UGC NET Sociology Syllabus 2025: Download Topic Wise Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme & More

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test 2025 ( UGC NET )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 31 Dec '25 - 7 Jan '26

Shikha
Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager
Updated on Jun 17, 2025 11:06 IST

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the UGC NET 2025 June session exam from June 25 to 29, 2025. The exam schedule for the UGC NET Sociology was released. It will be conducted on June 29, 2025. The candidates who are going to appear for the UGC NET Sociology exam must check the syllabus for the exam to make preparation strategies and score maximum in the exam. The article comprises the latest syllabus and pattern for the UGC NET Sociology exam. 

UGC NET Sociology Syllabus, UGC NET Syllabus, UGC NET Exam

UGC NET Sociology Syllabus

UGC NET Sociology Syllabus 2025: The University Grants Commission prescribes the syllabus of the UGC NET exam. The UGC NET Sociology syllabus is also curated by the UGC and comprises ten units that are Sociological Theory, Research Methodology and Methods, Basic Concepts and Institutions, Rural and Urban Transformations, State, Politics and Development, Economy and Society, Environment and Society, Family, Marriage and Kinship, Science, Technology and Society, Culture and Symbolic Transformations. The candidates can check the detailed UGC NET 2025 Sociology Syllabus in the article below.

Q:   Why is an analysis important for the preparation journey of the UGC NET exam?
A:

Analysis is important for candidate in NTA NET exam. It helps in preparation, understand paper structure, difficulty level, topics asked or high weightage areas, expected cutoff. By analyzing mock tests and previous years papers students can prepare well.

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) or NTA UGC NET 2025 is a national-level exam conducted in order to determine the eligibility of candidates for only Assistant Professor or both Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor posts in Indian universities and colleges. The UGC NET will be held for a total of 85 subjects. The NTA NET June session Sociology exam 2025 date is June 29, 2025.

Table of contents
  • UGC NET Sociology Syllabus
  • UGC NET Unit Wise Sociology Syllabus
  • UGC NET Sociology Syllabus PDF
  • UGC NET Sociology Pattern
  • UGC NET Exam Negative Marking Scheme
  • Tips to Crack UGC NET Sociology Exam

UGC NET Sociology Syllabus

The UGC NET Sociology syllabus is divided into ten units. The subject code of UGC NET Sociology is 05. Candidates can check the UGC NET Sociology Syllabus below:

  • Sociological Theory
  • Research Methodology and Methods
  • Basic Concepts and Institutions
  • Rural and Urban Transformations
  • State, Politics, and Development
  • Economy and Society
  • Environment and Society
  • Family, Marriage, and Kinship
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Culture and Symbolic Transformations

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UGC NET Unit Wise Sociology Syllabus

The detailed syllabus for the UGC NET Sociology exam is given below. The candidates can brief the unit-wise syllabus for the UGC NET Sociology exam below. The detailed syllabus will help the candidates curate a strategy that can help them to score maximum marks in the UGC NET sociology exam.

Unit 1: Sociological Theory 

The UGC NET Sociological Theory is divided into five sub-topics. The candidates can check these subtopics for the detailed syllabus of UGC NET Sociology:

Classical Sociological Traditions

  • Emile Durkheim
  • Max Weber
  • Karl Marx

Also Read: 

Structure- Functionalism and Structuralism

  • Bronislaw Malinowski
  • A.R. Radcliffe- Brown
  • Talcott Parsons
  • Robert K. Merton
  • Claude Levi Strauss

Hermeneutic and Interpretative Traditions

  • G.H. Mead
  • Karl Manheim
  • Alfred Schutz
  • Harold Garfinkel
  • Erving Goffman
  • Clifford Geertz

Also Read: UGC NET Subject List With Subject Codes

Post-modernism, Post Structuralism, and Post Colonialism

  • Edward Said
  • Pierre Bourdieu
  • Michel Foucault
  • Jurgen Habermas
  • Anthony Giddens
  • Manuel Castells

Also Read: UGC NET Education Question Paper

Indian Thinkers

  • M.K. Gandhi
  • B.R. Ambedkar
  • Radha Kamal Mukherjee
  • G. S. Ghurye
  • M.N. Srinivas
  • Irawati Karve

