The UGC NET Santali 2025 exam provides a remarkable opportunity for aspirants passionate about Santali literature, tribal studies, and linguistic preservation. Organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA), this exam qualifies candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor roles in Indian universities and colleges. As academic recognition of tribal languages like Santali increases, qualifying UGC NET Santali can pave the way for impactful careers in research, academia, and cultural preservation.
This article offers complete information on the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam, including eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, career opportunities, and an in-depth exam analysis of June 26, 2025 (Shift 2).
Also Read: UGC NET Exam Date 2025
Also Read: UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
Download UGC NET Full Official Syllabus PDF
Also Read: UGC NET Previous Question Papers, Last 5 Years
Also Read: UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers PDF
What is UGC NET Santali 2025?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET Santali 2025 national exam to assess applicants’ eligibility for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) positions in the field of Santali. The test is intended especially for applicants who completed or are pursuing a postgraduate degree in Santali language and literature, and it is a part of the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (UGC NET). Also Read: UGC NET Exam 2025UGC NET Santali 2025 Exam Analysis – June 26 (Shift 2)
The UGC NET Santali 2025 exam, conducted on June 26 during Shift 2, was generally rated as moderate to difficult based on student feedback. Many candidates noted that Paper I posed particular challenges, especially in the Data Interpretation (DI) section, which several students found to be difficult and time-consuming. The Teaching and Research Aptitude portion was of a moderate level, while Logical Reasoning questions were standard in difficulty. On the other hand, the Reading Comprehension section was considered relatively easier and more approachable. As for Paper II (Santali), students reported that it covered a wide spectrum of topics, including Santali literature, oral traditions, and grammar. There was a noticeable emphasis on translation theories, cultural and tribal elements, and literary history. The paper featured a balanced mix of factual and conceptual questions, testing both memory-based knowledge and critical understanding. Additionally, a few questions were highly text-specific, demanding detailed familiarity with key works and authors in Santali literature. Overall, while Paper II was perceived as manageable by well-prepared candidates, the tricky nature of Paper I made the overall exam experience moderately challenging.UGC NET Santali Eligibility Criteria 2025
Candidates must meet specific age and academic requirements set by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in order to sit for the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam. These ensure that only eligible candidates with suitable educational backgrounds take the exam. Below is a detailed overview of the eligibility requirements:UGC NET Educational Qualification 2025
- Applicants must have earned a Master’s degree (or its equivalent) in Santali or a closely related field from an accredited university, or be in their final year of study.
- At least 55% of the possible points (General/Unreserved/General-EWS) must have been earned by them.
- 50% (OCC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and third gender)
- As long as they complete their degree with the required scores in the allotted time, students studying in the last semester of their Master’s program in 2025 are also eligible.
UGC NET Age Limit 2025
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) age limit is:- 30 years old as of the first day of the exam month, which is typically June 2025, is the maximum age.
- No upper age limit
UGC NET Age Relaxation 2025
- Five years for women, PwD, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and SC candidates.
- Candidates with research experience or those with an LLM degree have three years.
UGC NET Santali Exam Pattern 2025
Understanding the exam’s structure is essential for strategic preparation. The National Testing Agency administers the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam in the form of a Computer-Based Test (CBT), which is intended to evaluate an applicant’s ability for general teaching and research (Paper I) as well as in-depth subject knowledge in Santali (Paper II).| Paper | Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| I | General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 | 1 hour |
| II | Santali (Subject Specific) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Total | 150 | 300 | 3 hours |
UGC NET Santali Marking Scheme 2025
The National Testing Agency created a standardized marking scheme for the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam. Paper I, which assesses general teaching and research skills, and Paper II, which is subject-specific (i.e., Santali), complete the exam. All subjects, including Santali, use the same marking system.| Component | Details |
| Total Questions | 150 (50 in Paper I + 100 in Paper II) |
| Total Marks | 300 (100 for Paper I + 200 for Paper II) |
| Marks per Question | 2 marks |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
| Type of Questions | Objective type (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | +2 for every correct answer; 0 for unattempted or incorrect answers |
UGC NET Santali Minimum Qualifying Marks 2025
Candidates must receive the minimum aggregate scores in both Paper I and Paper II as determined by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in order to be eligible to take the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam. These qualifying marks are essential for eligibility for the roles of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks (%) | Minimum Marks (Out of 300) |
| General / Unreserved (UR) | 40% | 120 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | 35% | 105 |
UGC NET Santali Syllabus 2025
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the UGC NET Santali Syllabus 2025 for the June 2025 exam cycle. The most recent syllabus and exam format must be fully understood by candidates preparing for the UGC NET in Santali (Subject Code: 95). While Paper I assesses general teaching and research skills, Paper II syllabus is solely focused on Santali literature, linguistics, cultural heritage, and tribal literature. Also Read: UGC NET Syllabus 2025UGC NET Santali Syllabus 2025 Unit Wise
The syllabus, which is divided into ten separate units, covers a range of topics related to the Santali language, such as its literary genres, historical development, linguistic characteristics, and cultural contexts.| Unit No. | Title | Key Topics Covered |
| I | History of Santali Language | Origin, development, classification, dialects, phonology, morphology, syntax |
| II | History of Santali Literature | Oral traditions, evolution of genres, missionary contributions, modern literary trends |
| III | Literary Criticism and Theory | Indian & Western criticism, Rasa, Dhvani, Structuralism, Feminism, Post-Colonialism |
| IV | Poetry | Ancient to modern poetry, major poets, trends, themes, styles |
