ugc net exam syllabus guide and preparation tips

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UGC NET Exam Syllabus: Paper 1 & 2 Guide with Tips

Manisa Das Nov 3, 2025 1K Reads

UGC-NET is a national-level exam conducted in India, where the National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the exam on behalf of the UGC. The examination is conducted twice a year. For December, the examination is scheduled to be held from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026. It will determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowship, Assistant Professorship, and PhD programs.

For working professionals, individuals can pursue their doctoral degree through an Online DBA program. The Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) is an Online program that is equivalent to the PhD program. The program offers flexible classes and a degree, along with the ‘Dr’ title, within three years. The individuals are not required to qualify for any entrance examination for this program.

UGC NET 2025	Details
Conducted By	NTA (National Testing Agency)
Official Website	https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in
Given For	JRF, Assistant Professor, PhD
Mode of Examination	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Duration of Exam	180 minutes (3 hours)
Registration	07th October 2025 to 07 November 2025
Exam Date	31st December 2025 to 07th January 2026
Admit Card (Release)	To be notified later
Result	To be notified later
No. of Questions	150
Sections of Exams	Paper 1 and Paper 2
Scoring scale	200 to 300 score
Marking Scheme	2 marks each No Negative Markings

UGC-NET Exam Pattern

The UGC-NET exam has a 2-paper structure, including Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is common for all, and Paper 2 is subject-specific. The exam is objective and consists of multiple-choice questions; hence, the exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT). The duration of the exam is 180 minutes or 3 hours. There is no negative marking in the examination.

UGC-NET 2025 Exam Pattern
Features	PAPER 1	PAPER 2
Total Marks	100	200
NO. OF QUESTIONS	50	100

UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus

The Paper 1 includes 50 questions for 100 marks that are common for all. There is no negative marking for any wrong answer.

Here is the syllabus of the UGC NET Paper:

UNIT	Syllabus
Unit 1- Teaching Aptitude	Teaching: Concept, objectives, levels of teaching (memory, understanding, and reflective), characteristics, and basic requirements Learner’s characteristics: Characteristics of adolescent and adult learners (academic, social, emotional, and cognitive), individual differences Factors affecting teaching related to Teacher, Learner, Support material, Instructional facilities, Learning environment, and Institution Methods of teaching in higher learning institutions: Teacher-centered vs learner-centered methods; offline vs online methods (Swayam, Swayamprabha, MOOCs, etc.). Teaching support system: Traditional, modern, and ICT-based Evaluation systems: Elements and types of evaluation, evaluation in Choice Based Credit Systems in higher education, computer-based testing, innovations in evaluation systems
Unit-II: Research Aptitude	Research: Meaning, types, and characteristics, positivism, and the post-positivistic approach to research Methods of research: Experimental, descriptive, historical, qualitative, and quantitative methods Steps of research Thesis and article writing: Format and styles of referencing Application of ICT in research Research ethics
Unit-III: Comprehension	A passage of text is given. Questions are asked about the passage that needs to be answered.
Unit-IV: Communication	Communication: Meaning, types, and characteristics of communication Effective communication: Verbal and non-verbal, intercultural and group communications, and classroom communication Barriers to effective communication Mass media and society
Unit-V: Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude	Types of reasoning Number series, letter series, codes, and relationships Mathematical aptitude (fraction, time & distance, ratio, proportion and percentage, profit and loss, interest and discounting, averages, etc.)
Unit-VI: Logical Reasoning	Understanding the structure of arguments: Argument forms, the structure of categorical propositions, mood and figure, formal and informal fallacies, uses of language, connotations, and denotations of terms, the classical square of opposition Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning Analogies Venn diagram: Simple and multiple uses for establishing the validity of arguments Indian Logic: Means of Knowledge Pramanas: Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference), Upamana (Comparison), Shabda (Verbal testimony), Arthapatti (Implication), and Anupalabddhi (Non-apprehension) Structure and kinds of Anumana (inference), Vyapti (invariable relation), Hetvabhasas (fallacies of inference)

UGC-NET 2025 Syllabus

Paper 2 of the UGC- NET examination is subject-wise. The examination has 100 questions that hold 200 marks. There is no negative marking for any wrong answer.

There is a prompt list of the UGC-NET Syllabus 2025 which the data should be driven from the UGC-NET official page.

