Teaching & Education Entrance Exam

It would be no problem to study for a Ph.D. later if you are currently 35 years old. The basic eligibility criteria in most cases for Ph.D. admission are a good master's degree (or equivalent) in the specific field, along with good academic credentials. Most institutions do not have an age limit for entry into any Ph.D. program. However, some institutions will have certain age limits and restrictions while offering specific scholarships or fellowships. As long as one fulfills the academic requirement and has a supervisor lined up, one can enroll in a Ph.D. programme immediately after clearing NET and applying through the particular university's admission process.

Yes, you can sit for the NTA NET even after getting your MA in English if you want to pursue a PG Diploma in Criminal Justice, but generally speaking, for taking the UGC NET Criminology Exam, a Master's in Criminology or other related subjects is a pre-requirement.
Since your educational background is in English, you would want to verify whether the NTA permits candidates having a degree in a related field to apply for the Criminology subject. Normally, candidates are requested to appear in the subject of their post-graduation or an allied subject. Verify whether you fulfill the minimum percentage requirements mentioned by the NTA (normally 55% for the General category and 50% for the reserved categories).

Since, Optometry is not mentioned in the list of subjects for the UGC NET examination, the following points maybe of help to you. One can give the UGC NET examination in a related subject such as Life sciences (code 45) or Physical sciences (code 35). Still, you are going to have to study more and make sure your post-graduation degree will be in the field of the chosen subject. There are other competitive exams by National Testing Agency such as CSIR NET exam in which there is one subject that can be related to Optometry called Life Sciences. Approximately 16,000 students sit for CSIR NET each year, while just 2,500 – 3,000 students pass.

Eligibility for the CSIR NET Physics exam depends on the applicant's master's degree and related field of study. If the subject has important content related to physics A Master's degree in Renewable Energy may also be considered. CSIR NET is primarily aimed at applicants with a degree in the physical sciences, such as an M.Sc. in Physics. Applied Physics or related field of study If your renewable energy course covers basic physics topics such as energy systems, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics. or an electromagnet that you may qualify for.

Academic performance is also important. General, EWS and OBC applicants must have a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate in their graduation level. While SC/ST/PWD candidates must have at least 50% marks if Renewable Energy is an inter-subject. Ensure that transcripts reflect physics-related courses. This will help strengthen your application when applying to study Physical Sciences.

There are also age limits. Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) has a maximum age of 28 years, with lenient conditions for reserved categories. However, there is no age limit for Lecturer or Assistant Professor roles. Check CSIR NET official notification or contact CSIR NET helpline to confirm your eligibility.