The UGC NET Geography 2025 exam for the December session has been scheduled to take place on 3 January 2026 in shift 2 by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This exam is a gateway for aspiring academicians, researchers, environmental consultants, urban planners, and policy analysts to secure eligibility for the posts of Assistant Professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.
In this article, we provide a detailed UGC NET Geography Syllabus Paper 1 and Paper 2, exam pattern, eligibility criteria, marks distribution, and career options after UGC NET examination.
Also Read: UGC NET Exam Date 2025
JRFAdda Geography (Paper 2) Test Series for Dec 2025- Enroll Today!
UGC NET Geography 2025 Overview
The UGC NET Geography 2025 is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in a two-paper format: Paper 1 (General) and Paper 1 (Geography). The UGC NET Geography Exam Date 2025 is scheduled on 3 January 2025 in the 2nd shift. Here is a UGC NET Geography 2025 overview:
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UGC NET Geography 2025 |
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| Exam Name | UGC NET December 2025 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Purpose | Assistant Professor & Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) eligibility determination |
| Medium of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Total Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Papers | Paper I (General) & Paper II (Geography) |
| Subject Code for Education | 009 |
| Exam Dates | January 3, 2026 (Shift 2) |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
Also Read: UGC NET December 2025
UGC NET Geography Eligibility Criteria 2025
Candidates must meet certain eligibility requirements established by the National Testing Agency 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.
Also Read: UGC NET Exam 2026
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.
Also Read: UGC NET Admit Card 2025
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 |
JRFAdda Geography (Paper 1 + Paper 2) Test Series for Dec 2025- Enroll Today!
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% |
Also Read: UGC NET Geography Question Paper 2025
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 Syllabus Paper 2 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 UGC NET Geography Syllabus Paper I and Paper 2 help 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 access the UGC NET Geography Syllabus Paper 2 PDF download link given below:
| 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 Previous Year Question Papers
Previous year UGC NET Geography question papers are a useful resource for efficient exam preparation. They can help applicants understand the types of questions that are asked, the topics that are frequently covered, and the general level of difficulty of the exam over time. 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. You can download the UGC NET Geography 2025 PDFs for the previous year’s question papers from the table below:
| Exam Name | Year | Download PDF |
| UGC NET Geography (June) | 2025 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Geography | 2024 | Download Link |
| 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 2025
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 the UGC NET Geography 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 JRFAdda’s UGC NET Geography Book 2025 notes.
- 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
JRFAdda Complete Revision Capsule Course Paper 1- Join Now!
Conclusion
The UGC NET Geography 2025 exam for the December session will be conducted by NTA, and the UGC NET Geography Exam Date 2025 is January 3, 2026 in shift 2 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. With dedicated preparation, previous year question papers, and standard resources, aspirants can aim for success in upcoming cycles. Whether pursuing academia or roles in geospatial technologies, environmental planning, or policy research, qualifying UGC NET Geography opens many rewarding career paths.
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.
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.
