UGC NET New Exam Pattern 2025: Paper 1 & Paper 2 Pattern, Marking Scheme
University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test 2025 ( UGC NET )
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025 is prescribed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The UGC NET 2025 exam comprises two papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2. The time duration of the exam is 3 hours (180 minutes). Both papers contain objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs). A total of 150 questions are given to the candidates combining paper 1 and paper 2. UGC NET exam does not have a negative marking scheme. The candidates are awarded for correct answers but no mark deductions are made for incorrect answers.
The medium of the UGC NET question paper is in English and Hindi languages only. Have a look at the NTA UGC NET exam pattern 2025 below in detail for Paper 1 and Paper 2.
UGC NET Latest News & Updates
The UGC NET 2025 exam pattern is provided in the official notification by the NTA. It consists of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. The duration of the exam is three hours, Both papers consist of objective type multiple-choice questions (MCQs), totaling 150 questions across both papers. Each question weightage is two marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
No. Candidates are required to appear in both UGC NET Paper 1 and Paper 2 to qualify for the exam. Candidates need to pass both exams separately to be considered for the position. Qualifying marks category-wise are mentioned below:
For General or Unreserved category: 40% aggregate marks in both the papers taken together
For PWD/SC/ST/OBC Non-creamy layer and Transgenders: 35% aggregate marks in both the papers taken together
The June session exam dates for UGC NET 2025 was released along with the notification. The authority released the UGC NET 2025 notification on April 16, 2025 on the official website at ugcnet.nta.ac.in. The UGC NET 2025 June session exam was conducted from June 25 to June 29, 2025.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the UGC NET June cycle 2024 re-exam dates on the official website. The UGC NET 2024 exam was started on August 21 and the last exam was on September 4. Earlier, the exam was cancelled due to the integrity issues on June 19, 2024.
- UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights
- UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
- UGC NET Marking Scheme 2025
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights
Have a look at the highlights of the exam pattern and structure of the UGC NET exam below.
Before elaborating on the UGC NET exam pattern, let us have a look at the major highlights of both papers of the exam.
| Particulars |
UGC NET Paper 1 Highlights |
UGC NET Paper 2 Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Exam mode |
Online |
Online |
| Exam duration |
3 hours (180 minutes) |
|
| 25-Jun-2025 to 29-Jun-2025 |
||
| Type of paper |
Common for all candidates |
Subject-specific questions (82 Subjects) |
| Total Questions |
50 |
100 |
| Type of questions |
MCQs; 4 options with only 1 correct option |
MCQs; 4 options with only 1 correct option |
| Total marks |
100 |
200 |
| Marking scheme |
+2 for correct answer 0 for incorrect answer |
+2 for correct answer 0 for incorrect answer |
| Language of paper |
English and Hindi |
English and Hindi |
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UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
The UGC NET 2025 contains two papers that candidates need to complete in a duration of three hours. Both Papers 1 and 2 contain objective-type questions and it is mandatory for candidates to attempt questions from both papers.
| UGC NET Paper |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| UGC NET Paper 1 |
50 |
100 |
| UGC NET Paper 2 |
100 |
200 |
| Total |
150 |
300 |
- Candidates need to complete the UGC NET paper in a combined duration of 3 hours (180 minutes) without any break.
- All the questions in Paper 1 and Paper 2 are compulsory.
- The medium of the UGC NET question paper 2025 is in English & Hindi only. Candidates need to choose the medium carefully while filling out the UGC NET application form.
- Each question carries two marks.
- There is no negative marking for incorrect responses.
Also Read: English Vocabulary: Words, Meaning, Uses, Examples & Worksheet with Answers
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Paper 1
In UGC NET Paper 1, the official website of NTA informs, "The questions will be generic, intending to assess the teaching/research aptitude of the candidate. It will primarily be designed to test reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness of the candidate." While preparing for the UGC NET exam the candidates must start their preparation with the exam pattern and UGC NET syllabus. The exam pattern for the UGC NET paper 1 has been given below for the candidates:
| UGC NET Paper 1 Sections |
No. of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Aptitude |
5 |
10 |
| Research Aptitude |
5 |
10 |
| Reading Comprehension |
5 |
10 |
| Communication |
5 |
10 |
| Reasoning (including Maths) |
5 |
10 |
| Logical Reasoning |
5 |
10 |
| Data Interpretation |
5 |
10 |
| Information & Communication Technology (ICT) |
5 |
10 |
| People & Environment |
5 |
10 |
| Higher Education System: Governance, Polity & Administration |
5 |
10 |
| Total |
50 |
100 |
UGC NET Exam Pattern for Paper 2
Regarding UGC NET Paper 2 exam, the website informs, "This will be based on the subject selected by the candidate. All the questions of Paper 2 will be compulsory."
Candidates need to choose the UGC NET Paper 2 subject from the given options of 85 subjects while filling out the application form. Candidates need to appear in the subject of their Post-Graduation only. Candidates, whose Post Graduation subject is not covered in the list of UGC NET subjects, can appear in a related subject.
Till December 2018, the UGC NET exam pattern was such that the test consisted of two papers (Paper 1 and 2) that were conducted in two different sessions. Candidates had to complete both papers (Paper 1 and 2) in a duration of one and two hours, respectively. However, in 2019, NTA changed the exam pattern and candidates now have to give both papers in a single three-hour duration.
UGC NET Marking Scheme 2025
In each paper of UGC NET exam, two marks are awarded for every correct answer. There is no negative marking in the exam.
| UGC NET Marking Parameters |
Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
| Correct answer |
+2 |
| Incorrect answer |
0 |
| Un-attempted question |
0 |
| Download UGC NET 2025 Syllabus -Download Here |
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