UGC NET Santali 2025 exam provides a remarkable opportunity for aspirants passionate about Santali literature, tribal studies, and linguistic preservation. Organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA), this exam qualifies candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor roles in Indian universities and colleges. As academic recognition of tribal languages like Santali increases, qualifying UGC NET Santali can pave the way for impactful careers in research, academia, and cultural preservation.
This article offers complete information on the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam, including eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and career opportunities. The exam has officially concluded on 3 January 2026, Shift 1 for the December session.
Also Read: UGC NET Exam Date 2025

What is UGC NET Santali 2025?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET Santali 2025 national exam to assess applicants’ eligibility for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) positions in the field of Santali. The test is intended especially for applicants who completed or are pursuing a postgraduate degree in Santali language and literature, and it is a part of the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (UGC NET).
Also Read: UGC NET Exam 2026

UGC NET Santali 2025 Exam Analysis – Jan 3, 2026 (Shift 1)

The UGC NET Santali 2025 exam, held on 3 January 2026, Shift 1, was generally rated as moderate to difficult based on student feedback.

Paper I posed particular challenges, especially in the Data Interpretation (DI) section, which many candidates found time-consuming and tricky. The Teaching and Research Aptitude portion was of moderate difficulty, while Logical Reasoning questions were fairly standard. The Reading Comprehension section was considered relatively easier and more approachable.

Paper II (Santali) covered a wide spectrum of topics, including Santali literature, oral traditions, and grammar. There was a strong emphasis on translation theories, cultural and tribal elements, and literary history. The paper had a balanced mix of factual and conceptual questions, testing both memory-based knowledge and critical understanding. Some questions were highly text-specific, requiring detailed familiarity with key works and authors in Santali literature. Overall, while Paper II was manageable for well-prepared candidates, and was considered moderate in difficulty.

UGC NET Santali Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must meet specific age and academic requirements set by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in order to sit for the UGC NET Santali 2026 exam. These ensure that only eligible candidates with suitable educational backgrounds take the exam. Below is a detailed overview of the eligibility requirements:

UGC NET Educational Qualification 2026

• Applicants must have earned a Master’s degree (or its equivalent) in Santali or a closely related field from an accredited university, or be in their final year of study.

• At least 55% of the possible points (General/Unreserved/General-EWS) must have been earned by them.
• 50% (OCC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and third gender)

• As long as they complete their degree with the required scores in the allotted time, students studying in the last semester of their Master’s program in 2025 are also eligible.

UGC NET Age Limit 2026

Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) age limit is:

• 30 years old as of the first day of the exam month, which is typically June 2025, is the maximum age.

Assistant Professor:

• No upper age limit

Also Read: UGC NET Age Limit 2026

UGC NET Age Relaxation 2026

• Five years for women, PwD, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and SC candidates.
• Candidates with research experience or those with an LLM degree have three years.

Also Read: UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2026

UGC NET Santali Exam Pattern 2025

Understanding the exam’s structure is essential for strategic preparation. The National Testing Agency administers the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam in the form of a Computer-Based Test (CBT), which is intended to evaluate an applicant’s ability for general teaching and research (Paper I) as well as in-depth subject knowledge in Santali (Paper II).

Also Read: UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026

UGC NET Santali Marking Scheme 2025

The National Testing Agency created a standardized marking scheme for the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam. Paper I, which assesses general teaching and research skills, and Paper II, which is subject-specific (i.e., Santali), complete the exam. All subjects, including Santali, use the same marking system.

UGC NET Santali Minimum Qualifying Marks 2025 

Candidates must receive the minimum aggregate scores in both Paper I and Paper II as determined by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in order to be eligible to take the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam. These qualifying marks are essential for eligibility for the roles of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).

UGC NET Santali Syllabus 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the UGC NET Santali Syllabus 2026 for the June 2026 exam cycle. The most recent syllabus and exam format must be fully understood by candidates preparing for the UGC NET in Santali (Subject Code: 95). While Paper I assesses general teaching and research skills, Paper II syllabus is solely focused on Santali literature, linguistics, cultural heritage, and tribal literature.
Also Read: UGC NET Syllabus 2026 

UGC NET Santali Syllabus 2026 Unit Wise

The syllabus, which is divided into ten separate units, covers a range of topics related to the Santali language, such as its literary genres, historical development, linguistic characteristics, and cultural contexts.

UGC NET Santali 2026 Syllabus PDF Download

The official syllabus is available to candidates preparing for the UGC NET Santali 2026 exam so they can efficiently organize their study schedule. The detailed topics covered in both Paper I and Paper II are outlined in the syllabus, which is available in PDF format to download from the below link

Download UGC NET Full Official Syllabus PDF

UGC NET Santali Question Paper 2025

The National Testing Agency (NTA) held two sessions for the UGC NET Santali 2024 exam: June 2025 and December 2025. Candidates who want to improve their preparation for the upcoming UGC NET Santali 2026 exam by understanding the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level must have access to these question papers.