Also Read: UGC NET Eligibility Criteria

Unit 2: Research Methodology and Methods

The UGC NET Research Methodology and Methods is divided into four sub-topics that are given below:

Conceptualizing Social Reality

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Scientific Method and Epistemology in Social Science
  • Hermeneutic Traditions
  • Objectivity and Reflexivity in Social Science
  • Ethics and Politics

Also Read: UGC NET Marks Normalisation Process

Formulating Research Design

  • Reading Social Science Research, Data and Documents
  • Induction and Deduction
  • Fact, Concept, and Theory
  • Hypotheses, Research Questions, Objectives

Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

  • Ethnography
  • Survey Method
  • Historical Method
  • Comparative Method

Techniques

  • Sampling
  • Questionnaire and Schedule
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Observation, Interview, and Case Study
  • Interpretation, Data Analysis, and Report Writing

Also Read: UGC NET English Topper Interview

Unit 3: Basic Concepts and Institutions

The UGC NET Basic Concepts and Institutions is divided into four sub topics. The details of the UGC NET Sociology unit 3 has been given below:

Sociological Concepts

  • Social Structure
  • Culture
  • Network
  • Status and Role
  • Identity
  • Community
  • Diaspora
  • Values, Norms and Rules
  • Personhood, Habitus and Agency
  • Bureaucracy, Power and Authority

Also Read: UGC NET Law Topper Success Story

Social Institutions

  • Marriage, Family, and Kinship
  • Economy
  • Polity
  • Religion
  • Education
  • Law and Customs

Social Stratification

  • Social Difference, Hierarchy, Inequality and Marginalization
  • Caste and Class
  • Gender, Sexuality and Disability
  • Race, Tribe, and Ethnicity

Social Change and Processes

  • Evolution and Diffusion
  • Modernization and Development
  • Social Transformations and Globalization
  • Social Mobility

Also Read: UGC NET English Literature Topper Interview 

Unit 4: Rural and Urban Transformations

The UGC NET Sociology Rural and Urban Transformation is divided into two sub-topics. The details of these sub-topics has been given below:

Rural and Peasant Society

  • Caste-Tribe Settlements
  • Agrarian Social Structure and Emergent Class Relations
  • Land Ownership and Agrarian Relations
  • Decline of Agrarian Economy, De-Peasantization and Migration
  • Agrarian Unrest and Peasant Movements
  • Changing Inter-Community Relations and Violence

Urban Society

  • Urbanism, Urbanity, and Urbanization
  • Towns, Cities, and Mega-Cities
  • Industry, Service, and Business
  • Neighbourhood, Slums, and Ethnic Enclaves
  • Middle Class and Gated Communities
  • Urban Movements and Violence

Unit 5: State, Politics and Development

The UGC NET Sociology unit 5 is divided into two subtopics that are given below:

Political Processes in India

  • Tribe, Nation State and Border
  • Bureaucracy
  • Governance and Development
  • Public Policy: Health, Education and Livelihoods
  • Political Culture
  • Grass-root Democracy
  • Law and Society
  • Gender and Development
  • Corruption
  • Role of International Development Organizations

Also Read: UGC NET Political Science Topper Interview

Social Movements and Protests

  • Political Factions, Pressure Groups
  • Movements based on Caste, Ethnicity, Ideology, Gender, Disability, Religion and Region
  • Civil Society and Citizenship
  • NGOs, Activism and Leadership
  • Reservations and Politics

Also Read: UGC NET Computer Science Question Papers

Unit 6: Economy and Society

  • Exchange, Gift , Capital, Labour and Market
  • Mode of Production Debates
  • Property and Property Relations
  • State and Market: Welfarism and Neoliberalism
  • Models of Economic Development
  • Poverty and Exclusion
  • Factory and Industry Systems
  • Changing Nature of Labour Relations
  • Gender and Labour Process
  • Business and Family
  • Digital Economy, E-Commerce
  • Global Business and Corporates
  • Tourism
  • Consumption