| V | Drama | Traditional & modern drama, elements, major dramatists and plays |
| VI | Fiction | Novels and short stories, narrative techniques, themes, character development |
| VII | Prose and Essays | Non-fiction prose, essays, autobiographies, memoirs, stylistic aspects |
| VIII | Translation | Theory and practice of translation, major translated works, cultural exchange |
| IX | Culture and Folklore | Santali festivals, customs, folklore genres (myths, tales, proverbs), socio-cultural values |
| X | Language, Script, and Grammar | Grammar rules, sentence structure, script evolution, orthographic reforms |
UGC NET Santali 2025 Syllabus PDF Download
The official syllabus is available to candidates preparing for the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam so they can efficiently organize their study schedule. The detailed topics covered in both Paper I and Paper II are outlined in the syllabus, which is available in PDF format to download from the below link| Language | Download Link |
| Santali (Hindi) | यूजीसी नेट संताली सिलेबस 2025 डाउनलोड करें |
UGC NET Santali Question Paper 2024
The National Testing Agency (NTA) held two sessions for the UGC NET Santali 2024 exam: June 2024 and December 2024. Candidates who want to improve their preparation for the upcoming UGC NET Santali 2025 exam by understanding the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level must have access to these question papers.| Exam Name | Shift | Paper | Download PDF |
| UGC NET June 2024 | Shift 2 | Paper 2 | Download Link |
UGC NET Santali Previous Year Question Papers
To prepare for the UGC NET Santali 2025 exam, one must have a solid understanding of the subject matter, question types, and exam format. Getting previous year questions is a good way to improve your preparation. These papers help identify key subjects and offer insights into the structure of the exam.| Exam Name | Year | Download PDF |
| UGC NET Santali | 2023 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Santali | 2022 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Santali | 2021 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Santali | 2020 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Santali | 2018 | Download Link |
Career Scope After Qualifying UGC NET Santali
For candidates with a background in the Santali language and literature, passing the UGC NET Santali exam opens up a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. This certification opens doors to a variety of jobs that support the growth and preservation of indigenous languages in addition to teaching and research roles.Assistant Professor in Colleges and Universities
- You can apply for the position of Assistant Professor in Santali at Indian universities and colleges if you have a UGC NET qualification.
- For permanent faculty positions, NET-qualified applicants are preferred by many state and central universities.
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- UGC provides financial assistance to pursue an M.Phil. or Ph.D. in Santali if you are eligible for JRF.
- Additionally, JRF-eligible scholars receive monthly stipends for two years, with the possibility of extension based on research progress.
Ph.D. Admissions
- Enrollment in a Ph.D. program frequently requires NET qualification.
- Santali linguistics, folklore, tribal studies, oral literature, and language documentation are among the fields in which candidates can conduct doctoral research.
Language Expert / Linguist
- NET-qualified Santali specialists are frequently employed by public and private entities engaged in linguistic research, cultural documentation, or tribal language preservation.
Content Development and Translation
- Opportunities to translate digital content, instructional materials, and official documents into Santali.
- writing content for textbooks, e-learning sites, and tribal language programs.
Teaching Jobs in Schools (TGT/PGT)
- If Santali is included in the curriculum, NET-qualified applicants may also apply for state-level TGT/PGT exams.
- In the tribal belt areas where Santali is taught in schools, there are opportunities.
Commissions and Jobs in the Government
- Language specialists and advisors are hired by a number of state and federal government commissions pertaining to education, languages, and tribal affairs.
Cultural and Nonprofit Organizations
- For language-based projects, NGOs working in tribal welfare, education, and cultural preservation frequently require Santali-speaking specialists.
UGC NET Santali Preparation Tips 2025
Preparing for UGC NET Santali 2025 requires a strategic and disciplined approach, especially because it involves deep understanding of Santali literature, grammar, and tribal cultural contexts. Here are effective preparation tips to help you succeed in both Paper I and Paper II:- Recognize the syllabus and the exam: Recognize the pattern General Paper I and Santali Paper II. The official syllabus, which includes a list of important subjects like literature, grammar, oral traditions, and tribal studies, can be downloaded.
- Create a Study Schedule: Set aside time each day to study for both papers. Set aside one to two hours for mock exams and revision.
- Use High-Quality Study Materials: Consult reputable books, previous research papers, and scholarly materials, ideally in Ol Chiki script.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: To increase speed and accuracy, solve previous five to ten years’ worth of papers and take practice exams.
- Emphasis on Core Areas: Read works by well-known Santali authors to improve your knowledge of grammar, literature, and culture.
- Smart Revision: To help you remember important points, make notes or flashcards and go over them frequently.
- Work on Paper I as well: Develop your ability to reason, teach aptitude, comprehend, and interpret data.
- Stay Motivated: Be consistent. Join study groups or online communities for support.
Conclusion
UGC NET Santali 2025 presents a valuable opportunity for aspirants passionate about Santali language, literature, and tribal cultural heritage to establish a meaningful academic and research career. With increased focus on indigenous studies and language preservation, this exam can lead to prestigious roles such as Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellow, translator, or cultural documentation expert. Success in this exam demands a clear understanding of the syllabus, a disciplined preparation strategy, regular practice with previous year papers, and consistent revision. Whether you aim to teach, research, or contribute to tribal language development, UGC NET Santali is a promising step toward that goal.UGC NET Santali 2025 FAQs
A Master’s degree in Santali or a similar field with at least 55% of the possible points is required of candidates (50 percent for reserved categories). PG students in their final year may also apply.
Yes, the age limit for JRF is 30 years old (with exceptions for reserved categories). Eligibility for Assistant Professor has no upper age limit.
Paper I (General Teaching & Research Aptitude) and Paper II (Santali Subject-Specific) are the two papers. Both are required.
Yes, you are eligible if you are within the age limit and achieve a score higher than the JRF cut-off in the combined exam.
Candidates in the general category must receive an overall score of 40%, while SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates must receive 35% for both papers.
