Lakhs appear for the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) every year, but the success rate is just six percent. Similarly, a mere one percent is awarded the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for Research.

However, these figures won’t intimidate Anees Poovathi, a native of Areekode, Malappuram. He has achieved the rare distinction of qualifying UGC-NET in six subjects—Tourism, Public Administration, Psychology, Comparative studies of Religions, Commerce, and Management. Out of this, he was awarded the JRF in Psychology and Commerce.

His PG qualification is MSc (Applied Psychology), M Com, M A (Tourism & Administration), MBA, MA (Comparative Studies of Religions), and MA (Public Administration).

NET, Anees’ life & passion
Anees was working as a clerk in the Kuzhimanna panchayat of Malappuram. However, he quit government service when he realised his passion for learning and teaching. He is now running his own NET coaching center in Kozhikode.

For Anees, studying is his hobby. Hence, he spends a lot of time for his studies, mostly relying on his tab or mobile phone for reading and learning. Anees reveals his winning formula. One shouldn’t try to be perfect in everything. Try to imbibe maximum lessons included in the syllabus, refer to old question papers and be fully confident of what you have studied.

Anees is the son of the late Veeran and Mymoona, natives of Cholayil, Pookodu, Areekode. Wife Fahima; Son Aiman.

Age, not a barrier for NET
There is no age bar for appearing in the UGC-NET examination. However, it is 30 years for a General candidate to obtain JRF. Women and those belonging to reservation categories can sit for the exam till 35 years of age. The age limit has been increased by one year on a temporary basis to make up for the years lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.