UGC NET Exam 2025 is a highly competitive country–wide examination administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC NET Application Form 2025 for June session was made available on 16th April 2025 at the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in, and the application deadline is 7th May 2025. The candidates are requested to register early before the deadline to prevent last-minute problems. The UGC NET June 2025 Exam will be held from 21st June to 30th June 2025 at various exam centers in India.

This notification officially starts the countdown for candidates, who now need to concentrate on filling out their applications, downloading Paper 1 and Paper 2 syllabus PDFs, familiarizing themselves with the exam pattern, practicing mock tests, and strategically revising to perform better. The exam will proceed with its bi-annual cycle, with the next session in December 2025.

What is the UGC NET Exam?

UGC NET stands for University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test. NTA is a statutory body established through the UGC Act of 1956 by the Ministry of Education of the Government of India. This exam consists of a broad syllabus that comprises a total of 85 subjects and tests the knowledge, aptitude, and subject expertise of the candidates. So, for effective preparation, a strategic study plan, clear syllabus, and quality learning resources are required. UGC NET determines the eligibility of the Indian nationals to the candidate at every stage of admission in universities/colleges for various academic and research positions. It is conducted to assess the eligibility for:

Also Read: UGC NET Registration Form 2025

Why is UGC NET important?

• Academic Career: To become an Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges, clearing the UGC NET exam is a must.
• Research Fellowship (JRF): Candidates who qualify for JRF receive support for up to 3 years to pursue research for a Ph.D.

Also Read: UGC NET Syllabus 2025 

Who Can Apply for UGC NET?

UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025

To appear for the UGC NET exam, candidates must meet certain educational and age-related requirements. Detailed breakdown of Eligibility Criteria is described below:

1. UGC NET Educational Qualifications

2. UGC NET Age Limit

The age limit of the aspirants applying for UGC NET 2025 varies as they may also apply for the posts and positions of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Assistant Professor candidates.

3. Relaxations and Exemptions

• Reservation Categories: SC/ST, OBC-NCL, PwD and women candidates will get a relaxation of 5% marks in educational qualification and 5 years in age.
• SET Exemption: Candidates who cleared the State Eligibility Test (SET) before June 1, 2002, are exempt from UGC NET for recruitment as Assistant Professors.
• Ph.D. Holders: Candidates with a Ph.D. completed before September 19, 1991, receive a 5% marks relaxation (from 55% to 50%).

4. Foreign Degree Holders

Candidates with foreign Master’s degrees should have their qualification approved by the Association of Indian Universities.

Also Read: UGC NET Eligibility 2025

UGC NET Syllabus 2025

The UGC NET syllabus 2025  is divided into two papers. Paper 1 tests general aptitude, while Paper 2 is subject-specific and based on the candidate’s postgraduate specialization. Below is a detailed outline:

UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus (General Aptitude)

This paper assesses the candidate’s teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, and general awareness.

UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus (Subject-Specific)

Paper 2 is based on the subject chosen by the candidate. It includes detailed topics related to their postgraduate study. Here are some examples for popular subjects:

UGC NET Syllabus Paper 1 PDF & UGC NET Syllabus Paper 2 PDF

UGC NET Subject List 2025

The UGC NET 2025 has a total list of 85 subjects, with a specific subject code. Candidates need to choose the subject according to their postgraduate specialization, as Paper 2 of the exam is conducted entirely on the selected subject.

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Paper 1 and Paper 2

The UGC NET exam consists of two papers—Paper 1 and Paper 2 which were conducted in a single session using a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. Here’s a breakdown of the Paper 1 and Paper 2:

Also Read: UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025

UGC NET Marking Scheme and Mode of Examination 2025

The UGC NET exam follows a clear and straightforward marking system and mode of examination is Computer Based Test (Online):

How to Apply for UGC NET?

Applying for the UGC NET involves several steps. Here’s a detailed steps to help aspirants through the application process:

1. Visit the Official Website

• Create an Account: New applicants must register by creating a user account with basic details (name, email, phone number).
• Generate Login Credentials: After this, you will receive a login ID and password to access your profile.

2. Fill in the Application Form: Personal Details, Educational Qualification, Choose Exam Centers, Subject Selection and Category Details.
3. Upload Documents

• Photograph: Size: 10 KB to 200 KB (JPG/JPEG).
• Signature: Size: 4 KB to 30 KB (Format: JPG/JPEG)

4. Pay the Application Fee

The candidates can pay either through UPI or debit/credit card or net banking.

5. Submit the Application

• Review and Submit: After filling in all the details and uploading documents, review the form carefully and then submit the application.
• Confirmation Page: After submission, download and print the confirmation page.

Direct Link To Apply For UGC NET 2025

UGC NET Admit Card Download

Once the application process has been completed, the UGC NET admit card 2025 will be issued around 7-10 days before the exam date. Admit cards can be downloaded from the official website through login credentials.

UGC NET Previous Year Questions

UGC NET Previous Year Questions (PYQs) are original questions that were asked while conducting previous UGC NET exams. They include Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude — general for all), and Paper 2 (subject-related). Practicing PYQs makes you familiar with patterns and schemes in the exams, key topics, and difficulty levels.

