The UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam has been successfully conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 25, 2025 (Shift 2) in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Thousands of aspirants appeared for this national-level eligibility test, aiming to qualify for Assistant Professorship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Philosophy.
Based on student feedback and expert reviews, this article presents a detailed analysis of the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam, covering Paper I (General Aptitude) and Paper II (Philosophy). The analysis includes difficulty levels, key topics asked, and useful insights for future aspirants.
What is UGC NET Philosophy?
UGC NET Philosophy subject included in the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (NET) for lectureship and research. The UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam evaluates a candidate’s in-depth knowledge of philosophical concepts, history of philosophy, logic, Indian and Western philosophy, contemporary issues, and all other important topics. Candidates who pass the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam can apply for positions in universities, colleges, and research institutions across India.
UGC NET Philosophy 2025 Exam Analysis
The UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam, held in Shift 2 on June 25, featured a moderately difficult Paper I and a moderately difficult to tough Paper II. In Paper I (General Aptitude), students reported a conceptual paper with key topics such as fallacies, square of opposition, domain name system, number system, data interpretation, teaching and research aptitude, communication models, and environmental awareness. No pop culture or Bollywood-based questions were asked this time. Most candidates could attempt 40–45 questions confidently. Paper II (Philosophy) tested in-depth understanding across classical Indian and Western philosophy, modern thinkers, logic, ethics, and contemporary trends.
UGC NET Philosophy Eligibility Criteria 2025
Candidates appearing for the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam must meet certain academic and age-related criteria. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the UGC NET Philosophy Eligibility Criteria 2025 requirements:
UGC NET Philosophy Educational Qualification 2025
- Candidates must have a Master’s degree or equivalent in Philosophy or a related subject from a recognized university.
UGC NET Philosophy Minimum Marks
- General/Unreserved/EWS category candidates have to secure at least 55% aggregate marks in their post-graduation.
- OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates have to secure at least 50% aggregate marks.
UGC NET Philosophy Appearing Candidates
- Candidates who are currently in the final year of their Master’s degree or whose results are awaited can also apply for UGC NET Philosophy 2025.
- Such candidates will be provisionally admitted, and they must complete their Master’s degree with the required percentage of marks within two years from the date of the UGC NET result 2025. In case they fail to meet the minimum eligibility marks after the result declaration, their candidature will be cancelled.
Read More: UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025
UGC NET Philosophy Exam Pattern 2025
The UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam is going to be conducted in online mode (CBT) and consists of two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Both papers will conduct on the same day in a single session. Below we have mentioned the detailed UGC NET Philosophy Exam Pattern 2025:
| Paper | Number of Questions | Marks | Types of Questions | Time Duration |
| UGC NET Paper I – General Aptitude | 50 | 100 | Multiple Choice Questions | 1 hour |
| UGC NET Paper-II – Subject Specific Philosophy | 100 | 200 | Multiple Choice Questions | 2 hours |
Read More: UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
UGC NET Philosophy Marking Scheme 2025
The UGC NET Philosophy Exam 2025 has two papers conducted continuously without any break. Aspiring candidates who are preparing for the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam must have a thorough understanding of the marking scheme for both Paper I and Paper II.
The UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam has objective-type multiple-choice questions, and the total duration will be 3 hours. Understanding the marking system is crucial for candidates’ preparation.
- Correct Answer: 2 marks is for each correct answer
- Incorrect Answer: No negative marking applied for incorrect answer
This UGC NET Philosophy 2025 Marking Scheme encourage appearing candidates to attempt all questions to maximize their score.
UGC NET Philosophy Minimum Qualifying Marks 2025
Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks to qualify for the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA). These UGC NET Qualifying Marks 2025 will vary according to the category of the candidate and are applicable for the aggregate score of both Paper I and Paper II combined. Getting the minimum qualifying marks does not guarantee candidate selection. The final selection for Assistant Professor or JRF will be according to the cut-off marks and availability of slots.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks (%) | Minimum Marks (Out of 300) |
| General/Unreserved (UR) | 40% | 120 |
| OBC | 35% | 105 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | 35% | 105 |
UGC NET Philosophy Syllabus 2025 Paper 2
The UGC NET Philosophy Paper 2 Syllabus 2025 is designed to evaluate candidates’ in-depth knowledge of the subject. The UGC NET 2025 Syllabus includes topics from Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, and Contemporary Philosophical Issues.
Unit-Wise UGC NET Philosophy Syllabus for Paper 2
| Unit | Topics |
| Unit I: Classical Indian Philosophy |
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| Unit II: Modern Indian Thinkers |
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| Unit III: Classical Western Philosophy |
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| Unit IV: Modern Western Philosophy |
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| Unit V: Ethics |
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| Unit VI: Social and Political Philosophy |
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| Unit VII: Logic |
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| Unit VIII: Contemporary Issues and Philosophical Trends |
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Read More: UGC NET Syllabus 2025
UGC NET Philosophy Syllabus 2025 Download
The UGC NET Philosophy Syllabus 2025 is a direct download link available below in both Hindi and English to help candidates prepare effectively. The UGC NET 2025 syllabus includes unit-wise topics, covering all important areas of Indian and Western Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, and Contemporary Thought. Candidates preparing for the exam can easily download the UGC NET Philosophy Syllabus 2025 PDFs from the direct links mentioned below and begin their preparation with all important topics in a structured format.
| Language | Download Direct Link |
| English | Download Link |
| Hindi | Download Link |
UGC NET Philosophy Preparation Tips 2025
Candidates who are preparing for the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam must have a strategic approach, deep conceptual clarity, and consistent revision to succeed in the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam. Below we have mentioned the comprehensive list of preparation tips to help candidates crack both Paper I and Paper II:
- Candidates must understand the syllabus thoroughly by downloading and carefully analyzing the unit-wise syllabus.
