How to become a College / University Professor in India
प्रोफ़ेसर
Teach undergraduate and postgraduate students, do research and guide the next generation of scholars.
- Streams
- Any stream
- Time it takes
- About 9–11 years after Class 12 (degree, master’s and PhD)
- Key exams
- CUET, CUET, UGC NET
What you actually do
- Teach lectures, tutorials and labs in your subject
- Do research, publish papers and supervise student projects and PhDs
- Serve on committees, set exams and mentor students
A day in the life
Two lectures in the morning, meeting a PhD student about their experiment, working on a paper or grant proposal, and a department committee meeting.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: do well across subjects; read beyond the textbookabout 2 yr
- Class 11–12: any stream, matching the subject you want to teachabout 2 yr
- Entrance: CUET (UG), JEE, IISER Aptitude Test or other subject entrancesabout 6 mo
- Bachelor’s (3–4 years) and master’s (2 years) in your subjectabout 5 yr
- Qualify UGC NET (or CSIR UGC NET) and complete a PhD (about 4–5 years)about 4.5 yr
- First job: Assistant Professor in a college or universityabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| CUET (UG) | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Once a year (usually May–June) |
| CUET (PG) | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Once a year |
| UGC NET | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Twice a year (June and December cycles) |
| CSIR UGC NET | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Twice a year |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
Central and state universities: low fees; PhD scholars with JRF receive a fellowship
Private route
Private universities: roughly ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh per year for degrees
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
Assistant Professors in UGC-funded institutions are placed at Academic Level 10 under the 7th CPC/UGC pay structure. Private institutions set their own pay; check recruitment notices.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You love your subject and keep reading about it
- You enjoy both teaching and research
- You are patient with a long path
Maybe not, if…
- You want to earn early
- You dislike writing and publishing
Not sure yet? Take the Career Explorer quiz — 18 questions, answers stay on your device.
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Common questions
How do I become a College / University Professor in India?
1. Class 9–10: do well across subjects; read beyond the textbook 2. Class 11–12: any stream, matching the subject you want to teach 3. Entrance: CUET (UG), JEE, IISER Aptitude Test or other subject entrances 4. Bachelor’s (3–4 years) and master’s (2 years) in your subject 5. Qualify UGC NET (or CSIR UGC NET) and complete a PhD (about 4–5 years) 6. First job: Assistant Professor in a college or university
Which entrance exams lead to a career as a College / University Professor?
CUET (UG) (National Testing Agency (NTA)); CUET (PG) (National Testing Agency (NTA)); UGC NET (National Testing Agency (NTA)); CSIR UGC NET (National Testing Agency (NTA)). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become a College / University Professor?
Any stream.
How long does it take to become a College / University Professor?
About 9–11 years after Class 12 (degree, master’s and PhD)
How much does it cost to become a College / University Professor?
Government route: Central and state universities: low fees; PhD scholars with JRF receive a fellowship. Private route: Private universities: roughly ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh per year for degrees. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of a College / University Professor in India?
Assistant Professors in UGC-funded institutions are placed at Academic Level 10 under the 7th CPC/UGC pay structure. Private institutions set their own pay; check recruitment notices.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- College / University Professor: path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
University Grants Commission · UGC NET (NTA) · Department of Expenditure — 7th CPC pay matrix
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
CUET (UG) — National Testing Agency (NTA) · CUET (PG) — National Testing Agency (NTA) · UGC NET — National Testing Agency (NTA) · CSIR UGC NET — National Testing Agency (NTA)
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