Also Read: UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers

UGC NET Cutoff 2025

The UGC NET Cut off 2025 (June session) will be made available officially by NTA following the result declaration on the official website in July 2025 (tentative). The cut off will include minimum marks and percentiles that are needed for:

• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
• Assistant Professor eligibility
• Ph.D. program admissions (eligibility only)

UGC NET Subject Weightage 2025

The UGC NET 2025 exam is divided into two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Knowing the topic-wise weightage for both papers is important for proper preparation. 

UGC NET Paper 1: Topic-Wise Weightage

Paper 1 is for all the candidates and tests general teaching and research ability. It contains 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), each with 2 marks, making it a total of 100 marks.​ The general pattern of questions under different topics is as follows:

UGC NET Paper 2: Subject-Specific Weightage

Paper 2 is subject-specific and tests the candidate’s knowledge in their chosen subject. It consists of 100 MCQs, each carrying 2 marks, for a total of 200 marks.​ The weightage for topics in Paper 2 varies depending on the subject.

Also Read Full Details: UGC NET Subject Weightage 2025 

UGC NET Study Material 2025

Smart selection of study material is a must to prepare for UGC NET 2025. You will need distinct strategies for Paper 1 (common to all) and Paper 2 (subject-specific).

Also Read: UGC NET study material 2025

UGC NET Selection Criteria

The UGC NET selection criteria 2025 for the exam are based on various factors such as performance in both Paper 1 and Paper 2, subject chosen, category and the overall number of candidates who meet the eligibility and cut-off requirements.

1. Exam Performance

• • Paper 1: General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude is designed to assess candidates reasoning ability, comprehension, teaching aptitude and general awareness.
  • Paper 2: Subject-specific paper, aligned with the candidate’s postgraduate specialization, evaluates their in-depth knowledge of the subject.
  • Both papers are equally important in the final merit list.

2. Qualifying Marks

• • Paper 1: To qualify for UGC NET requires a minimum of 40% for General Category candidates and 35% for Reserved Categories.
  • Paper 2: A minimum of 40% marks must be obtained by a candidate to qualify.
  • Aggregate Marks: The combined performance in both papers determines eligibility for Assistant Professorship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).

3. Category-Specific Cut-Offs

• The UGC NET exam selects candidates on the basis of specific cut-offs in each category.
  • General Category: 40% marks (in both papers).
  • OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PwD: 35% marks (in both papers).
  • Transgender: Same as SC/ST/OBC-NCL categories.

Cut-off changes every year depending on the difficulty level, number of candidates appearing for this and availability of seats under the Assistant Professorship or the JRF.

4. Selection for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)

• JRF Eligibility: The applicant must be less than 30 years of age. However, this age limit is relaxed for the reserved categories.
• The JRF is awarded to top-ranking candidates in each subject, which qualifies them for research opportunities in Indian universities or institutes.

5. Selection for Assistant Professorship

• Candidates qualifying for the Assistant Professorship can apply for faculty positions at Indian universities and colleges. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professorship.

6. Validity of UGC NET Certificate

• The Assistant Professor eligibility is valid for a lifetime. However, the JRF eligibility is valid for three years from the date of the declaration of results.

7. Final Merit List

• After the exam, NTA prepares a final merit list based on candidates’ performance in both papers. This list is used to determine who qualifies for JRF and Assistant Professorship.

The UGC NET result is generally available on the official website, and the cut-off list is also released after the final evaluation.

Also Read: UGC NET Cut Off 2025

How to Prepare for the UGC NET Exam 2025?

Preparation for the UGC NET exam needs a systematic, dedicated approach since it is extremely competitive and has an extensive syllabus. Here is a detailed guide to prepare yourself well for Paper 1 (General Aptitude) as well as Paper 2 (Subject-specific):

• Understand the Syllabus – Know precisely what to study for Paper 1 and Paper 2.
• Make a Study Plan – Divide the syllabus into daily and weekly goals.
• Focus on Concepts – Develop a strong concept base; do not learn by rote.
• Solve PYQs – Regularly practice Previous Year Question Papers to understand patterns.
• Attempt Mock Tests – Practice mock tests on a weekly basis to enhance speed and accuracy.
• Revise Regularly – Allot time for weekly and monthly revisions.
• Prepare Notes – Prepare short, crisp notes for quick revision.
• Work on Weak Areas – Discover and improve your weak topics at an early stage.
• Stay Updated – Read current affairs (for Paper 1, particularly higher education and environment units).
• Stay Healthy – Good sleep, healthy diet, and good attitude are a must for steady study.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the UGC NET exam 2025 provides a very good opportunity for candidates seeking careers in academia and research. With its detailed and comprehensive exam structure, it tests both general aptitude and subject-specific expertise. Eligibility criteria, exam pattern and syllabus must first be understood by candidates that wish to crack this exam. By doing constant preparation through strategic study, along with the right guidance provided by platforms such as JRFAdda, a better chance of clearing UGC NET Exams.