🧠 UGC NET December 2025 Exam: Detailed Syllabus, Marking Scheme, Exam Dates & Preparation Tips
The UGC NET December 2025 Exam is one of the most anticipated national-level tests for aspiring assistant professors and researchers across India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for “Assistant Professor” or “Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)” and Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges.
The UGC NET December 2025 session will take place between December 31, 2025, and January 7, 2026. Thousands of candidates from across the country will appear in this computer-based exam, aiming to qualify for one of India’s most prestigious academic certifications.
This article covers the exam syllabus, pattern, marking scheme, eligibility, and expert preparation tips for the UGC NET December 2025 Exam to help you prepare strategically and confidently.
🗓️ UGC NET December 2025 Exam Dates
As per the official announcement by NTA, the UGC NET December 2025 Exam will be conducted in computer-based mode (CBT) from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026.
The exam will be held in multiple shifts across various centres in India. Candidates will be able to download their admit cards a few weeks before the exam from the official NTA UGC NET website.
Official website: https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in
🧩 UGC NET December 2025 Exam Pattern
The UGC NET 2025 comprises two papers (Paper I and Paper II). Both papers are conducted in a single session with no break between them. All questions are objective type (MCQs) and are mandatory.
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 | 3 hours (combined) |
| Paper II | Subject selected by the candidate | 100 | 200 | |
| Total | — | 150 | 300 | 3 hours total |
🧮 Key Highlights
- Each question carries 2 marks.
- There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
- Unattempted questions receive no marks.
- The exam is conducted in English and Hindi, depending on the candidate’s choice.
📘 Paper I: Teaching & Research Aptitude
Paper I of the UGC NET December 2025 Exam is designed to assess candidates’ general awareness, reasoning, and teaching-research aptitude. It includes 50 questions, each carrying 2 marks.
Topics Covered in Paper I:
- Teaching Aptitude – Nature, characteristics, aims, and learners’ characteristics.
- Research Aptitude – Research ethics, steps, and methodology.
- Reading Comprehension – Passages based on logical reasoning and understanding.
- Communication – Barriers, effective classroom communication, and mass media.
- Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude – Series, numbers, coding-decoding, ratios, etc.
- Logical Reasoning – Arguments, assumptions, syllogism, and analogies.
- Data Interpretation – Tables, charts, and graphs.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) – Basics of computers and digital tools.
- People, Development and Environment – Sustainable development, environment protection.
- Higher Education System – Structure, governance, and policies in India.
📚 Paper II: Subject-Specific Test
Paper II consists of 100 questions from the candidate’s chosen subject. It evaluates deep knowledge of the discipline, covering both conceptual understanding and analytical ability.
UGC offers 83 subjects for Paper II, including:
- English
- Commerce
- Political Science
- Education
- History
- Economics
- Management
- Computer Science
- Sociology
- Law
- Psychology
- Environmental Science
- Library and Information Science
- Linguistics, and many others.
Candidates are advised to refer to the UGC NET official syllabus PDF available on the UGC website for detailed topic-wise coverage for their chosen subject.
📄 Official syllabus: UGC NET Syllabus 2025 PDF
📏 UGC NET December 2025 Marking Scheme
The NTA follows a transparent and fair marking system to ensure accuracy and merit-based selection.
Marking Details:
- Each correct answer = +2 marks
- Incorrect answer = 0 marks
- Unanswered question = 0 marks
- If multiple options are correct → 2 marks awarded to anyone who marks any correct option.
- If all options are correct → 2 marks to all who attempted.
- If the question is dropped → 2 marks to all who attempted it.
There is no penalty for wrong answers, so candidates should attempt every question.
🧾 UGC NET December 2025 Eligibility Criteria
To appear for the UGC NET December 2025 Exam, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:
Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must have a Master’s Degree or equivalent from a recognized university with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Third gender).
- Final-year postgraduate students are also eligible to apply.
Age Limit:
- For JRF (Junior Research Fellowship): Maximum age is 30 years as of December 1, 2025.
- For Assistant Professor: No upper age limit.
Age relaxation is applicable as per government rules for reserved categories.
🖥️ Application Process
The online application form for UGC NET December 2025 will be available on the official NTA UGC NET portal.
Steps to Apply:
- Visit ugcnet.nta.ac.in.
- Click on “UGC NET December 2025 Registration”.
- Fill in your personal and academic details.
- Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, certificates).
- Pay the application fee online.
- Download and print your application confirmation page.
💡 Preparation Tips for UGC NET December 2025
The UGC NET is a competitive and conceptual exam that requires strategic preparation. Here are some expert suggestions to help you prepare effectively:
1. Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly
Read and analyze the complete syllabus for both papers. Focus on high-weightage topics and subjects relevant to your stream.
2. Prepare Notes for Revision
Create short, crisp notes for each topic. They help during last-minute revisions and improve recall ability.
3. Practice Previous Year Papers
Solving past papers gives a real-time exam feel and helps identify weak areas.
4. Attempt Mock Tests Regularly
Take online mock tests to improve your speed, accuracy, and confidence.
5. Focus on Paper I Scoring Areas
Logical reasoning, ICT, and teaching aptitude are high-scoring sections — practice these regularly.
6. Read Quality Study Material
Refer to NTA-recommended books and standard guides like Trueman’s, Arihant, or Oxford publications.
7. Stay Updated with Current Affairs
Paper I often includes questions on current educational policies, environmental issues, and government initiatives.
8. Maintain a Study Schedule
Allocate 3–4 hours daily, balancing conceptual learning with revision and practice.
📈 Expected Cut-Off Trends for UGC NET 2025
The UGC NET cut-off marks vary based on subject, category, and difficulty level. Typically:
| Category | Expected Qualifying Percentage (Paper I + II) |
|---|---|
| General | 40% |
| OBC / SC / ST / PwD | 35% |
However, the final cut-off for each subject will be released by NTA after results are announced.
📢 Important Points to Remember
- UGC NET December 2025 Exam will be held online (CBT mode) only.
- Candidates should carry a valid photo ID and admit card to the exam center.
- Keep checking the NTA UGC NET website for latest updates on admit cards, syllabus, and result notifications.
The UGC NET December 2025 Exam offers a golden opportunity for aspirants who aim to build a career in academics and research. With well-planned preparation, strong conceptual understanding, and consistent practice, candidates can easily qualify for JRF or Assistant Professor eligibility.
Start your preparation early, stay focused, and keep revising regularly. Remember, success in UGC NET isn’t just about knowledge — it’s about smart strategy, time management, and confidence on exam day.
