UGC NET Social Work Syllabus 2026 is the official syllabus prescribed for candidates preparing for the UGC NET December 2026 examination. The syllabus is designed to assess candidates’ knowledge of Social Work along with their teaching, research, reasoning and analytical abilities. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET examination for determining eligibility for Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), and PhD admission, as applicable.
UGC NET Social Work is divided into Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is common to all subjects and covers teaching and research aptitude, comprehension, communication, reasoning, data interpretation, ICT, environment and higher education. Paper 2 is subject-specific and covers Social Work concepts, theories, methods, research, social welfare administration, social policy, human rights, social legislation and specialized areas of Social Work practice.
For candidates preparing for the UGC NET December 2026 cycle, understanding the complete UGC NET Social Work syllabus is important because it helps in organizing study material, identifying important topics, revising systematically and practising previous-year questions.
UGC NET Social Work Syllabus 2026 Overview
The UGC NET Social Work examination consists of two papers conducted in a single session. Paper 1 contains 50 questions for 100 marks, while Paper 2 contains 100 questions for 200 marks. Therefore, candidates have to attempt 150 questions carrying a total of 300 marks within three hours.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | UGC NET Social Work |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Subject Code | 10 |
| Papers | Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Duration | 3Hours |
| Paper 1 | 50 Questions (100 Marks) |
| Paper 1 | 100 Questions (200 Marks) |
| Negative Marking | No |
UGC NET Social Work Exam Pattern 2026
The UGC NET Social Work Exam Pattern 2026 consists of two papers. Both papers are conducted in a single three-hour session without any separate break between them. Paper 1 evaluates general teaching and research aptitude, while Paper 2 evaluates candidates’ subject-specific knowledge of Social WorK
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| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks |
| Paper 1 | Teaching & Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Social Work | 100 | 200 |
| Total | Both Papers | 150 | 300 |
UGC NET Social Work Syllabus Paper 1 2026
UGC NET Social Work Syllabus Paper 1 is a syllabus that is followed by all the candidates in every subject, which aims to test their capabilities for teaching, research, and analysis. This paper comprises of ten units such as Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Reading Comprehension, Communication, Reasoning, Data Interpretation, ICT, People and Environment, and Higher Education System. Understanding these units will help the candidates in enhancing their performance in the UGC NET examination.
| Unit | Topics |
| Unit I | Teaching Aptitude |
| Unit II | Research Aptitude |
| Unit III | Reading Comprehension |
| Unit IV | Communication |
| Unit V | Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude |
| Unit VI | Logical Reasoning |
| Unit VII | Data Interpretation |
| Unit VIII | Information and Communication Technology (ICT) |
| Unit IX | People, Development and Environment |
| Unit X | Higher Education System |
UGC NET Social Work Syllabus Paper 2 2026
UGC NET Social Work Syllabus Paper 2 evaluates subject-specific knowledge in Social Work. It covers theoretical concepts, professional practice, research methodology, administration, welfare policies, legislation, and specialized practice areas.
| Unit | Key Topics |
| Unit 1
Nature & Development of Social Work |
Definition, principles, ethics, history, reformers, ideologies |
| Unit 2
Society, Human Behaviour & Communities |
Social institutions, socialization, development theories, community structure |
| Unit 3
Social Work with Individuals & Groups |
Case work, interviewing, recording, group dynamics, leadership |
| Unit 4
Communities & Social Action |
Community organization, participation, social action, NGOs, movements |
| Unit 5
Research in Social Work |
Quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, sampling, statistics, ethics |
| Unit 6
Social Welfare Administration |
Administration, NGO management, planning, budgeting, evaluation |
| Unit 7
Social Policy & Development |
Social policy, planning, welfare state, development models |
| Unit 8
Constitution & Human Rights |
Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, social justice, advocacy |
| Unit 9
Areas of Practice I |
Medical social work, psychiatric social work, mental health, ageing, women & child welfare |
| Unit 10
Areas of Practice II |
Family welfare, social defence, juvenile justice, rehabilitation, child protection laws |
UGC NET Social Work Syllabus PDF Hindi and English
The UGC NET Social Work Syllabus PDF can be downloaded from the official website of NTA UGC NET. It is highly recommended that the candidates download the updated PDF since their preparation will be done based on the updated syllabus. The PDF consists of the list of units, sub-units, and the entire syllabus for paper 2 in both English and Hindi languages.
Download the UGC NET Social Work Syllabus PDF.
| UGC NET Social Work Syllabus | Download PDF |
| UGC NET Social Work Syllabus in English | Click Here |
| UGC NET Social Work Syllabus in Hindi | Click Here |
Preparation Tips for UGC NET Social Work Syllabus 2026
Candidates can improve their preparation by following these strategies:
- Complete the entire syllabus before starting revision.
- Focus on conceptual clarity instead of rote learning.
- Give extra attention to Research Methodology and Social Work Methods.
- Revise Social Legislations and Human Rights regularly.
- Solve previous years’ question papers.
- Attempt mock tests weekly.
- Prepare concise notes for every unit.
- Revise theories and models frequently.
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Conclusion
The UGC NET Social Work Syllabus 2026 for the December cycle provides a structured framework for candidates preparing for Assistant Professor, JRF and other applicable UGC NET outcomes. Paper 1 covers teaching and research aptitude along with reasoning, communication, ICT, data interpretation and other general topics, while Paper 2 focuses on the core areas of Social Work.
Candidates should complete all ten units of Paper 2, strengthen their understanding of Social Work methods and research, revise social policy and human rights, and regularly practise previous-year questions and mock tests. Following the syllabus systematically can help candidates build conceptual clarity and prepare effectively for the UGC NET December 2026 examination.
UGC NET Social Work Syllabus 2026 FAQs
The UGC NET Social Work syllabus consists of Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 contains ten common units related to teaching, research, reasoning, communication, ICT, data interpretation, environment and higher education. Paper 2 contains ten Social Work units covering theory, methods, research, administration, policy, human rights, legislation and specialized practice.
There are 10 units in UGC NET Social Work Paper 2. These cover the foundations of Social Work, society and human behaviour, Social Work methods, community organization, research, administration, social policy, human rights and specialized areas of practice.
Candidates can download the latest UGC NET Social Work Syllabus PDF from the official NTA UGC NET website. Candidates should check the latest notification and syllabus before preparing for the December 2026 cycle.
Yes. Candidates appearing for JRF and Assistant Professor are assessed through the same UGC NET examination syllabus. The eligibility and qualifying requirements may differ according to the applicable criteria, but the subject syllabus remains the same.
Important areas include Social Work methods, research methodology, community organization, social action, social welfare administration, social policy, human rights, constitutional provisions, social legislation, medical and psychiatric Social Work, family welfare, child protection and rehabilitation.
