UGC NET, or University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test, is a national examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is a national-level exam. UGC NET is conducted to determine eligibility for positions at Indian universities and colleges of Assistant Professors and Junior Research Fellows (JRF). The exam is conducted twice a year in online mode, and the syllabus includes various subjects such as Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Commerce. Cracking the UGC NET exam requires thorough preparation and dedication and is considered one of the toughest exams in India.
The UGC NET exam offers a great opportunity for candidates aspiring to become Assistant Professors or pursue research as a Junior Research Fellow in Indian universities and colleges. The exam not only tests the subject knowledge of the candidates but also evaluates their reasoning ability, comprehension, and general awareness. Qualifying for the UGC NET exam requires a deep understanding of the subject, regular practice, and time management skills. To qualify for an Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship, candidates must score high enough on the exam. Therefore, to succeed in the UGC NET exam, candidates must have a strong determination and a focused approach toward their preparation.
Below are the essential highlights of the UGC NET 2025 Recruitment examination:
| Organization | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Name | University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Frequency of Exam | Twice a year |
| Duration of Exam | 3 Hours |
| Exam Time | Shift 1 – 09:00 am – 12:00 noon (3 hours) Shift 2 – 03:00 pm – 06:00 pm (3 hours) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Online – Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Marking System | +2 for each correct answer No negative marking for incorrect answer |
| Upper Age Limit | JRF – 31-36 Years Assistant Professor – no upper limit |
| Post Name | Both Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor in Indian colleges and universities. |
| Fees of Application | INR 1,100 for the General category INR 550 for OBC INR 275 for SC/ ST/ PwD |
| Exam Pattern | 50 MCQs in Paper 1 (100 marks) 100 MCQs in Paper 2 (200 marks) |
| Official website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
| Events | Dates (Expected) |
| UGC NET 2025 notification | March 2025 |
| Application form starts | March 2025 |
| Last date to fill out the application form | April 2025 |
| Last date for payment of online application fees | To Be Announced |
| Application correction window | April/May 2025 |
| Admit card released date | First Week of June 2025 |
| UGC NET exam date | Second Week of June 2025 |
| Announcement of Results | July 2025 |
The UGC NET Eligibility criteria are determined by the National Testing Agency and the University Grants Commission. If a candidate does not meet the requirements, their application will be rejected, and they will not be allowed to take the exam. Candidates must read and understand the eligibility criteria before applying for the exam. If a candidate is unsure about whether they meet the requirements, they can seek clarification from the NTA. The UGC NET Eligibility criteria include age limit, qualifications, nationality, age relaxation, and the number of attempts allowed, among others.
The age limit for the UGC NET exam varies based on the category of the candidate and is set by the University Grants Commission. Meeting the UGC NET age limit requirement is crucial for candidates as it determines their eligibility to appear for the exam. Before submitting their application, candidates must ensure they meet all the UGC NET eligibility criteria, including the age limit. The detailed age limit for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship is available for candidates to check.
UGC NET age limit for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is as follows:
The revised age limit for JRF in UGC NET is 30 years, according to the National Testing Agency. However, candidates belonging to reserved categories, such as SC/ST/OBC-NCL, PwD, and women applicants, are given a relaxation of up to 5 years. The age relaxation for different categories is available in the table below, as per the norms of the Government of India.
| Category | Age Relaxation for JRF |
| OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Transgender/Women Applicants | 5 Years |
| Candidates having research experience in a relevant field related to their Post-Graduation | 5 Years |
| Candidates with LLM Degree | 3 Years |
| Armed Forces | 5 Years |
Please note that as per the latest UGC NET Eligibility Criteria, the total age relaxation granted shall not exceed five years, based on the above mentioned grounds.
Age Limit for Assistant Professor in UGC NET is as follows:
According to the eligibility criteria for UGC NET, candidates applying for Assistant Professor positions are not subject to an upper age limit. Once a candidate has qualified the UGC NET exam for Assistant Professor positions, they are eligible to apply for the job at any time throughout their life.