Also Read: UGC NET Previous Question Papers, Last 5 Years

UGC NET Santali Previous Year Question Papers

To prepare for the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam, one must have a solid understanding of the subject matter, question types, and exam format. Getting previous year questions is a good way to improve your preparation. These papers help identify key subjects and offer insights into the structure of the exam.

Also Read: UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers PDF

Career Scope After Qualifying UGC NET Santali

For candidates with a background in the Santali language and literature, passing the UGC NET Santali exam opens up a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. This certification opens doors to a variety of jobs that support the growth and preservation of indigenous languages in addition to teaching and research roles.

Assistant Professor in Colleges and Universities

• You can apply for the position of Assistant Professor in Santali at Indian universities and colleges if you have a UGC NET qualification.
• For permanent faculty positions, NET-qualified applicants are preferred by many state and central universities.

Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)

• UGC provides financial assistance to pursue an M.Phil. or Ph.D. in Santali if you are eligible for JRF.
• Additionally, JRF-eligible scholars receive monthly stipends for two years, with the possibility of extension based on research progress.

Ph.D. Admissions

• Enrollment in a Ph.D. program frequently requires NET qualification.
• Santali linguistics, folklore, tribal studies, oral literature, and language documentation are among the fields in which candidates can conduct doctoral research.

Language Expert / Linguist

• NET-qualified Santali specialists are frequently employed by public and private entities engaged in linguistic research, cultural documentation, or tribal language preservation.

Content Development and Translation

• Opportunities to translate digital content, instructional materials, and official documents into Santali.
• writing content for textbooks, e-learning sites, and tribal language programs.

Teaching Jobs in Schools (TGT/PGT)

• If Santali is included in the curriculum, NET-qualified applicants may also apply for state-level TGT/PGT exams.
• In the tribal belt areas where Santali is taught in schools, there are opportunities.

Commissions and Jobs in the Government

• Language specialists and advisors are hired by a number of state and federal government commissions pertaining to education, languages, and tribal affairs.

Cultural and Nonprofit Organizations

• For language-based projects, NGOs working in tribal welfare, education, and cultural preservation frequently require Santali-speaking specialists.

Also Read: Career Options After UGC NET December 2025

UGC NET Santali Preparation Tips 2026

Preparing for UGC NET Santali 2026 requires a strategic and disciplined approach, especially because it involves deep understanding of Santali literature, grammar, and tribal cultural contexts. Here are effective preparation tips to help you succeed in both Paper I and Paper II:

• Recognize the syllabus and the exam: Recognize the pattern General Paper I and Santali Paper II. The official syllabus, which includes a list of important subjects like literature, grammar, oral traditions, and tribal studies, can be downloaded.
• Create a Study Schedule: Set aside time each day to study for both papers. Set aside one to two hours for mock exams and revision.
• Use High-Quality Study Materials: Consult reputable books, previous research papers, and scholarly materials, ideally in Ol Chiki script.
• Practice Previous Year Papers: To increase speed and accuracy, solve previous five to ten years’ worth of papers and take practice exams.
• Emphasis on Core Areas: Read works by well-known Santali authors to improve your knowledge of grammar, literature, and culture.
• Smart Revision: To help you remember important points, make notes or flashcards and go over them frequently.
• Work on Paper I as well: Develop your ability to reason, teach aptitude, comprehend, and interpret data.
• Stay Motivated: Be consistent. Join study groups or online communities for support.

Conclusion

UGC NET Santali 2025 offers a valuable opportunity for aspirants passionate about Santali language, literature, and tribal cultural heritage to build a strong academic and research career. With growing emphasis on indigenous studies and language preservation, the exam opens doors to roles such as Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellow (JRF), translator, and cultural documentation expert. The UGC NET Santali 2025 exam was held on 3 January 2026 (Shift 1). Success requires a clear understanding of the syllabus, a disciplined preparation strategy, regular practice of previous year papers, and consistent revision, making UGC NET Santali a promising step toward contributing to tribal language development and higher education.

UGC NET Santali 2025 FAQs

What qualifications are required for UGC NET Santali 2025?

A Master’s degree in Santali or a similar field with at least 55% of the possible points is required of candidates (50 percent for reserved categories). PG students in their final year may also apply.

Does UGC NET Santali have an age limit?

Yes, the age limit for JRF is 30 years old (with exceptions for reserved categories). Eligibility for Assistant Professor has no upper age limit.

In UGC NET Santali 2025, how many papers are there?

Paper I (General Teaching & Research Aptitude) and Paper II (Santali Subject-Specific) are the two papers. Both are required.

Can I use UGC NET Santali to get a JRF?

Yes, you are eligible if you are within the age limit and achieve a score higher than the JRF cut-off in the combined exam.

What is the UGC NET Santali qualifying score?

Candidates in the general category must receive an overall score of 40%, while SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates must receive 35% for both papers.