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UGC NET Syllabus 2026: The National Testing Agency provides Commission will provide the UGC NET syllabus 2026 for the December session. The PDF of the UGC NET 2026 syllabus can be downloaded from ugcnet.nta.ac.in. The syllabus of the UGC NET exam will be stated in the official notification. If the syllabus of UGC NET 2026 is altered, NTA will provide a formal announcement regarding the addition or removal of subjects and topics. Read the complete article and learn more details here.
The UGC NET 2026 consists of 2 papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2. The syllabus for the UGC NET Paper 1 is the same for all the candidates appearing for the exam. But the syllabus of the UGC NET paper 2 is different based on the subject of study of the candidate, and they can select the subjects they prefer to appear for. 85 subjects are available to be chosen from Paper 2. Indian Knowledge System, Disaster Management System and Ayurveda Biology are the three subjects added new from the earlier session.
Candidates are advised to go through the UGC NET 2026 syllabus before beginning the exam preparation. Candidates appearing for the UGC NET exam are also suggested to look through the syllabus PDF so that they become aware of the subjects, topics, and sub-topics on which the question paper is drawn. The syllabus of the exam is made public along with the UGC NET 2026 exam pattern. For additional information on the UGC NET syllabus 2026, check out the article provided below.
The UGC NET 2026 syllabus is divided into two distinct papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2, each with a different focus and structure.
Paper 1 is a general paper designed to test teaching and research aptitude. It contains 10 comprehensive units that assess abilities such as reasoning, general awareness, analytical thinking, and understanding of higher education systems. The main units are
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Units |
Topics |
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Teaching Aptitude |
Teaching concepts, objectives, learner characteristics, methods, teaching aids, and evaluation systems. |
|
Research Aptitude |
Research types and methods, steps of research, research ethics, paper/thesis writing, and application of ICT in research. |
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Comprehension |
Reading comprehension passages with questions to assess interpretation skills. |
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Communication |
Communication theories, types, characteristics, barriers, and classroom communication. |
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Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude |
Number series, codes, relationships, percentage, profit and loss, algebra, probability. |
|
Logical Reasoning |
Analogies, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, deductive and inductive reasoning. |
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Data Interpretation |
Sources, tabulation, data representation, statistics, percentage analysis. |
|
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) |
Computer basics, internet, e-mail, digital initiatives in higher education. |
|
People, Development, and Environment |
Environment issues, sustainable development, environmental protection, policies. |
|
Higher Education System |
Governance, structure, policies, and management in the Indian education system |
Paper II will be based on the subject chosen by the candidate (e.g., Commerce, Management, Economics, History, English, Education, Computer Science, Political Science, etc.).
|
Subjects |
Topics |
|
Commerce |
Accounting, Business Finance, Marketing, HRM, Taxation, International Business |
|
English |
Drama, Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Literary Criticism, and Contemporary Literature. |
|
Economics |
Micro, Macro, Development, Public Economics, Econometrics. |
|
Political Sciences |
Theories, Comparative Politics, Indian Government & Politics, Public Administration. |
|
Computer Science |
Programming, Database Management, Algorithms, Data Structures, Software Engineering. |
|
Education |
Philosophical, Sociological, and Psychological Foundations, Curriculum Studies, Teacher Education. |
For both papers, the candidates have to refer to the UGC NET syllabus 2026 PDF to be familiar with all the key topics. The overall performance shall be determined by the marks obtained individually in Paper 1 and Paper 2. Let us see the UGC NET exam syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2 in summary.
UGC NET 2026 Paper 1 syllabus:
UGC NET 2026 Paper 2 syllabus:
Note: NTA also offers UGC NET 2026 mock tests according to the syllabus and the question papers of the last year. The UGC NET mock tests will assist the candidates in knowing the level of preparation.
UGC NET Paper 1 is the same and mandatory for all candidates. Paper 2 is different for different subjects.
Subject: General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude
The UGC NET syllabus paper 1 exam checks the teaching and research capability of the candidate, along with the candidate's aptitude. The UGC NET exam syllabus for Paper 1 checks candidates' intellectual skills such as comprehension, analysis, judgment, understanding argument structure, deductive and inductive reasoning.
The UGC NET syllabus 2026 also makes provisions for testing the general awareness of teaching-learning processes in the higher education system among candidates. Also, the UGC NET syllabus examines whether the candidate knows the interaction among people, environment, natural resources and their effects on the quality of life.
The UGC NET Paper I Syllabus 2026 in detail is provided in the table below so that the candidates know precisely what they should study.
|
S.No. |
Unit |
Detailed UGC NET Paper I Syllabus 2026 |
|
1 |
Teaching Aptitude |
|
|
2 |
Research Aptitude |
|
|
3 |
Comprehension |
A passage of text is given. Questions will be asked from the passage to be answered. |
|
4 |
Communication |
|
|
5 |
Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude |
|
|
6 |
Logical Reasoning |
|
|
7 |
Data Interpretation |
|
|
8 |
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) |
|
|
9 |
People, Development and Environment |
|
|
10 |
Higher Education System |
|
UGC NET Paper 2 is based on the subject chosen by the candidate.
The detailed UGC NET Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2 is provided on the official website.
Download the UGC NET exam syllabus for all the other subjects here. Candidates must choose the UGC NET exam syllabus Paper II as per their subject in post-graduation.
From the following table, candidates can check the UGC NET Paper 2 2026 optional subjects.
