UGC NET Commerce 2025 provides a golden opportunity for postgraduates and graduates in commerce to pursue a career in teaching or research at the university level. National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts this competitive examination, which decides upon eligibility for Assistant Professorship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in the Commerce subject. Since the June 2025 session is near, it’s important for aspirants to be well-versed with the eligibility criteria, revised examination pattern, marking scheme, unit-wise syllabus, and good preparation tips to score good marks in the exam.
Also Read: UGC NET Application Form 2025
What is UGC NET Commerce?
UGC NET Commerce is one of the Paper 2 subjects of the UGC NET exam. UGC NET Commerce 2025 is a highly competitive national-level examination organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for postgraduate students seeking to qualify for Assistant Professor posts or obtain the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Commerce. The exam is meant for postgraduate students who want to pursue a career in academia, research, and higher education in commerce-related subjects. The exam tests a broad range of subjects such as Business Environment, Accounting, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing, and International Business, among many others. The candidates who clear JRF can undertake research in their subject of choice with funding support from UGC, while the candidates who get shortlisted for Assistant Professorship can apply for college and university teaching jobs in India. UGC NET Commerce is one of the most popular papers among UGC NET candidates and requires good subject matter knowledge, regular preparation, and planned practice.
Also Read: UGC NET Eligibility 2025
UGC NET Commerce Eligibility Criteria 2025
To appear for the UGC NET Commerce 2025 exam, candidates should fulfill the following eligibility criteria as mandated by the National Testing Agency (NTA):
UGC NET Commerce Educational Qualification
- The candidates should hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Commerce, Accounting, Business Services, or Management from a recognized university.
- They should have obtained a minimum of 55% marks (without rounding off) in the case of General/Unreserved/General-EWO category.
- In the case of OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Third gender categories, relaxation by 5% is provided i.e., minimum 50% marks needed.
Final Year Students
- Aspirants appearing in their last year of Master’s or waiting for their results are also eligible to apply.
- But those applicants are required to finish their qualification within two years of the date of the NET result, otherwise, their eligibility will be revoked.
UGC NET Commerce Age Limit 2025
- For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Not exceeding 30 years as of June 1, 2025.
- Relaxation of 5 years is provided to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and female candidates.
- For the post of Assistant Professor: No maximum age limit.
Also Read: UGC NET Exam 2025
UGC NET Commerce Exam Pattern 2025
The UGC NET 2025 Commerce exam will be carried out in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and comprise two papers — both conducted in one session without a break. The exam is planned to test both general aptitude and knowledge in the subject.
Paper | Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Type of Questions |
Paper 1 | Teaching & Research Aptitude (General) | 50 | 100 | 1 hour | Objective (MCQs) |
Paper 2 | Commerce (Subject-Specific) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | Objective (MCQs) |
Also Read: UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
UGC NET Commerce Marking Scheme 2025
Knowledge of the marking scheme is crucial for all the aspirants sitting for UGC NET Commerce 2025. The examination has a simple and transparent assessment process, and this makes it easy for the applicants to strategize their answer methodically.
Paper | Total Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
Paper 1 | 50 | 2 | 100 | No |
Paper 2 | 100 | 2 | 200 | No |
Total | 150 | 300 | No Negative Marking |
UGC NET Commerce Minimum Qualifying Marks 2025
To qualify the UGC NET Commerce 2025 exam, applicants need to achieve minimum qualifying marks in Paper 1 and Paper 2 together. The cutoff is different according to the category of the applicant. These are minimum eligibility marks and not actual cutoff for JRF or Assistant Professor. The final selection is based on aggregate performance and merit ranking.
