FAQs

Every factual question below is answered in the regulated sections of this page, which carry the date they were last checked and a link to the source they were checked against. This section deliberately points you there rather than repeating a number that could drift out of step with it.

Do I need a Master's in Psychology specifically?

The most-asked question, and the one most often answered wrongly on the internet. The rule is set by the conducting body and stated in each cycle's Information Bulletin — see the eligibility section above.

Is there negative marking?

See the exam pattern section. Do not take this from a forum: marking schemes have differed across cycles and across NTA examinations, and people answer from memory of a different exam.

Can I appear while I am still in my final year?

Provisional application is generally permitted, subject to meeting the required marks within a stated window. Both the window and what happens if you miss it are in the eligibility section.

How many attempts do I get, and is there an age limit?

Attempt limits and age limits differ between the fellowship route and the teaching-eligibility route, and they carry category relaxations. Both are in the eligibility section, with the date they were verified.

Does qualifying guarantee a job?

No, and be clear about this. Eligibility means you may apply; an appointment is a separate process run by each institution. A fellowship must then be placed with a supervisor and an institution.

How much should I score to qualify?

There is no fixed qualifying mark. Cut-offs are set per subject, per category, per cycle, from the performance of that cycle's candidates. Past cut-offs indicate a range; they do not set a target you can rely on.

Is Paper I really worth preparing separately?

Yes. It is the most common reason a strong psychology candidate does not qualify, and it is also the most learnable part of the exam — the question types repeat.

I studied psychology in a regional-medium programme. Am I at a

disadvantage?

Not in the exam. The terminology is standard across Indian psychology curricula, and the paper tests the concept rather than the phrasing. Read one standard text per weak unit and you are on the same footing.

Where do I check anything on this page?

The official Information Bulletin for your cycle is the only authority — including over this page. Every regulated fact here links to it.