UGC NET 2021 exam began on November 20 and will conclude on December 5. The difficulty level of the exam was moderate to difficult. Read further to know more on UGC NET Exam Analysis & Review by students.
National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the UGC NET 2021 exam in 213 cities across 469 centres on November 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 29 and 30 and on December 1, 3, 4 and 5, 2021. The exam is being conducted in two shifts- 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Around 12.67 lakh candidates registered for the UGC NET 2021. As per the feedback shared by the candidates who appeared for the UGC NET exam, the overall paper was easy to moderate in terms of the difficulty level.
Read below the detailed exam analysis and review of the UGC NET 2021 exam as per students’ reactions. This analysis will be helpful for candidates who are yet to appear for the exam and will them familiar with the topics from which questions are asked in the exam.
- UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021
- UGC NET 2021 Exam Analysis & Review by Students (November 21)
- UGC NET 2021 Exam Analysis & Review by Students (November 20)
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021
UGC NET exam pattern 2021 is divided into Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Paper 2 contains 100 MCQs. Paper 1 is common for all the candidates, however, Paper 2 contains questions from the subject chosen by candidates in their applications. Candidates need to attempt Paper 1 and 2 in a single duration of three hours. The total marks allotted to the UGC NET 2021 exam are 300. Have a look at the exam pattern below.
| UGC NET Paper |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 |
50 |
100 |
3 hours |
| Paper 2 |
100 |
200 |
|
| Total |
150 |
300 |
UGC NET 2021 Exam Analysis & Review by Students (November 21)
The UGC NET 2021 exam held on November 21 was easy to moderate in terms of the difficulty level. Students who appeared for the exam found Paper 1 level as easy to moderate. There was no change in the UGC NET exam structure. Shiksha visited one of the UGC NET exam centres in Faridabad to obtain the feedback of students as stated below along with the reaction video:
Jaswinder stated, "The Paper 1 was difficult because it is based on our judgement and abstract ideas. Paper 2 was easier as it was subject-oriented. Paper 1 was comprised of questions from statistics, computers, percentage, average. Reading Comprehension was easy. The Paper 2 Psychology paper was easier."
Sonali stated, "Paper 2 Law paper was difficult and contained questions from International Law. Paper 1 was easier and contained questions from Reasoning, ICT, Environment, Reading Comprehension, Communication and Mathematics. Reading Comprehension was easy."
Sumit stated, "The difficulty level of the paper was easy to moderate. Paper 1 was more analytical based. The questions from Communication were of a moderate level. Paper 2 Law paper was moderate to difficult."
Vineeta stated, "The UGC NET paper was easier than the previous ones. Paper 2 Law paper covered Environmental Law, ICT, etc. Paper 1 comprised questions from Research Methodology. Reading Comprehension was based on teaching patterns and effective teaching."
Watch UGC NET 2021 Exam Analysis Video
UGC NET 2021 Exam Analysis & Review by Students (November 20)
As per the feedback shared by the candidates, the overall difficulty level of the UGC NET Paper 1 held on November 20 was easy to moderate. Let’s look at the paper-wise and section-wise UGC NET exam analysis below and know about the topics from which questions are asked in the exam as per the students' reactions.
| Sections |
Topics from which questions were asked |
Difficulty level |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Exam Analysis |
||
| Teaching Aptitude |
Levels of teaching, key behaviours of teaching, formative evaluation, teaching skills |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Research Aptitude |
Ethics of research, methods of teaching, qualitative research, action & qualitative research |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Reading Comprehension |
- |
Easy to Moderate |
| Communication |
Barriers of communication, classroom communication – statement based questions, cluster network, effective communication |
Moderate |
| Maths |
Ratio, Average, Profit & Loss, Percentage |
Easy to Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning |
Statement, Assertion & Reason based questions, Letter Coding, Relationship, Hetu, Praman, Wireless Bluetooth, Jainism, Buddhism, Anumaan |
Easy to Moderate |
| Data Interpretation |
Ratio & Proportion (calculative in nature) |
Moderate |
| Information & Communication Technology (ICT) |
Memory hierarchy, Input & Output devices, FTP, VLE, TB, AGP |
Moderate to Difficult |
| People & Environment |
Ozone depletion, global warming, climate change, natural hazards, COP25, Paris Agreement |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Higher Education System: Governance, Polity & Administration & Current Affairs |
NAAC, Swayam, Swayam Prabha, schemes, Sakshat portal |
Moderate |
| Total |
- |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Paper 2 Exam Analysis |
||
| 81 Subjects |
Subject-specific questions |
Moderate to Difficult |

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Student Forum
Answered 18 hours ago
No. Once the admit card is released, candidate will not be able to change the exam centre in any circumstances. The exam centre mentioned on the hall ticket is final. Also, the assigned exam centre is based on the choices of the candidate made during the application process and can not be modified l
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 18 hours ago
No. A candidate will not receive the UGC NET City Intimation Slip by post. The authority will release the City slip on the official website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Candidates required their login credentials to download the city slip including the application number and date of birth.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 18 hours ago
Yes. It is important for a candidate to carry the UGC NET admit card to the examination centre. Without it, candidate will not be allowed to sit in the exam. It consists of the details like name of a candidate, photograph, shift, reporting time, exam day instructions, etc.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 19 hours ago
If in case candidate find any discrepancy in the UGC NET admit card for the June session then he or she must contact the NTA via helpline numbers 011-40759000 during the working hours or email them.
K
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 19 hours ago
The UGC NET admit card for the June session 2026 will be released around four days prior to the examination date. It will be released on the official website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
The behavior of the MCAM staff is very inappropriate and disrespectful. They often use offensive language and insult students. Such behavior is unacceptable in an educational institution. I request the authorities to look into this matter and take appropriate action to ensure a respectful environmen
P
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 5 days ago
No, it is not right. Professors, staff, and principals should behave respectfully because they guide students and help build the future of society. If they use abusive language, insult others, or spread hatred, it creates a negative environment and sets a bad example for students. Therefore, such be
P
Beginner-Level 1
Answered a week ago
Yes, IIT Hyderabad does accept UGC NET scores to decide admissions to the PhD courses. Several IIT Hyderabad departments also accept the GATE scores as well to decide the PhD admissions of candidates.
In addition to the aforementioned entrance exams, candidates are also required to fulfill the specif
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates can check below the methods to make corrections if required in the UGC NET application or registration form:
- Visit at ugcnet.nta.nic.in
- Login using the application number and password
- Click on the link/button available for the application form correction
- Read the instructions and click on the
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
The NTA has not yet released the UGC NET 2026 notification and so the application process dates have not been announced for the June session. It is expected that the application is likely to start in April 2026 and the last date for the registration may likely be in May 2026. The authority will also
C
Contributor-Level 6
With MA in English, Rupali has more than 15 years of editorial experience. At Shiksha.com, a subsidiary of Info Edge (India) Limited, she creates content and make prep guides for students preparing for competitive e
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