Last updated on: November 9, 2025
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Yuvika Rathi
College Student
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the examination window for the UGC-NET December 2025 cycle. The exam is scheduled to be conducted between 31 December 2025 and 7 January 2026 across multiple centres nationwide.
This exam determines eligibility for the roles of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.
Official Source:
NTA UGC-NET Portal: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in
UGC Official Website: https://www.ugc.ac.in
UGC-NET is conducted in two papers, taken together in a single session. There is no negative marking.
| Paper | Description | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | General Teaching and Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 | 1 hour |
| Paper II | Subject Specialisation (One chosen subject) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Total | 150 | 300 | 3 hours |
Paper II is based on the subject selected from the list of 83 approved subjects.
List of subjects and codes: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/information-bulletin
| Category | Qualification Requirement |
| General | Master’s degree with 55% marks |
| OBC/SC/ST/PwD | Master’s degree with 50% marks |
| Final-year postgraduate students | Eligible provisionally |
| Age Limit (JRF) | Maximum 30 years (relaxations applicable) |
| No age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility |
Detailed eligibility: https://www.ugc.ac.in/net
| Major Area | Subtopics |
| Teaching Aptitude | Teaching methods, evaluation systems, learner characteristics |
| Research Aptitude | Research design, sampling, thesis writing |
| Communication | Classroom communication, barriers and effectiveness |
| DI and Reasoning | Tables, graphs, logical reasoning sets |
| Higher Education System | NEP 2020, autonomy reforms, academic administration |
Paper II syllabus varies as per the chosen discipline.
UGC-NET Subject Syllabus PDFs: https://www.ugc.ac.in/syllabus.aspx
| Area | Observed Trend |
| Paper I | More conceptual than factual; higher weightage to research methodology |
| Paper II | Increased emphasis on interpretation, critical frameworks, and applied understanding |
| Difficulty Pattern | Moderate to moderate-high; stable format with no major structural changes |
| Cutoffs | Variation depends on subject popularity and category distribution |
Subjects such as Political Science, Commerce, History, English, Education, and Management encounter higher competition due to larger applicant pools.
| Phase | Duration | Focus Areas |
| Foundation | Month 1 | Complete Paper I basics; identify Paper II core units |
| Core Learning | Month 2–3 | Unit-wise detailed study + note-making |
| Consolidation | Month 4 | Start full-length mock practice |
| Final Revision | Last 3–4 weeks | PYQ-based repetition and formula/topic recaps |
Do not prepare Paper I and Paper II sequentially. Prepare them parallelly.
Choose based on subject:
UGC e-Pathshala Open Courseware: https://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in
| Resource | Use Case |
| Previous 12+ years PYQs | Identify recurring themes and question logic |
| NTA Sample Papers | Familiarity with exam pattern and timing |
| Full-length Mocks | Exam stamina and time allocation |
Mock Test Sources (non-promotional, widely used):
| Error | Correction |
| Memorizing without conceptual clarity | Convert each topic to short-form notes and concept diagrams |
| Ignoring Paper I | Paper I contributes significantly to total score; allocate daily practice |
| Neglecting time management | Practice with a timer regularly |
| Switching study materials frequently | Follow one structured source and revise cyclically |
The announcement of the UGC-NET December 2025 examination schedule offers sufficient preparation time for serious aspirants. Candidates should focus on conceptual mastery, consistent revision, and structured practice guided by previous year patterns.
Maintaining a weekly schedule of 50% study + 30% practice + 20% revision is proven effective across most subjects.
Official Notifications & Updates:
NTA Portal: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in
UGC Website: https://www.ugc.ac.in