UGC NET Geography 2025 is suitable for candidates aspiring to become an academician, environmental consultant, urban planner, or policy researcher. Passing this exam makes candidates eligible for the position of Assistant Professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The subject is vast and covers physical geography, human geography, economic geography, climatology, remote sensing, and geospatial technologies. The UGC NET Geography 2025 exam is scheduled to be held on 29th June 2025 in the second shift, as per the official announcement by the National Testing Agency.
For More Detail Check- UGC NET Exam Date 2025
What is UGC NET Geography 2025?
UGC NET Geography 2025 is a subject-based exam conducted by the National Testing Agency in accordance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) directives. The test examines the candidate’s aptitude for Geography teaching and research fellowship positions. The test examines the practical and theoretical dimensions of geographical studies like spatial analysis, cartography, environmental management, and GIS-based interventions.
Also Read: UGC NET Exam 2025
UGC NET Geography Eligibility Criteria 2025
Candidates must meet certain eligibility requirements established by the National Testing Agency in order to be eligible for the UGC NET Geography 2025 exam. These consist of age restrictions, minimum marks needed, educational requirements, and relaxation guidelines. All UGC NET subjects, including geography, are subject to the same eligibility requirements.
UGC NET Geography 2025 Educational Qualification
- Post-Graduation Requirement: Candidates must have graduated from an accredited university with a Master’s degree or its equivalent in geography or a related field like environmental science, geology, earth sciences, or urban planning.
- Recognized Degrees: Degrees must be recognized by the University Grants Commission.
UGC NET Minimum Marks Required
| Category | Minimum Marks in Post-Graduation |
| General / General-EWS | 55% aggregate marks |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | 50% aggregate marks |
Candidates Appearing in Final Year
- Postgraduate students in their final year or those awaiting results may apply.
- However, they have two years from the date of the NET result announcement to finish their degree with the necessary percentage of marks.
- Failure to comply will lead to disqualification.
UGC NET Geography 2025 Age Limit
For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF):
- Maximum age limit is 30 years as of the exam date.
For Assistant Professor:
- No upper age limit.
UGC NET Geography 2025 Age Relaxation (for JRF)
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| OBC (NCL), SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender, and Women applicants | Up to 5 years |
| Candidates with Research Experience (Post-Master’s) | Based on years of experience (up to 5 years) |
| Candidates with an LLM Degree | 3 years additional relaxation |
| Candidates with Armed Forces Service | As per NTA/UGC guidelines |
Candidates can confidently apply for the exam and pursue a career in academia, research, or related professional domains if they meet the UGC NET Geography Eligibility Criteria 2025. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, always consult the official UGC NET 2025 notification.
Also Read: UGC NET Eligibility 2025
UGC NET Geography Exam Pattern 2025
The National Testing Agency conducts the UGC NET Geography 2025 exam using a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. There is no break between the two papers, held in a single session. Both papers contain multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
| Paper | Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | General Teaching & Research Aptitude (Common for all subjects) | 50 | 100 |
3 Hours (Combined) |
| Paper II | Geography (Subject-specific) | 100 | 200 | |
| Total | — | 150 | 300 | 180 Minutes (Single session) |
Also Read: UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
UGC NET Geography Marking Scheme 2025
The National Testing Agency has established a uniform transparent marking system for the UGC NET Geography 2025 exam. For effective exam preparation and strategy, it is essential to understand the marking structure.
| Paper | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
| Paper I (General Aptitude) | 50 | 2 | 100 | No |
| Paper II (Geography) | 100 | 2 | 200 | No |
| Total | 150 | — | 300 | No Negative Marking |
UGC NET Geography Minimum Qualifying Marks 2025
For the combined total of Paper I (General Aptitude) and Paper II (Geography subject), candidates must meet the following aggregate minimum marks to qualify:
| Category | Minimum Aggregate Marks (Out of 300) | Percentage |
| General / Unreserved (UR) | 120 marks | 40% |
| OBC (NCL) / SC / ST / PwD / TG | 105 marks | 35% |
UGC NET Geography Syllabus 2025
The objective of the UGC NET Geography Syllabus 2025 is to evaluate the candidate’s comprehensive knowledge of various themes related to technical, human, regional, and physical geography. It only consists of Paper II, which has ten thorough units and is subject-specific (geography).
