Complete UGC NET Exam Pattern guide covering Paper I & II breakdown, marking scheme, time management, CBT tips, and FAQs for Law & Commerce aspirants.
Table of Contents
Understanding the UGC NET exam pattern is arguably the most critical first step before you begin your preparation journey. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced that the UGC NET December 2025 examination will be conducted from 31 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, making this the perfect time to thoroughly understand what you’re preparing for. Without a clear grasp of the exam structure, even the most dedicated preparation can fall short of its potential.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the UGC NET exam pattern, including the complete breakdown of Paper I and Paper II, detailed marking scheme, time management strategies and navigation tips for CBT that most guides overlook. Whether you’re appearing for Law, Commerce, or any of the 85 subjects offered, this article will equip you with the structural knowledge necessary for strategic preparation.
The difference between candidates who qualify and those who don’t often comes down to strategic understanding rather than just hard work. Candidates who understand the exam pattern can allocate their preparation time more effectively, manage their time better during the actual exam, and approach questions with greater confidence. Let’s dive into the complete breakdown of the UGC NET exam pattern.
UGC NET 2025 Exam Dates and Schedule for 2025 and 2026
The National Testing Agency conducts the UGC NET examination twice a year, typically in June and December cycles. For the December 2025 session, the NTA released the official notification on 7th October 2025, and the online application window remained open from 7th October to 7th November 2025. The actual examination for this cycle is scheduled to take place from 31 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, spanning multiple days to accommodate candidates across 85 different subjects.
The exam is conducted in two shifts each day; the first shift runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, while the second shift is held from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Candidates are assigned their specific exam date and shift based on their subject and examination centre availability. It’s essential to download your admit card well in advance and verify all details, including your examination centre address, reporting time, and the documents required for verification on the exam day. The June 2026 cycle notification is expected to be released around February-March 2026.
Is UGC NET Exam Conducted Online?
Yes, the UGC NET examination is conducted entirely in online mode through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. Since 2018, NTA has shifted from the traditional pen-and-paper examination to the CBT mode, which allows for more efficient administration, faster result processing, and a standardized testing environment across all examination centres. Candidates answer all questions by selecting options on a computer screen, and their responses are automatically recorded in the system.
Computer-Based Test (CBT) Mode
In the CBT format, candidates are seated at individual computer terminals at designated examination centres. The question paper appears on your screen, and you can navigate between questions using on-screen buttons. Each question displays four options, and you must click on your chosen answer to record your response. The CBT interface also includes features like marking questions for review, a question palette showing your progress, and a timer displaying the remaining time. This format eliminates the need for OMR sheets and reduces the possibility of errors in answer recording.
Sessions, Marking Scheme, and Number of Questions
Two Papers in a Single Session: No Breaks
One of the most important aspects of the UGC NET exam pattern that candidates must understand is that both Paper I and Paper II are conducted in a single session without any break in between. This means you will sit continuously for 3 hours and attempt questions from both papers within the same time frame. Unlike earlier patterns where papers were conducted separately with intervals, the current format requires candidates to manage their time and mental stamina across both papers simultaneously.
No Negative Marking Policy
A significant advantage of the UGC NET examination is that there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. For every correct answer, you receive 2 marks, while incorrect or unanswered questions carry zero marks; no deduction whatsoever. This policy encourages candidates to attempt all questions, even if they’re uncertain about the correct answer. Intelligent guessing based on elimination can significantly improve your score, as there’s no penalty for wrong attempts.
Total Questions and Duration: 150 Questions in 180 Minutes
The complete UGC NET examination consists of 150 questions to be answered within 180 minutes (3 hours). Paper I contains 50 questions worth 100 marks, while Paper II contains 100 questions worth 200 marks, making the total examination worth 300 marks. This translates to an average of 72 seconds per question if you divide time equally, though the actual time allocation should vary based on question difficulty and your familiarity with the topic.
