Aspirants Demand Fairness in PhD Selection at Osmania University

Hyderabad: PhD aspirants at Osmania University (OU) have raised concerns over what they call an unfair evaluation system in the university’s Category 2 PhD admissions for 2025. Their grievance on the disparity in academic excellence marks awarded to Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and National Eligibility Test (NET) qualifiers, with JRF holders receiving 15 marks and NET candidates just 10.

Students argue this difference is unjust, especially because JRF candidates already have exclusive access to Category 1 admissions, which take place twice a year. NET and SET holders, on the other hand, are only eligible under Category 2 — making the lower marks an added disadvantage.

“In 2022–23, both JRF and NET holders were awarded 15 marks under academic excellence. Suddenly downgrading NET holders this year sends the wrong message,” said Kalakoti Uday Kumar, a PhD aspirant. “This contradicts the principle of equal opportunity and affects many qualified candidates who cannot avail the benefits of Category 1.”

Another aspirant, Anant, said, “We’re not asking for favours. We just want the same treatment for candidates who’ve cleared national-level exams through merit. Penalising NET holders when they already have fewer chances is deeply unfair.”

Students who submitted a formal representation to Registrar Prof. Naresh Reddy noted that the NET is a tough, qualifying exam in its own right and does not deserve to be treated as less valuable than the JRF in admissions. They are demanding that OU restore parity by allotting equal marks to both in Category 2.

“This is not just a technical matter, it affects real people, their academic futures and the integrity of the university’s admission process,” said Srinath, another aspirant. The representation was backed by multiple students and research scholars who appealed to the university administration to ensure a level playing field. They called for quick action to revise the admission criteria before the next phase of the PhD selection process begins.