UGC NET Women Studies 2025 is suited for candidates seeking a fulfilling career in gender studies, social advocacy, and academic research. By qualifying in this exam, aspirants can become eligible for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Assistant Professor position in Indian universities. Spanning a broad spectrum of issues such as feminist theory, social reform movements, gender and development, and policy analysis, the paper challenges conceptual precision and critical insights on gendered concerns.
Also Read: UGC NET Selection Procedure 2025
What are UGC NET Women Studies 2025?
UGC NET Women Studies 2025 is the subject paper conducted under the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) for Women’s Studies candidates. The examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to assess candidates’ eligibility for the post of Assistant Professor and/or for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian colleges and universities. Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary area of study that critically explores gender relations, feminist theory, women’s rights, and socio-political position of women in various contexts. UGC NET Women Studies 2025 examination paper will evaluate the knowledge and analytical skill of a candidate on the following topics:
- Feminist theories and epistemologies
- Women’s movements in India and international perspective
- Gender, caste, class, and intersectionality
- Laws, policies, and institutional mechanisms for gender justice
- Gender and development
- Women’s representation in media, literature, and culture
- Research methodology in Women’s Studies
The exam is administered in two papers:
- Paper I: General teaching and research aptitude (common for all subjects)
- Paper II: Subject-specific (Women Studies)
Also Read: UGC NET Result 2025
UGC NET Women Studies Eligibility Criteria 2025
Candidates aspiring to appear for the UGC NET Women Studies 2025 exam must fulfill the following eligibility criteria set by the National Testing Agency (NTA):
UGC NET Women Studies Educational Qualification 2025
- Master’s Degree Requirement: Applicants should possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Women Studies or any other allied subject like Sociology, Political Science, History, Anthropology, Gender Studies, Development Studies, or Social Work from a recognized university.
UGC NET Minimum Marks Required
- General/Unreserved/General-EWS candidates: Minimum 55% marks in post-graduation.
- OBC (NCL)/SC/ST/PwD/Third gender candidates: Minimum 50% marks in post-graduation.
Appearing Candidates
- Students in the last year of Master’s degree or waiting for results can also apply.
- But they will have to get their degree within two years of NET result date, otherwise, they will be disqualified.
UGC NET Age Limit 2025
For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- Maximum age limit is 30 years.
For Assistant Professor: No maximum age limit.
UGC NET Age Relaxation 2025
- OBC (NCL), SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender, and female candidates: A maximum of 5 years
- Research experience, armed forces background, and LLM degree holders: Extra relaxation according to NTA guidelines.
Also Read: UGC NET Exam 2025
UGC NET Women Studies Exam Pattern 2025
The UGC NET Women Studies 2025 examination will be organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) through Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The examination consists of two papers in a single session without any break in between.
Paper | Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
Paper I | General Teaching & Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 | |
Paper II | Women Studies (Subject-Specific) | 100 | 200 | |
Total | — | 150 | 300 | 3 Hours (180 minutes) |
Also Read: UGC NET Subject Weightage 2025
UGC NET Women Studies Marking Scheme 2025
UGC NET Women Studies 2025 exam’s marking scheme is such that it assesses candidates’ knowledge and comprehension of general teaching/research aptitude and subject-specific knowledge fairly.
Paper | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
Paper I | 50 | 2 | 100 | No |
Paper II | 100 | 2 | 200 | No |
Total | 150 | — | 300 | No |
Also Read: UGC NET Eligibility 2025
UGC NET Women Studies Minimum Qualifying Marks 2025
To be eligible for the UGC NET Women Studies 2025 exam, candidates need to score the minimum aggregate marks specified by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on both Paper I and Paper II collectively. These qualifying marks are the same for every subject, such as Women Studies.
Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks (Aggregate of Paper I & II) |
General / Unreserved (UR) | 40% |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / SC / ST / PwD / Transgender | 35% |
UGC NET Women Studies Syllabus 2025
The UGC NET Women Studies Syllabus 2025 is designed to evaluate candidates’ broad knowledge about feminist theory, gender problems, and women’s roles in different dimensions of society.