The time pressure is real; you need to maintain a steady pace throughout the examination. Paper I questions are generally less time-consuming as they test aptitude and reasoning, while Paper II questions may require deeper thinking as they assess your subject expertise. Most successful candidates recommend spending approximately 50-60 minutes on Paper I and reserving 120-130 minutes for Paper II, though this can vary based on individual strengths.
UGC NET Exam Pattern of Paper I
Paper I of the UGC NET examination is common for all candidates, regardless of the subject they’ve chosen for Paper II. This general aptitude paper is designed to assess your teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension skills, and general awareness about higher education. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 2 marks, totalling 100 marks.
UGC NET Paper I Syllabus and Units Covered
The Paper I syllabus is divided into 10 comprehensive units, each designed to test different aspects of your aptitude for teaching and research careers.
Teaching Aptitude (Unit 1)
Teaching Aptitude covers the fundamentals of the teaching-learning process, including concepts of teaching, objectives, and levels of teaching (memory, understanding, and reflective). Questions from this unit assess your understanding of teacher characteristics, learner characteristics, and factors affecting teaching effectiveness. You’ll also encounter questions on teaching methods; both traditional and modern as well as the characteristics of institutional and non-institutional teaching.
Research Aptitude (Unit 2)
Research Aptitude focuses on the meaning, types, and characteristics of research. This unit covers research methods, steps involved in research, and the ethics of conducting research. Questions may test your understanding of thesis and article writing, application of ICT in research, and research ethics. Concepts like hypothesis formulation, research design, sampling techniques, and data collection methods frequently appear in this section.
Comprehension and Communication (Units 3-4)
The Comprehension section tests your ability to understand and analyse passages. You’ll be given a passage followed by questions that assess your reading comprehension, inference-making abilities, and understanding of the passage’s central theme. This unit requires strong English language skills and the ability to quickly grasp the essence of written content.
Communication, the fourth unit, covers the meaning, types, and characteristics of communication, including verbal and non-verbal communication. Questions focus on effective communication principles, barriers to effective communication, and mass media in communication. Understanding classroom communication and the role of media in education is essential for scoring well in this unit.
Mathematical Reasoning, Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning (Units 5-7)
Unit 5 on Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude covers number series, letter series, codes, and relationships. Questions also test your skills in fractions, time and distance calculations, ratio and proportion, percentages, profit and loss, interest calculations, and averages. A solid foundation in basic mathematics is essential for this section, though the questions typically don’t require advanced mathematical knowledge.
Logical Reasoning (Units 6-7) includes both verbal and non-verbal reasoning. You’ll encounter questions on understanding the structure of arguments, evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning, analogies, Venn diagrams, Indian logic (pramanas), and structure of the syllogism. Pattern recognition, classification, and series completion are also covered. These questions test your analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Data Interpretation, Information and Communication Technology, People, Development and Environment, Higher Education System (Units 8-10)
Data Interpretation (Unit 8) tests your ability to analyze and interpret data presented in various forms; tables, charts, graphs, and figures. You’ll need to calculate percentages, averages, and ratios based on given data sets. Speed and accuracy are crucial for this section.
Information and Communication Technology (Unit 9) covers ICT fundamentals, including general abbreviations and terminology in computing, basics of the internet, intranet, and e-mail. Questions on digital initiatives in higher education and ICT for teaching-learning are increasingly common. Understanding educational technology and e-governance concepts is beneficial.
People, Development, and Environment covers environmental issues, pollution, and natural hazards. The Higher Education System unit includes questions on governance, policies, and administration of higher education in India, covering institutions like UGC, NAAC, and various regulatory bodies.
UGC NET Paper I Unit-Wise Marks Distribution
Number of Questions and Marks Allotted to Each Unit
In UGC NET Paper I, each of the 10 units is generally expected to contribute 5 questions (10 marks), making the paper uniformly distributed. However, in actual exams, this distribution is not fixed and often varies. Units like Teaching Aptitude and Research Aptitude frequently get higher weightage, while units such as Data Interpretation, ICT, People & Environment, and Higher Education System may sometimes carry slightly lower weightage.
