UGC NET Exam: A Brief Overview

The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to determine the eligibility of candidates for the roles of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. It is one of the most prestigious exams for candidates aspiring to enter academia or research fields.

UGC NET Exam Dates

UGC NET is conducted twice a year, typically in June and December. The exact dates are announced on the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Eligibility Criteria

CategoryEligibility
Educational QualificationMaster’s degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender candidates).
Age LimitJRF: Maximum 30 years (age relaxation for reserved categories).
Assistant Professor: No upper age limit.

UGC NET Exam Pattern

PaperSubjectsNumber of QuestionsTotal MarksDuration
Paper ITeaching and Research Aptitude (General)50100 
Paper IISubject chosen by the candidate (specific to Master’s degree specialization)100200 
Total 1503003 Hours
  • Mode of Exam: Online (Computer-Based Test).
  • Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
  • Negative Marking: No negative marking.

UGC NET Syllabus

The syllabus is divided into two parts:

PaperTopics
Paper ITeaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Reading Comprehension, Communication, Logical Reasoning, and Higher Education System.
Paper IISubjects chosen by the candidate (e.g., English, Political Science, Commerce, etc.), including core topics and research-related aspects.

Application Process

  1. Visit the official NTA UGC NET website.
  2. Register using your email and contact details.
  3. Complete the online application form.
  4. Upload required documents, including:
    • Passport-sized photograph
    • Signature
    • Category certificate (if applicable)
  5. Pay the application fee:
    • General: ₹1100
    • OBC-NCL/EWS: ₹550
    • SC/ST/PwD/Transgender: ₹275
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Cut-Off Marks

The UGC NET cut-off varies based on the category and the subject. Here are the general qualifying marks:

CategoryMinimum Qualifying Marks (Paper I + II)
General40%
SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD35%

UGC NET Exam Highlights

FeatureDetails
Exam Conducting BodyNational Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam LevelsPaper I (General Aptitude) and Paper II (Subject-Specific)
Exam ModeOnline (Computer-Based Test)
LanguageEnglish and Hindi
Question TypeMultiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Negative MarkingNo negative marking
Certificate ValidityJRF: Valid for 3 years.
Assistant Professorship: Valid for a lifetime.

Admit Card

Candidates must download their UGC NET admit card from the official website, usually released 10-15 days before the exam date. It is mandatory to carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam center.

Results

The UGC NET results are declared on the official NTA website. Candidates qualifying for the exam receive an eligibility certificate for Assistant Professorship and/or JRF. The JRF awardees are eligible for scholarships and fellowships for research.

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