- Candidates should make a checklist of all the important topics in Indian and Western Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, and Contemporary Issues and prioritize topics based on their comfort level and their weight in previous years’ papers.
- Create a study plan by dividing their time between Paper I (General Aptitude) and Paper II (Philosophy).
- Candidates should allocate 2–3 hours daily for Paper II preparation and use a weekly schedule to cover units systematically, and candidates should also include time for revision and mock tests.
- Candidates should refer to standard books for conceptual clarity, such as
- A Critical History of Western Philosophy by Y. Masih
- Indian Philosophy by S. Radhakrishnan
- An Introduction to Indian Philosophy by Dutta & Chatterjee
- Ethics by William Lillie
- Symbolic Logic by Irving Copi
- Candidates should solve at least 5–10 previous year question papers. This will help them to understand the exam pattern, question type, and difficulty level.
- Candidates should analyze their performance after each paper to identify weak areas.
- Should attempt full-length mock tests regularly to improve speed and accuracy by using online platforms or coaching apps that offer UGC NET Philosophy-specific mocks.
- Make notes for revision for each unit, highlighting key concepts and philosophers, including important terms, definitions, and contrasting viewpoints, using flowcharts or concept maps for better retention.
- Should stay updated on any changes in the syllabus or exam dates through the official NTA website.
Read More: UGC NET Preparation Tips
UGC NET Philosophy Career Opportunities
Candidates who clear the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam will have a wide range of academic and professional career opportunities with a background in philosophical studies. Aspirants who want to become a professor or researcher or want to pursue roles in public services and ethical consultancy, this UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam is a stepping stone to many prestigious options.
- Assistant Professor/Lecturer: After qualifying for the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam, one of the most desired opportunities is becoming an Assistant Professor in colleges and universities across India. Candidates can apply for teaching positions in both public and private institutions under UGC guidelines.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Aspirants who qualify for JRF are also eligible to pursue Ph.D. or M.Phil. with monthly stipends. This opportunity is ideal for candidates who aim for a research-focused career in Philosophy, exploring subjects such as Metaphysics, Ethics, Logic, or Indian and Western Philosophical Traditions.
- Pursue a Ph.D. in Philosophy: Candidates after qualifying for the UGC NET Philosophy exam opt for a Ph.D. in Philosophy. This enhances their academic credentials and opens up great opportunities in research, curriculum development, and academic publishing.
- Think Tanks and Research Institutes Jobs: Philosophy graduates are also in demand in think tanks, policy-making bodies, and social research organizations. Candidates’ critical thinking and analytical skills can contribute to ethical frameworks, public policies, and philosophical analysis of contemporary issues.
- Government and Public Sector Jobs: Qualified UGC NET candidates can also apply for roles in Civil Services (e.g., UPSC, State PSCs), Educational Departments and Public Sector Enterprises that require thinkers with ethical, analytical, and decision-making skills.
UGC NET Philosophy Question Paper 2024
The UGC NET Philosophy examination evaluates candidates’ understanding of philosophical concepts, theories, and their capabilities to apply this knowledge. The UGC NET Philosophy exam is divided into two papers:
- Paper I: General Teaching and Research Aptitude (common for all subjects)
- Paper II: Subject-specific questions in Philosophy
| Exam | Shift | Download PDF |
| UGC NET Philosophy 2024 Exam | Shift 1 | Download Link |
UGC NET Philosophy PYQs
Practicing UGC NET Philosophy Previous Year Questions (PYQs) is important for candidates to understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and important topics. The UGC NET previous year question papers provide valuable insights about the exam trends. Aspirants can analyze these question papers to strengthen their preparation strategy and improve time management. Download the official question papers from below mentioned direct link for focused practice.
| Exam Name | Year | Exam Date | Download PDF |
| UGC NET Philosophy | 2023 | 08/12/2023 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Philosophy | 2022 | 14/10/2022 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Philosophy | 2022 | 24/02/2023 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Philosophy | 2021 | 20/11/2021 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Philosophy | 2021 | 28/11/2021 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Philosophy | 2020 | 25/09/2020 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Philosophy | 2018 | 20/12//2018 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Philosophy | 2018 | 20/12/2018 | Download Link |
Conclusion
The UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam was well-balanced, moderately difficult, and tested deep conceptual understanding in core philosophical domains. With no negative marking, students had the flexibility to attempt all questions. Those who prepared consistently, revised standard texts, and practiced logical reasoning were likely to perform well.
For upcoming attempts, aspirants are encouraged to adopt a strategic and syllabus-focused study plan, use quality reference books, and stay updated on exam notifications through official channels.
UGC NET Philosophy 2025 FAQs
What is the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam?
The UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam is a national-level exam conducted by NTA for evaluating candidates eligibility for Assistant Professorship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Philosophy at Indian universities and colleges.
Who can apply for the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam?
Candidates who have a Master’s degree in Philosophy or a related subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender). Also, final-year postgraduates are eligible.
How many papers are there in the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam?
The UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam consists of two papers: Paper I: General Aptitude (common for all subjects) and Paper II: Subject-specific (Philosophy).
Will there be any negative marking in the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam?
No, there will be no negative marking for any incorrect answer.
Where can I download the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam syllabus?
Interested candidates can download the UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam syllabus from the official website or the above-mentioned direct link. The UGC NET Philosophy 2025 exam syllabus is available in both English and Hindi language.
