Twinkle Jaiswal qualified for the UGC NET JRF & Assistant Professor (Law) in June 2023 cycle. Read her success story to know about the UGC NET preparation and strategy tips to crack the UGC NET exam.
Twinkle Jaiswal's success story is truly inspiring and a testament to the power of hard work dedication and self-belief. While working as a Junior Program Officer in an NGO and pursuing her PhD in Law, Twinkle decided to take one of the toughest and sought exams in India for aspiring academics, the UGC NET exam. Despite having a busy schedule with multiple responsibilities Twinkle was determined to succeed. She managed her time effectively, balancing her work and studies. She tirelessly prepared for long hours and devoted her maximum time in preparation going through the study material, and taking mock tests to assess her preparation.
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On the day of the exam, Twinkle was confident and well-prepared. She tackled questions with ease, drawing upon her extensive knowledge and training and when the results were announced, Twinkle's hard work and determination paid off: She had not only passed the UGC NET but secured the position of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). This was a proud moment for Twinkle and her family, and it was well-deserved recognition.
The candidates preparing for the UGC NET exam can go through the interview with Twinkle to get the UGC NET preparation strategy and tips to crack the exam.
Q: Tell us something about your background?
A: I completed my schooling at Vivekananda Central School Hazaribagh, Jharkhand and further did my graduation and post-graduation from Amity Law School, Lucknow. I started my preparation for Judicial Services after my graduation. Currently, I am Pursuing PhD from Usha Martin University.
Q: What was your overall and paper-wise marks/score in UGC NET exam? Which year did you qualify for the exam and where you are currently working?
A: I have secured 62 marks in UGC NET Paper 1 whereas 132 marks in Paper 2. I qualified for the UGC NET exam in 2023 for the June cycle and I am currently working as a Junior Program Officer in an NGO.
Also Read: UGC NET Topper English Sucess Story and Preparation Tips
Q: Why you’ve chosen this exam? Which other exams did you appear in and which you have been able to crack?
A: I always wished to share my knowledge by becoming an educator and qualifying UGC NET exam is the minimum criteria required for the same. My interest in the research field inspired me to pursue this exam. I cleared the All India Bar Examination in 2021. I have appeared for the MP Judicial Services examination and qualified for the preliminary stage.
Q: How much time did you prepare for the UGC NET exam? Did you crack it in the first attempt?
A: I did not get much time to complete the preparation as I was also preparing for Bihar Judicial Services but somehow I managed to prepare for the UGC NET exam. I got three months for preparation. It was my second attempt. Due to bad time management, I could not qualify in my first attempt.
Q: Tell us about the challenges you faced while preparing for the exam?
The syllabus is quite lengthy, so many new topics have been added to the syllabus and there is a plethora of material and resources available. Time management and completion of the syllabus are the main challenges.
Q: Did you take any coaching for the exam? If yes, from where and for how long? If not, how did you manage to do self-study?
A: I did not take any coaching for the exam. There are several videos on youtube that helped me a lot in qualifying for the UGC NET exam. I made my own notes with the help of the videos and books which helped me a lot. Previous Year Questions are key to qualifying for the exam
Also Read: Succes Story of Komal Sharma (UGC NET Topper Political Science)
Q: How to prepare for the UGC NET exam? Tell us the strategy you applied to prepare for the exam.
A: Go through the PYQs as much as possible. Understanding the pattern is important which only can be done by practice. Understanding the syllabus is also important in order to know how much time you have to devote to which unit. There are 10 Units in Papers 1 and 2 each. Paper 1 is a basic paper that is for all regardless of the subject in paper 2. Paper 1 is all about common sense and is so basic. A good book would be a great help. Time management during the exam is very important you have to answer 150 questions in 3 hours. Paper 1 has mathematical reasoning, logical reasoning, and data interpretation which is time taking.
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Q. Is coaching important to crack the exam?
A: I did it without any coaching so according to me coaching is not important to crack this examination. A good book for both the papers and online study material would be enough.
Q: Tell us about the UGC NET study routine?
A: Daily practice of MCQs and understanding the concepts are important. 3 to 4 hours of daily practice would be sufficient.
Q. What is the ideal time for starting the preparation?
A: NTA conducts the exam twice a year so generally notification comes out 3 months before the exam date. So start preparing the moment you fill out the form.
Q: How much time did you spend regularly on preparation?
A: 3-4 hours as I also prepare for judicial services so time management was important. I solved the Mock papers and PYQs.
Q: What should be the section-wise preparation strategy?
A: Devote your time according to your strengths and weaknesses. The part which you already know or you have a thorough knowledge then a quick revision would help. Part which is new to you try to understand the concepts and make your own notes.
Q: Can you refer to some good books for UGC NET preparation?
A: Arihant Publication and Disha.
Q: What according to you was the easiest and toughest section?
A: To me the whole of paper 1 was new so figuring out how to prepare paper 1 was a tough task. Paper 2 though it is related to law but there are so many things that were new to me. International cases were there, remembering them and reading them was a quite tough task for me. Mathematical reasoning, logical reasoning, and data interpretation were not too tough for me.
Q: How you tackled your strong and weak areas?
A: For the weak areas I understood the concepts the moment I started the preparation because learning any new or difficult thing just before an exam is not a good thing to do. 20 days before the exam one should devote the time to practice the MCQs based on the exam pattern with a stopwatch to monitor the time.
Q: Did you take any mock tests? How do mock tests help to improve your performance in the exam?
A: I practiced from the Arihant Publication book. The mock test is based on the UGC NET exam pattern and it helps you in tracking time and to screen how many questions you can answer correctly. It helps in tracking your preparation. Short and Crisp (to the point) notes helped me a lot.
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Q: What are your hobbies? Did you attribute it to the preparation?
A: I like writing poems and reading books and trying new and challenging things. I think my determination and courage to try difficult things helped me.
Q: After clearing the UGC NET exam, how can anyone find a job?
A: After clearing the exam one can go for a PhD with JRF. One can mentor the aspirants. One can become an Assistant professor in their subject and can also become a Research fellow.
Q: What factors do you attribute to success?
A: Hard work, determination, courage, and perseverance. Hard work, is the most important thing because it does not guarantee you success but without it, you do not have any chance.
Q: Any message or advice to future UGC NET aspirants?
A: If you want to crack the examination then be fair with yourself. Be fair with your preparation. Wholeheartedly prepare for it. Don't go here and there in search of material. Follow one book, follow one youtube channel which suits you, and make your own notes because writing helps in understanding things better. Narrow down your resources and practice as much as possible. Previous Year Questions are a must for cracking the examination. Work on your weaknesses, get over it, and don't pay attention to what people say. It's your dream, go and pursue it wholeheartedly.
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Student Forum
Answered 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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?