Careers360 Logo
ask-icon
share
    Do's and Don'ts of UGC NET 2025 Exam

    Do's and Don'ts of UGC NET 2025 Exam

    Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon
    Vishnukumar VUpdated on 24 Jun 2025, 05:56 PM IST
    Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon

    NTA conducts the UGC NET exam twice annually to determine the eligibility of candidates for the position of assistant professor and to grant eligible candidates with a Junior Research Fellowship. Many lakhs of candidates prepare tirelessly for this exam every year. NTA is conducting the UGC NET exam 2025 for June session from June 25 to 29, 2025 in online mode. Candidates who have prepared and who are appearing for the UGC NET exam can find the do’s and dont’s in the article below.

    Do's and Don'ts of UGC NET 2025 Exam
    DOs and Donts of UGC NET Exam

    We discuss everything pertaining to the exam including preparation tips, last minute tips and exam day guidelines. Candidates are encouraged to follow these suggested UGC NET 2025 do's and dont's to avoid any chaos and confusion at any point of the exam.

    Do’s for UGC NET 2025 Exam

    There are certain important points that the candidates should keep in mind during the course of preparation for the UGC NET 2025 exam as well as on the day of the exam.

    Familiarize Yourself With UGC NET Syllabus and Exam Pattern

    If one has decided to appear for the UGC NET 2025 exam, then he or she must be well-versed with UGC NET 2025 exam pattern and syllabus. This will help the candidates to know what are the kind of questions that will be asked on the day of the exam, the marking scheme, the duration of the exam, etc. Also being familiar with the UGC NET 2025 syllabus, candidates must also know what are the topics from which the questions would be asked and which are their strong and weak areas. Accordingly, UGC NET 2025 preparation strategy will be drawn.

    Best Books to Study for UGC NET 2025 Exam

    One of the do’s for the UGC NET 2025 exam is to study from the UGC NET 2025 best books. This is essential as there is a plethora of study material that is available in offline mode as well as on the internet. Hence, an important do of the UGC NET exam is that the students spend adequate time researching and finding out what the best study material and books are from which they should prepare for the UGC NET 2025 exam. This will enable them to save time and prepare well for the exam.

    Do’s for UGC NET 2025- Solve Past Years' Question Papers and Take Mock Test

    Another important “do” for the UGC NET exam is to solve the past years' question papers as well as take the UGC NET 2025 mock tests. Solving the past years' UGC NET 2025 question papers and taking the mock test assists students to identify what are their strong and weak points. Which are the questions from the topics that they are finding it difficult to answer and which are the ones that they can answer easily without any difficulty? Accordingly, on the day of the exam, candidates could draw a plan as to which questions to answer first.

    Be Well-Versed in the Current Affairs

    One important “do” for the UGC NET 2025 exam is to be well aware of the current affairs and the latest developments that are taking place at the national and international levels. By being well acquainted with current affairs, candidates will be able to answer the questions in Paper 1 of the UGC NET 2025 exam without any difficulty.

    Download and take Print Out of UGC NET Admit Card 2025

    At least two to three days before the UGC NET 2025 exam, candidates must download and take the printout of the UGC NET 2025 admit card so that they do not face any hiccups at the last moment. Candidates must check all the details that have been mentioned on the UGC NET 2025 admit card and in case of any discrepancy bring it to the notice of the authorities concerned at the earliest and get it rectified.

    Don’ts for UGC NET 2025 Exam

    There are certain Don’ts for the UGC NET 2025 exam, which the candidates must not do or else they might not be allowed to appear for the entrance test or their candidature might be cancelled.

    Also Read: UGC NET Cut off 2025

    Compete With Yourself and Not With Others

    While preparing for the UGC NET 2025 exam, candidates should not see or focus on how and what others are studying. Candidates should ensure that they draw their strategy and not get bogged down as to how much the other person has studied. Checking on what others are studying will result in a lack of focus and one would not be able to complete their syllabus.

    Don’ts for UGC NET Exam - Do Not Skip Meals

    Do not skip your meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner while you prepare for the UGC NET 2025 exam. Skipping meals will prove to be detrimental to one’s health and if the health is not good, then the candidate will feel weak and will not be able to study well for the UGC NET 2025 exam.

    Do Not Waste Too Much Time On Social Media Platforms

    While preparing for the UGC NET 2025 exam, candidates should not spend too much time on various social media platforms as this will adversely affect their preparation for the exam. Social media platforms are addictive in nature and once an individual gets too engrossed in it them it will adversely affect their preparation.

    Do Not Take Up Any New Topic At the Last Minute

    During the far end of the preparation of the UGC NET 2025 exam, candidates should not take up any new topic as they might not be able to grasp it well and the candidate might panic. Hence, focus on revising what you have already studied rather than taking up anything new.

    Do’s And Don’ts of UGC NET 2025 On the Day of the Exam

    There are certain important do that the candidates are expected to follow on the day of the UGC NET 2025 exam.

    Reach the UGC NET 2025 Exam Centre Before Time

    In order to avoid any last-minute hassle, candidates should reach the UGC NET 2025 exam centre at least two hours before the commencement of the exam. This helps them to avoid any last-minute problems and they would also be stress-free.

    Carry Valid Identity Proof to the UGC NET Test Centre

    One of the important things which the candidates should not forget is to carry a valid photo identity proof to the UGC NET 2025 test centre. On the day of the exam, candidates must ensure that they carry any one of the following photo identity proof that is recognized by the government.

