If you want to become an Assistant Professor or do research in Indian universities, you must have the strong command over the UGC NET Syllabus 2025. The UGC has officially released the syllabus for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 has topics like teaching and research skills, while Paper 2 is based on your chosen subject. If you study well, you can also qualify for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), which gives you a chance to build a great academic or research career.
The UGC NET 2025 December exam will be held from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026, and it will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. You can apply online until November 7, 2025, and if you need to make changes, the application correction window will be open from November 10 to 12, 2025.
UGC NET Syllabus 2025-26 Overview
The UGC NET Syllabus gives you a clear idea of how the exam will be conducted. The National Testing Agency (NTA) organizes this exam twice a year. It is held online in CBT mode, and all the questions are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). You will have two papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2 and together they have 150 questions worth 300 marks in total. You will get 3 hours to finish the exam. The best part is that there is no negative marking, so you can attempt all questions without fear. You can also choose to write the exam in Hindi or English.
| Exam Name | National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Frequency | Twice a Year |
| Mode of Exam | Online (CBT) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Papers | Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Language | Hindi, English |
UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus
The UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus checks your teaching skills, reasoning power, and research knowledge. It has 10 important topics that you need to study carefully.
Teaching Aptitude: Learn the meaning and goals of teaching, levels like memory, understanding, and reflective, and how students learn at different ages. Study teaching methods such as online, offline, teacher-centered, and learner-centered, and know about evaluation types, credit systems, and computer-based tests.
Research Aptitude: Understand the meaning, types, and features of research. Study research methods like experimental, descriptive, historical, qualitative, and quantitative. Learn thesis and article writing formats, referencing styles, research ethics, and the use of ICT in research.
Comprehension: Read a short passage and answer multiple-choice questions based on it.
Communication: Learn verbal, non-verbal, interpersonal, and mass communication, barriers to communication, and the role of mass media in society.
Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude: Study number and letter series, coding-decoding, fractions, time and distance, ratio and proportion, and profit and loss.
Logical Reasoning: Learn to analyze arguments and reasoning types. Study Venn diagrams, analogies, and Indian logic concepts like perception, inference, comparison, and verbal testimony.
Data Interpretation: Understand sources and classification of data, graphical forms like bar charts, pie charts, and line charts, and the use of data in governance.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Learn basics of internet, email, video conferencing, digital education programs, and ICT in governance.
People, Development, and Environment: Study sustainable development goals, pollution types, waste management, energy and natural resources, and major climate agreements like Paris, Montreal, and Kyoto.
Higher Education System: Learn about the growth of higher education in India, skill-based learning, and important education policies and governance.
You can download the official UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus PDF for a detailed overview.
UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus
The UGC NET Paper 2 is the main subject paper where you can choose your subject from 85 different options based on what you studied in college. This paper has 100 multiple-choice questions worth 200 marks. It carries more marks than Paper 1. So doing well here is very important if you want to qualify for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or become an Assistant Professor.
You can choose subjects like Commerce, Management, Political Science, Economics, History, Sociology, Education, Library and Information Science, Environmental Science, and Computer Science. To see the full list of all 85 subjects, you can visit the official UGC NET website and download the syllabus PDFs released by the NTA. The exam is held for 3 hours, covering both Paper 1 and Paper 2 without any break. There is no negative marking, so you can attempt all questions confidently.
| Paper | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 50 | 100 | 3 Hours | No |
| Paper 2 | 100 | 200 | No Break | No |
Download UGC NET Syllabus for Paper 2 PDF for All Subjects
The National Testing Agency (NTA) offers the UGC NET Syllabus for Paper 2, which is based on the subjects you choose when you apply. You can download the UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus PDF for your subject from the links below:
Look at the table below to find and download the syllabus for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 in PDF format, which is available on the official website. Don’t miss the chance to prepare well using the Subject Wise UGC NET Syllabus 2025-26 PDF!
