UGC NET English Syllabus 2024: Paper 2 Syllabus, Topic Wise Points, Exam Pattern & More

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test 2024 ( UGC NET )

Shikha
Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager
Updated on Dec 24, 2024 16:28 IST

The NTA will conduct the UGC NET 2024 December session exam from January 3 to January 16, 2025. A detailed schedule has been released. The UGC NET English syllabus is discussed in the article for UGC NET aspirants. Download the UGC NET syllabus through the PDF link provided on the page.

UGC NET English Syllabus, UGC NET English Syllabus Paper 1, UGC NET English Syllabus Paper 2

UGC NET English Syllabus @ugcnet.nta.ac.in

UGC NET English Syllabus 2024: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the UGC NET 2024 December session exam from January 3 to January 16, 2025. The UGC NET 2024 English exam will be held on January 7, 2025. This article discusses the UGC NET English literature syllabus in detail. Candidates preparing for the UGC NET exam can check the detailed UGC NET English syllabus 2024 and curate their preparation strategy for the upcoming exam. The UGC NET English syllabus is divided into parts Paper 1 & Paper 2 and comprises 10 units each. UGC NET Paper 1 is common for every candidate taking the exam, whereas Paper 2 is designed to assess the Literary ability of the candidates.

The UGC NET exam is conducted twice a year to determine eligibility as an Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship. The UGC NET English syllabus, exam pattern, and marking scheme for UGC NET English Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor are discussed in the article. 

Q:   What is the section-wise weightage of Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the UGC NET exam?

A:
The UGC NET exam consists of two papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2. The section-wise weightage of each paper is as follows: Paper 1: a)Teaching Aptitude: 5 questions (10 marks) b)Research Aptitude: 5 questions (10 marks) c)Reading Comprehension: 5 questions (10 marks) d) Communication: 5 questions (10 marks) e)Reasoning (including Mathematical): 5 questions (10 marks) f) Logical Reasoning: 5 questions (10 marks) g) Data Interpretation: 5 questions (10 marks) h) Information and Communication Technology (ICT): 5 questions (10 marks) I) People and Environment: 5 questions (10 marks) j) Higher Education System: 5 questions (10 marks) The total marks for Paper 1 are 100. Paper 2: The UGC NET Paper 2 is subject-specific, and the section-wise weightage varies according to the subject. Paper 2 consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 2 marks. The total marks for Paper 2 are 200. In Paper 2, most of the questions are asked from the core subject, while a few questions may be asked from related subjects. The questions are designed to test the in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject by the candidate. Therefore, the section-wise weightage of the UGC NET exam varies according to the paper and subject. It is important for candidates to go through the UGC NET syllabus for their subject and prepare accordingly to score well in the exam.

Q:   What is the marking scheme of UGC NET 2024 December session exam?

A:

The marking scheme of the UGC NET exam is provided below for the candidates. Following the marking scheme for the UGC NET exam, candidates can understand the exam pattern and prepare for the examination well. The marking scheme will also help the candidate to count the probable scores from the UGC NET provisional answer key that is released by the National Testing Agency (NTA):

a) For correct answer 2 marks are awarded 

b) For incorrect answer there is no negative marking

c) Unanswered/marked for review: 0 (no marks given)

d) If a question is found to be incorrect/ambiguous or has multiple correct answers, only those candidates who have attempted the question and chosen one of the correct answers would be given the credit.

E) If a question is found to be incorrect and the Question is dropped, then two marks (+2) will be awarded to only those candidates who have attempted the question

Q:   What is the latest exam pattern for UGC NET 2024 exam?

A:

The UGC NET 2024 exam pattern is outlined 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. 

Also Read:

UGC NET 2024 English Syllabus: Overview  

The candidates can check the UGC NET English syllabus 2024 in the table given below:

Name of Exam 

UGC NET  

Conducting Body 

National Testing Agency (NTA) 

Frequency of Exam 

Twice a year  

Mode of Examination 

Online Computer Based Test (CBT) 

Number of Papers in Exam 

Paper 1 and Paper 2 

Total Number of Questions  

Paper 1- 50 questions  
Paper 2- 100 questions  

Total Marks  

300 marks (Paper 1- 100 marks, 
Paper 2- 200 marks) 

