UGC Net Exam the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET), also known as NTA-UGC-NET, is a national-level examination conducted twice a year in June and December to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the post of Assistant Professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) award in Indian universities and colleges.
Overview
The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of two papers:
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the UGC NET exam are as follows:
Educational qualification:
- The candidate must have a Master’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized university with at least 55% marks.
- The candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/PWD/Transgender category need a minimum of 50% marks in their Master’s degree or equivalent examination.
Age limit:
- There is no upper age limit for the Assistant Professor eligibility.
- The upper age limit for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) award is 30 years. However, there is a relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/PWD/Transgender candidates and 3 years for women candidates.
Other eligibility criteria:
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- The candidate must have passed the qualifying examination within the last 5 years. However, there is no such time limit for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/PWD/Transgender candidates.
- The candidate must not have already been awarded a JRF under the UGC scheme.
Relaxation in eligibility criteria:
- There is a 5% relaxation in the minimum percentage of marks for Ph.D. holders.
- There is a relaxation in the age limit for candidates who have served in the armed forces or who have been physically challenged.
Exam Pattern
Paper | Number of Questions | Duration | Total Marks | Type of Questions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1 | 50 | 60 minutes | 100 | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Paper 2 | 100 | 120 minutes | 200 | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Application Process
The UGC NET exam application process is completely online. You can apply for the exam by visiting the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Steps to apply for the UGC NET exam:
- Visit the official website of the NTA: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
- Click on the “Apply Online” link
- Register yourself by providing the required details such as name, email ID, mobile number, and password
- After registration, login with your credentials and fill in the application form
- Upload scanned images of your photograph and signature as per the required specifications
- Pay the application fee online through the available payment modes
- Submit the application form and take a printout of the confirmation page
Important points to keep in mind while applying for the UGC NET exam:
- Make sure that you have a valid email ID and mobile number.
- The uploaded photograph and signature should be in jpeg format and the file size should not exceed 100 kb.
- The application fee is non-refundable.
- Once you have submitted the application form, you cannot make any changes to it.
Documents required to apply for the UGC NET exam:
- Scanned copy of a recent passport size photograph
- Scanned copy of signature
- Scanned copy of mark sheets and certificates for all academic qualifications
- Scanned copy of category certificate (if applicable)
- Scanned copy of disability certificate (if applicable)
Syllabus
The UGC NET exam syllabus is divided into two sections:
Paper 1:
- Teaching Aptitude: This section tests the candidate’s ability to teach effectively. It covers topics such as educational psychology, teaching methodology, and classroom management.
- Research Aptitude: This section tests the candidate’s ability to conduct research. It covers topics such as research methodology, statistical analysis, and data interpretation.
- Mathematical Reasoning: This section tests the candidate’s ability to solve mathematical problems. It covers topics such as number systems, algebra, geometry, and probability.
- Logical Reasoning: This section tests the candidate’s ability to reason logically. It covers topics such as syllogisms, analogies, and puzzles.
- Data Interpretation: This section tests the candidate’s ability to interpret data. It covers topics such as bar charts, histograms, pie charts, and line graphs.
- Reading Comprehension: This section tests the candidate’s ability to understand and comprehend complex text.
- People and Environment: This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of the environment and its impact on humans. It covers topics such as sustainable development, environmental pollution, and climate change.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT): This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of ICT and its applications in education.
Paper 2:
The syllabus for Paper 2 varies depending on the subject that the candidate chooses to appear for. However, some of the common topics that are covered in Paper 2 include:
- Fundamentals of the subject: This section covers the basic concepts and theories of the subject.
- Recent developments in the subject: This section covers the latest research and trends in the subject.
- Applications of the subject: This section covers the ways in which the subject can be applied in the real world.
Important Dates
Event | Date |
---|---|
Commencement of Application Process | September 30, 2023 |
Last date to apply for UGC NET Dec 2023 exam | October 28, 2023 |
UGC NET Exam Date for Dec 2023 Cycle | December 06-22, 2023 |
Tips for Exam Preparation
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern: The first step in preparing for the UGC NET exam is to understand the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly. This will help you to focus your studies on the right topics and prepare in a more efficient manner.
- Make a study plan: Once you understand the syllabus and exam pattern, create a study plan that covers all the topics in the syllabus. Make sure to allocate enough time for each topic and to include regular revision in your plan.
- Use good quality study materials: There are many good quality study materials available for the UGC NET exam. Make sure to use these materials for your preparation. You can also refer to standard textbooks and research papers on your chosen subject area.
- Solve previous year’s question papers and mock tests: Solving previous year’s question papers and mock tests is a great way to practice for the UGC NET exam. This will help you to get familiar with the types of questions that are asked and to improve your time management skills.
- Take breaks and stay healthy: It is important to take breaks and stay healthy during your UGC NET exam preparation. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. This will help you to stay focused and motivated during your studies.
FEES
Category | UGC NET Application Form Fee |
---|---|
General | ₹ 1,150 |
OBC/EWS | ₹ 600 |
SC/ST/Transgender/PwD | ₹ 325 |
FAQ?
The following candidates are eligible to apply for the UGC NET exam:
- Indian nationals who have a master’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Foreign nationals who have a master’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university and who have obtained the equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
- Candidates who are in the final year of their master’s degree program can also apply for the UGC NET exam, but they will have to produce their provisional degree certificate at the time of admission to the Ph.D. program or for the post of Assistant Professor.
There is no upper age limit for applying for the UGC NET exam. However, the age limit for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) award is 30 years as on July 1st of the year of the examination.
There is no limit on the number of times you can appear for the UGC NET exam. However, you can apply for the JRF award only for a maximum of six times.