Category | Minimum Marks (Paper 1 + Paper 2) | Percentage |
General (Unreserved) | 120 out of 300 | 40% |
OBC-NCL / EWS | 105 out of 300 | 35% |
SC / ST / PwD | 105 out of 300 | 35% |
UGC NET Commerce June 2025 | UGC NET Commerce Important Units by Ayushi Mam
UGC NET Commerce Syllabus 2025
The UGC NET Commerce Syllabus 2025 is designed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for evaluating the overall awareness of candidates in several aspects of commerce. It consists of two papers –
Paper 1: General Aptitude
Paper 2: Subject-Specific – Commerce
UGC NET Commerce Paper 2 Unit-wise Topics
The UGC NET Commerce Paper 2 is completely subject-based and tests the candidate’s proficiency in different fields of commerce. It comprises 10 broad units, each having crucial topics that represent the fundamental areas of commerce. Given below is unit-wise division with concise descriptions to make it easier for candidates to have a clear understanding of the syllabus:
Unit No. | Unit Name | Topics Covered |
Unit 1 | Business Environment and International Business | Economic, Political, Legal, and Socio-Cultural Environment |
Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization (LPG) | ||
WTO | ||
FDI | ||
International Trade Theories | ||
Trade Agreements and Regional Blocks (SAARC, EU, NAFTA) | ||
Unit 2 | Accounting and Auditing | Accounting Principles and Standards (Ind AS & IFRS) |
Financial Statement Analysis | ||
Budgetary Control, Marginal Costing | ||
Audit Process and Report | ||
Auditor’s Duties and Liabilities | ||
Unit 3 | Business Economics | Demand and Supply Analysis |
Elasticity, Cost and Revenue Concepts | ||
Market Structures (Perfect Competition, Monopoly, Oligopoly) | ||
Pricing Strategies | ||
National Income and Fiscal Policy | ||
Unit 4 | Business Finance | Time Value of Money |
Capital Structure and Leverage | ||
Cost of Capital, Risk and Return | ||
Dividend Policy | ||
Portfolio Management and Capital Budgeting | ||
Unit 5 | Business Statistics and Research Methods | Descriptive and Inferential Statistics |
Probability Theory and Distributions | ||
Correlation and Regression Analysis | ||
Hypothesis Testing | ||
Sampling Techniques and Research Design | ||
Unit 6 | Business Management and HR Management | Principles and Functions of Management |
Motivation and Leadership Theories | ||
Strategic and Operations Management | ||
Human Resource Planning, Recruitment, Training | ||
Performance Appraisal and Compensation Management | ||
Unit 7 | Banking and Financial Institutions | RBI and its Functions |
Commercial and Development Banks | ||
NBFCs and Microfinance Institutions | ||
Monetary Policy and Financial Markets | ||
Basel Norms, Financial Inclusion | ||
Unit 8 | Marketing Management | Marketing Mix (4Ps) |
Market Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning (STP) | ||
Product Life Cycle, Branding, Pricing Strategies | ||
Consumer Behaviour and Market Research | ||
Digital and Green Marketing | ||
Unit 9 | Legal Aspects of Business | Indian Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act |
Companies Act 2013 | ||
Consumer Protection Act | ||
Competition Act | ||
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) | ||
Unit 10 | Income-tax and Corporate Tax Planning | Basics of Income Tax Act |
Residential Status and Tax Incidence | ||
Heads of Income and Deductions | ||
Tax Planning vs. Tax Evasion | ||
Corporate Tax Planning and Assessment |
Also Read: UGC NET Syllabus 2025
UGC NET Commerce 2025 Syllabus PDF Download
UGC NET Commerce 2025 syllabus is organized in two papers: Paper 1 (General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude) and Paper 2 (Subject-Specific – Commerce). This elaborate syllabus aims to test the ability of candidates in general aptitude as well as specialized knowledge in commerce.
Language | Download Link |
English | |
हिंदी (Hindi) |
Download UGC NET Full Official Syllabus PDF
UGC NET Commerce Preparation Tips 2025
Here are some comprehensive UGC NET Commerce Preparation Tips for 2025 to prepare well for Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) as well as Paper 2 (Commerce):
Understand the Exam Structure
- Paper 1: General Paper (Teaching & Research Aptitude – 50 Questions, 100 Marks)
- Paper 2: Commerce (Subject-specific – 100 Questions, 200 Marks)
Practice with Previous Year Papers
- Practice at least 5 years’ PYQs.