UGC NET Women Studies Syllabus 2025 – Unit-Wise
The syllabus comprises ten units, each of which highlights crucial topics of Women’s Studies.
Unit | Topics Covered |
Unit I: Theoretical Frameworks in Women’s Studies | Feminist theories and perspectives Key concepts: patriarchy, gender, sexuality, and intersectionality Historical development of Women’s Studies as an academic discipline |
Unit II: Research Methodologies | Qualitative and quantitative research methods Ethical considerations in gender research Participatory and action research approaches |
Unit III: Women and Society | Socialization and gender roles Family structures and kinship systems Caste, class, and community dynamics affecting women |
Unit IV: Women and Economy | Women’s participation in formal and informal economies Gendered division of labor Economic policies and their impact on women |
Unit V: Women and Politics | Women’s political participation and representation Policy frameworks and gender budgeting Movements and activism for women’s rights |
Unit VI: Women and Law | Legal rights and protections for women Personal laws and gender justice International conventions and national legislations |
Unit VII: Women and Health | Reproductive health and rights Healthcare access and gender disparities Mental health issues among women |
Unit VIII: Women and Education | Gender gaps in literacy and education Curriculum and pedagogy from a gender perspective Educational policies affecting women |
Unit IX: Women and Media | Representation of women in media Media as a tool for empowerment Digital media and gender narratives |
Unit X: Global Perspectives and Movements | Transnational feminist movements Globalization and its impact on women Comparative studies of women’s issues worldwide |
UGC NET Women Studies 2025 Syllabus PDF Download
If you are getting ready to sit for the UGC NET Women Studies 2025 exam, it is the first and most crucial thing that you must get access to the official syllabus. The syllabus indicates all the major topics, units, and sub-topics which will be asked in the exam, allowing you to organize your preparation accordingly. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially announced the syllabus of Women’s Studies (Subject Code 74) in both English and Hindi. Applicants may download the PDF directly here from the following link.
Language | Download Link |
Women Studies (English) | UGC NET Women Studies 2025 Download |
Women Studies (Hindi) | यूजीसी नेट संस्कृत पारंपरिक विषय पाठ्यक्रम 2025 डाउनलोड करें |
Download UGC NET Full Official Syllabus PDF
UGC NET Women Studies Question Paper 2024
If you are studying for the UGC NET Women Studies 2025 exam, going through the last year’s question papers is a necessary process to know about the exam pattern, types of questions, and the level of difficulty. The UGC NET Women Studies 2024 question papers can be downloaded in PDF format from various authentic sources.
Exam Name | Shift | Paper | Download PDF |
---|---|---|---|
UGC NET June 2024 | Shift 1 | Paper 2 |
Also Read: UGC NET Cutoff 2025
UGC NET Women Studies Previous Year Question Papers
Previous year question papers to access and practice is an important step in preparation for the UGC NET Women Studies 2025 exam. These question papers help to understand the pattern of the exam, the types of questions that have been asked, and also to evaluate your level of preparation.
Exam Name | Year | Download PDF |
UGC NET Women Studies | 2023 | |
UGC NET Women Studies | 2022 | |
UGC NET Women Studies | 2021 | |
UGC NET Women Studies | 2020 | |
UGC NET Women Studies | 2018 |
Also Read: UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
Career Scope After Qualifying UGC NET Women Studies
Eligibility for UGC NET Women Studies leads to diverse and effective career prospects in academia, research, policymaking, NGOs, international organizations, and others. Being an interdisciplinary subject, with its bases in gender studies and social justice, allows the candidate to make a contribution towards changing society through education, activism, and policy-making.
Academic Career Opportunities
- Assistant Professor/Lecturer: Eligible to teach Women’s Studies or Gender Studies in Indian universities and colleges.
- Guest Faculty or Research Associate: Conduct academic institutions on a contract or project basis.
