The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET exam twice a year in june and December sessions. Candidates preparing for UGC NET Sociology paper must thoroughly review syllabus and exam pattern.
UGC NET Sociology Syllabus
UGC NET Sociology Syllabus: 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.
UGC NET Previous Sessions Cutoff (Subject-wise)
Check category-wise UGC NET previous years/sessions minimum qualifying marks for JRF, Assistant Professor & PhD only.
Also Read:
University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) or NTA UGC NET 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.
- 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
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
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.
The NTA UGC NET exam consists of two papers and candidates need to complete it in a duration of three hours. Candidates can check below the exam pattern for 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 |
The questions asked in the NTA UGC NET Paper 1 exam are generic and intend to assess the teaching or research aptitude of the candidate. Details are provided below:
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 |
In the UGC NET exam, two marks are awarded for every correct answer. There is no negative marking in the exam. For every correct answer, two marks are awarded. Scroll down to know the marking scheme.
UGC NET Marking Parameters | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
Correct answer | +2 |
Incorrect answer | 0 |
Un-attempted question | 0 |
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
Commonly asked questions
There are several books available in the market that consist of the UGC NET practice sets. Also, some standard guidebooks include model test papers for the practicing of the UGC NET exam. Online test series are also available for the candidates who are aspiring to prepare for the UGC NET exam.
The UGC NET exam has two papers namely Paper 1 and Paper 2. The duration of an exam is three hours. Paper 1 is common for all the candidates and Paper 2 is subject-specific. In Paper 1, total questions asked are 50 and in Paper 2, total questions asked are 100. Questions asked in the form of MCQs. Paper 1 is of 100 marks and Paper 2 is of 200 marks.
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.
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 |
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
7 Oct '26 - 5 Nov '26
1 Nov '26 - 30 Nov '26
27 Dec '26
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
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 weeks ago
UGC NET law require PG in law or similar subjects .
Age limit for JRF is 30 years and for assistant professor there is no age limit.Candidates from reserved categories and specific backgrounds receive an upper age relaxation of up to 5 years, making the maximum age limit 35 years for them.
The paper c
Scholar-Level 16
Answered 3 weeks ago
With 88.6 percentile, it is better to shortlist PhD colleges based on the subject, research area, faculty, eligibility and entrance or interview process, not only the NET score. LPU can also be considered if its research areas and faculty match the topic you want to work on. Its PhD structure gives
S
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 2 months ago
Yes. The NTA conducted the re-exam for three subjects on September 9 and 10. The UGC NET re-exam schedule is provided below:
English: September 9, 2026 Shift 1 - 9 AM to 12 Noon
Commerce : September 9, 2026 Shift 2 - 3 PM to 6 PM
Sociology : September 10, 2026 Shift 1 - 9 AM to 12 Noon
C
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Students can prepare for UGC NET CSIR NET and similar competitive exams while pursuing MA Mathematics at LPU because the course builds a strong base in core subjects such as Algebra Analysis Topology and Differential Equations which are important for these exams. Regular academic guidance library re
S
Beginner-Level 1
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Education: Mass Com & Journalism, MSC Mathematics
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