The Comparison between UGC-NET and GATE

The eligibility criteria for GATE exam is Engineering Graduate, while the candidate who has done post-graduate can appear for CSIR-NET(JRF).The syllabus for GATE exam is less as compare to CSIR-NET, also in GATE exam, we don't have general studies paper. The difficulty level of GATE exam is quite tougher than NET. The NET exam is conducted twice in a year, while GATE exam is conducted once in a year. The GATE score is valid for 3 years and a candidate can appear for exam any number of times. There is no age limit for GATE exam, but if you are preparing for PSU then there is an age limit.The NET-JRF score is valid for 2 years and can be extended for 3 years for SRF. The age limit for the CSIR-NET exam is 28 (relaxation for OBC/SC/ST as per rule). Qualifying NET doesn't guarantee admission to any specific Universities. The candidate has to appear for the interview.

Benefits

PSU's

The GATE has its own perk, more than 50 PSU does recruitment through GATE including all Engineering streams. The PSU recruitment for Engineering stream is not done through a NET exam.

MS/MBA

The GATE score is also valid for MS program in different abroad universities whereas the NET score is valid only in India for the Ph.D. program or as a JRF. The NITIE offers different management courses for GATE qualified candidate. Also the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) provided by IIMs in which students are selected on the basis of GATE score.

Comparison Chart:

S.No	Parameters	GATE	NET
1	Exam Eligibility	Engineering Graduates	Post Graduates
2	Exam Difficulty Level	Tough	Moderate
3	Frequency of exam conduction	Once a year	Twice a year
4	Exam score validity	3 yrs	2 yrs
5	Benefits of qualifying GATE	Admission for M.Tech at IISc Bangalore, IITs,NITs and other reputed colleges Score used for recruitment in PSUs Admission for Ph.D Research Fellowship in management at IIMA,B,C Admission for PGDIE course at NITIE Mumbai	Pursue Career as a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) Work in PSUs Admission for PhD Chance to get selected by IITs, NITs and other organizations for whole time research(JRF) work in accordance with the procedure prescribed by them
6	Stipend	Stipend while pursuing M.Tech is Rs.12,400 per month.After M.Tech the Stipend of Rs 25,000 for initial two years and Rs 28,000 per month for remaining three years while pursuing Ph.D. in NITs. For IISC and IIT candidates of Ph.D. the follow ship is 70,000 per month	The Stipend of Rs 25,000 per month for the first two years(JRF) and Rs 28,000 per month for remaining tenure(JRF)

Ph.D.

The GATE score is considered as valid for Ph.D. admission in IIT/NIT and another state universities. The NET score is considered for Ph.D. admission in different universities and IIT/NIT.

Research

The CSIR also provides laboratories where the candidate can do their research work.The students who have completed PG from IIT/NIT are eligible for PMRF's which includes monthly scholarships of Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 and annual research grants of Rs 2 lakh for select scholars. To do PG from IIT/NIT GATE score is compulsory. The GATE score can be considered for research at different government organization like Nuclear Research Program at BARC, Council of Industrial & Scientific Research, TIFR – Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and ISRO – Indian Space Research Organization.

M.Tech./M.E.

The GATE qualified candidates are eligible for getting admission to the post-graduate program M.Tech./M.E.. The candidate can appear for a NET exam only after completion of PG program.

Stipend

The GATE qualified students can get 2 years stipend of rupees 12400/- per month if they take admission for PG in any Engineering college.The CSIR gives a stipend to the candidates who have qualified either GATE or NET exam for JRF.