- Study patterns, common questions, and time taken per question.
- Aids in learning MCQ solving methods.
Mock Tests & Time Management
- Practice full-length mock tests once a week.
- Assess accuracy & speed.
- Practice using OMR sheets or online test series to mimic real exam experience.
Make Crisp Notes & Revision Sheets
- Create short notes of formulas, concepts & case studies.
- Revisit them once a week. Have a “Last 7-Day Revision Plan” ready.
Plan a Smart Study Schedule
- Break units into weekly.
- Alternate Paper 1 & Paper 2 daily.
- Schedule 3–4 intense hours per day, scaling up to 5–6 near the exam.
Concentrate on Conceptual Knowledge
- Avoid memorization—know reasons for accounting entries, economic concepts, finance equations, etc.
- Refer to YouTube, coaching classes, or NTA’s SWAYAM material for tough topics.
UGC NET Commerce Question Paper 2024
The UGC NET Commerce Question Paper 2024 will be in the same format as before, comprising two papers:
- Paper 1: General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude
- Paper 2: Subject-Specific Paper in Commerce
The question paper will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT), and it will be designed to test the candidate’s knowledge, understanding, and analytical skills.
Exam Name | Shift | Paper | Download Link |
UGC NET June 2024 | Shift 1 | Paper 2 | |
UGC NET June 2024 | Shift 2 | Paper 2 |
UGC NET Commerce Previous Year Question Papers
Solving previous year question papers is one of the best ways to prepare for the UGC NET Commerce exam. These question papers will provide you with a clear idea of the exam pattern, the nature of questions asked, and the time management required.
Exam Name | Year | Download PDF |
UGC NET Commerce | 2023 | |
UGC NET Commerce | 2022 | |
UGC NET Commerce | 2021 | |
UGC NET Commerce | 2020 | |
UGC NET Commerce | 2018 |
Career Scope After Qualifying UGC NET Commerce
Once you qualify the UGC NET Commerce exam, there are a variety of career opportunities available in both academic and non-academic fields. Let’s have a look at the career scope that you can opt for:
Academic Career
- Universities/College Assistant Professor.
- Research Fellow with Ph.D. option (JRF).
Corporate Sector
- Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, and Corporate Trainer.
- Job opportunities in banks, investment companies, and MNCs.
Government Jobs
- Civil Services (IAS, IPS), Banking (PO/Clerk), and government research roles.
Entrepreneurship
- Establish your own coaching institute or business consultancy.
Freelancing
- Content writing, online teaching, and consulting.
Conclusion
UGC NET Commerce 2025 provides a bright career prospect for postgraduate commerce students to be appointed as Assistant Professors or Research Fellows (JRF) in prestigious Indian educational institutions. Due to its wide syllabus, covering key subjects like Business Environment, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, and Legal Aspects, this exam offers an in-depth assessment of the candidates’ area of subject knowledge and general teaching ability. By understanding the exam pattern and marking scheme and following preparation strategies, candidates can utilize their chances of success to the fullest.
UGC NET Commerce 2025 FAQs
For JRF, the age limit should not be more than 30 years as of June 1, 2025. There is no age limit for candidates who are applying for the post of Assistant Professor.
No, there is no negative marking in the UGC NET Commerce exam.
You may download the UGC NET Commerce 2025 syllabus in Hindi and English from the official NTA UGC NET website or through the download links provided in educational websites.
Prepare by knowing the exam pattern, solving previous year question papers, giving mock tests, and conceptual learning. Time management and daily revision are the secrets to success in the exam.
Previous year question papers can be downloaded from the official website of NTA, coaching institutes, and online learning websites. Links to these papers are usually given by study websites and forums too.