Also Read: UGC NET Syllabus 2025 PDF
UGC NET Geography Syllabus 2025 – Unit-wise
| Unit | Title | Topics Covered |
| Unit 1 | Geomorphology | Earth’s origin & structure, plate tectonics, landform development (Davis, Penck, King), geomorphic hazards |
| Unit 2 | Climatology | Atmospheric structure, heat budget, monsoons, cyclones, climate classification (Köppen, Thornthwaite), climate change |
| Unit 3 | Oceanography | Ocean floor, currents, tides, coral reefs, marine resources, pollution, EEZ |
| Unit 4 | Geography of Environment | Ecosystems, biodiversity, environmental degradation, climate change, sustainable development, disaster management |
| Unit 5 | Population & Settlement Geography | Population theories, migration, rural & urban settlements, slums, central place theory |
| Unit 6 | Economic Geography | Sectors of economy, agriculture (von Thünen), industry (Weber, Losch), transport, trade, globalization, regional planning |
| Unit 7 | Cultural, Social & Political Geography | Culture, ethnicity, language, health, political geography, boundaries, geopolitics, federalism |
| Unit 8 | Geographical Thought | Evolution of geography, dualism, paradigms (positivism, humanism, radicalism), Indian geographers |
| Unit 9 | Geographical Techniques | Data sources (census, NSSO), cartography, remote sensing, GIS, statistical techniques in geography |
| Unit 10 | Geography of India | Relief, drainage, soils, vegetation, population, agriculture, industry, transport, environmental issues, regional development |
UGC NET Geography 2025 Syllabus PDF Download
If you’re preparing for the UGC NET Geography 2025 exam, the first essential step is to go through the official syllabus provided by the University Grants Commission. The syllabus helps you prepare efficiently by outlining all the important subjects and units that will be covered in Paper II (Subject-Specific) of the Geography exam. You can download UGC NET Geography Syllabus 2025 from the given below link:
| Language | Download Link |
| Geography (English) | UGC NET Geography 2025 Download |
| Geography (Hindi) | यूजीसी नेट भूगोल 2025 डाउनलोड करें |
Download UGC NET Full Official Syllabus PDF
UGC NET Geography Question Paper 2024
For candidates preparing for the exam, the UGC NET Geography Question Paper 2024 is an essential resource. Candidates may get a better understanding of the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level by going over past year’s question papers. The exam comprises two parts: Paper I, which assesses general teaching and research skills, and Paper II, which concentrates on geography subject-specific knowledge. Aspirants can develop their confidence, understand important concepts, and efficiently manage their time during the exam by practicing these question papers.
| Exam Name | Shift | Paper | Download PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC NET June 2024 | Shift 2 | Paper 2 | Download Link |
Also Read: UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers
UGC NET Geography Previous Year Question Papers
Previous year UGC NET Geography question papers are a useful resource for efficient exam preparation. These study guides help applicants in understanding the types of questions that are asked, topics that are frequently covered, and the general level of difficulty of the exam over time. Candidates can enhance their speed, accuracy, and time management abilities by working through past year’s papers. It also enables them to identify areas of weakness and thoroughly rewrite important ideas. Regular practice with previous papers increases confidence and improves problem-solving skills, whether one is preparing for Paper II (Geography) or reviewing ideas from Paper I (Teaching & Research Aptitude). Candidates are strongly advised to go through at least the last 5–10 years of UGC NET Geography question papers to get an edge in the exam and boost their chances of qualifying for JRF or Assistant Professor positions.
