The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a highly competitive exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to determine the eligibility for Assistant Professorship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. If you are preparing for UGC NET 2025, this detailed guide will help you crack the exam successfully.
UGC NET 2025 Exam Overview
- Exam Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Eligibility Criteria: Postgraduate degree with 55% marks (50% for reserved categories)
- Exam Mode: Online (CBT – Computer-Based Test)
- Subjects Available: Over 80 subjects
- Exam Duration: 3 hours (No breaks between papers)
- Marking Scheme: No negative marking
- Official Website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
Why Should You Appear for UGC NET?
- Qualify for Assistant Professorship – Secure a teaching position in Indian universities.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) – Get funding for research programs.
- Better Career Opportunities – Opens doors for government and private-sector jobs.
- Scholarship & Grants – Avail of scholarships for Ph.D. and research projects.
- Higher Pay Scale – Eligible candidates earn better salaries in academia.
| Paper | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | 50 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) | 100 | 3 hours (No break) |
| Paper 2 | 100 (Subject-Specific) | 200 |
- Paper 1: General paper on teaching and research aptitude.
- Paper 2: Subject-specific questions based on the chosen subject.
UGC NET 2025 Syllabus
Paper 1 (Common for All Candidates)
- Teaching & Research Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
- Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation
- Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
- People & Environment
- Higher Education System
Paper 2 (Subject-Specific)
Each candidate must choose one subject from over 80 disciplines, including:
- Commerce
- English
- Education
- Political Science
- Computer Science
- Economics
Top 10 Preparation Tips for UGC NET 2025
- Understand the Syllabus – Download the syllabus from the official NTA website.
- Make a Study Plan – Allocate time for each subject and stick to a routine.
- Refer to Best Books – Use Trueman’s UGC NET, **NTA UGC NET/JRF Teaching & Research **Top 10 Preparation Tips for UGC NET 2025
- Aptitude for Paper 1.
- Practice Previous Year Papers – Solve at least 10 years’ worth of papers.
- Take Online Mock Tests – Improve speed and accuracy.
- Make Notes – Write short notes for quick revision.
- Time Management – Allocate time wisely between Paper 1 and Paper 2.
- Stay Updated – Read newspapers for current affairs and education policies.
- Join Online Courses & Coaching – Platforms like Unacademy, BYJU’S, and Testbook offer excellent courses.
- Maintain Health & Mindset – A healthy mind improves retention and focus.
Best Books for UGC NET 2025 Preparation
Paper 1
- Teaching and Research Aptitude – KVS Madaan (Pearson)
- NTA UGC NET Paper 1 – Arihant Publications
Paper 2 (Subject-Specific)
- Commerce: UGC NET/JRF Commerce by NTA
- English: UGC NET English Literature by Arihant
- Computer Science: NTA UGC NET Computer Science by GKP