High-Weightage vs Low-Weightage Units
While official weightage is equal across units, the practical difficulty and scoring potential vary significantly. Teaching Aptitude and Research Aptitude are considered high-scoring units because they involve factual knowledge that can be mastered through systematic study. Questions in these units are often direct and less time-consuming.
On the other hand, Data Interpretation and Mathematical Reasoning questions can be time-consuming and require calculation accuracy. Many candidates find Logical Reasoning challenging if they haven’t practiced sufficiently. Comprehension passages depend largely on the complexity of the passage given. Strategic candidates often recommend attempting Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, ICT, and Higher Education System questions first to secure marks quickly before moving to more challenging sections.
UGC NET Exam Pattern for Paper II
Paper II is subject-specific and tests your in-depth knowledge of your chosen discipline. Unlike Paper I, which is common for all candidates, Paper II varies based on the subject you select during registration. This paper carries 200 marks with 100 questions, making it the more significant portion of your examination in terms of marks. You must choose a subject from the list of 85 available subjects, ideally aligned with your postgraduate qualification.
Paper II: UGC NET Exam Pattern for Law
The UGC NET Law examination (Subject Code: 58) is designed for candidates who have completed their LLM and aspire to become Assistant Professors in law colleges or qualify for Junior Research Fellowship in the field of Law.
Number of Questions and Marks
Paper II for Law consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 2 marks, totalling 200 marks. All questions are compulsory, and there is no negative marking. The questions are designed to test your comprehensive understanding of legal principles, landmark judgments, constitutional provisions, and various branches of law. The difficulty level ranges from basic conceptual questions to analytical problems requiring application of legal principles.
The examination tests not just your memory of legal provisions but also your ability to analyze legal scenarios, understand judicial reasoning, and apply legal principles to factual situations. Previous year papers indicate that approximately 50% of questions are now theory-based, while approximately 50% require analytical application of concepts.
Complete UGC NET Law Syllabus: 10 Units Breakdown
The UGC NET Law syllabus (Paper 2) is structured into exactly 10 comprehensive units as per the latest NTA guidelines (updated post-2023 criminal law reforms). Unit 1 covers Jurisprudence, including the nature and sources of law, schools of jurisprudence, concepts of rights and duties, legal personality, property, ownership, possession, and liability. Unit 2 focuses on Constitutional and Administrative Law, embracing the salient features of the Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties, Union and State Executive, Parliament and Judiciary, emergency provisions, amendment of the Constitution, delegated legislation, administrative tribunals, and principles of natural justice.
Unit 3 deals with Public International Law and International Humanitarian Law, covering its nature, sources, subjects, state recognition, succession, nationality, extradition, asylum, United Nations organs, law of treaties, state responsibility, and the Geneva Conventions. Unit 4 addresses Law of Crimes, now fully aligned with the new criminal laws, including general principles of criminal liability (actus reus, mens rea), stages of crime, general exceptions, joint liability, and specific offences against the human body, property, women, children, the State, and public tranquillity.
Unit 5 comprises Law of Torts and Consumer Protection Laws (Consumer Protection Act, 2019); Unit 6 includes Law of Contracts (Indian Contract Act, Specific Relief) and Commercial/Mercantile Law (Sale of Goods, Partnership, LLP, Negotiable Instruments, Competition Act); Unit 7 covers Family Law with special emphasis on Hindu and Muslim personal laws, marriage, divorce, succession, maintenance, adoption, and contemporary issues.
