jul 23

Ans. Recently, UGC stated that only  Full-time Phd courses will be Valid and distance PhD is no more valid. The new full-time Ph.D. course will be delivered through the New Delhi main Campus of IGNOU. This change in itself has raised the worth and credibility of a Ph.D. from IGNOU. Here are a few Ph.D. programs offered in regular mode by IGNOU Ph.D. in Dairy Science and Technology Ph.D. in Gender and Development Studies Ph.D. in Women's Studies Ph.D. in Arabic Ph.D. in French Ph.D. in Distance Education Ph.D. in Translation Studies Moreover, IGNOU is the largest open university in the world, so the credibility of any degree from here cannot be doubted. What actually matters is the level of effort you put into research in the concerned field. Try to earn your degree and not just get one.Read more
0
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. How is the Direct PhD program of IIT Madras?

● Top Answer By Arati Sinha on 29 Mar 23

Ans. If you are considering pursuing a Ph.D. at IIT-M, you might be interested in knowing about the similarities and differences between a regular Ph.D. and a direct Ph.D. Here's what you need to know: Selection Procedure: All Ph.D. candidates, whether applying for a regular or direct Ph.D., have to clear a written exam followed by an interview at the institute. Coursework: A regular Ph.D. scholar has to complete four courses, while a direct Ph.D. candidate has to complete eight courses. If you are interested in a dual degree (i.e., MS by research and Ph.D.), you will need to complete two extra courses. Comprehensive Exam: After completing the coursework (usually taking two semesters), every candidate has to undergo a comprehensive exam consisting of a written test and an interview. You will have two chances to clear the comprehensive exam. If you fail to clear the comprehensive exam, you can still obtain an MS degree and get placed or join the Ph.D. program later. The amount and quality of research work by both kinds of Ph.D. candidates are the same. Financial Assistance: A regular Ph.D. candidate is eligible for financial assistance once to attend any international conference outside India. A direct Ph.D. candidate is eligible for financial assistance twice to attend an international conference outside India. Both regular and direct Ph.D. candidates can attend any national/international conference within India once every semester with full financial assistance. Stipend: The stipend for regular Ph.D. candidates is up to five years. The stipend for direct Ph.D. candidates is up to six years. Pre-Post Doc Fellowship: If you submit your degree within 4.5 years for a regular Ph.D. or 5 years for a direct Ph.D., you are eligible for a pre-postdoc fellowship.Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the value of a Ph.D. degree from IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Karuna Nair on 13 Mar 23

Ans. If you want to achieve self-satisfaction by gaining maximum knowledge about your research area, a Ph.D. could be a great way to do so. Consider coming to IIT Bombay if you are always enthusiastic about learning something new and doing something innovative. Your work will depend on your area and how far you can reach in the industry. For example, if your area is controlled, you can reach many consulting firms or industries that deal with automation problems. In fact, my lab deals with many industrial problems related to such issues. Your work will be recognized as an asset for IITB, and research is the foremost thing that every professor looks forward to. Apart from that, you can enjoy a good life as a Ph.D. student here, with the freedom to think in many directions and develop your research skills at your own pace. A Ph.D. degree from IIT Bombay is well-recognized. Many of the students, who are doing their Ph. D.s here in controls, are well settled abroad or in India, which proves the worth of this degree.Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. Why do some students in IIT Bombay leave high-paying jobs and join grad schools for PhD?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 23 Mar 23

Ans. It’s highly illogical to question why some students in IIT leave high-paying jobs and join graduate schools for Ph.D. This is because some people tend to do whatever makes them happy rather than following the sheep mentality. They don’t consider money as the only source of happiness. And they know that a high-paying job will rob them of mental peace due to a lot of responsibilities they might not even enjoy. So they choose a happier and simpler part which is pursuing a Ph.D. Another major reason why people may pursue a Ph.D. rather than working at a top company is their strong inclination to words academics, and they may not be satisfied with a bachelor's degree and crave higher studies in the form of PhD. Basically, the reason behind such a decision is subjective and depends solely On the particular individual, and cannot be objectified.  The common reason why people make such a decision is that they have more interest in studies and doing a job would hinder that passion. Doing a Ph.D. gives you opportunities to travel and enjoy life generally. That being said, it's not necessary that a Ph.D. is easy for everyone. It strictly depends upon one’s preferences and capabilities.Read more
0
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the placement scenario after PhD in IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 17 Mar 23