To meet the UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025, candidates are required to review the reservation criteria for the exam. The Government of India has laid out the Reservation Policy that the commission implements. Each College/University reserves a percentage of seats for each category, as defined in the table below.
| Category | Reservation of seats (In %) |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5 |
| OBC (NCL) | 27 |
| General EWS | 10 |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) with 40% or more disability | 4 |
The UGC NET exam has specific eligibility criteria related to nationality, which candidates must consider before applying. To be eligible for the UGC NET exam, candidates must be Indian citizens. Those holding citizenship in any other country are not eligible to apply. However, Indian nationals residing overseas may still apply for the exam provided they can provide appropriate documentation confirming their nationality.
The UGC NET application form for 2025 is expected to be released soon through their official website. Candidates who wish to apply for the UGC NET exam in Second Week of June 2025 will have a separate application window to do so.
To ensure consideration of their application, candidates must fill out the UGC NET application form completely and accurately. Failure to do so may result in their application being rejected. Candidates may follow the steps below to complete the form:
The fee structure for the different categories is as follows:
To check out the best UGC NET Books Paper 1 & Paper 2, Click Here
Candidates can download both the city intimation slip and hall ticket for the exam by logging into their registered accounts. Please note that the UGC NET Admit Card is mandatory to be carried to the designated exam center. Failure to produce the hall ticket on the day of the exam may result in candidates being disallowed from taking the test.
Below are the steps for candidates to download the hall ticket:
| Particulars | UGC NET Paper 1 | UGC NET Paper 2 |
| Exam mode | Online | Online |
| Exam duration | 180 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Type of paper | Common for all candidates | Subject-specific questions |
| Total Questions | 50 | 100 |
| Type of questions | MCQs; 4 options with only 1 correct option | MCQs; 4 options with only 1 correct option |
| Total marks | 100 | 200 |
| Marking scheme | +2 for the correct answer 0 for an incorrect answer | +2 for the correct answer 0 for an incorrect answer |
| Language of paper | English and Hindi | English and Hindi |
In its official notification, the National Testing Agency (NTA) provides the UGC NET Marking Scheme, as well as the syllabus and exam pattern. The marking scheme for both papers is identical, and it operates as follows:
Every candidate is required to take the UGC NET Paper 1, which is a common requirement. This paper consists of 50 questions, each question being worth 2 marks, resulting in a total of 100 marks. The UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus is divided into 10 units, with each unit having exactly 5 questions dedicated to it. A comprehensive description of the UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus is presented below.
To check out the UGC NET subjects list for 2025, Click Here
| SUBJECT | SYLLABUS |
| Teaching Aptitude | Teaching: This topic covers the definition and objectives of teaching, as well as the different levels of teaching such as memory, understanding, and reflective. It also includes the characteristics and basic requirements of effective teaching. Learner’s Characteristics: This topic covers the characteristics of adolescent and adult learners, including their academic, social, emotional, and cognitive traits. It also includes a discussion of individual differences among learners. Factors Affecting Teaching: This topic examines the various factors that can impact the teaching and learning process. These factors include the teacher, the learner, support materials, instructional facilities, the learning environment, and the institution as a whole. Teaching Methods: This topic covers the different teaching methods used in higher education institutions. It includes a comparison of teacher-centered versus learner-centered methods, as well as offline versus online methods like Swayam, Swayamprabha, MOOCs, and others. Teaching Support Systems: This topic looks at the different types of support systems available to teachers, including traditional, modern, and ICT-based systems. Evaluation Systems: This topic covers the elements and types of evaluation used in higher education. It also includes a discussion of evaluation in the choice-based credit system and innovations in evaluation systems, such as computer-based testing. |
