UGC-NET Examination — Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) is conducted to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the posts of 'Assistant Professor' and for 'Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor' in Indian universities and colleges. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is a comprehensive test designed to assess the teaching and research aptitude as well as the subject-specific knowledge of the candidates. The selection process consists of a single-stage Computer-Based Test (CBT) comprising two papers.
📌 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India.
Educational Qualification
- A candidate must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in a Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from a university recognized by the UGC.
- For candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories, the minimum percentage requirement is 50%.
Candidates who are pursuing their Master's degree or are awaiting their final results are also eligible to apply.
Age Limit
- For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Not more than 30 years. Age relaxation is provided for reserved categories (e.g., up to 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and women applicants).
- For Assistant Professor: There is no upper age limit for applying for the post of Assistant Professor.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
The UGC-NET is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of two papers with no break in between. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Total Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Teaching and Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 | 3 Hours (Composite) |
| Paper-II | Subject-Specific Paper | 100 | 200 | |
| Total | 150 | 300 |
Syllabus for Papers
- Paper-I: Teaching and Research Aptitude (Common for all)
This paper assesses the teaching and research capabilities of the candidate. Key topics include:
- Teaching Aptitude
- Research Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
- Communication
- Reasoning (including Mathematical)
- Logical Reasoning
- Data Interpretation
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- People, Development and Environment
- Higher Education System
- Paper-II: Subject-Specific Paper
This paper is based on the subject selected by the candidate from a list of over 80 subjects. The syllabus covers the entire undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum of that chosen subject. Candidates can download the detailed syllabus for their specific subject from the official UGC-NET website.
👉 Note
- Both papers consist of objective-type, multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- The exam is conducted in a single session of 3 hours.
- For full official syllabus & eligibility, refer to UGC-NET official website.
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.