Unit 8 deals with Labour and Industrial Law including the four Labour Codes; Unit 9 encompasses Environmental Law, pollution control legislations, and Human Rights; and Unit 10 focuses on Intellectual Property Rights (patents, copyright, trademarks, GI) and Information Technology Law (IT Act, 2000, data protection, and cybercrimes). The syllabus integrates statutory provisions, landmark judicial decisions, and application of legal principles to contemporary issues, with special weightage given to recent legislative reforms, particularly the new criminal laws.
High Weightage Units in UGC NET Law Exam Paper II
Based on previous year paper analysis (2023-2025 cycles),Constitutional & Administrative Law (Unit 2) dominates with 20-25% weightage (18-25 questions), consistently testing Fundamental Rights, basic structure, judicial review, federalism, emergency provisions and landmark cases like Kesavananda, SR Bommai and recent amendments.
Jurisprudence (Unit 1) follows closely at 15-20%, focusing on schools (Positivism, Natural Law, Realism), rights-duties, possession-ownership and thinkers (Austin, Hart, Kelsen, Savigny).
Law of Crimes (Unit 4) under the new criminal law framework has surged to 12-18 marks, while Contract & Commercial Law (Unit 6) reliably contributes 12-16 marks, especially Negotiable Instruments and Sale of Goods.
Candidates should prioritize Constitutional Law + Jurisprudence first, master the new criminal laws next, and supplement with landmark judgments and recent amendments across units for a safe 140-160+ score.
Paper II: UGC NET Exam Pattern for Commerce
UGC NET Commerce (Subject Code: 08) is one of the most popular subjects, attracting thousands of candidates each year. It’s designed for postgraduates in Commerce, Business Administration, or related fields.
Number of Questions and Marks
Paper II for Commerce consists of 100 multiple-choice questions worth 200 marks. The questions test your knowledge across all major areas of commerce, including accounting, finance, marketing, human resource management, and business economics. The difficulty level is moderate to high, requiring both conceptual clarity and application skills.
UGC NET Commerce Syllabus: Unit-Wise Breakdown
The UGC NET Commerce syllabus comprises 10 comprehensive units. Unit 1 covers Business Environment and International Business, including economic, political, legal environment, Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation, etc. Unit 2 focuses on Accounting and Auditing, covering accounting principles, financial accounting, corporate accounting, cost accounting systems, auditing standards, and internal control.
Units 3-4 deal with Business Economics (micro and macro concepts) and Business Finance (sources of finance, capital structure, dividend policies, working capital management). Unit 5 covers Business Statistics and Research Methods (measures of central tendency, probability, correlation, regression, time series analysis). Unit 6 focuses on Marketing Management (marketing mix, consumer behaviour, product life cycle, digital marketing).
Units 7-10 cover Human Resource Management (recruitment, training, performance appraisal, compensation), Organisational Behaviour and Theory, Business Law and Corporate Governance (Company Law, Contract Act, Consumer Protection), and Income Tax and GST respectively.
Calculation-Based vs Theory Questions in Commerce Paper II
In the UGC NET Commerce Paper II (June 2025 cycle), theoretical questions dominated with approximately 70-80% weightage, emphasizing conceptual understanding, factual recall, and application-based topics like marketing theories (e.g., 4Ps), legal aspects (e.g., Contract Act), and business environment (e.g., WTO functions). These were mostly easy to moderate in difficulty.
Calculation-based questions, limited to 20-30% of the paper, were confined to quantitative units such as Business Statistics (e.g., correlation and regression computations), Business Finance (e.g., basic leverage calculations), and Economics (e.g., elasticity numericals), totaling 10-12 per key section but sparse overall. They posed moderate challenges, demanding precision and time management, with good attempts estimated at 6-8 per unit, often involving partial numericals rather than complex problem-solving.
High Weightage Units in UGC NET Commerce Paper II
Based on previous year trends, Accounting and Auditing carries the highest weightage, accounting for approximately 15-20% of questions. Marketing and Finance Management are equally important, with significant questions appearing from these units. Human Resource Management contributes substantially to the question paper.
