Teaching & research eligibility
UGC NET: Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Eligibility
University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test · conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of UGC
UGC NET is the national test for Assistant Professor eligibility and the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges; its scores are also used for PhD admissions. The National Testing Agency conducts it twice a year (June and December cycles) as a 3-hour computer-based test: Paper 1 on teaching and research aptitude (50 questions, 100 marks) and Paper 2 in your chosen subject (100 questions, 200 marks), with no negative marking.
When is UGC NET?
UGC NET has a June cycle and a December cycle each year; NTA announces exact dates for each cycle.
UGC NET at a glance
- Conducted by
- NTA on behalf of UGC
- Frequency
- Twice a year (June and December cycles)
- Mode
- Computer-based test
- Duration
- 3 hours, both papers in one sitting
- Questions
- 150 (Paper 1: 50, Paper 2: 100)
- Total marks
- 300
- Marking
- +2 per correct answer, no negative marking
- Used for
- JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility, PhD admission
UGC NET exam pattern
| Paper | Content | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Teaching and research aptitude (common to all) | 50 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Your chosen subject (80+ options) | 100 | 200 |
| Total (3 hours, no break) | 150 | 300 |
UGC NET syllabus
Paper 1
- Teaching aptitude
- Research aptitude
- Comprehension
- Communication
- Mathematical reasoning and aptitude
- Logical reasoning
- Data interpretation
- Information and communication technology
- People, development and environment
- Higher education system
Paper 2
- Postgraduate-level syllabus of your chosen subject (e.g. Commerce, English, Education, Economics, Computer Science, History, Political Science)
UGC NET eligibility
- A master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and third-gender candidates), or final-year master’s students.
- Candidates with a four-year undergraduate degree and at least 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) may also apply, as per the current bulletin.
- JRF: an upper age limit applies (with relaxations). Assistant Professor eligibility: no upper age limit.
How to prepare for UGC NET
- 1Paper 1 is common to everyone and very scoring — practise its ten units with timed sets.
- 2Use previous NET papers for your subject to find the most-tested topics.
- 3With no negative marking, answer every question.
UGC NET FAQs
Is there negative marking in UGC NET?
No. Each correct answer earns 2 marks and wrong answers are not penalised.
How many times a year is UGC NET held?
Twice — in a June cycle and a December cycle.
Is there an age limit for UGC NET?
Only for the Junior Research Fellowship, which has an upper age limit with relaxations. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility.
Can UGC NET be used for PhD admission?
Yes. UGC allows universities to admit PhD students using NET scores.
Practise UGC NET on GyanBook
Timed quizzes and mock tests that follow the real marking scheme, instant scores with step-by-step solutions, and progress tracking for every subject. Free to start.
Related exams
GyanBook India is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with the body that conducts UGC NET. These details were checked against official sources on 13 October 2026. Exam dates, eligibility rules and patterns can change — always confirm them on the official website (ugcnet.nta.ac.in) before you apply.