| Exam Name | Year | Download PDF |
| UGC NET Geography | 2023 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Geography | 2022 | Download Link |
| UGC NETGeography | 2021 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Geography | 2020 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Geography | 2018 | Download Link |
Also Read: UGC NET Previous Question Papers PDF
Career Scope After Qualifying UGC NET Geography
Many career options in academia, research, and other fields are available to those who pass the UGC NET Geography exam. Here is a detailed overview of the career options available to those who pass the UGC NET in geography:
| S.No | Career Path | Key Details |
| 1 | Assistant Professor | Eligibility: UGC NET qualified
Work in: Central/State Universities, Private Colleges Perks: UGC pay scale, research grants, API-based promotion |
| 2 | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Eligibility: NET + JRF qualification
Stipend: ₹31,000–₹35,000/month + HRA Scope: Ph.D. in Urban Geography, Climatology, Remote Sensing, etc. |
| 3 | Research Careers | Organizations: ISRO, ICAR, CSIR, NATMO, DST
Roles: Research Associate, Scientist, Project Fellow Fields: Climate change, GIS, land use planning |
| 4 | Government Jobs | Exams: UPSC, State PSC, SSC
Departments: MoEF, Survey of India, GSI Roles: Geographer, Cartographer, Environmental Planner |
| 5 | GIS & Remote Sensing Expert | Tools: ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS Imagine
Employers: Govt bodies, private firms, NGOs Applications: Agriculture, disaster management, transport planning |
| 6 | Policy & Planning Roles | Think Tanks: NITI Aayog, TERI, CSE
Roles: Policy Analyst, Climate Consultant, Urban Planner |
| 7 | International Opportunities | Organizations: UNDP, UNESCO, UNEP, World Bank
Fields: Climate resilience, sustainability, geography education |
| 8 | Publishing & Content Development | Work: Author/reviewer for textbooks, UPSC/NET materials
Employers: NCERT, IGNOU, Edtech platforms |
| 9 | Online Education & EdTech | Roles: Educator, Content Creator, Course Designer |
| 10 | Higher Studies | Options: Ph.D. after JRF or through admission
Postdoc: Indian/foreign universities in geography-related research |
Also Read: Career Options After UGC NET
UGC NET Geography Preparation Tips 2025
Below are some preparation tips mentioned for UGC NET 2025 Exam:
- Understand the entire syllabus and divide it into 10 manageable units.
- Focus on important topics: Indian geography, oceanography, climatology, geomorphology, and models and theories.
- Make use of common books such as:
- Savindra Singh: Climatology and Geomorphology
- Majid Husain: Economic Geography and Indian Geography
- Geographical Thought, Models, and Theories by R.L. Singh
- To analyze trends, solve previous year question papers from the previous 5 to 10 years.
- Regularly take mock tests to increase your accuracy and speed.
- For speedy revision, make brief notes on each topic.
- Practice using case studies, maps, and diagrams, and revise once a week.
- Don’t ignore Paper 1; it covers ICT, reasoning, data interpretation, and teaching and research skills.
- Establish a study routine and stick to it.
- Make use of online resources such as NIOS/IGNOU notes, NTA practice exams, and YouTube lectures.
- Maintain your motivation and monitor your development.
Also Read: UGC NET Preparation Tips 2025
Conclusion
The UGC NET Geography 2025 is more than just an eligibility exam; it’s the gateway to a dynamic academic and research-focused career in geography. This exam establishes the foundation for a rewarding career path, regardless of your career goals—Whether you aspire to become a GIS specialist, policy advisor, university professor, or researcher on climate change. Candidates can confidently aim for both Assistant Professor and JRF positions with the proper preparation, standard resources, and consistent practice. To increase your chances of success, stay informed about official notifications, make a smart preparation plan, and utilize previous year papers and professional advice.
UGC NET Geography 2025 FAQs
If I am in my last year of PG, can I appear for the UGC NET Geography exam?
Postgraduate students in their final year are eligible to apply, but they have 2 years from the date of result announcement to finish their degree.
In UGC NET Geography 2025, how many papers are there?
There are two papers: Paper I (100 marks) on general aptitude and Paper II (200 marks) on geography.
After passing the UGC NET Geography exam, can I apply for government jobs?
Yes, applicants are eligible to work in departments such as GSI, MoEF, Survey of India, and the UPSC, State PSCs, and SSC.
What is the validity of UGC NET and JRF certificates?
JRF: Valid for three years from the date of issuance.
NET (Lectureship): Valid for lifetime.
Does the UGC NET Geography syllabus remain consistent every year?
Although the fundamental structure is unchanged, candidates should constantly check the official UGC NET website for any updates.