Business Law and Taxation units require staying updated with recent amendments, including GST provisions and Company Law changes. Candidates should ensure comprehensive coverage while prioritizing high-weightage units during revision.
UGC NET Marking Scheme
Understanding the marking scheme is essential for developing your exam strategy. The UGC NET 2025 follows a straightforward marking pattern that rewards correct answers without penalizing incorrect ones.
How Are Marks Calculated in UGC NET?
Marks for Correct Answers
For every correct answer in both Paper I and Paper II, you receive 2 marks. This applies uniformly across all questions, regardless of difficulty level. Paper I has 50 questions worth 100 marks, while Paper II has 100 questions worth 200 marks. The maximum possible score is 300 marks if you answer all 150 questions correctly.
Marks Deduction for Wrong Answers (Negative Marking Policy)
There is absolutely no negative marking in the UGC NET examination. If you select an incorrect option, you simply get zero marks for that question; no deduction from your total score. This is a significant advantage that candidates should leverage by attempting every single question, even those where they’re uncertain.
Treatment of Incorrect and Unattempted Questions
Both incorrect answers and unattempted questions carry zero marks. There’s no distinction between getting a question wrong and leaving it blank. However, if NTA later determines that a question was incorrect or had multiple correct answers during the answer key challenge process, marks are awarded to all candidates who attempted that question. If a question is dropped entirely, all candidates receive 2 marks for it.
UGC NET Qualifying Marks and Criteria
Minimum Qualifying Percentage for General Category
For General/Unreserved category candidates, the minimum qualifying percentage is 40% aggregate in both papers combined. This translates to 120 marks out of 300 (40 marks in Paper I + 80 marks in Paper II, or any combination that totals 120). Candidates must meet this threshold to be considered for Assistant Professor eligibility, JRF, or PhD admission.
UGC NET Cut-Off for Reserved Categories (OBC/SC/ST/PwD)
For reserved category candidates belonging to OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), SC, ST, PwD, and Transgender categories, the minimum qualifying percentage is 35% aggregate. This equals 105 marks out of 300. The reduced threshold acknowledges the reservation policy while maintaining meaningful standards for qualification.
JRF Qualifying Marks vs Assistant Professor Qualifying Marks
While the minimum qualifying marks remain the same for both JRF and Assistant Professor eligibility, the actual cut-off marks differ significantly. JRF cut-offs are substantially higher because only a limited number of fellowships are awarded; typically to the top performers within the qualified candidates. For instance, in recent sessions, JRF cut-offs for popular subjects like Commerce and English have ranged from 200-244 marks out of 300 for the General category.
Assistant Professor cut-offs are comparatively lower since a larger pool of candidates qualifies for this eligibility. Cut-offs for Assistant Professor typically range from 150-180 marks for General category, though this varies significantly by subject. Understanding this distinction helps you set realistic targets based on your career goals.
Qualifying Marks vs Final Selection Cut-Off: What’s the Difference?
Many candidates confuse minimum qualifying marks with final selection cut-offs. The minimum qualifying marks (40% for General, 35% for reserved) are the absolute minimum you must score to be considered at all. However, simply meeting this minimum doesn’t guarantee qualification for JRF or Assistant Professor.
The actual cut-off, which determines who qualifies, is much higher and varies by subject, category, and session. It depends on factors like exam difficulty, number of candidates, and available positions. Only about 6% of candidates who appear in both papers ultimately qualify for UGC NET. Therefore, while 120 marks (40%) is the minimum for General category, actual cut-offs may be 180+ marks for Assistant Professor and 220+ marks for JRF in competitive subjects.
UGC NET Exam Pattern and Time Management
Time management is perhaps the most underestimated aspect of UGC NET preparation. Understanding how to allocate your 180 minutes across 150 questions can make the difference between qualifying and missing by a few marks.
