UGC Net exam June 2025:Notification, Important dates, Syllabus and more.

NTA has recently released the notification  and the application form about the upcoming NET Exam 2025 on April 16th, 2025 . Interested Candidates may apply from 16th April to 7th May, 2025. The exam is conducted twice a year i.e. in June and December. 

The following blog offers a comprehensive overview of the UGC-NET exam by providing details ranging from exam dates, exam patterns to  important preparation tips and strategies. 

About the Exam: 

UGC-NET Exam is an all-India government exam that is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for  recruiting potential candidates for the post of Assistant Professors, awarding Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) for carrying out research in a candidate’s preferred area of interest. A candidate has to obtain a minimum cut-off marks to become eligible for the post of Assistant Professor and requires a slightly higher cut -off than the NET cut-off marks to become eligible for JRF fellowship.

A candidate qualifying only for NET is eligible to apply for the post of Assistant Professor in any of the higher institutes of Education (HIEs) but won’t get fellowship from UGC. 

On the other hand, a candidate who has qualified JRF will be entitled to a sum of Rs. 37,000 for the initial two years and then Rs. 42,000 for the rest of the research period. 

Since 2024, a candidates’ eligibility is determined by categorising the scores in following three divisions: 

Points to Note: 

• The students qualifying in  category I will be eligible for the JRF letter as well appointment to the post of Assistant Professor. He/She will be eligible to appear for PhD interview. 

• Students qualifying in Category II will not be eligible for JRF award letter but are eligible to pursue PhD and be appointed as Assistant Professor in Higher Education Institutes (HIEs). 

• Students qualifying under category III are only eligible to pursue PhD in Higher Education Institutes (HIEs). 

• Students qualifying in category II and category III must note that their marks obtained in the UGC-NET exam will be valid only for one year from the date of declaration of results. 

• The result will be declared in percentile format or in normalized marks format, in case there are multiple shifts. 

• The certificate for “Assistant Professor” is valid for lifetime. 

• The JRF award letter is valid upto three years i.e. a student must take admission into a PhD course within the stipulated time period in order to avail of the fellowship provided by UGC. 

Important Dates 

How to apply: 

Following steps have to be followed to register for the UGC NET Exam 2025: 

• Go to the official website of UGC NET i.e. ugcnet.nta.ac.in. 

• Register for UGC NET 2025 exam by clicking on the link “UGC NET 2025: Click here to register/login” in the “Latest News” section. 

• Fill in the particulars such as your name, e-mail ID, phone numbers,  etc. 

• Once registered, fill the application form by providing the required details. Carefully choose the city where you will give the test. 

• Upload all the required scanned copies of documents like matriculation certificates, graduation/post-graduation certificates, government Id cards etc. 

• Pay the required fees corresponding to your social category. 

• Submit the application. 

• Take a print out of the application form for future reference. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

Candidates appearing for UGC NET 2025 exam must fulfill the following eligibility conditions in order to sit for the exam: 

• They must have secured at least 55% in Master’s degree or an equivalent examination from a UGC-recognized university. A relaxation of 5% is given to candidates belonging to SCs/STs/OBCs and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). 

• Candidates who are pursuing their master’s degree or are yet to sit for their Master’s final term examination or awaiting their final results  are also eligible for appearing in the exams, provided they complete their Master’s degree or equivalent examination within two years of the declaration of NET results, failing which, they will be disqualified. 

• Candidates who are enrolled in four year/eight semester bachelor’s degree programme, having secured a minimum of 75% in aggregate or corresponding grading scale are also allowed to appear in the test. A 5% relaxation is provided to the Sc/ST/OBCs, Physically/Mentally Disadvantaged and Economically Weaker Section of the society. 

Note: Candidates qualifying for NET, having completed a four-year bachelor’s course, will be awarded the Letter of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or gain admission to Ph.D but won’t be eligible for the post of Assistant Professor. 

• Candidates who have completed their four year undergraduate course will have the option of choosing the subject in which they wish to pursue their Ph.D irrespective of the discipline in which they obtained their bachelor’s degree. 

• Candidates are recommended to appear in the subjects in which they completed their post-graduation. 

• Candidates with post-graduate diploma/certificate awarded by Indian Institute or foreign degree/diploma/certificate issued by foreign university should ascertain the equivalence of their degree/diploma/certificate with master’s degree of a recognized Indian universities  from Association of Indian Universities and Law students have to ascertain their equivalence of degrees from Bar Council of India. 

• Candidates who have cleared State Eligibility Test (SET) before June 1st, 2002,  are exempted from appearing for NET and are eligible to apply for the post of Assistant Professors anywhere in India and those who have qualified the test after the above mentioned date will be eligible to apply for the same within the state from where they completed their SET. 

Age limit/Relaxation:

• There is a relaxation of 5 years for Scheduled Castes (SCs)/Scheduled Tribes(STs)/Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Economically Weaker Classes (EWS) candidates. All those who belong to the third gender can also avail these relaxation benefits and the subject-wise cut-offs for this category is the lowest among those for SCs/STs/OBCs/General-EWS in the corresponding subject. 

