University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test Complete Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Complete NTA UGC NET Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern. Check detailed unit-wise topics for Paper 1, the full list of 87 subjects for Paper 2, and download the official PDFs in English and Hindi.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the syllabus and exam pattern are exactly the same for candidates appearing for 'Assistant Professor only' or 'JRF & Assistant Professor'. The only difference is the final cut-off marks, which are higher for JRF.
No, there is absolutely no negative marking in either Paper 1 or Paper 2 of the UGC NET exam. Candidates are highly encouraged to attempt all 150 questions.
There are currently a total of 85 subjects available for Paper 2. Candidates must choose the subject most relevant to their Master's degree specialization.
The core structure of 10 units remains the same. However, the UGC is aligning the syllabus with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing critical thinking, analytical skills, and the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) over rote memorisation.
Yes, the question papers for all subjects (except for specific language literature papers) are bilingual and available in both English and Hindi.
The total duration is 3 hours (180 minutes) for both papers combined. There is no separate time limit or mandatory break between Paper 1 and Paper 2.