In several other states, there is an option for students to appear for the SLET, which is conducted in regional languages ­­- Prof. Satyanarayana Osmania University

The National Eligibility Test that the University Grants Commission conducts twice a year, has become tough for aspirants from the state.
While about 10,000 students appeared for NET, less than 200 students cleared it this year. This means just two per cent of the aspirants cleared the test.

With UGC making NET qualification mandatory for candidates for appointment as faculty, the universities are finding it difficult to fill faculty positions.

Though the number of applicants for NET has been steadily increasing in the state since the last three years, there has been no improvement in the success rate. In 2009, about 6,000 students had appeared for NET, but only 120 could clear the exam. In 2010, the number of applicants increased to 8,000, but only 150 cleared the test.

University professors attribute the low success rate to various reasons.

One reason they say is that the test is being conducted only in English and Hindi and students from Telugu Medium are finding it difficult to clear it. They say a majority of the students in state universities come from

Telugu Medium.
“In several other states, there is an option for students to appear for the State-Level Eligibility Test, or SLET, which is conducted in the regional languages. As per UGC norms, a qualification in NET or SLET is mandatory to be eligible for faculty positions. However, in Andhra Pradesh the SLET has not been conducted for over a decade.

Left with no choice, students are forced to opt only for NET,” said Prof.

Satyanarayana of Osmania University.

Though the state government has been talking about reviving SLET since the last two years, things have not moved forward. The government handed over the job of conducting SLET to Osmania University.

However, OU is yet to obtain approval from UGC to conduct SLET.