The UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025 exam offers a golden opportunity for aspirants who are looking to build a career as a lecturer, researcher, or academic in the field of Social Medicine and Community Health. This exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is a national-level exam to evaluate candidates for the roles of Assistant Professor and for the prestigious Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian colleges and universities. We have provided important information about the UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025 that includes the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and career opportunities.
Also Read: UGC NET Eligibility 2025
What is UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health?
The UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health is a subject-specific paper under the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This national-level exam helps to determine the candidates eligibility for the roles of the Assistant Professor and for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025 exam is designed to evaluate aspirants in-depth understanding of topics including public health, epidemiology, health systems, medical sociology, and preventive medicine. As one of the many specialized subjects offered in the UGC NET, it plays a crucial role in promoting academic and research excellence in the field of community and public health.
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Eligibility Criteria 2025
The UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), determines the eligibility of candidates for the position of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in the field of Social Medicine and Community Health at Indian universities and colleges. To appear for the UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health exam in 2025, candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria in terms of educational qualifications, age restrictions, and other eligibility conditions. The following are the detailed eligibility criteria for UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025:
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Educational Qualification 2025
- Master’s Degree: Applicants must have a postgraduate degree or its equivalent in Social Medicine, Community Health, Public Health, Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM), or any closely related subject from a recognized university or institution approved by the UGC.
- Minimum Marks Requirement for UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health
- General/EWS/OBC-NCL/Third Gender: At least 55% aggregate marks in the qualifying Master’s degree.
- SC/ST/PwD: A minimum of 50% aggregate marks is required.
- Final Year Students: Candidates currently in the final year of their Master’s program are also eligible to apply, provided they secure the required marks before the time of admission or appointment.
UGC NET Age Limit for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- General Category: Aspirants should not be more than 30 years old as of the 1st day of the month in which the examination is conducted.
UGC NET Relaxation
- OBC-NCL: A relaxation of 3 years is granted, and the upper age limit becomes 33 years.
- SC/ST/PwD: A relaxation of 5 years is granted, and the upper age limit becomes 35 years.
- Women Candidates: Women candidates are entitled to a relaxation of 5 years in age for JRF.
Also Read: UGC NET Exam 2025
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Exam Pattern 2025
The UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Exam Pattern 2025 is designed to test candidates subject expertise along with their teaching and research aptitude. Organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam is conducted in two papers—Paper I and Paper II—both exams held in a single session without any break. Understanding the detailed exam structure is crucial for aspirants to plan their preparation effectively and manage time during the exam.
| Paper | Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration | Type of Questions |
| Paper I | General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 | 3 hours (combined) | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Paper II | Social Medicine & Community Health (Subject-Specific) | 100 | 200 | 3 hours (combined) | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Also Read: UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Marking Scheme 2025
The UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025 examination, carried out by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is a standardized marking system for all subjects. Below is a detailed outline:
| Paper | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Marks per Question | Duration | Negative Marking |
| Paper 1 (General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude) | 50 | 100 | 2 | 1 hour | No |
| Paper 2 (Social Medicine & Community Health Subject-Specific Paper) | 100 | 200 | 2 | 2 hours | No |
| Total | 150 | 300 | – | 3 hours | No |
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Minimum Qualifying Marks 2025
To be successfully eligible for the UGC NET Social Medicine & Community exam in 2025, aspirants have to secure the minimum qualifying marks as defined by the National Testing Agency (NTA). These marks remain the same across all subjects.
| Category | Paper I | Paper II | Aggregate (Out of 300) |
| General/Unreserved (UR) | 40% | 40% | 120 marks |
| OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Transgender | 35% | 35% | 105 marks |
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Syllabus 2025
The UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health syllabus 2025 is designed to evaluate the candidates comprehensive understanding of key concepts in public health, preventive medicine, epidemiology, health policy, and social determinants of health. The syllabus has been divided into ten units, each focusing on distinct but interrelated areas of the subject. Each unit is designed to test aspirants both theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in academic and research contexts. Below is a broad outline of the major units covered in the syllabus:
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Syllabus 2025 – Unit-wise
- Paper 1: General Aptitude
- Paper 2: Subject-Specific – Social Medicine & Community Health
| Unit No. | Title | Topics Covered |
| 1 | History and Evolution of Community Health | Development of community medicine in India and globally, key milestones, public health movements, and the evolution of health systems. |
| 2 | Concepts in Social and Preventive Medicine | Basic definitions and principles of health, disease, prevention, and control. Natural history of disease, levels of prevention, and health indicators. |
| 3 | Epidemiology | Epidemiological methods, study designs, outbreak investigation, measurement of disease frequency, screening, and surveillance. |
| 4 | Biostatistics | Basic statistical tools, data collection, analysis and interpretation, probability, sampling methods, hypothesis testing, and statistical tests. |
| 5 | Environmental and Occupational Health | Environmental sanitation, air and water pollution, climate change, waste disposal, occupational hazards, ergonomics, and workplace safety. |
| 6 | Nutrition and Health | Nutritional requirements, assessment of nutritional status, malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, national nutrition programs. |
| 7 | Health Programs and Policies in India | National health programs (e.g., RCH, NRHM, NHM), health policy, planning and implementation, and role of international health agencies. |
| 8 | Maternal and Child Health (MCH) | Indicators of MCH, antenatal/postnatal care, immunization, growth monitoring, child development, adolescent health. |
| 9 | Health Education and Communication | Principles of health education, IEC strategies, behavior change communication (BCC), community participation, and training. |
| 10 | Recent Trends and Issues in Public Health | Universal health coverage, digital health, pandemic preparedness, mental health, health equity, and social determinants of health. |
Also Read: UGC NET Syllabus 2025
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025 Syllabus PDF Download
To download the UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Syllabus 2025 PDF, aspirants can use the official resources made available by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as well as the University Grants Commission (UGC). The syllabus defines the units and topics that will be addressed in Paper 2 of the UGC NET examination for the subject of Social Medicine & Community Health. The link given below is to download the UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Syllabus 2025.