| Research Aptitude | Research Aptitude: Definition and types of research, Characteristics of research, Positivism and Post-Positivist approaches to research. Methods of Research: Experimental research method, Descriptive research method, Historical research method, Qualitative research method, Quantitative research method, Steps involved in the research process. Thesis and Article Writing: Format and styles of referencing for thesis and article writing, Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in research, Research ethics and ethical considerations. |
| Logical Reasoning | Comprehending Argument Structure: Argument Forms, Categorical Propositions’ Structure, Mood and Figure, Formal and Informal Fallacies, Language Utilization, Term Connotations and Denotations, Classical Square of Opposition, Discriminating Deductive and Inductive Reasoning, and Analogies. Venn Diagrams: Single and Multiple Applications for Verifying Arguments’ Validity. Indian Logic: Methods of Knowledge Acquisition, Pramanas- Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference), Upamana (Comparison), Shabda (Oral Testimony), Arthapatti (Implication), and Anupalabddhi (Non-apprehension); Inference Structure and Types, Vyapti (Invariable Connection), Hetvabhasas (Inference Fallacies). |
| Comprehension | A passage of text is given. Questions related to the passage are asked. |
| Communication | Communication: Meaning, Types, and Characteristics of Communication. Effective Communication: Non-verbal and Verbal, Classroom Communication, Inter-Cultural and Group Communications, Barriers to Mass Media, Effective Communication, and Society. |
| 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. |
| Data Interpretation | Data Sources, Acquisition, and Classification: Understanding the different sources of data, methods of data acquisition, and the classification of data based on various parameters. Quantitative and Qualitative Data: Distinguishing between quantitative and qualitative data, their properties, and their applications in data interpretation. Graphical Representation: Learning how to visually represent data using various charts and graphs, including bar charts, histograms, pie charts, table charts, and line charts. Mapping of Data and Data Interpretation: Understanding how to map data geographically and interpret the information obtained through such mapping. Also, examining the role of data in governance and decision-making processes. |
| Information and Communication Technology (ICT) | General Abbreviations and Terminology, Basics of the Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio and Video-conferencing, Digital initiatives in Higher Education, ICT and Governance. |
| People, Development, and Environment | Development and Environment: Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, Human activities and their impact on the environment Environmental Issues: Local, regional, and global issues, Air, water, soil, and noise pollutionSolid, liquid, biomedical, hazardous, and electronic waste, Climate change and its socio-economic and political dimensions, The impact of pollutants on human health Natural and Energy Resources: Solar, wind, soil, hydro, geothermal, biomass, nuclear, and forests Natural Hazards and Disasters: Mitigation strategies for natural hazards and disasters, National Action Plan on Climate Change, the Environmental Protection Act (1986), International Agreements and Efforts such as the Montreal Protocol, Convention on Biodiversity, Rio Summit, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, and International Solar Alliance. |
| Higher Education System | Higher Learning Institutions and Education in Ancient India.Development of Higher Learning and Research in Post-Independence India.Traditional, Conventional, and Non-conventional Learning Programs in India. Education for Professions, Technical Skills, and Vocational Training. Education for Values and Environmental Awareness.Policies, Governance, and Administration in Higher Education. |
When filling out the application form for UGC NET, candidates are required to select a subject for Paper 1. The subject chosen will determine the content of the 100 questions in UGC NET Paper 2. The table below contains a detailed syllabus PDF for the 83 subjects covered in the UGC NET Exam.
