The UGC NET syllabus is published by the University Grants Commission on ugcnetonline.in. NTA, which conducts the exam, says in its bulletin that it will not provide a copy of the syllabus to any candidate, so you must download it yourself. Paper 1 is common to all, and Paper 2 follows the syllabus of the subject you pick.
Both papers are taken in one computer-based sitting of three hours with no break. Paper 1 has 50 questions for 100 marks. Paper 2 has 100 questions for 200 marks. Each question carries two marks and there is no negative marking, so it is worth attempting every question.
UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus: the ten units
| Unit | Main topics |
|---|---|
| 1. Teaching Aptitude | Concepts, objectives and levels of teaching; learner characteristics; factors affecting teaching; teacher-centred and learner-centred methods, online methods such as SWAYAM and MOOCs; teaching support systems; evaluation systems including choice-based credit system |
| 2. Research Aptitude | Meaning, types and characteristics of research; positivism and post-positivism; experimental, descriptive, historical, qualitative and quantitative methods; steps of research; thesis and article writing; ICT in research; research ethics |
| 3. Comprehension | A passage followed by questions |
| 4. Communication | Types and characteristics; effective, verbal and non-verbal, inter-cultural and group communication; classroom communication; barriers; mass media and society |
| 5. Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude | Types of reasoning; number and letter series, codes, relationships; fractions, time and distance, ratio and percentage, profit and loss, interest and discounting, averages |
| 6. Logical Reasoning | Structure of arguments; deductive and inductive reasoning; analogies; Venn diagrams; Indian logic: pramanas, anumana, vyapti and hetvabhasas |
| 7. Data Interpretation | Sources and classification of data; quantitative and qualitative data; bar, pie, line and tabular charts; interpretation; data and governance |
| 8. Information and Communication Technology | Common terms and abbreviations; internet, intranet, email, audio and video conferencing; digital initiatives in higher education; ICT and governance |
| 9. People, Development and Environment | Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals; environmental issues and pollution; climate change; energy and natural resources; disasters and mitigation; Environment Protection Act 1986, National Action Plan on Climate Change and international agreements |
| 10. Higher Education System | Higher learning in ancient India; growth of higher education and research after independence; conventional and non-conventional programmes; professional and skill-based education; value and environmental education; policies, governance and administration |
Paper 1 is designed to test teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness. Units 5, 6 and 7 reward regular practice, while units 1, 2 and 10 need careful reading of concepts and policies.
UGC NET Paper 2 syllabus: how it works
Paper 2 tests domain knowledge in one subject. The June 2025 bulletin listed 85 subjects, from economics, commerce and English to computer science, law and a range of languages. Each subject has its own syllabus PDF, and most are divided into ten units. The bulletin advises candidates to choose the subject of their post-graduation. If your PG subject is not on the list, you may take a related subject. Candidates with a four-year bachelor's degree may choose the subject in which they want to do a PhD.
Example: UGC NET political science syllabus
Political science is one of the most searched Paper 2 subjects. Its syllabus has ten units:
- Political Theory
- Political Thought
- Indian Political Thought
- Comparative Political Analysis
- International Relations
- India's Foreign Policy
- Political Institutions in India
- Political Processes in India
- Public Administration
- Governance and Public Policy in India
Each unit lists thinkers, concepts and themes in detail in the official PDF. Use it as a checklist and tick off topics as you finish them.
How to download the UGC NET syllabus PDF
- Open the UGC NET syllabus page at ugcnetonline.in (the link is in the official links on this page).
- Find your subject in the list. Paper 1 is listed as General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude.
- Download the PDF for Paper 1 and your Paper 2 subject. For many subjects, the syllabus is available in both English and Hindi.
- Check the subject code against the list in the current NTA bulletin before you fill the form.
Avoid "2024" or "2025 syllabus" PDFs from unknown sites. UGC revised the NET syllabus in 2019, and the UGC page is the only reliable copy.
Popular Paper 2 subjects
Among the 85 subjects in the June 2025 list are Political Science, Economics, Commerce, English, Hindi, History, Sociology, Psychology, Education, Law, Management, Public Administration, Library and Information Science, Computer Science and Applications, Social Work and Physical Education. Each one has its own code, which you enter in the form, and the paper for that subject follows its UGC syllabus.
A study plan that fits the syllabus
- Give Paper 1 about a third of your time. It is one-third of the total marks and often decides whether you clear the cut-off.
- For Paper 2, go unit by unit with your PG notes and standard textbooks, then solve past NTA papers.
- Learn exact terms and definitions; many questions test precise wording.
- Practise in a timed 3-hour mock so you can balance both papers in one sitting.
Related pages
Eligibility, age rules and the JRF and Assistant Professor categories are explained on the UGC NET exam hub . If you still need a master's degree, read about CUET PG admission . School teaching aspirants can look at the CTET syllabus for Classes I to VIII , and those also preparing for civil services can compare it with the UPSC prelims and mains syllabus . More topic lists are on our syllabus page .
HindiScope is not an official site; confirm the syllabus on the UGC NET pages of UGC and NTA.