UGC NET Exam Pattern

Last Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Oct 14 • Notes • 4853 Views • 2 Comments on UGC NET Exam Pattern

C NET exam, organized by UGC, tests your readiness for JRF scholarships and lectureship roles—your gateway to teaching and research careers. This year brings a fresh pattern shift: gone are the old days of one theory paper plus two objective ones; now all three papers are fully objective with zero negative marking for wrong answers. Practice smartly with past papers to ace Paper 1 (teaching aptitude), Paper 2 (your subject), and Paper 3 (advanced topics) in this beginner-friendly format!

Exam Pattern of UGC NET

UGC NET

UGC NET exam pattern features three objective papers held in separate sessions, making it straightforward for JRF and lectureship aspirants. Paper 1 offers 60 questions—attempt any 50 on teaching and research aptitude—while Paper 2 has 50 must-do subject questions, and Paper 3 packs 75 compulsory ones with no choices. Each correct answer scores 2 marks across all papers, with zero negative marking to boost your confidence and totals.

In the new UGC NET exam pattern, students can attempt all the questions as there is no negative marking for wrong answers. The first and second portions of the paper are of 100 marks in total and 75 minutes are given to finish this section.


In the new UGC NET exam pattern, the first paper is common for all the students and questions in the paper is based on the teaching and research aptitude. For the second and third paper, the students have to choose the subjects according to their choices.The third portion of the paper is of 75 questions of equal marks and there are 150 minutes to finish the paper.

Cut off marks in the UGC NET exam pattern is simple and straight. Candidates have to secure 40% marks in the first paper and second paper whereas in third paper they have to secure 50% marks to cross the cut off in the new UGC NET exam pattern whereas the cut off differs for OBC and SC/ST candidates.

The cut off marks for different categories are described in a tabulated format below:

Category Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3
General 40% 40% 50%
OBC 35% 35% 45%
SC/ST/PH 35% 35% 40%

The above criteria are for the examination is only for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and the cut off for the lectureship will be decides by the UGC prior to the examination. The examination will be highly challenging and candidates are needed to compete with lakhs of students to get a good rank in the examination.

In the new UGC NET exam pattern, exam is conducted online and candidates have to choose the remaining question papers, i.e. second paper and third paper from the subject of their choices or as in their master degree. Candidates who are appearing for the paper needed to have a Master degree in any department.

The UGC NET exam in conducted every year in the month of February and the notifications for the examination is given in the month of December. The examination form and other details for the examinations are available in the month of January.

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2 Responses to UGC NET Exam Pattern

  1. POOJA TIWARI says:
    at

    I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT DETAILS PROCEDURE FOR BECOMING ACCOUNTANT PROFESSOR IN DEGREE COLLAGE THROUGH NET /SET EXAMINATION PLEASE HELP ABOUT THESE EXAM AND PROCEDURE .

    Reply
  2. she says:
    at

    want to know the benefits of objective pattern of paper 3…?

    Reply

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