    • Aadhaar Card

    • Passport

    • Voter Id Card

    • Passbook with photograph

    • Permanent driving License

    Follow the Instructions Inside the Exam Hall

    Candidates must listen to the instructions that are given by the invigilator inside the exam hall and ensure that they adhere to them. Any disobedience related to the instructions will result in the cancellation of the candidature.

    Do Not Carry Any Electronic Gadgets to the UGC NET Exam Centres

    On the day of the UGC NET 2025 exam, candidates should not carry with them any electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth, calculators, digital watches, any books etc. as none of these things are allowed to be carried inside the UGC NET 2025 exam hall.

    Do Not Indulge In Unfair Practice On the Day of the Exam

    If the candidate is found cheating or involved in any kind of nefarious activity, then it is likely that the authorities might take stringent action and cancel his candidature. Hence, candidates should avoid any kind of misadventure on the day of the exam and ensure that they appear for the exam in a free and fair manner. Candidates can find out what constitutes as unfair means in the UGC NET exam below.

    Check Other Government Exams

    UGC NET Do’s and Don’ts- Unfair means guidelines

    Candidates attempting the UGC NET 2025 exam must ensure that they go through the rules pertaining to unfair means. The rules regarding unfair means in the UGC NET 2025 exam are as follows.

    • Candidates must not possess any item specified as prohibited in the official notification. This includes stationery items, communication device, accessories, eatable items, ornaments etc.

    • Candidates must not take part in impersonation on the applicant, nor should they possess any material for copying.

    • Candidates must be careful not to breach the NTA examination rules.

    • Candidates must not assist anyone else in engaging in malpractices, nor should they provide any assistance to others.

    • Candidates must not write questions or answers on any material given by the Centre Superintendent for writing answers.

    • Candidates must not communicate with anyone else aside from the exam centre staff while the exam is going on.

    • Candidates must not threaten any officils, candidates or anyone else associated with the exam

    • Candidates nust not use any undesirable method or means while attempting the exam.

    • Candidates must not fabricate any online documents.

    • Candidates cannot enter or exit the exam hall by force.

    • Candidates must not use any electronic device while in the exam hall.

    • Candidates must not use any wrong or morphed photos or signatures during any part of the process,

    • Candidates must not cause any obstruction to fair conduct of the exam.

    • Candidates may not indulge in any other malpractice deemed as “unfair means” by the NTA.


    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: Are watches allowed in UGC NET exam?
    A:

    No, candidates are not permitted to wear electronic watches with any kind of calculator facility in the UGC NET 2025 exam. Wearing any such accessory into the exam hall will be considered Unfair Means. 

    Q: When should I reach the exam centres of UGC NET 2025?
    A:

    You must reach the exam centres at least 90 minutes before the commencement of the exam.

    Q: What do I need to carry to the exam hall?
    A:

    You must carry admit card of UGC NET 2025 along with a prescribed photo ID proof.

    Q: Is it necessary to study all the chapters mentioned in the UGC NET syllabus?
    A:

    If you study all the chapters mentioned in the UGC NET 2025 syllabus, you can crack the exam easily.

    Q: Is calculator allowed in UGC NET exam centre?
    A:

    No, calculators are one of the banned items which are not allowed to bring to the UGC NET exam.

    Q: What are the rules for UGC NET exam?
    A:

    Candidates can find the rules of UGC NET mentioned in detail in the official notification. Candidates can also find the guidelines in the article above. 

    Articles
    |
    Upcoming Competition Exams
    Ongoing Dates
    APS CSB Score Card Date

    8 Oct'25 - 31 Mar'26 (Online)

    Ongoing Dates
    NESLET Admit Card Date

    17 Feb'26 - 15 Mar'26 (Online)

    Certifications By Top Providers
    Study from Still Life
    Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
    Online Course of Indian Constitution
    Via NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
    Access to Justice
    Via National Law University, New Delhi
    Sports Psychology
    Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
    Research Ethics
    Via Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala
    Criminal Justice Administration
    Via National Law University, New Delhi
    Swayam
     220 courses
    Edx
     201 courses
    LawSikho
     127 courses
    NPTEL
     92 courses
    Futurelearn
     89 courses
    Coursera
     76 courses
    Explore Top Universities Across Globe

    Questions related to UGC NET

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to UGC NET ?

    No, since you have already cleared the General Category cutoff of CSIR UGC-NET , you are considered a meritorious candidate, and you can apply for a PhD seat in the General Category without any issues regarding your OBC-NCL declaration.

    For the UGC NET examination, only a Central OBC-NCL certificate is considered valid. Submitting a State OBC certificate may create complications during document verification and could lead to your candidature being treated under the General (Unreserved) category. You can immediately obtain a valid Central OBC-NCL certificate from the concerned Tehsil

    If you filled the UGC NET form under EWS but you don’t have a valid EWS certificate, then forget using the EWS category. They won’t accept it. You’ll automatically be treated as General category during document verification.


    And no, this won’t make your form “invalid” or “illegal.” It just means

    Hello,

    If you have entered the wrong annual income but belong to the OBC NCL category and have a valid certificate, it should not cause a problem during verification, as long as your certificate supports your category and income criteria.

    Make sure:

    1. Your OBC NCL certificate is valid and matches

    Hello,

    Not clearing UGC NET is not a big problem unless you want to become an Assistant Professor or apply for a PhD with fellowship.

    You can still apply for PhD without NET in many universities, but you may need to clear their entrance test. For teaching jobs in colleges