Ans. The placement scenario after PhD in IIT Bombay is generally poor, according to student feedback and departmental elections. Ph.D. students typically have very specific knowledge that may not be useful to companies, so they may not be recruited by BTech companies. There is no specific body that helps bring companies for Ph.D. students, resulting in a lack of job opportunities for graduates. Ph.D. graduates pursue two directions: Professor in a University or a specified job, but finding a job can be difficult without faculty contacts. The average salary for a Ph.D. student at IIT Bombay ranges from INR 3.4 Lakhs to INR 4.2 Lakhs per year .Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. Is a PhD from IGNOU valid?

● Top Answer By Pankaj Kumar on 18 Oct 22

Ans. PhD from IGNOU is as valuable as from any other university. The UGC has recently ruled that PhD from distance education is no longer valid. This is applicable to every university. PhD is valid only in regular mode. This can be both part-time or full-time. IGNOU offers both so yes PhD from IGNOU is valuable. In fact, it is more valuable than the same degree from Manipal or Lovely Professional University.  PhD from IGNOU is valuable because of the following reasons: Affordable fees  Both part-time and full-time available ( both approved by UGC) Easy distance education Can be pursued alongside a business or profession. What really matters is what you learn during your course and how you apply it.Read more
1
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the placement record of MSc applied statistics students of IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Poornima Sahoo on 18 Mar 23

Ans. The table below shows the key placement highlights of MSc applied statistics students of IIT Bombay. Particulars  Statistics  Median Salary INR 55.4 LPA Average Salary INR 17.9 LPA Placement Percentage 66.67% International Offers 58 Top Recruiters  Accenture | Analog Devices | Apple | CITI Bank | Google | Hindustan Unilever | HONEYWELL | IBM | ISRORead more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. How difficult is it to get a PhD from IISc Bangalore?

● Top Answer By Bidita Ghose on 14 Jul 23

Ans. Well, getting a Ph.D. from IISc is indeed difficult. In my opinion, the true meaning of a Ph.D. is investing your entire efforts, time, and knowledge in one specific region. In India though, Ph.D. is just considered a degree one can achieve by publishing some paper in some conference or journal. The quality of these papers is poor and substandard bringing down the sort of the degree.  However, IISc being a prestigious institute has managed to maintain the dignity and credibility of the degree so far. You need to prepare yourself for committing to hard work and high-level dedication. Know that your next 5-6 years will be spent proving and disproving every hypothesis possible and conducting infinite experiments. As a Ph.D. student, you will be publishing a few journals in top international forums and also writing your own thesis, which will culminate your entire work and present it before other researchers and professors of the institute. You will then be assessed thoroughly. Only after proving your point strongly and convincing them will you be able to get the degree.  During this whole time, you will face many struggles dealing with your PI and securing funds for your research work. But trust me the result will be worth the effort!Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. How good is doing a PhD in BITS Pilani compared to IITs?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 27 Jun 23

Ans. The mentors and research facilities at IITs are much better than at BITS Pilani. However, the passing process is as much more difficult at IITs.  BITS Pilani, on the other hand, is flexible to incorporate the changing scenario and a PhD from BITS Pilani is much more industry relevant. One of my cousins had a bad experience at BITS Pilani during his Ph.D. in the Mechanical branch. According to him, a large number of Ph.D. students in BITS Pilani drop out because of the intense pressure for producing results. PhD students are burdened with numerous tasks including the evaluation work for B.Tech. The saving grace for Ph.D. at BITS is that under a guide, your Ph.D. will be completed in 3 years like an MS from IIT. Considering my cousin’s experience, you should consult the alumni at BITS Pilani before choosing the institution for pursuing your Ph.D. Otherwise, BITS Pilani is a reputable institution and its Ph.D. degree will hold great relevance. More so, if you get the right mentors and the right facilities, the name tag of an institution becomes secondary.Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Comments



No Comments To Show

Ph.D. Colleges IN INDIA

View All