Subjects	English	Hindi
General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude (Paper -I)	Download	Download
Economics / Rural Economics /Co-operation / Demography / Development Planning/ Development Studies / Econometrics/ Applied Economics/Development Eco./Business Economics	Download	Download
Political Science	Download	Download
Philosophy	Download	Download
Psychology	Download	Download
Sociology	Download	Download
History	Download	Download
Anthropology	Download	Download
Commerce	Download	Download
Education	Download	Download
Social Work	Download	Download
Defence and Strategic Studies	Download	Download
Home Science	Download	Download
Public Administration	Download	Download
Population Studies	Download	Download
Music	Download	Download
Management (including Business Admn. Mgt./Marketing/ Marketing Mgt./Industrial Relations and Personnel Mgt./ Personnel Mgt./Financial Mgt./Co-operative Management)	Download	Download
Maithili	Download	Download
Bengali	Download	Download
Hindi		Download
Kannada	Download	Download
Malayalam	Download	Download
Oriya	Download	Download
Punjabi	Download	Download
Sanskrit	Download	Download
Tamil	Download	Download
Telugu	Download	Download
Urdu	Download	Download
Arabic	Download	Download
English	Download	Download
Linguistics	Download	Download
Chinese	Download	Download
Dogri	Download	Download
Nepali	Download	Download
Manipuri	Download	Download
Assamese	Download	Download
Gujarati	Download	Download
Marathi	Download	Download
French (French Version)	Download	Download
Spanish	Download	Download
Russian	Download	Download
Persian	Download	Download
Rajasthani	Download	Download
German	Download	Download
Japanese	Download	Download
Adult Education/ Continuing Education/ Andragogy/Non-Formal Education.	Download	Download
Physical Education	Download	Download
Arab Culture and Islamic Studies	Download	Download
Indian Culture	Download	Download
Labour Welfare/Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/ Labour and Social Welfare/Human Resource Management	Download	Download
Law	Download	Download
Library and Information Science	Download	Download
Buddhist, Jaina, Gandhian, and Peace Studies	Download	Download
Comparative Study of Religions	Download	Download
Mass Communication and Journalism	Download	Download
Performing Arts - Dance/Drama/Theatre	Download	Download
Museology & Conservation	Download	Download
Archaeology	Download	Download
Criminology	Download	Download
Tribal and Regional Language/Literature	Download	Download
Folk Literature	Download	Download
Comparative Literature	Download	Download
Sanskrit traditional subjects (including) Jyotisha/Sidhanta Jyotish/ Navya Vyakarna/ Vyakarna/ Mimansa/ Navya Nyaya/ Sankhya Yoga/ Tulanatmaka Darsan/ Shukla Yajurveda/ Madhav Vedant/ Dharmasasta/ Sahitya/ Puranotihasa /Agama).		Download
Women Studies	Download	Download
Visual Art (including Drawing & Painting/Sculpture, Graphics/Applied Art/History of Art)	Download	Download
Geography	Download	Download
Social Medicine & Community Health	Download	Download
Forensic Science	Download	Download
Pali	Download	Download
Kashmiri	Download	Download
Konkani	Download	Download
Computer Science and Applications	Download	Download
Electronic Science	Download
Environmental Sciences	Download
Politics, including International Relations/International Studies, Defence/Strategic Studies, West Asian Studies, South East Asian Studies, African Studies, South Asian Studies, Soviet Studies, and American Studies.	Download	Download
Prakrit	Download	Download
Human Rights and Duties	Download	Download
Tourism Administration and Management.	Download	Download
Bodo		Download
Santali		Download
Yoga	Download	Download
Sindhi	Download	Download
Hindu Studies	Download	Download
Indian Knowledge System	Download	Download
Disaster Management	Download	Download
Ayurveda Biology	Download	Download

Exam preparation tips

Here are a few exam preparation tips for individuals preparing for the UGC NET examination.

Go through the syllabus of UGC NET paper 1 and paper 2
Make a timetable for your studies.
Solve the previous year's question papers
Attempt mock tests
Evaluate and assess your progress
Make time for revision

Skip the Test, Not the Title - Pursue a DBA

Students seeking a PhD also have the option to enroll in an online DBA course. There is no entrance test required to secure admission to a DBA. It is thus considered an easier route compared to the conventional PhD. The DBA is recognized as being at par with a conventional PhD, and thus, it is ideal for all students who do not wish to appear for the UGC NET or who cannot qualify for a JRF fellowship.