Why Time Management is Critical for UGC NET Success
150 Questions in 180 Minutes
The mathematics is simple but sobering: 150 questions in 180 minutes means an average of 72 seconds per question. However, this average is misleading because not all questions require the same amount of time. Some questions can be answered in 20-30 seconds, while others may require 2-3 minutes for reading comprehension or calculations.
Successful candidates develop the ability to quickly identify question types and allocate time accordingly. The key is maintaining awareness of the clock while avoiding panic. Many candidates start well but run out of time in the last section, leaving several questions unattempted; a costly mistake given there’s no negative marking.
How Much Time Per Question in UGC NET?
While the average is 72 seconds per question, a more strategic allocation would be approximately 50-60 minutes for Paper I (50 questions) and 120-130 minutes for Paper II (100 questions). Within Paper I, aim for about 1 minute per question, with some buffer time for review. Within Paper II, allocate roughly 1.2 minutes per question.
For calculation-heavy subjects like Commerce, consider spending slightly less time on theory questions (45-60 seconds) to reserve more time for numerical problems (2-3 minutes). Always mark difficult questions for review and return to them after completing easier ones; this ensures you don’t miss marks on questions you could have easily answered.
UGC NET Exam Pattern PDF Download and Official Resources
Accessing authentic, official resources is crucial for accurate preparation. The NTA provides comprehensive documentation about the exam pattern, syllabus, and guidelines.
Where to Download Official UGC NET Exam Pattern PDF 2025
NTA Official Website for Exam Pattern
The official UGC NET website (ugcnet.nta.ac.in) is the primary source for all exam-related information. Navigate to the “Information Bulletin” or “Exam Pattern” section to access the official exam pattern document. This PDF contains detailed information about paper structure, marking scheme, time duration, and subject codes.
UGC NET Information Bulletin Download Link
The Information Bulletin is a comprehensive document released with each notification cycle. It contains eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus overview, important dates, examination instructions, and guidelines. To download, visit the official NTA UGC NET portal, click on “Information Bulletin” under the December 2025 notification section, and save the PDF for reference. This document should be your primary reference for all official guidelines.
Additional Resources for UGC NET Exam Pattern
Mock Tests Following UGC NET 2025 Pattern
Taking mock tests that simulate the actual examination environment is essential for preparation. These tests help you practice time management, familiarize yourself with the CBT interface, and identify weak areas. Many platforms offer free and paid mock tests with detailed analytics showing your performance across different units and subjects.
Previous Year Question Papers
Previous year question papers (PYQs) are invaluable resources for understanding question patterns, frequently asked topics, and difficulty levels. NTA releases official question papers and answer keys after each examination. Analysing the last 5 years’ papers helps identify trends and high-weightage areas. Download these papers from the official website or trusted educational platforms, and solve them under timed conditions for maximum benefit.
Conclusion
The UGC NET exam pattern for 2025 follows a well-structured format that tests both your general aptitude (Paper I) and subject expertise (Paper II). With 150 questions to be answered in 180 minutes for a total of 300 marks, understanding the exam structure is fundamental to your preparation strategy. The absence of negative marking is a significant advantage that you should leverage by attempting every question.
Your path to qualifying for UGC NET involves mastering Paper I’s 10 units on teaching and research aptitude while developing deep expertise in your chosen subject for Paper II. Remember that minimum qualifying marks (40% for General, 35% for reserved categories) are just the threshold; actual cut-offs are significantly higher. Focus on building both speed and accuracy through regular practice, mock tests, and strategic time management. With thorough preparation and a clear understanding of the exam pattern outlined in this guide, you’re well-positioned to achieve your goal of becoming an Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellow.
Frequently Asked Questions About UGC NET Exam Pattern
Is There Negative Marking in UGC NET Exam Pattern?
No, there is absolutely no negative marking in the UGC NET examination. You receive 2 marks for every correct answer and zero marks for incorrect or unattempted questions. This means you should attempt all 150 questions, even if you’re unsure about some answers.
