Difference between NET and SLET

While the UGC was drafting the concept of NET as a mandatory requirement for determining the eligibility for lectureship in 1989, it also gave an option to various state governments and union territories to conduct their independent tests. It was felt that an eligibility test at the national level might not completely be able to represent the subjects, which are regional. Moreover, there was a plea to permit candidates to take the test in their mother tongue.If it’s NET at the national level, then SET is its counterpart at the state level. The SLET (State Level Eligibility Test for Lectureship Eligibility) has now been re-christened as SET (State Eligibility Test for Lectureship). The test is conducted both in English and in the vernacular languages. The only other difference being that unlike NET which makes you eligible to teach anywhere in the country, the SET entitles you to teach in any college or university in that particular state.The states or union territories that wish to conduct their own exam have to obtain UGC accreditation, which is granted for a stipulated period. In fact, SET is popular not only with the established states but also with the new ones like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand who have joined the bandwagon. About 15 states offer this exam to their domicile students.