| Subject Code | Subject | English | Hindi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude (Paper -I) | Download | Download |
| 01 | Economics / Rural Economics /Co-operation / Demography / Development Planning/ Development Studies / Econometrics/ Applied Economics/Development Eco./Business Economics | Download | Download |
| 02 | Political Science | Download | Download |
| 03 | Philosophy | Download | Download |
| 04 | Psychology | Download | Download |
| 05 | Sociology | Download | Download |
| 06 | History | Download | Download |
| 07 | Anthropology | Download | Download |
| 08 | Commerce | Download | Download |
| 09 | Education | Download | Download |
| 10 | Social Work | Download | Download |
| 11 | Defence and Strategic Studies | Download | Download |
| 12 | Home Science | Download | Download |
| 14 | Public Administration | Download | Download |
| 15 | Population Studies | Download | Download |
| 16 | Music | Download | Download |
| 17 | Management (including Business Admin. Mgt./Marketing/ Marketing Mgt./Industrial Relations and Personnel Mgt./ Personnel Mgt./Financial Mgt./Co-operative Management) | Download | Download |
| 18 | Maithili | Download | Download |
| 19 | Bengali | Download | Download |
| 20 | Hindi | Download | Download |
| 21 | Kannada | Download | Download |
| 22 | Malayalam | Download | Download |
| 23 | Oriya | Download | Download |
| 24 | Punjabi | Download | Download |
| 25 | Sanskrit | Download | Download |
| 26 | Tamil | Download | Download |
| 27 | Telugu | Download | Download |
| 28 | Urdu | Download | Download |
| 29 | Arabic | Download | Download |
| 30 | English | Download | Download |
| 31 | Linguistics | Download | Download |
| 32 | Chinese | Download | Download |
| 33 | Dogri | Download | Download |
| 34 | Nepali | Download | Download |
| 35 | Manipuri | Download | Download |
| 36 | Assamese | Download | Download |
| 37 | Gujarati | Download | Download |
| 38 | Marathi | Download | Download |
| 39 | French (French Version) | Download | Download |
| 40 | Spanish | Download | Download |
| 41 | Russian | Download | Download |
| 42 | Persian | Download | Download |
| 43 | Rajasthani | Download | Download |
| 44 | German | Download | Download |
| 45 | Japanese | Download | Download |
| 46 | Adult Education/ Continuing Education/ Andragogy/Non-Formal Education. | Download | Download |
| 47 | Physical Education | Download | Download |
| 49 | Arab Culture and Islamic Studies | Download | Download |
| 50 | Indian Culture | Download | Download |
| 55 | Labour Welfare/Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/ Labour and Social Welfare/Human Resource Management | Download | Download |
| 58 | Law | Download | Download |
| 59 | Library and Information Science | Download | Download |
| 60 | Buddhist, Jaina, Gandhian, and Peace Studies | Download | Download |
| 62 | Comparative Study of Religions | Download | Download |
| 63 | Mass Communication and Journalism | Download | Download |
| 65 | Performing Art – Dance/Drama/Theatre | Download | Download |
| 66 | Museology & Conservation | Download | Download |
| 67 | Archaeology | Download | Download |
| 68 | Criminology | Download | Download |
| 70 | Tribal and Regional Language/Literature | Download | Download |
| 71 | Folk Literature | Download | Download |
| 72 | Comparative Literature | Download | Download |
| 73 | 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 | Download |
| 74 | Women Studies | Download | Download |
| 79 | Visual Art (including Drawing & Painting/Sculpture Graphics/Applied Art/History of Art) | Download | Download |
| 80 | Geography | Download | Download |
| 81 | Social Medicine & Community Health | Download | Download |
| 82 | Forensic Science | Download | Download |
| 83 | Pali | Download | Download |
| 84 | Kashmiri | Download | Download |
| 85 | Konkani | Download | Download |
| 87 | Computer Science and Applications | Download | Download |
| 88 | Electronic Science | Download | Download |
| 89 | Environmental Sciences | Download | Download |
| 90 | Politics including International Relations/International Studies including Defence/Strategic Studies, West Asian Studies, South East Asian Studies, African Studies, South Asian Studies, Soviet Studies, and American Studies. | Download | Download |
| 91 | Prakrit | Download | Download |
| 92 | Human Rights and Duties | Download | Download |
| 93 | Tourism Administration and Management. | Download | Download |
| 94 | Bodo | Download | Download |
| 95 | Santali | Download | Download |
| 100 | Yoga | Download | Download |
| 101 | Sindhi | Download | Download |
| 102 | Hindu Studies | Download | Download |
| 103 | Indian Knowledge System | Download | Download |
UGC NET 2025-26 Marking Scheme
- Paper 1: 50 questions for 100 marks
- Paper 2: 100 questions for 200 marks
- Negative Marking: There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
Candidates should focus on accuracy and speed while preparing for the exam. A well-planned study schedule and a clear understanding of the syllabus are key to cracking the UGC NET exam.
FAQ Section: UGC NET Syllabus 2025-26
Q1: What is the UGC NET exam for?
The UGC NET exam is conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for the role of Assistant Professor or for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities.
Q2: How many papers are there in UGC NET?
There are two papers in the UGC NET exam: Paper 1 (General Aptitude) and Paper 2 (Subject-Specific). Both papers are mandatory for all candidates.
Q3: How can I download the UGC NET Syllabus PDF?
The UGC NET Syllabus PDF for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 is available for download on the official website of NTA. You can find the syllabus for your chosen subject there as well.
Q4: What subjects are available for Paper 2?
There are 85 subjects available for Paper 2 in UGC NET. Some popular subjects include English, Political Science, Commerce, and Sociology.
Q5: What is the marking scheme for UGC NET 2025-26?
Paper 1 consists of 50 questions for 100 marks, and Paper 2 consists of 100 questions for 200 marks. There is no negative marking.