What is the total duration of the UGC NET Exam?
The total duration of the UGC NET exam is 3 hours (180 minutes). Both Paper I and Paper II are conducted in this single session without any break in between.
How Many Questions Are There in UGC NET Paper I and Paper II?
Paper I contains 50 questions worth 100 marks, while Paper II contains 100 questions worth 200 marks. The total examination consists of 150 questions worth 300 marks.
Can I Choose Any Subject for UGC NET Paper II?
You can choose from 85 available subjects for Paper II, but your choice should align with your postgraduate qualification. If your exact PG subject is not listed, you can choose a closely related subject. The subject selection is made during the application process.
Is Criminal Law Important for the UGC NET Law Exam?
Yes, Criminal Law (Law of Crimes) is a significant unit in UGC NET Law Paper II. It covers general principles of criminal liability, stages of crime, general exceptions, and offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This unit typically accounts for 10-15% of questions.
Does UGC NET Law Include Recent Amendments Like BNS?
Yes, the UGC NET Law syllabus is updated to include recent legislative changes, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and other recent amendments. Candidates should stay updated with current legal developments.
Which is Easier- UGC NET Commerce or Management?
Both subjects have their own challenges. Commerce has more calculation-based questions (accounting, statistics, finance), while Management is more theory-oriented. Your choice should depend on your educational background and strengths rather than perceived difficulty.
Is Accounting Compulsory in UGC NET Commerce Paper II?
While there’s no formal division of compulsory and optional sections, Accounting and Auditing is a significant unit in UGC NET Commerce, typically accounting for 15-20% of questions. You cannot avoid this unit if you’re appearing for Commerce.
Is There a Break Between Paper I and Paper II?
No, there is no break between Paper I and Paper II. Both papers are conducted in a single continuous session of 3 hours. Candidates must manage their time across both papers within this duration.
What is the Mode of UGC NET Examination?
UGC NET is conducted in online mode as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). Candidates answer questions on computer terminals at designated examination centres.
Where Can I Download UGC NET Exam Pattern PDF?
The official exam pattern PDF can be downloaded from the NTA UGC NET website (ugcnet.nta.ac.in). Look for the “Information Bulletin” section under the relevant examination cycle.
Is the Exam Pattern Same for JRF and Assistant Professor?
Yes, the exam pattern is identical for both JRF and Assistant Professor eligibility. The same examination is used for both, with the difference being in cut-off marks; JRF cut-offs are higher due to limited fellowship positions.
What Languages Are Available for UGC NET Question Paper?
The UGC NET question paper is available in English and Hindi only. Candidates must select their preferred language medium during the application process. Some regional language subject papers may be available in their respective languages.
How Many Subjects Are Available in UGC NET Paper II?
Currently, 85 subjects are available for UGC NET Paper II, ranging from Commerce, Law, and English to specialized subjects like Yoga, Forensic Science, and Ayurveda Biology (newly added).
What Happens if a Question is Found Incorrect by NTA?
If a question is found to be incorrect or has multiple correct answers during the answer key challenge process, marks are awarded to all candidates who attempted that question and chose one of the correct answers. If a question is dropped, all candidates receive a full 2 marks for it.
What is the Passing Percentage for UGC NET?
The minimum passing percentage is 40% aggregate for General category (120 out of 300 marks) and 35% aggregate for reserved categories (105 out of 300 marks). However, actual qualifying cut-offs are significantly higher.
Can I Switch Between Paper I and Paper II During the Exam?
Yes, the CBT interface allows you to freely navigate between Paper I and Paper II questions throughout the examination. There’s no restriction on the order of attempting questions.
What is the Latest Change in UGC NET Exam Pattern?
The current exam pattern has remained largely stable since 2019. The key aspects—single session format, no negative marking, CBT mode, and the 50+100 question structure—continue unchanged for 2025. Minor syllabus updates may occur for subject-specific papers to reflect current developments.
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