Also Read: UGC NET History Question Paper

Unit 7: Environment and Society

  • Social and Cultural Ecology: Diverse Forms
  • Technological Change, Agriculture and Biodiversity
  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Ethno-Medicine
  • Gender and Environment
  • Forest Policies, Adivasis and Exclusion
  • Ecological Degradation and Migration
  • Development, Displacement and Rehabilitation
  • Water and Social Exclusion
  • Disasters and Community Responses
  • Environmental Pollution, Public Health and Disability
  • Climate Change and International Policies
  • Environmental Movements

Also Read: UGC NET English Question Paper 

Unit 8: Family, Marriage and Kinship

  • Theoretical Approaches: Structure-Functionalist, Alliance and Cultural
  • Gender Relations and Power Dynamics
  • Inheritance, Succession and Authority
  • Gender, Sexuality and Reproduction
  • Children, Youth and Elderly
  • Emotions and Family
  • Emergent Forms of Family
  • Changing Marriage Practices
  • Changing Care and Support Systems
  • Family Laws
  • Domestic Violence and Crime against Women
  • Honour Killing

Also Read: UGC NET Certificate

Unit 9: Science, Technology and Society

  • History of Technological Development
  • Changing notions of Time and Space
  • Flows and Boundaries
  • Virtual Community
  • Media: Print and Electronic, Visual and Social Media
  • E-Governance and Surveillance Society
  • Technology and Emerging Political Processes
  • State Policy, Digital Divide and Inclusion
  • Technology and Changing Family Relations
  • Technology and Changing Health Systems
  • Food and Technology
  • Cyber Crime

Also Read: UGC NET Exam Day Instructions

Unit 10: Culture and Symbolic Transformations

  • Signs and Symbols
  • Rituals, Beliefs and Practices
  • Changing Material Culture
  • Moral Economy
  • Education: Formal and Informal
  • Religious Organizations, Piety and Spirituality
  • Commodification of Rituals
  • Communalism and Secularism
  • Cultural Identity and Mobilization
  • Culture and Politics
  • Gender, Body, and Culture
  • Art and Aesthetics
  • Ethics and Morality
  • Sports and Culture
  • Pilgrimage and Religious Tourism
  • Religion and Economy
  • Culture and Environment
  • New Religious Movements

Also Read: UGC NET EWS Certificate

UGC NET Sociology Syllabus PDF

The candidates can download the UGC NET Sociology Syllabus to avoid checking it online again and again. The candidates have to merely click on the UGC NET Sociology syllabus to download the syllabus PDF. The direct link to download the UGC NET Sociology Syllabus has been given below:

Direct PDF Link for UGC NET Sociology PDF: Click_Here 

UGC NET Sociology Pattern

The detailed exam pattern of the UGC NET Sociology 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

Also Read: UGC NET History Syllabus

UGC NET Exam Negative 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

Tips to Crack UGC NET Sociology Exam

The candidates can follow the UGC NET preparation tips given below to qualify for the UGC NET Sociology Exam. Following the tips can take out the best in the candidates and make them perform well in the UGC NET Exam:

  • Start Preparing for the UGC NET exam from the university days 
  • Follow the syllabus of central universities to cover the maximum topics in the exam 
  • Make a timetable that ensures that the candidate can cover all the topics of the syllabus leaving time for revision and practice
  • Practice the previous year's question papers, it will help the candidates to know the exam pattern and sections that get maximum weightage in the question paper
  • Take the mock tests in the exam conditions to prepare for the exam day 
  • Practice for accuracy and speed. It will help the candidates with time management
  • Take frequent breaks while preparing for the UGC NET exam. Relaxing the mind can take out the best in the exam

Read More:

About the Author
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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
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Write here...

Answered 3 weeks ago

The NTA opens the UGC NET 2025 Application correction window from November 10 to 12, 2025 at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The Registration process was closed on November 7.

N

Nitesh Pruthi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

Ishita Kaur

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month 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

...Read more

V

Virajita Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

...Read more

N

Nitesh Pruthi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

Virajita Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Analysis is important for candidate in NTA NET exam. It helps in preparation, understand paper structure, difficulty level, topics asked or high weightage areas, expected cutoff. By analyzing mock tests and previous years papers students can prepare well.

K

Kritika Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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. 

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Nitesh Pruthi

Contributor-Level 6