Time Duration 

3 Hours  

UGC NET English Paper 1 Syllabus: Section Wise

Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates

IAS 2025 Application Dates

22 Jan '25 - 11 Feb '25

SBI PO 2025 Prelims Admit Card

20 Feb '25 - 28 Feb '25

ASRB NET Application Form 2025

28 Feb '25

CSIR NET December Session Exam 2024

28 Feb '25 - 2 Mar '25

SSC CPO application form 2025

16 May '25 - 14 Jun '25

IBPS PO 2025 application form

15 Jul '25

IBPS RRB PO 2025 Prelims Exam

27 Jul '25

IBPS Clerk 2025 notification

31 Jul '25

TS SET 2025 Application Form

30 Apr '25

 Paper 1 comprises ten units that asses the general, reasoning, teaching, and quantitative ability of the candidates. The UGC NET English Paper 1 topic-wise syllabus is given below:

  • Research Aptitude  
  • Reading Comprehension  
  • Communication  
  • Reasoning  
  • Logical Reasoning 
  • Data Interpretation  
  • Information and Communication Technology  
  • People and Environment  
  • Higher Education System: Governance, Polity and Administration  

Also Read:

UGC NET English Syllabus Paper 2: Section Wise

Paper 2 for the UGC NET English syllabus primarily consists of topics like Drama, Poetry, Fiction, Cultural Studies, English in India, etc. The detailed syllabus for the UGC NET English is given below: 

UGC NET English Syllabus Units   UGC NET English Syllabus Section  

Unit I 

Drama  

Unit II 

Poetry 

Unit III 

Fiction and Short Story 

Unit IV 

Non-Fiction Prose  

Unit V 

Language: Basic Concepts, theories and pedagogy, English in Use 

Unit VI 

English in India: history, evolution, and future  

Unit VII 

Cultural Studies 

Unit VIII 

Literary Criticism 

Unit IX 

Literary Theory post World War II 

Unit X  

Research Methods and Materials in English 

Q:   What is the UGC NET exam pattern?

A:

The UGC NET (National Eligibility Test) is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency NTA on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The exam is conducted twice a year to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of Assistant Professor and for awarding Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The exam is conducted in two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Here are the details of the UGC NET exam pattern: Paper 1: a) Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes combining both papers) b) Total marks: 100 c) Number of questions: 50 d) Type of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) e) Marking scheme: Each question carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. F) Syllabus: Teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness. Paper 2: a) Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes combining both papers) b) Total marks: 200 c) Number of questions: 100 d) Type of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) e) Marking scheme: Each question carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. f) Syllabus: Based on the subject selected by the candidate. The UGC NET exam is conducted in online mode. The questions in both papers are in English and Hindi except for languages other than English and Hindi. Candidates need to secure the minimum qualifying marks in both papers to be eligible for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).

Q:   What is the use of UGC NET exam analysis?

A:
UGC NET exam analysis is the process of examining the UGC NET exam paper to identify the overall difficulty level, the type of questions asked, and the areas from which the questions were asked. Exam analysis is useful for both the candidates who have appeared for the exam and those who are preparing for it in the future. Here are some uses of UGC NET exam analysis: a) Understand the exam pattern: Exam analysis helps the candidates to understand the exam pattern and the type of questions that are asked in the exam. This helps them to prepare better and focus on the important topics and subtopics. B) Identify the difficulty level: Exam analysis helps the candidates to identify the overall difficulty level of the exam and the difficulty level of individual sections. This helps them to understand their performance and identify areas where they need to improve. C) Identify important topics: Exam analysis helps the candidates to identify the important topics and subtopics that are frequently asked in the exam. This helps them to prioritize their preparation and focus on the topics that are more likely to be asked in the exam. D) Plan future preparation: Exam analysis helps the candidates to plan their future preparation based on the areas where they need to improve. It also helps them to identify their strengths and weaknesses and work on them accordingly. E) Provide feedback to coaching institutes: Exam analysis helps coaching institutes to understand the difficulty level of the exam and the areas from which the questions were asked. This helps them to improve the quality of their coaching and provide better guidance to the candidates. In summary, UGC NET exam analysis is useful for both the candidates who have appeared for the exam and those who are preparing for it in the future. It helps them to understand the exam pattern, identify the difficulty level, prioritize their preparation, plan future preparation, and provide feedback to coaching institutes.

The four starting units in the UGC NET Paper 2 syllabus are tested through comprehension passages to assess the critical reading, critical thinking, and writing skills of the candidates. These four units cover all the literature in English. 