• Candidates with prior research experience will be provided relaxation limited to the period of research subject to the production of certificate from UGC recognized university or certified authority such as Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) etc. 

• A relaxation upto 5 years to the candidates who have served in the armed forces. 

• For JRF, the upper age limit is 30 years as of June 1, 2025 (except for reserved categories). 

• There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or Ph.D. 

Nationality: 

To be eligible for the UGC-NET exam 2025, candidates must be of Indian origin. Candidates who are citizens of other countries apart from India cannot appear for the exam. Candidates will have to provide required documents as proof of their nationality during the application process as well as on the day of the test. 

Availability of Admit Cards: 

Follow the steps listed below to download the UGC- NET 2025 admit card: 

• Go to the website ugcnet.nta.ac.in. 

• Click on the link “Download Admit Card for UGC-NET 2025” 

• Download the admit card and take a print out for future reference 

City Intimation Slip: 

Follow the steps given below to know about the city where you have been allotted your respective exam centres for UGC-NET 2025: 

• Open the official website i.e. ugcnet.nta.ac.in

• Click on the UGC NET city intimation slip link 

• Fill out the details- application number and date of birth 

• Now also fill out the security pin as shown on the screen 

• Click on the submit button 

• The city intimation slip will be displayed before your screen  

Declaration of Results: 

• Results can be checked by logging in the official website of NTA i.e. ugcnet.nta.ac.in. 

• Click on the result link. 

• Fill details like application number and date of birth 

• The result will appear on your screen 

• Save it for future requirements. 

UGC-NET Exam Pattern:

Following table shows the exam pattern for the UGC_NET exam 2025: 

Note: There is no negative marking in the exam. 

UGC-NET Exam Syllabus: 

UGC-NET exam syllabus for Paper I and Paper II is given below: 

Paper I: (General Studies) 

Paper II (Subject-Specific): 

Paper II consists of the subject in which a candidate has done his/her post-graduation. The subject-wise link for syllabus of the 84 subjects can be found in the this compiled PDF file. 

UGC-NET 2025 Preparation tips and Strategies: 

Preparing for a competitive exam like UGC-NET requires smart preparation strategies that not only streamlines your preparation and helps you sail through the rigors of preparation time with the least amount of stress and anxiety. Following strategies and tips will ace your preparation for UGC-NET 2025: 

 1. Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus Thoroughly

• Understanding the syllabus carefully is the first step in the preparation for this exam. It helps you to know paper 1 and paper 2 thoroughly and helps you prepare accordingly. 

• Download the official syllabus for your subject and analyze it carefully.

• Prioritize topics with high weightage from past years.
  

 2. Create a Realistic Study Plan

• Allocate time daily for both Paper I and II. Set specific time period that you will devote for Paper 1 and for Paper 2. 

• Divide the syllabus into weekly goals and track your progress.

• Reserve last 30 days for revision and full-length mock tests.
  

 3. Refer to the Right Study Material

• Use NTA UGC NET-approved books (e.g., Trueman’s, Disha etc. ).

• For Paper I, focus on reasoning, comprehension, teaching/research aptitude.

• For Paper II, use standard textbooks and previous question papers.
  

 4. Practice with Previous Year Papers

• Solving past 5–10 years’ papers gives clarity on question trends.

• Analyze mistakes and work on weak areas.
  

 5. Attempt Regular Mock Tests

• Take online or offline full-length mock tests every week.

• Time yourself and simulate the actual exam environment.

• Improve speed and accuracy with each test.
  

6. Make Notes & Mind Maps

• Create short notes, flowcharts, and formula sheets for quick revisions.

• Use sticky notes or digital tools for active recall and spaced repetition.
  

 7. Focus on Conceptual Clarity

• UGC NET tests understanding, critical and analytical skills of a student not just memorization. Focus on sharpening these skills through regular practice. 

• Strengthen fundamentals and apply them to MCQs. This will help in honing problem-solving abilities.
  

 8. Stay Consistent & Positive

• Avoid burnout—schedule breaks and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Maintain physical and emotional well-being over the course of the preparation. 

• Join study groups or discussion forums to stay motivated. Keeping a positive attitude helps you maintain your self-confidence and increases the chances of success in the exam. 

Best study materials: 

Disha Publication offers a diverse range of reference books for UGC-NET that are packed with syllabus-wise explanation of major topics and solution-based PYQs and MCQs that will help in navigating tough waters during UGC-NET preparation. 

 FAQs

Q1) Can I choose a subject in UGC-NET that’s different from my postgraduation stream?
Ans. Generally, you should choose the subject of your postgraduation, but allied subjects may be allowed in some cases.

O2) Is there a negative marking in the UGC-NET exam?
Ans. No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in UGC-NET.

Q3) Can foreign nationals apply for UGC-NET?
Ans. Yes, foreign nationals can apply, but they must meet the eligibility criteria and their degrees must be recognized by Indian universities.

O4) Is it mandatory to clear both Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Ans. Yes, candidates must qualify in both papers to be considered for eligibility.

Q5) Can I apply for UGC-NET while pursuing my Master’s degree?
Ans. Yes, final-year postgraduate students can apply provisionally, but they must pass the degree within two years of the result.