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I want to become a professor of Psychology. What is the eligibility criteria for that?

Can you provide me with detail description


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RE: I want to become a professor of Psychology. What is the eligibility criteria for that?

Dr Aparna
Dr Aparna
Verified Career Expert
PhD Organizational Psychology
  • Hosur

Hello there

Thank you for choosing Meracareerguide and writing to us. A professorship usually requires a candidate to have studied a Doctorate that is a PhD level degree to claim a professor status. To study a Doctorate in Philosophy in Psychology; you are required to follow these educational path.

  • Pass 10th grade with minimum 60% (first class) or above
  • Pass 12th grade with minimum 60% (first class) or above. And make sure you should have studied Biology and Chemistry as the mandatory subjects in 12th grade. If you have not studied Bio and Chem at 12th grade, most universities will not accept your study application for BSc or BA Psychology degree level. Some students choose to study Economics, Commerce, Maths and other subjects at 12th grade and be aware these subjects are not acceptable by colleges to apply for Psychology degrees in India.
  • Pass BA/ BSc Psychology degree with minimum first class or above
  • Pass MA/ MSc Psychology or Applied Psychology degree with minimum first class or above.
  • Pass UGC-NET exam and clear your test at National level. (Exam conducted twice a year)
  • Pass UGC-SET exam and clear your test at state level. (exam conducted twice a year

With these qualifications, you could apply for a PhD degree in Psychology degree in India. Please be informed that universities require you to follow each step mentioned above. There is a flexibility for reserved candidates from SC/ST castes and universities permit them to have scored a minimum of 55% and above.

In case you are seeking scholarship/ monthly studentship to support your PhD studies, the university does require an extra test UGC-JRF (junior research fellowship) to be able to be successful with studentship application. PhD Psychology students with a UGC-JRF get a minimum stipend of 12000-18000 per month.

For students who are not able to commit to study a three year PhD, but are still interested in being a Professor, it cant be done. I would like to clarify that you can start working as a Lecturer but not a Professor. A Professor status is given to a candidate who holds either 10 years of work experience or at least a Doctorate degree in Psychology. If you are a fresher, you can start working as a lecturer. But to be able to work as a lecturer, it is mandatory to have passed at least a Masters degree or an MPhil degree plus cleared UGC-LEC exam. LEC exam qualifies you to work as a Lecturer.

Please write back if you require further assistance. Happy to help. Thanks.
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Caching Date: 1/27/2026 4:34:17 PM