UGC NET English Syllabus PDF 

The link for UGC NET English Syllabus is provided on this page. The UGC NET aspirants can download the UGC NET English Syllabus directly through the given link. The soft copy of the UGC NET syllabus will help the aspirants check the syllabus offline. Download the UGC NET English Syllabus pdf through the link  

UGC NET English Syllabus PDF: Download Here 

 Also Read:

UGC NET English Exam Pattern

The detailed exam pattern of the UGC NET English exam is given below in the table. The UGC NET exam pattern will help the candidates to understand the nature of the UGC NET exam:

UGC NET Paper

Number of Questions

Marks

Paper 1

50 

100

Paper 2

100 

200

Total

150 

300

UGC NET English Marking Scheme 

The UGC NET does not follow any negative marking scheme. The candidates are awarded +2 marks for every correct answer whereas no marks is deducted for incorrect answer or unanswered question. The candidates can check the marking scheme below:

UGC NET Marking Parameters

Marks Allotted 

Correct answer

+2

Incorrect answer

0

Un-attempted question

0

UGC NET English Syllabus: Important Novels List

The candidates always search for the list of the novels from which the questions are frequently asked in the UGC NET English exam. We have provided some of the important English novels for the UGC NET English exam 2024 in the table below:

English Literature Important Novels for UGC NET Exam
Novel Author
The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) John Bunyan
Robinson Crusoe(1719) Daniel Defoe
Gulliver’s Travels (1726) Jonathan Swift
Clarissa (1748) Samuel Richardson
Tom Jones (1749) Henry Fielding
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759) Laurence Sterne
Emma (1816) Jane Austen
Frankenstein (1818) Mary Shelley
Nightmare Abbey (1818) Thomas Love Peacock
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket (1838) Edgar Allan Poe
Sybil (1845) Benjamin Disraeli 
Jane Eyre (1847) Charlotte Brontë
Wuthering Heights (1847) Emily Brontë
Vanity Fair (1848) William Thackeray
David Copperfield (1850) Charles Dickens 
The Scarlet Letter (1850) Nathaniel Hawthorne
Moby-Dick (1851) Herman Melville
Middlemarch (1871-2) George Eliot 
Three Men in a Boat (1889)

Jerome K Jerome

Ulysses (1922)

James Joyce

The Rainbow (1915)

DH Lawrence

Note: These novels are only few novels from which questions are asked in UGC NET English exam. The candidates cannot completely depend on these list of novels for the preparation, The candidates have to read other novels too from every literature as there is no fixed syllabus for the UGC NET English syllabus.

How to Prepare for the UGC NET English Exam? 

Here are some tips to prepare for the UGC NET English exam. The candidates can strategise their plan of study according to the tips to cover the UGC NET English Syllabus  

  • Make a detailed study plan and revise the syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2 
  • Solve the mock test on a regular basis to curate your accuracy and speed 
  • Take frequent breaks to relax and calm your body and mind  
  • Give attention to Paper 1 other than your specialised Paper as its marks are considered while making the merit list 
  • All the 10 units are revised thoroughly as the questions are from each section 
  • Focus on the mock tests as they will increase the skills in time management 

Read More: UGC NET Psychology Syllabus 2024

UGC NET Syllabus FAQs

Q: What is the syllabus of UGC NET?

A: The syllabus for the UGC NET exam includes all the topics that candidates need to prepare for Paper 1 and 2. Candidates need to refer the UGC NET syllabus to appear for the examination. The list of topics that is asked in the UGC NET Paper 1 exam has been given below for the candidates:
  • Teaching Aptitude 
  • Research Aptitude 
  • Maths 
  • Reasoning 
  • Communication 
  • Data Interpretation 
  • Environmental Studies, etc.

Q: How to download UGC NET Syllabus

A: You can check the UGC NET syllabus on the official website of the exam - ugcnet.nta.nic.in. To check the syllabus the steps has been given below for the candidates:
  • Go to the official website 
  • Go to the syllabus section 
  • Search for the subject 
  • Click on the link 
  • PDF will appear for the specific subject
Or,  Click on the direct link for the  UGC NET Syllabus

Q: What is the marking scheme for UGC NET Paper 1 and 2?

A: In UGC NET exam, two marks are awarded for each correct answer in Paper 1 and 2. There is no negative marking in the exam for wrong answers marked by the candidates. The UGC NET exam pattern has been given below for the candidates:
UGC NET Paper Number of Questions Total Marks
UGC NET Paper 1 50  100
UGC NET Paper 2 100  200
Total 150  300

Q: What is the paper 2 syllabus for English?

A: The paper 2 syllabus for UGC NET paper 2 English has been given below for the candidates:
  • Drama 
  • Poetry 
  • Fiction and Short Story 
  • Non Fiction Prose 
  • Language: Basic Concepts, theories and pedagogy, English in Use 
  • English in India: history, evolution and future  
  • Cultural Studies 
  • Literary Criticism 
  • Literary Theory post World War II 
  • Research Methods and Materials in English 

Q: What is the paper 1 syllabus for UGC NET English?

