The UGC NET exam is conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for the posts of Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges only. The UGC NET Syllabus is divided into two papers wherein the syllabus of Paper 1 is same for all posts.
Understanding the UGC NET Syllabus and Exam Pattern is important as it outlines specific topics for exam preparation. The syllabus consists of all the important subjects, this will help candidates to increase their score in the examination. In this article, we have given the UGC NET syllabus and exam pattern for Paper-1 in detail.
UGC NET Syllabus 2025
The UGC has entrusted the National Testing Agency (NTA) with the responsibility of conducting UGC NET 2025 in 83 subjects to determine the eligibility of students for the post of “Assistant Professor” and “Junior Research Fellowship” (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.
In this article, we have reviewed the revised UGC NET syllabus. The UGC NET exam is conducted in two papers (Paper-I and Paper-II) which consist of multiple choice questions (MCQs) and all the questions are compulsory. Candidates are required to complete both the papers in a single three-hour time frame.
To score well in UGC NET exam, all candidates should be aware of the syllabus and exam pattern. Candidates are advised to read the detailed syllabus and start your preparation now.
| UGC NET Syllabus 2025- Highlights | |
| Organization | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Name of Examination | UGC NET Exam 2025 |
| Duration of Exam | 03 hours |
| Exam Date | 21st to 30th June 2025 |
| Total No. of Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Mode of Exam | Online – CBT (Computer-Based Test) |
| Marking Scheme | 02 marks for each correct answer |
| No. of Subjects | 83 subjects |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
The UGC NET 2025 exam will be conducted through online mode (computer based test). Before going through the detailed syllabus of NTA UGC NET Syllabus 2025, the student must be familiar with the updated UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025, which is discussed below.
| UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025 | ||||
| Paper | Pattern of Paper | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper-I | The questions will be generic in nature, intending to assess the teaching/research aptitude of the candidate. | 50 | 100 | 03 hours (180 minutes) |
| Paper-II | This is based on the subject selected by the candidate and will assess domain knowledge. | 100 | 200 | |
| Total | 150 | 300 | ||
Important Points:
1. For each correct answer the candidate will get 2 marks in both papers 1 & 2.
2. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers in the UGC NET 2025 exam.
3. No marks will be given for questions Unanswered/Marked for Review.
4. All questions are mandatory.
5. If a question is found to be incorrect/ambiguous during the key challenge, the candidate who has attempted the question and chosen one of the correct answers will be given credit. If there is any dropped question(s), marks will be awarded to all the candidates.
UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus 2025
Paper 1 has 50 questions for 100 marks. Detailed Syllabus and UGC NET Paper-1 Syllabus PDF file link is given below:
Unit-I: Teaching Aptitude
- Teaching: Concept, Objectives, Levels of teaching (Memory, Understanding and Reflection), 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 Institutions of higher learning: Teacher-centred vs. Learner-centred 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 System in Higher education, Computer-based testing, Innovations in evaluation systems
Unit-II: Research Aptitude
- Research: Meaning, Types, and Characteristics, Positivism and 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 from the passage to be answered.
Unit-IV: Communication
- Communication: Meaning, types and characteristics of communication
- Effective communication: Verbal and Non-verbal, Inter-Cultural and group communications, 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, 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)
Unit-VII: Data Interpretation
- Sources, acquisition and classification of Data
- Quantitative and Qualitative Data
- Graphical representation (Bar-chart, Histograms, Pie-chart, Table-chart and Line-chart) and mapping of Data
- Data Interpretation
- Data and Governance
Unit-VIII: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- ICT: General abbreviations and terminology
- Basics of the Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio and Video-conferencing
- Digital initiatives in higher education
- ICT and Governance
Unit-IX: People, Development and Environment
- Development and environment: Millennium development and Sustainable development goals
- Human and environment interaction: Anthropogenic activities and their impacts on the environment
- Environmental issues: Local, Regional and Global; Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Noise pollution, Waste (solid, liquid, biomedical, hazardous, electronic), Climate change and its Socio-Economic and Political dimensions
- Impacts of pollutants on human health
- Natural and energy resources: Solar, Wind, Soil, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass, Nuclear and Forests
- Natural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategies
- Environmental Protection Act (1986), National Action Plan on Climate Change, International agreements/efforts -Montreal Protocol, Rio Summit, Convention on Biodiversity, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, International Solar Alliance
Unit-X: Higher Education System
- Institutions of higher learning and education in ancient India
- Evolution of higher learning and research in Post Independence India
- Oriental, Conventional and Non-conventional Learning Programs in India
- Professional, Technical and Skill-Based education
- Value education and environmental education
- Policies, Governance, and Administration
NOTE: (i) Five questions each carrying 2 marks are to be set from each Module.
(ii) Whenever graphical/pictorial question(s) are set for sighted candidates, a passage followed by an equal number of questions and weightage be set for visually impaired candidates.
Note: We have also added the PDF of UGC NET Paper 1 in both Hindi and English languages below.
