UGC NET New Exam Pattern 2025: Paper 1 & Paper 2 Pattern, Marking Scheme
University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test 2025 ( UGC NET )
Registration - 7 Oct '25 - 7 Nov '25
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025 is prescribed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam pattern will be released along with the December notification. The UGC NET 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 provided 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
- UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights
- UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
- UGC NET Marking Scheme 2025
- UGC NET 2025 Exam Pattern FAQs
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) |
|
| to be updated here | ||
| 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 |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
The December session exam dates for UGC NET 2025 was released on the official website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The exam will be conducted from December 31, 2025 to January 7, 2026. The authority released the UGC NET notification on the official website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
The NTA 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 |
Read More:
UGC NET 2025 Exam Pattern FAQs
Candidates can check below the UGC NET exam pattern 2025 FAQs.
UGC NET Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
No. The authority has not released the UGC NET certificate for the December session 2025. The exam is scheduled to be conducted from December 31 to January 7, 2026.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
The authority will release the UGC NET certificate on the official website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in and also on the e-certificate portal at ecertificate.nta.ac.in. Candidates can download it by using their login credentials including the application number and password or date of birth.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
- Visit at ugcnet.nta.nic.in
- Click on the link available for the answer key
- Use application number and password or the application number and date of birth to open the link
- Enter the application number, password/date of birth, and security pin (as shown on the screen)
- Click on Sign In and submit the Chal
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
The UGC NET answer key challenge fee per question is INR 200. It is non refundable whether the challenge is accepted or rejected. It can be paid online via debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI. Challenges made by the candidates will be verified by the panel of subject experts.
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
It is released by the National Testing Agency NTA a few days after the exam is conducted. The answer key helps candidates in calculating their probable scores and checking the accuracy of their responsesThe details provided on the UGC NET answer key are mentioned below:
- Exam date
- Exam shift
- Exam subjec
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candiates can check below the steps to download the UGC NET question papers:
- Visit at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
- Click on the answer key & question paper link.
- Login using the required details.
- Download the question paper PDF
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
To give mock test is important. It helps them to find out strengths and weaknesses. regular practice also improves speed, gain confidence, reduce the exam pressure, helps to understand the exam pattern, improves speed, etc.
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
Analysis is crucial for a candidate in the NTA NET exam. It helps to strategize the preparation, understand the paper structure, difficulty level, topics asked or high weightage areas, expected cutoff, etc.
K
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
No. Candidate must possess a Master's degree with a minimum of 55% grade score average from a UGC recognised university to apply for the NTA UGC NET exam. Also, if she or he is in the final year of their Master's programme or hold a four year bachelor's degree in specific subjects.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
There is no upper age limit to apply for the Assistant Professor positions. But for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), the maximum age limit is 30 years as of June 1 of the exam year. There is also an ahe relaxation provided to the candidates from reserved categories including OBC, SC and ST
S
Contributor-Level 6
UGC NET Notifications
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
CSIR NET 2025 Dec Application Correction window 30 Oct '25 - 1 Nov '25
Is the UGC NET certificate released for the December session 2025?