" Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

This quote by Benjamin Franklin favours teachers having the privilege of guiding early experiences and discoveries which never fade.

The number of nationwide educational institutions for higher studies is increasing, and this means that the number of jobs in the education sector is also on the rise. For students pursuing secondary education who wish to live teaching as a career, the profession of lecturer is the best option. To make your goal as simple as possible, it is recommended that you carefully study all the important details in this article on how to justify your journey as a lecturer.

We are often grateful for the honourable service of teachers in shaping human values. Therefore, teaching has always been a respected profession in Indian society for many years. In addition to reasonable income and stability, the educator career is considered to be the most responsible role as it shapes the future of the youth and the nation. Lecturers who teach in colleges and universities have additional responsibilities in addition to teaching.

If you want to pursue a career as a college lecturer and have a strong commitment and desire for it, you need to know the way to enter this profession.

Aiming to be a Lecturer

Candidates aspiring to become lecturers after 12th can take education in any stream at 10 + 2 level. This must be pursued with a bachelor's degree and a postgraduate degree in the specialization of choice. For total marks, at least 55% is required while applying to appear for the UGC NET exam.

It takes you about 6-8 years to become a college lecturer. The time to complete your degree, postgraduate and previous work experience is counted until you get a job as a lecturer.

The prerequisite - You need to have a good teaching aptitude which refers to the inherent ability of a person to teach.  The UGC also made a test in aptitude a compulsory part of the syllabus for NET Exam.

Eligibility Requirements

To become a lecturer in India, you must be eligible to apply. Check out the eligibility criteria:

• Minimum eligibility standards
• Age limit criteria
• Competitive Exam Eligibility criteria

Besides academic eligibility, professional skills are also required to become a successful lecturer:

• The art of presenting ideas to dignitaries.
• Ability to understand new and creative methods of teaching.
• Ability to manage time between teaching and administrative tasks
• Be prepared for students to solve any problem.

Educational Qualifications

Academic degrees are made mandatory by the UGC norms.

Minimum total marks in postgraduate or equivalent degrees are 55% for general category candidates and 50% for reserved category candidates.

Educational qualification for assistant professor and JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) is the same.

Age Criteria

No age limit is set to be eligible to apply for the Assistant Professor's Profile. UGC has not fixed any age limit for lectureship posts as many candidates choose this profession after gaining prior experience, which is beneficial for getting a job.

However, for the Junior Research Fellowship, the NTA has set the age limit to less than 31 years on the first day of the month after the exam.

Competitive Exams

National and state governing bodies conduct various competitive examinations that allow you to build your career as a lecturer.

1. NET (National Eligibility Test)
2. SLET (State Level Eligibility Test)
3. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
4. CSIR NET

Candidates with a regular PhD degree with at least 2 papers published in the field of research dissertation may be exempted from attending NET / SLET after success in their viva-voce.

Also, a relaxation of a 5% grace score in the NTA NET is given to PhD graduates who have completed the postgraduate examination on or before September 19, 1991.

NET (National Eligibility Test)

NET, also known as UGC NET, is a competitive examination conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency) to select candidates for lecturers and JRF profiles.

To apply for this exam, to be eligible for this exam, you must have a post-graduate degree with at least 55% marks from a recognized university. Once you pass the exam and receive the UGC NET Certificate, you can apply for the Assistant Professor Profile at reputed colleges and universities across the country.

SLET (State Level Eligibility Test)

SLET is a state-level examination which is also conducted by the National Testing Agency. The SLET examination is conducted annually with the approval of the UGC NET Bureau, New Delhi.

After passing the SLET, you will be eligible to apply and work in state-level colleges and universities.

GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is an all-India competitive examination conducted by the GATE Committee, which includes professors from IISc, Bangalore and seven IITs.

You can use your GATE score to do a PhD, and after publishing your dissertation as a PhD thesis, you can apply for the post of Professor / Lecturer in IIT or NIT.

CSIR NET

CSIR NET is a national-level examination conducted by the National Testing Agency. The exam is conducted in the sciences, including Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Earth Sciences.

This examination checks the eligibility of candidates to apply for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Lectureship (LS) in listed colleges in India and universities.

Benefits of PhD

Similar to the academic degree (B Ed / M Ed) attached to school teachers, a PhD degree helps candidates for lecturers/assistant professors in colleges.

According to UGC's latest rules, from 2023, PhD will be made mandatory for all those who want to join the university departments in the role of assistant professors.  PhD holders are exempted from appearing NET Exam.

Takeaway

The role of lecturer comes with many responsibilities and offers a comfortable salary and respectable status in society. Along with scholars in your field, you are expected to be aware of technology and trends. Today you need to be consistent and competitive with technology to reach your classes using the online classes app. Academic domain lecturers can create online classrooms in a few clicks using professional software applications.

Teachmint helps schools envision a future where their students are equipped with 21st-century skills. With our advanced learning management system, you can improve the teaching-learning experience. Our offerings like education erp, admission management system, fee management system, and others conveniently digitize educational institutions.

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