| Sno. | SUBJECTS |
| 1 | Economics/ Rural Economics/ Cooperation/ Demography/ Development Planning/ Development Studies/ Econometrics/ Applied Economics/Development Eco./Business Economics |
| 2 | Political Science |
| 3 | Philosophy |
| 4 | Psychology |
| 5 | Sociology |
| 6 | History |
| 7 | Anthropology |
| 8 | Commerce |
| 9 | Education |
| 10 | Social Work |
| 11 | Defence and Strategic Studies |
| 12 | Home Science |
| 13 | Public Administration |
| 14 | Population Studies |
| 15 | Music |
| 16 | Management (including Business Admin. Mgt./Marketing/ Marketing Mgt./Industrial Relations and Personnel Mgt./ Personnel Mgt./Financial Mgt./Co-operative Management) |
| 17 | Maithili |
| 18 | Bengali |
| 19 | Hindi |
| 20 | Kannada |
| 21 | Malayalam |
| 22 | Oriya |
| 23 | Punjabi |
| 24 | Sanskrit |
| 25 | Tamil |
| 26 | Telugu |
| 27 | Urdu |
| 28 | Arabic |
| 29 | English |
| 30 | Linguistics |
| 31 | Chinese |
| 32 | Dogri |
| 33 | Nepali |
| 34 | Assamese |
| 35 | Gujarati |
| 36 | Marathi |
| 37 | French |
| 38 | Spanish |
| 39 | Russian |
| 40 | Persian |
| 41 | Rajasthani |
| 42 | German |
| 43 | Japanese |
| 44 | Adult Education/ Continuing Education/ Andragogy/ Non Formal Education |
| 45 | Physical Education |
| 46 | Arab Culture and Islamic Studies |
| 47 | Indian Culture |
| 48 | Labour Welfare/Industrial Relations/Personnel Management/ Labour and Social Welfare/Human Resource Management |
| 49 | Law |
| 50 | Library and Information Science |
| 51 | Buddhist, Jaina, Gandhian, and Peace Studies |
| 52 | Comparative Study of Religions |
| 53 | Mass Communication and Journalism |
| 54 | Performing Art – Dance/Drama/Theatre |
| 55 | Museology & Conservation |
| 56 | Archaeology |
| 57 | Criminology |
| 58 | Tribal and Regional Language/Literature |
| 59 | Folk Literature |
| 60 | Comparative Literature |
| 61 | Sanskrit traditional subjects (including) Jyotisha/Siddhanta Jyotish/ Navya Vyakarna/ Vyakarna/ Mimansa/ Navya Nyaya/ Sankhya Yoga/ Tulanatmaka Darshan/ Shukla Yajurveda/ Madhav Vedant/ Dharmasastha/ Sahitya/ Puranotihasa /Agama) |
| 62 | Women Studies |
| 63 | Visual Art (including Drawing & Painting/Sculpture Graphics/Applied Art/History of Art) |
| 64 | Geography |
| 65 | Social Medicine & Community Health |
| 66 | Forensic Science |
| 67 | Pali |
| 68 | Kashmiri |
| 69 | Konkani |
| 70 | Computer Science & Application |
| 71 | Electronic Science |
| 72 | Environmental Sciences |
| 73 | Politics including International Relations/International Studies including Defence/ Strategic Studies, West Asian Studies, South East Asian Studies, African Studies, South Asian Studies, Soviet Studies, American Studies |
| 74 | Prakrit |
| 75 | Human Rights and Duties |
| 76 | Tourism Administration and Management |
| 77 | Bodo |
| 78 | Santali |
| 79 | Yoga |
| 80 | Sindhi |
| 81 | Hindu |
| 82 | Hindu Studies |
| 83 | Indian Knowledge System |
To check out UGC NET Previous Year Papers- PDF Download, Click Here
To check out UGC NET Answer Key Details and PDF Download Link, Click Here
To check the result, candidates can use the direct link provided. The final answer key is also available on the official website. Aspiring candidates are advised to practice previous years’ papers during their preparation to improve their scores and clear the cutoff.
To download the UGC NET Result 2025, follow the steps:
The UGC NET scorecard provides the following information:
The National Testing Agency will release the UGC NET 2025 Cut-Off separately for each of the 81 subjects, taking into account category, paper, and subject. The cut-off marks, along with the result and scorecard, will be made public. Category-wise cut-offs are the minimum marks required to pass the exam in a particular category. The UGC NET cut-off may vary depending on multiple factors, such as the difficulty level of the exam.
If you want to download the UGC NET Cut-off 2025, you can follow these simple steps:
By following these steps, you can quickly and easily get access to the UGC NET Cut-off 2025.
Approximately 6% of candidates will pass the Assistant Professor exam. The allocation of slots will follow the reservation policy of the Indian government for different categories.