The program is particularly helpful for working professionals who would like to pursue a doctorate but are unable to do so due to their professional commitments. Through an online DBA, they can conveniently work towards the doctorate and acquire the prestigious ‘Dr.’ title.

Key Features of the Online DBA Program

Duration: 3 years
Flexible Learning: Students can attend classes according to their convenience and pace, as the classes will be held online.
Expert Interaction: The interactions with subject matter experts and peers will help increase their professional network and further domain knowledge.
Career Prospects: On earning the degree, individuals will get wider exposure in the job market, with the possibility of holding top or senior/leading positions in reputable organizations.
Global Business Perspective: The DBA focuses on practical business and management knowledge for both national and international markets.
Research Opportunities: Students can complete and submit their research work within the 3-year program duration.
Recognized Institutions: It can be pursued through WES-recognized universities, thereby enhancing its global credibility.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply to the online DBA program, applicants must meet one of the following:

a) Have a bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of professional work experience, or

b) Hold a master's or equivalent degree in a field related to the proposed area of research.

Online DBA program

Here are some universities that provide online DBA programs-

Universities Offering DBA	Specialization
Birchwood Online University DBA Online	Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Generative AI Human Resource Emerging Technology Data Science Business Data & Analytics Finance Management Supply Chain Management Marketing Management Healthcare Management Leadership and strategy International Business Sustainability Accounting Cyber Security Information Technology Computer Science Project Management Social Impact Management Digital Leadership Big Data Tourism and hospitality Strategic Marketing General Management Cloud Computing Blockchain Management and Technology Big Data and Robots FinTech Performing Arts Management Digital Transformation Public Policy Digital Marketing Electric and Hybrid Vehicles AR and VR Circular Economy Internet of Things Product Life Cycle Talent Management Quantum Computing E-commerce Customer Behavior Management Corporate Governance Green Energy Robotics and Automation Real Estate Management Public Relations Risk management
Golden Gate University DBA Online	Generative AI Finance Marketing Emerging Technology Business Data & Analytics Leadership & Strategy Digital Leadership
Rushford Business School DBA Online	International Business Finance Healthcare Management HR Management Marketing Supply Chain Management Big Data Data Science Sustainabilty Business Analytics General Management
ESGCI International School of Management Paris DBA Online	Online DBA course
EIMT Online DBA	HR Finance Logistics & Supply Chain Toursim & Hospitality Generative AI Strategic Marketing Machine Learning AI Data Science Emerging Technology Green Energy
Swiss School of Business Management DBA Online	Business Analytics Finance management HR Management Marketing Management Healthcare Management Machine Learning Supply Chain Management Data Science Accounting Cyber Security Technology Entrepreneurship Project Management Social Impact Management Operations Management Strategic Management IT Management Crisis Management International Business Leadership AI Big Data Public Policy Product Life Management Digital Marketing
Edgewood College DBA Online	Leadership Finance Healthcare

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

NTA conducts the entrance examination of UGC-NET for 85 subjects. For instance, geography, sociology, English, Pali, Tamil, and others.

Those who have completed their master's degree with at least 55% or above from a recognized university.

Yes, it is possible to crack the UGC NET examination in 6 months with a proper schedule and practice.

The UGC NET examination consists of 2 papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 includes 10 units- Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Comprehension, Communication, Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), People, Development and Environment, and Higher Education System

There are no particular attempts for the UGC NET unless the candidate is 30 years old.

The UGC NET certification is valid for a lifetime; however, the JRF certification is valid for only 1 year.

On qualifying the NET, the individuals can pursue higher education, such as a PhD, or they can pursue their career as an assistant professor, researcher, manager, or others.

On clearing the UGC NET entrance exam, the individuals will get various opportunities to choose from. They can choose higher education or job roles like an assistant professor, researcher, or others.

Yes, UGC NET is conducted twice a year- in June and December.

By Manisa Das

3 Years of experience/ academic writer/ freelance writer

Academic writing expert and freelancer with 3 years of experience, specializing in law, business, and social sciences. I deliver clear, well-researched, and high-quality content with a strong foundation in social science and business studies.