| Subject | Download Link |
| UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health in English Language | Download UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Syllabus 2025 (English) |
| UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health in Hindi Language | Download UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Syllabus 2025 (Hindi) |
Download UGC NET Full Official Syllabus PDF
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Question Paper 2024
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Question Paper 2024 is an important guide for candidates who intend to prepare for future cycles of the National Eligibility Test. The exam was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam evaluates candidates’ in-depth knowledge of key areas such as public health, epidemiology, preventive medicine, biostatistics, and health policy.
| Exam Name | Shift | Paper | Download Link |
| UGC NET June 2024 | Shift 1 | Paper 2 | Download PDF |
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Previous Year Question Papers
Previous year question papers are a necessary resource for all aspirants who are preparing for the UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health exam. These papers provide a practical idea about the pattern of the questions, weightage of the topics, and level of difficulty in the real examination. By practicing past papers regularly, a candidate can better prepare and gain confidence.
| Exam Name | Year | Download PDF |
| UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health | 2023 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health | 2022 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health | 2021 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health | 2020 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health | 2018 | Download Link |
Career Scope After Qualifying UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health
Qualifying for the UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health exam provides a variety of high-profile and rewarding career options in both academic and non-academic positions. The successful candidates become eligible for roles in teaching, research, public health policymaking, project consultancy, and various government and private sector positions. Below is an overview of some of the prominent career paths available to qualified candidates, along with typical salary ranges:
| Career Path | Role/Description | Average Salary (₹/Month) |
| Academics | Assistant Professor in colleges/universities | ₹50,000 – ₹80,000 |
| Lecturer through State PSC (after SET/NET) | ₹40,000 – ₹75,000 | |
| Academic content developer for public health/medical sciences | ₹35,000 – ₹65,000 | |
| Research | Junior Research Fellow (JRF) with stipend + HRA | ₹31,000 (first 2 years), ₹35,000+ |
| Ph.D. admission in Social Medicine, Public Health, or related fields | As per fellowship norms | |
| Project Fellow in public health/medical research projects | ₹25,000 – ₹45,000 | |
| Healthcare & Policy | Public health analyst/consultant in NGOs and government think tanks | ₹40,000 – ₹90,000 |
| Program Officer/Coordinator in national health missions or WHO projects | ₹45,000 – ₹85,000 | |
| Government Services | Health Education Officer, Program Manager, or Epidemiologist (State/Central Govts.) | ₹40,000 – ₹80,000 |
| Health communication expert for ministries and health departments | ₹35,000 – ₹70,000 | |
| Development Sector | Policy Researcher or Monitoring & Evaluation Expert in NGOs and international bodies | ₹40,000 – ₹90,000+ |
| Others | Freelance researcher, consultant, online educator in public health subjects | Variable (₹20,000 – ₹1,00,000+) |
Also Read: UGC NET Cutoff 2025
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Preparation Tips 2025
Passing the UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health examination needs a tactical strategy that combines extensive study of Social Medicine & Community Health, consistent practice, and precision in basic concepts. The following are some tips recommended by experts to prepare yourself for the 2025 examination.
- Know Your Syllabus: Read the official syllabus carefully for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Pay special attention to areas such as public health systems, epidemiology, biostatistics, health education, and social determinants of health, as outlined in the Paper II syllabus. Paper I emphasizes teaching and research aptitude, which is equally important for a strong overall score.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Practice at least 5–10 years of previous year papers. Pay special attention to topics that are most asked and time management.
- Prepare for Paper 1: Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) is also very important. Practice questions on reasoning, comprehension, and teaching methodology.
- Create a Study Plan: Dedicate weekly time to core subjects such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health programs, and environmental health. Regularly incorporate mock tests and previous year papers into your study plan to enhance time management and exam readiness.
- Books to Read: Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine by K. Park, Foundations of Community Medicine by Dhaar & Dhaar, Textbook of Public Health and Community Medicine by AFMC Pune & WHO India, and UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health guidebooks (Trueman’s, Arihant, R. Gupta’s).
- Utilize Online Resources: Watch YouTube classes and join Telegram groups for daily quizzes and notes.
- Remain Consistent: Study 4–6 hours a day, revise regularly, and maintain a positive attitude.
Conclusion
The UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025 exam is a great chance for candidates who wish to become Junior Research Fellows or Assistant Professors in the field of public health and community medicine. Candidates can plan their preparation strategically by knowing the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and career prospects. With focused effort, regular practice, and judicious use of available resources, prospective candidates can easily qualify for this esteemed exam. From making a career in academia, research, and media, UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health provides wide and fulfilling career options.
UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025 FAQs
What are my career prospects upon passing UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health?
Qualifying UGC NET in Social Medicine & Community Health opens up diverse career opportunities in academia, research, public health organizations, government bodies, NGOs, and international development agencies. Key roles include Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Research Associate, Public Health Consultant, and Program Coordinator in health and policy-related fields.
Where can I download UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health previous year question papers?
Previous year question papers can be downloaded from the official NTA or UGC website or different educational websites offering resources for NET preparation.
Is there negative marking in the UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025 exam?
No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
What is the eligibility criteria for UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health 2025?
To apply for UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health, candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Social Medicine, Community Health, or a related field with at least 55% marks for General/EWS/OBC-NCL categories and 50% marks for SC/ST/PwD candidates. Final-year postgraduate students are also eligible to apply provisionally.