A: The UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus for English has been given below for the candidates:
  • Teaching Aptitude  
  • Research Aptitude  
  • Reading Comprehension  
  • Communication  
  • Reasoning  
  • Logical Reasoning 
  • Data Interpretation  
  • Information and Communication Technology  
  • People and Environment  
  • Higher Education System: Governance, Polity and Administration  
About the Author
author-image
Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager

Shikha Goyal is an author with expertise in various domains, especially engineering. She has postgraduate degrees in Mathematics as well as Mass Communication and Journalism. She has devoted her life to helping stud... Read Full Bio

Download Important Dates for Sarkari Exams Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

28 Feb '25 -

2 Mar '25

CSIR NET December Session Exam...

4 Jan '25 -

5 Jan '25

CSIR NET December Application ...

Aug '25

SSC JE Tier 1 Application Proc...

Oct '25

SSC JE Tier 1 Exam 2025

13 Jan '25

HPTET Result Announced

13 Jan '25

HPTET Final Answer Key

Feb '25

Kerala SET Exam 2025 for Janua...

15 Jan '25

Kerala SET 2025 Admit Card

30 Jan '25 -

7 Feb '25

KTET Answer Key

18 Jan '25 -

19 Jan '25

KTET Exam Date

Feb '25

SBI PO 2025 Prelims Admit Card

8 Mar '25

SBI PO Prelims Exam 2025 Day 1

22 Nov '24

OTET OMR Sheet & Final Answer ...

22 Nov '24

OTET Result

27 Jul '25

IBPS RRB PO 2025 Prelims Exam

2 Aug '25 -

3 Aug '25

IBPS RRB PO 2025 Prelims Exam

5 Feb '25

TSTET Final Answer Key 2024-25

5 Feb '25

TSTET Result Declaration

22 Jan '25 -

11 Feb '25

IAS 2025 Application Dates

12 Feb '25 -

18 Feb '25

IAS 2025 Application Correctio...

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered Yesterday

The UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) is a national-level exam in India conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the UGC. It determines eligibility for Assistant Professorship and awards the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and

...Read more

P

Parth Mishra

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 days ago

To change your UGC NET application subject from Home Science to Life Science, you need to access the "Application Correction Window" on the official NTA UGC NET website, login using your credentials, and modify the subject selection to "Life Science" within the designated timeframe; make sure to che

...Read more

A

Anurag Shivam

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Obtaining access to your UGC NET admit card requires a visit to the official website at ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Visitors can access the UGC NET admit card download link on the website then complete the login process by using application number and date of birth alongside a security key. The display of you

...Read more

K

Krish Lalwani

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 days ago

National Eligibility Test (NET) examination allows students to take place before entering into a PG course. University Grants Commission (UGC) lets students who participate in their Master's degree final year examinations or have finished their Master's degree to sit for the NET exam. A candidate do

...Read more

K

Krish Lalwani

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 days ago

Hi Monika,

Yes, you are eligible to apply for the UGC NET exam in Political Science after completing your Master's degree in Political Science. The University Grants Commission (UGC) requires candidates to have a Master's degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD/Transgender ca

...Read more

A

Ankit kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 4 days ago

Sample papers for the UGC NET Political Science examination are provided on the official website of UGC NET, which is ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Many educational institutions like Adda247, Testbook, and Shiksha have made available downloadable practice papers in PDF from 2009 to 2023. Solving these papers h

...Read more

L

Lalita Kumari

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Yes, you can definitely try the UGC NET in Environmental Science if you hold a Master's degree in Botany. The UGC NET eligibility criteria also include that such applicants holding their Master's degrees in subjects allied to Environmental Science are acceptable too. Botany falls in that category as

...Read more

T

Tanya Tomar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a week ago

The new syllabus for UGC NET 2025 is divided into two papers: Paper 1 carries topics like General Teaching and Research Aptitude which are: Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Comprehension, Communication, Mathematical Reasoning, and Data Interpretation. This carries a total of 50 MCQs carrying 10

...Read more

L

Lalita Kumari

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Since there is no separate Statistics paper in the UGC NET exam, you can choose Mathematical Sciences (Code 88). This subject includes topics from statistics, mathematics, and operations research, making it the best fit for your background.

V

Vidhi

Beginner-Level 2

Answered a week ago

Yes, the National Testing Agency released the UGC NET 2024 answer key for the December session on its official website - ugcnet.nta.ac.in. The UGC NET answer key is made available through the candidates' login on the official website. Along with the release of the answer key, the UGC NET response sh

...Read more

I

Ishita Kaur

Beginner-Level 2