To be eligible for both the JRF and Assistant Professorship positions, candidates must have taken both papers and received a minimum aggregate score of 40% (35% for reserved categories) in the exam.
The examination scores are normalized using the percentile method to provide an unbiased result that accounts for differences in exam difficulty. Scores for each session are allocated between 0 and 100, with raw scores converted to percentiles through the following formula: Total Percentile = (Number of candidates in the session with a raw score equal to or less than the candidate / Total number of candidates in the session) x 100. The raw scores are then combined with the percentiles from both sessions to calculate the final result.
A separate list of cutoff for the UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) program is created for eligible students using the following formula to determine their score and eligibility.
You can also check our blog on UGC NET Books.
To qualify in the UGC NET exam, candidates need to achieve a qualifying percentile. Once the results are out, a separate merit list will be created for each category and subject, featuring only those candidates who meet this requirement.
From this list, the top 6% of candidates will be declared eligible for Assistant professorship. These candidates will be considered NET qualified.
Moreover, a separate merit list will be prepared for candidates who have qualified for NET and are also eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
Finally, there is a minimum marks requirement that candidates must meet in order to qualify in the UGC NET exam.
| Category | Paper I + Paper II |
| General/ EWS | 120 marks (40%) |
| OBC-NCL/PwD/SC/ST | 105 marks (35%) |
You can also check our blog on UGC NET previous year question paper.
Preparing for the UGC NET 2025 involves a well-structured plan, constant practice, and a targeted approach. With two exams to complete — Paper 1 (General Aptitude) and Paper 2 (subject-specific), it is critical to allocate your time properly between the two areas. Here are some crucial preparation ideas to help you get started and succeed in the UGC NET 2025 exam.
You can improve your chances of success in the UGC NET 2025 by following these preparation recommendations and sticking to a rigorous study schedule.
The UGC NET JRF salary structure after clearing the NET exam:
Check out the details below, including scholarship amounts, duration, and other related information for the NET Exam 2025.
The JRF fellowship initially lasts for three years and can be extended for an additional three years if the candidate’s research work is deemed satisfactory by the relevant department of the university or college.
The NET JRF scholarship amount is INR 31,000 for the first two years and INR 35,000 for the remaining tenure.
For contingency expenses,
Upon clearing the UGC NET exam, you can expect to receive attractive salary packages for the positions you hold. The NET Lecturer Salary Structure for different positions can be viewed as follows:
| POSITION | SALARY |
| Assistant Professor (Junior) | Minimum CTC 4.92 Lakhs per year |
| Assistant Professor | Minimum CTC 5.75 Lakhs per year |
| Assistant Professor (Senior) | Minimum CTC 6.80 Lakhs per year |
| Assistant Professor (Selection Grade) | Minimum CTC 9.33 Lakhs per year |
| Associate Professor | Minimum CTC 9.33 Lakhs per year |
| Professor | Minimum CTC 11.88 Lakhs per year |
Ans. For the purpose of determining eligibility for positions as Assistant Professors and Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) in Indian universities and colleges, on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the National Testing Agency (NTA) administers the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET).
Ans. The official dates for UGC NET 2025 have not been announced yet. However, based on the previous year’s schedule, it is expected to be conducted in Second Week of June 2025
Ans. The eligibility criteria for UGC NET 2025 is as follows:
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a Master’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized university with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/PwD/ST/OBC/ transgender candidates).
Age Limit: For JRF, the maximum age limit is 31 years as on 1st June 2025. For Assistant Professors, there is no upper age limit.
Ans. UGC NET 2025 will consist of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 will have 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) of 2 marks each, and Paper 2 will have 100 MCQs of 2 marks each. The duration of each paper will be 3 hours. The syllabus for Paper 1 will be common for all subjects, whereas Paper 2 will be based on the subject chosen by the candidate.
Ans. Candidates will be selected for the role of Assistant Professor based on their performance in both papers of UGC NET 2025. Candidates who qualify for JRF will also have to undergo an interview process to be eligible for the award of JRF.
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
