UGC NET 2026 Syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2

The UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) is the only exam for those students who want to become Assistant Professors and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) awardees in India. As of now, the National Testing Agency (NTA) continues to conduct this exam twice a year (June and December cycles). Below in this article, we have given you the complete UGC NET 2026 Syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2, including the exam structure and subject-specific details for the upcoming June Session Exam.

The syllabus is divided into two parts: Paper 1 and Paper 2.

  • Paper 1 includes 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and tests the candidate’s skills in teaching and research aptitude.
  • Paper 2 consists of 100 MCQs based on the candidate’s chosen subject. Candidates can select from 85 different subjects according to their area of specialization.

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026

The UGC NET Exam will be conducted online, specifically as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). There will be no break between Paper I and Paper II, ensuring a seamless testing experience. Both papers will feature objective-type, multiple-choice questions.

Paper

Marks

Number of Questions

Durations (First Shift)

Durations (Second Shift)

Paper 1

100

50

03 Hours (09:00 Am to 12:00 Pm)

03 Hours (03:00 Pm to 06:00 Pm)

Paper 2

200

100

UGC NET Syllabus 2026

The University Grants Commission (UGC) released the UGC NET Syllabus 2026 on its official website for 85 subjects. The exam consists of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. It's important to appear for both papers to qualify for the UGC NET. Having a deep understanding of the syllabus is important for all candidates aiming to pass the exam. Those who score well in the UGC NET exam will be eligible for positions as "Assistant Professors," qualify for the "Junior Research Fellowship" (JRF), or pursue a PhD course in Indian universities and colleges.

UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus 2026

Understanding the complete UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus 2026 section-wise for your chosen subject is essential for effectively planning your study timetable and strategy. The UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus comprises ten sections/subjects, which include Research Aptitude, Teaching Aptitude, Communication, Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Information and Communication Technology, Mathematics, and more.

Part

Sections (Multiple Choice Questions)

Questions

Marks

I

Teaching Aptitude

5

10

II

Research Aptitude

5

10

III

Reading Comprehension

5

10

IV

Communication

5

10

V

Reasoning (including Maths)

5

10

VI

Logical Reasoning

5

10

VII

Data Interpretation

5

10

VIII

Information & Communication Technology (ICT)

5

10

VIII

People & Environment

5

10

IX

Higher Education System: Governance, Polity & Administration

5

10
 

Total

50

100

Unit 1: UGC NET Teaching Aptitude Syllabus

Candidates need to save the Teaching Aptitude Syllabus for the UGC NET Exam for better preparation.

  • 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 the Teacher, Learner, Support material, Instructional facilities, Learning environment, and Institution.
  • Methods of teaching in Institutions of higher learning: Teacher-centered vs. Learner-centered 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. Aspirants can refer to the Latest UGC NET strategies so that they can make a proper daily routine for preparing for the exam.

Unit 2: UGC NET Research Aptitude Syllabus

Here we are discussing the research aptitude syllabus for the UGC NET June Cycle exam.

  • Research: Meaning, Types, and Characteristics, Positivism and Post-positivist 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 3: UGC NET Comprehension Syllabus

Here we are discussing the comprehension syllabus for the UGC NET June Cycle.

  • A passage of text is given. Questions are asked about the passage to be answered.

Unit 4: UGC NET Communication Syllabus

Aspirants need to cover the following topics of communication in the UGC NET Paper 1 Exam

  • Communication: Meaning, types, and characteristics of communication.
  • Effective communication: Verbal and Non-verbal, intercultural and group communications, and Classroom communication.
  • Barriers to effective communication.
  • Mass-Media and Society.

Unit 5: UGC NET Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude Syllabus

Candidates need to cover the following topics of Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude for the UGC NET Exam.

  • Types of reasoning.
  • Number series, Letter series, Codes, and Relationships.
  • Mathematical Aptitude (fractions, Time & Distance, Ratio, Proportion and Percentage, Profit and Loss, Interest and Discounting, Averages, etc.).

Unit 6: UGC NET Logical Reasoning Syllabus

Here we are sharing the Logical Reasoning Syllabus for the UGC NET Paper 1 Exam

  • 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, and Classical square of opposition.
  • Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning.
  • 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), and Hetvabhasas (fallacies of inference).

Unit 7: UGC NET Data Interpretation Syllabus

Check the Data Interpretation syllabus for the upcoming UGC NET Exam

  • Sources, acquisition, and classification of Data.
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Data.
  • Graphical representation (Bar-chart, histogram, Pie-chart, Table-chart, and Line-chart) and mapping of Data.
  • Data Interpretation.
  • Data and Governance.

Unit 8: UGC NET Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Syllabus

Check the ICT (Information & Communication Technology) syllabus for the upcoming UGC NET Exam.

  • 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 9: UGC NET People Development and Environment Syllabus

The People Development & Environment section is the highest-scoring section in the UGC NET Exam. Candidates need to cover the following topics.

  • 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 Biological Diversity, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, International Solar Alliance. To prepare for all these subjects more efficiently, one can also check tips and tricks to crack the UGC NET exam, in which we have covered many hacks if followed correctly, can clear the exam.

Unit 10: UGC NET Higher Education System Syllabus

The Higher Education System topic is asked in the UGC NET Paper 1 Exam. Aspirants need to cover the following topics before appearing in the exam

  • 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.

UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus PDF Download Link

The UGC NET Syllabus Paper 1 PDF is provided below for candidates’ convenience. Interested candidates can download the NTA NET Syllabus 2026 PDF by clicking the link below. Reviewing these topics will aid in comprehensive exam preparation. To assist aspirants, we have included the UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus PDF with detailed information.

UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus 2026

The NTA UGC NET Syllabus for Paper 2 consists of the subjects chosen by candidates during the application process. Paper 2 will feature 100 objective-type questions (MCQs) for a total of 200 marks. The NTA UGC NET is conducted across 85 subjects in total. You can reach out to see the complete syllabus for all subjects at https://www.ugcnetonline.in/syllabus-new.php. To solve this, we have curated a list of syllabi from which candidates can download the UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus PDF for their specific subject using the links provided below.

Additionally, the table below allows candidates to download the NET Exam Syllabus for both Papers 1 and 2 in PDF format, which has been released on the official website. Candidates can access the NET Syllabus Subject-wise PDF for comprehensive preparation.

Subject Code

Subject-Wise

In English

In Hindi

All

General Paper

01

Economics / Rural Economics /Co-operation / Demography /

Development Planning/ Development Studies / Econometrics/

Applied Economics/Development Eco./Business Economics

  

02

Political Science

  

03

Psychology

  

04

Sociology

  

05

History

  

06

Anthropology

  

08

Commerce

  

09

Education

  

10

Social Work

  

11

Defence and Strategic Studies

  

12

Home Science

  

14

Public Administration

  

15

Population Studies

  

16

Music

  

17

Management (including Business Admin. Mgt./Marketing/

Marketing Mgt./Industrial Relations and Personnel Mgt./

Personnel Mgt./Financial Mgt./Co-operative Management)

  

18

Maithili

    

19

Bengali

    

20

Hindi

  

21

Kannada

    

22

Malayalam

    

23

Oriya