Deepak Kumar has cracked UGC NET 2018 History paper for both Assistant Professor and JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) by scoring 156/300 marks (52%). His paper-wise scores are 56/100 (56%) in paper-I and 100/200 (50%) in paper-II.
Belonging to a rural area, clearing UGC NET was always Deepak’s first preference. Although he came from a background where his parents gave little or no importance to studies, he was determined enough to achieve his goal of cracking UGC NET History paper. According to Deepak, “My parents had no idea about UGC NET-JRF but still they supported me in my journey of clearing JRF.”
An extremely hardworking student, Deepak is a graduate as well as postgraduate in History from Ram Lal Anand College and Sri Venkateswara College, respectively. Both the colleges are affiliated to University of Delhi. Currently, Deepak is preparing for his MPhil interview at University of Delhi and is also searching for teaching jobs in colleges.
In his free time, Deepak likes reading books and newspapers. The lad also likes listening to news regularly.
In a candid interview with Shiksha, Deepak shares his prep strategy and study plan for the exam. The lad also gives some relevant prep tips to aspirants of UGC NET (December) 2018. Read the complete interview below:
Q. Did you expect to qualify UGC NET for Assistant Professor and JRF?
I did expect to qualify UGC NET for Assistant Professor and JRF as I am interested in further research on topics like Dalit and their internal conflicts. For this, I did a lot hardwork and studied consistently.
Q. Could you tell us your preparation strategy that helped you crack UGC NET exam?
I studied for 8-10 hours a day. During those hours I studied a book thoroughly especially by noting down all important facts so that I could memorise them easily. The most important point is that I never mugged up any facts, rather just tried to understand them and that helped me crack the exam.
Q. Did you take any coaching for this exam?
No, I have never been for any coaching. I believe self-study is the best means to achieve success.
Q. What study plan did you follow for this exam?
I adopted a step-by-step study plan mentioned below:
First, I studied the syllabus thoroughly.
Second, I studied all basic books to clear my concepts.
Third, I studied all important facts.
Last, I solved last 10 years’ question papers of UGC NET to mark my score and personally grade myself.
Q. Which books did you read to prepare for the exam?
The books that I referred to for UGC NET preparation are:
|
Paper |
Book |
Author/ Publication |
|
I |
UGC-NET/JRF/SET Teaching And Research Aptitude (General Paper - I) |
Upkar |
|
II |
Ancient India |
RS Sharma |
|
Medieval India (Volume 1 & 2) |
Satish Chandra |
|
|
A New Look at Modern Indian History: Form 1707 To The Modern Times |
BL Grover |
|
|
From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India |
Sekhar Bandyopadhyay |
|
|
Kiran UPSC Bhartiy Etihas (Indian History) |
Nagendra Pratap Singh |
Q. How did you deal with your strengths and weaknesses while preparing for the exam?
I had set my aim at JRF and to achieve that I focused on studying continuously. Yes, it was a little difficult to follow the routine regularly and it became difficult to clear some concepts so at that time I used to contact my friends to have a discussion on different topics. All those discussions with my friends helped me clear my doubts. And, at the end of all the obstacles I was able to achieve the result that I wanted.
Q. What as per you are the mistakes one should avoid while preparing for the exam?
One should be very clear on the books they are referring to for NET preparation as good books are the necessity to clear any exam. Secondly, candidates should avoid mugging up and concentrate on understanding the topic that they are studying.
At the end, regular study and positive attitude is all that is required to crack the exam.
Q. Any advice to manage time while giving the exam?
Time management depends on one's own self. It is important to make a plan a day before the exam especially for General paper (paper-I). For paper-II, not much planning is required.
Q. Which as per you was the most difficult part of the UGC NET exam?
Nothing is difficult or easy as it depends on the study one does and that makes one confident.
Q. Any things that students should keep in mind to perform well on the day of the exam?
Don't panic, keep calm and read each question carefully so that you answer it well. Self-confidence and passion is necessary to clear the exam.
Q. What other teaching entrance exams did you take?
I have cleared MPhil entrance exams of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University.
Q. Any tips for students who are planning to take the exam next year?
Study well and regularly. Don't panic. Don't overthink, just study.
Q. What are your future plans?
My future plan is to be a professor in a renowned university and to pursue PhD.
Also Read:
UGC NET 2018: Prep tips for Commerce by Ramesh Kumar
Richa Chaudhary shares her success story of clearing UGC NET 2018 Psychology for Assistant Professor
UGC NET 2018: Prep tips for Forensic Science by Snigdha Moitra
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Student Forum
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
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
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
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
V
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
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
N
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
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
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
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.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Exam On - 31 Dec '25 - 7 Jan '26
When will the UGC NET 2025 Dec Application Correction window open?