UGC NET Paper 2 Optional Subjects
|
Subject Code |
Subjects |
UGC NET syllabus in English |
UGC NET syllabus in Hindi |
|
1 |
Economics / Rural Economics /Co-operation / Demography / Development Planning/ Development Studies / Econometrics/ Applied Economics/Development Eco./Business Economics |
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|
2 |
Political Science |
||
|
3 |
Philosophy |
||
|
4 |
Psychology |
||
|
5 |
Sociology |
||
|
6 |
History |
||
|
7 |
Anthropology |
||
|
8 |
Commerce |
||
|
9 |
Education |
||
|
10 |
Social Work |
||
|
11 |
Defence and Strategic Studies |
||
|
12 |
Home Science |
||
|
14 |
Public Administration |
||
|
15 |
Population Studies |
||
|
16 |
Music |
||
|
17 |
Management (including Business Admn. 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 |
||
|
24 |
Punjabi |
||
|
25 |
Sanskrit |
||
|
26 |
Tamil |
||
|
27 |
Telugu |
||
|
28 |
Urdu |
||
|
29 |
Arabic |
||
|
30 |
English |
||
|
31 |
Linguistics |
||
|
32 |
Chinese |
||
|
33 |
Dogri |
||
|
34 |
Nepali |
||
|
35 |
Manipuri |
||
|
36 |
Assamese |
||
|
37 |
Gujarati |
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|
38 |
Marathi |
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|
39 |
French (French Version) |
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|
40 |
Spanish |
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|
41 |
Russian |
||
|
42 |
Persian |
||
|
43 |
Rajasthani |
||
|
44 |
German |
||
|
45 |
Japanese |
||
|
46 |
Adult Education/ Continuing Education/ Andragogy/ Non Formal Education. |
||
|
47 |
Physical Education |
||
|
49 |
Arab Culture and Islamic Studies |
||
|
50 |
Indian Culture |
||
|
55 |
Labour Welfare/Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/ Labour and Social Welfare/Human Resource Management |
||
|
58 |
Law |
||
|
59 |
Library and Information Science |
||
|
60 |
Buddhist, Jaina, Gandhian and Peace Studies |
||
|
62 |
Comparative Study of Religions |
||
|
63 |
Mass Communication and Journalism |
||
|
65 |
Performing Art - Dance/Drama/Theatre |
||
|
66 |
Museology & Conservation |
||
|
67 |
Archaeology |
||
|
68 |
Criminology |
||
|
70 |
Tribal and Regional Language/Literature |
||
|
71 |
Folk Literature |
||
|
72 |
Comparative Literature |
||
|
73 |
Sanskrit traditional subjects (including) Jyotisha/Sidhanta Jyotish/ Navya Vyakarna/ Vyakarna/ Mimansa/ Navya Nyaya/ Sankhya Yoga/ Tulanatmaka Darsan/ Shukla Yajurveda/ Madhav Vedant/ Dharmasasta/ Sahitya/ Puranotihasa /Agama). |
||
|
74 |
Women Studies |
||
|
79 |
Visual Art (including Drawing & Painting/Sculpture Graphics/Applied Art/History of Art) |
||
|
80 |
Geography |
||
|
81 |
Social Medicine & Community Health |
||
|
82 |
Forensic Science |
||
|
83 |
Pali |
||
|
84 |
Kashmiri |
||
|
85 |
Konkani |
||
|
87 |
Computer Science and Applications |
||
|
88 |
Electronic Science |
- |
|
|
89 |
Environmental Sciences |
- |
|
|
90 |
Politics including International Relations/International Studies including Defence/Strategic Studies, West Asian Studies, South East Asian Studies, African Studies, South Asian Studies, Soviet Studies, American Studies. |
||
|
91 |
Prakrit |
||
|
92 |
Human Rights and Duties |
||
|
93 |
Tourism Administration and Management. |
||
|
94 |
Bodo |
||
|
95 |
Santali |
||
|
100 |
Yoga |
||
|
101 |
Sindhi |
||
|
102 |
Hindu Studies |
||
|
103 |
Indian Knowledge System |
||
|
104 |
Disaster Management System |
||
|
105 |
Ayurveda Biology |
UGC NET exam 2026 is conducted by the National Testing Agency. Here, students can check the UGC NET 2026 exam pattern listed below the table:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Examination Mode |
Computer-Based Test (Online) |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Section |
|
|
Type of Questions |
|
|
Design of Questions |
|
|
Number of Questions |
65 Questions (including 10 questions from General Aptitude) |
|
Distribution of Questions in all Papers except AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL |
|
|
Distribution of Questions in AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL |
|
|
Total Marks |
100 Marks |
|
Marking Scheme |
All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks |
|
UGC-NET Negative Marking |
Two types of MCQs:
|
The previous year's papers are available on the official website. The UGC NET previous year papers are the best source of material for preparation. Solving them will give you an understanding of the UGC NET 2026 exam pattern, difficulty level and popular topics in the exam paper.
The candidates will get 2 marks for the right answers, and there will be no deduction of marks for wrong answers since there is no scheme of negative marking in the UGC NET examination. Candidates can find the making scheme of UGC NET 2026 in the following table below:
Types of Answer | Marks |
Correct Answers | 2 |
Incorrect Answers | 0 |
Total Marks in UGC NET | 300 Marks |
Go through the list of important books recommended by toppers for preparation of UGC NET Paper 1 below:
|
UGC NET Paper 1 Book |
Author |
|
Trueman's UGC NET/SET General Paper I |
M Gagan and Sajit Kumar |
|
NTA UGC NET/SET/JRF Paper I: Teaching and Research Aptitude by Pearson |
KVS Madaan |
|
General Paper-1 UGC NET/JRF/SLET – Teaching & Research Aptitude |
Arihant Experts |
|
Upkar’s UGC-NET/JRF/SET Teaching And Research Aptitude (General Paper - I) |
Dr Lal Jain and Dr KC Vashistha |
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