NTA UGC NET 2020 exam has started from today, September 24. Shiksha reported live from an exam centre in Noida to know what students had to say about the difficulty level of UGC NET 2020 exam and safety arrangements made by NTA at the centre. Read complete UGC NET exam analysis 2020 by students here.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started conducting the UGC NET 2020 exam from today, September 24. The agency will conduct the UGC NET exam for total 101 subjects in two shifts (9:00 AM-12:00 Noon and 3:00-6:00 PM) on different dates till November 13. Check complete subject- and shift-wise UGC NET exam dates 2020.
The UGC NET 2020 exam is being conducted for two papers – I and II. While NTA UGC NET paper-I is common for all candidates, UGC NET paper-II includes subject-specific questions. Total 50 questions are asked in paper-I and 100 questions are asked in paper-II. Candidates have to attempt questions from both the papers in a total duration of three hours. UGC NET paper-I holds 100 marks weightage and paper-II holds 200 marks weightage. There is no negative marking in the exam. Check complete UGC NET exam pattern 2020.
Soon after the UGC NET 2020 exam in the first shift (9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon) was over today, Shiksha reached out to students at an exam centre in Noida to know their experience of giving the exam in the times of COVID-19 and also check the difficulty level of UGC NET 2020 paper-I and –II.
Also Read: UGC NET 2020 Exam Analysis: Check difficulty level & important topics for paper-I and II
UGC NET Exam Analysis 2020: Difficulty Level of Paper-I & -II
Most of the students Shiksha spoke with shared that the difficulty level of UGC NET paper-I 2020 was moderate. Also, the level of UGC NET paper-II (majorly Sanskrit and German) was easy. Check out the complete UGC NET 2020 exam analysis by students below:
Akanksha: “Paper-I was moderate in terms of difficulty level. It was neither easy nor very difficult. However, if compared to previous year papers, I found this year’s paper easier. I could easily complete my paper on time. There were total 50 questions in paper-I and 100 questions in paper-II. Coming to paper-II (Sanskrit), I found it easy and not difficult.”
Geetika: “I had attempted the UGC NET exam last year as well. Therefore, if I compare this year’s exam with that of last year’s I think that UGC NET 2020 exam was easier as the questions were not that tricky but direct. Last year, questions were tricky that lead to confusion in reaching for an answer even if I had studied the topic well before. But this year, I liked both the UGC NET question papers [paper-I and -II (German)].”
Specifically talking about UGC NET paper-I, Geetika continued, “The difficulty level of paper-I was moderate. Preparing from a good book is enough to crack paper-I. Topics from which questions were majorly asked in paper-I were Research Aptitude and Teaching Aptitude. This time, there was only one question from Data Interpretation while last year there were two. The Data Interpretation question this year was also easier as compared to last year. There was one question from Reasoning and two or three questions from Mathematics.
Talking about UGC NET paper-II, Geetika said, “Last year, there were types of questions in which we had to arrange the names of the authors or politicians in a chronological order. Such questions were not only more in number but also confusing. This time, there were not many such questions and the paper was easier. I was able to complete both my papers in time.
Shubhi: “My exam went well. I found the UGC NET paper-I of easy to moderate difficulty level. Apart from the topics and subjects that Geetika mentioned, there were also some questions on current affairs and general knowledge in paper-I. If you read newspapers daily, you could attempt those questions easily. Paper-II (German) was easy. There were mainly literature and translation questions in the exam. However, as compared to previous year’s paper, this year there were lesser questions on translation and that too were not direct.”
Anamika: “I found paper-I a bit difficult but as compared to previous years’ UGC question papers, I found the paper easier. Therefore, for me the overall difficulty level of paper-I was moderate. I found paper-II (Sanskrit) of the UGC NET exam easy. I faced some difficulty in completing the exam on time. There were about 10-15 questions that I attempted in haste as there was not much time left. But otherwise the exam was good.”
UGC NET 2020: COVID-19 Experience of Students
Majority of the students that Shiksha spoke with shared that the arrangements at the test centre with respect to COVID-19 were up to the mark. There were proper safety precautions taken inside the centre by the authority. Check out UGC NET student reactions 2020 with respect to COVID-19 below:
Akanksha: “The precautions taken inside the test centre due to COVID-19 were good. Things were really organised and their (centre authority) system of managing everything inside the centre was extremely good. There were even no technical glitches in the exam. Everything went smooth.”
Anamika: “Arrangements with respect to COVID-19 inside the exam centre were good. Proper social distancing guidelines were followed. There were also no technical glitches in the exam. All the systems were working perfectly fine.”
Geetika: “The safety arrangements at the centre against COVID-19 were good. Social distancing was maintained and the centre authority took all the proper precautions.”
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Student Forum
Answered a week ago
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 a week ago
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 a week ago
- 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 a week ago
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 a week ago
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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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
Registration - 7 Oct '25 - 7 Nov '25

Is the UGC NET certificate released for the December session 2025?