- PhD Opportunities: Qualifying NET (particularly JRF) enables you to do doctoral research with UGC fellowships.
Research and Fellowships
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Monthly allowance for pursuing PhD or higher research in Women’s Studies.
- Think Tanks & Research Institutions: Institutional Roles in institutions such as CWDS (Centre for Women’s Development Studies), NCW (National Commission for Women), etc.
- Policy Researcher/Analyst: Collaborate with government and non-governmental organizations on gender, public policy, education, and development.
NGOs and International Organizations
- Project Coordinator/Manager: For gender development projects in NGOs such as Oxfam, CARE, ActionAid, and others.
- Gender Consultant or Specialist: In international and national agencies such as UN Women, WHO, UNDP.
- Program Evaluator: Evaluate the gender impact of gender-sensitive development programs.
Government and Public Policy
- Gender Consultant in Ministries: Ministries’ roles such as WCD (Women and Child Development), HRD, and Health.
- Social Welfare Departments: Serving in state/national organizations supporting women empowerment schemes.
- Policy Framing & Evaluation: Participate in creating or critiquing policies on social justice and gender equality.
Journalism, Media, and Communication
- Gender Correspondent/Editor: In print, online, and broadcast media specializing in gender and human rights stories.
- Content Writer/Creator: For feminist cause-related platforms, activism, and education.
Corporate Sector & CSR
- Diversity and Inclusion Officer: Functions in HR functions of MNCs and big business firms.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Design and assess women-focused CSR initiatives.
Training, Advocacy, and Capacity Building
- Gender Trainer: Organize sensitization workshops for public officials, the police, health workers, teachers, etc.
- Advocacy Specialist: Collaborate with civil society organizations to advocate for women’s rights and empowerment.
UGC NET Women Studies Preparation Tips 2025
UGC NET Women Studies 2025 examination requires a clear understanding of gender theories, research techniques, and women’s issues in society, politics, economy, and media. Following are the main preparation strategies to crack the examination:
- Understand the exam pattern and syllabus well.
- Utilize standard and current study material.
- Make concise unit-wise notes incorporating major concepts and thinkers.
- Practice mock tests and previous year question papers regularly.
- Pay special attention to Paper I (General Aptitude) and Paper II.
- Keep yourself updated with current affairs on women’s issues.
- Develop and adhere to a smart, realistic study schedule.
- Use online resources and free courses for enhanced understanding.
- Revisit notes regularly with emphasis on concepts, rather than memorization.
- Stay positive, persistent, and have a healthy study habit.
Conclusion
UGC NET Women Studies 2025 provides an excellent chance for those interested in gender concerns, feminist theory, and social justice to pursue a fulfilling career as scholars, researchers, policy analysts, and advocacy workers. With its wide-ranging syllabus covering theoretical approaches, research techniques, laws, and international perspectives, candidates need to prioritize their conceptual clarity and analytical abilities. By learning about the pattern of examination, completing eligibility requirements, and adhering to a systematic preparation plan, hopefuls can clear the exam effectively and contribute meaningfully toward promoting women’s studies and gender equality in India and other parts of the world.
UGC NET Women Studies 2025 FAQs
Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Women Studies or related subjects with a minimum of 55% marks for General candidates and 50% for reserved candidates. Final semester students are also eligible but have to finish their degree within two years of the result of NET.
The exam consists of two papers: Paper I (General Teaching and Research Aptitude) consisting of 50 questions and Paper II (Subject-specific Women Studies) consisting of 100 questions. The total time is 3 hours, in CBT mode.
Eligible candidates can apply for the positions of Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellow (JRF), gender policy analyst, researcher in NGOs, project manager in international agencies, and gender trainers or consultants.
Yes, candidates with Master’s degree in related fields like Sociology, Political Science, History, Anthropology, Gender Studies, Development Studies, or Social Work can apply.
Candidates need to go through the syllabus and pattern of the exam well, utilize standard study materials, practice earlier question papers, concentrate on conceptual clarity, and do regular revision and mock tests.