UGC NET English Syllabus 2025 - Check Paper 1 & 2 Topic wise Syllabus

UGC NET English Syllabus 2025 - Check Paper 1 & 2 Topic wise Syllabus

Ongoing Event

UGC NET Application Date:07 Oct' 25 - 07 Nov' 25

Meghana Mohana KrishnanUpdated on 08 Oct 2025, 10:18 AM IST

The National Testing Agency (NTA) prescribed the UGC NET syllabus 2025 for English for all those opting for the English subject. Candidates can choose English as their subject while filling the UGC NET 2025 application form among the 85 subject options. Candidates must go through the UGC NET English syllabus before starting off with their preparation. By going through the UGC NET 2025 syllabus for English, candidates can know the topics that will be asked in the UGC NET exam.

This Story also Contains

  1. UGC NET English Syllabus Paper 1
  2. UGC NET English Syllabus Paper 2
  3. UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
  4. UGC NET 2025 Best books
  5. Best Books for UGC NET 2025 Paper 1
UGC NET English Syllabus 2025 - Check Paper 1 & 2 Topic wise Syllabus
UGC NET English Syllabus for Paper 1 and 2

However, as per the exam pattern of 2025 UGC NET, English is asked in paper 1, which is common for all candidates. Candidates opting for English as their main subject have to take Paper II in English containing questions from the topics mentioned in the UGC NET English syllabus. Ensuring to have completed all topics and subjects mentioned in the syllabus, candidates can easily crack the UGC NET exam 2025. To know more about the UGC NET syllabus for English, go through the article below.

The UGC NET 2025 test is held for two papers – paper I and II wherein paper I is common for all while paper II is based on the subjects opted by the candidates. The exam is conducted to determine the eligibility of the candidates for assistant professors and award junior research fellowship positions.

UGC NET English Syllabus 2025 Overview

Name of exam

UGC NET

Conducting authority

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Mode of exam

Online

Papers

Two papers:

Paper I

Paper II

Subjects

101 subjects

Total Marks

Paper I - 100 marks

Paper II - 200 marks

UGC NET English Syllabus Paper 1

The UGC NET paper 1 is common for all the candidates appearing for the exam of UGC NET. Candidates can check the UGC NET English syllabus paper 1 given below:

  • Teaching Aptitude
  • Research Aptitude
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Communication
  • Reasoning
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Data Interpretation
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • People and Environment
  • Higher Education System: Governance, Polity and Administration

UGC NET English Syllabus Paper 2

As per the syllabus of UGC NET for English, there are a total of 10 units from where questions will be asked. The first four units will be tested through comprehension passages. As per the UGC NET English syllabus paper 2, candidates will be tested for the following:

  • Critical Reading

  • Critical Thinking

  • Writing Skills

Along with it, the first four units also cover the UGC NET English Literature syllabus.

UGC NET Syllabus 2025 - English (First Four Units)

Units

Topics

Unit I

Drama

Unit II

Poetry

Unit III

Fiction, short story

Unit IV

Non-Fictional Prose

UGC NET English Syllabus 2025

Units

Topics

Unit V

Language: Basic concepts, theories and pedagogy. English in Use

Unit VI

English in India: history, evolution and futures

Unit VII

Cultural Studies

Unit VIII

Literary Criticism

Unit IX

Literary Theory post World War II

Unit X

Research Methods and Materials in English

Read More:

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025

Candidates must go through the exam pattern along with the UGC NET syllabus. The exam pattern contains the sections from where the questions are asked in the exam, the total number of questions, marking schemes, duration, etc. The table below contains the exam pattern of NTA UGC NET for both paper I and II.

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025

Papers

Paper I

Paper II

Subject

Generic

Subject selected by candidate

No. of Questions

50

100

Marks

100

200

Duration

Consolidated 3 hours

Mode of Exam

Online

Negative Marks

No negative marks for wrong answers

UGC NET 2025 Best books

To crack the exam, candidates must go through the list of UGC NET 2025 best books to pick the best one for themselves. The table below contains the list of books for paper I as per UGC NET English syllabus.

Best Books for UGC NET 2025 Paper 1

Book Name

Author/Publisher Name

NTA UGC NET/SET/JRF - Paper 1: Teaching and Research Aptitude

KVS Madaan /Pearson Education

NTA UGC NET / SET / JRF - Paper 1 Teaching and Research Aptitude

Harpreet Kaur /Oxford University Press

Trueman's UGC NET/SET General Paper I - Teaching & Research Aptitude

Sajit Kumar, M. Gagan

UGC NET Best Books For English

English

UGC NET/SET (JRF & LS) English Literature by Arihant Experts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Where can I download the UGC NET syllabus English?
A:

Candidates can download the UGC NET syllabus 2025 from the official brochure available on the website – ugcnetonline.in.

Q: Who is eligible to apply for UGC NET 2025?
A:

As per the UGC NET eligibility criteria 2025, a candidate for JRF needs to be within the age of 30 years. However, no age limit is prescribed for assistant professors. In order to be eligible for UGC NET 2025, an aspirant must have scored at least 55% marks in post graduation from a recognised university. There certainly exists some relaxation for the reserved sections.

Q: Are any negative marks cut for wrong answers marked?
A:

No, marks are not cut for any wrong answers marked in UGC NET paper I and paper II.

Q: Which book should I refer for UGC NET Paper 1?
A:

Candidates can refer books on NTA UGC NET/SET/JRF - Paper 1: Teaching and Research Aptitude by authors like KVS Madaan, Harpreet Kaur, Sajit Kumar, Arihant Experts etc.

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Questions related to UGC NET

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to UGC NET ?

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 and universities, NET is usually compulsory.

So, it depends on your career goals. If you plan for research or teaching, you should try to clear it.

Hope it helps !

Steps to Download Syllabus PDF

  1. Visit the official UGC NET Syllabus page on the NTA portal. Look for the "Updated Syllabi of UGC-NET" section.
    (https://www.ugcnetonline.in/syllabus-new.php)

  2. Download the Paper 1 PDF , which covers topics like teaching and research aptitude, communication, reasoning, ICT, higher education system, and more.

  3. Also download the Paper 2 PDF for your chosen subject—choose from 85+ disciplines listed.

If your MBA (Finance) is from an accredited university and you have at least 55% of the possible points (or 50% for reserved categories), you can take the UGC NET in Commerce.
Your MBA in finance is relevant because UGC NET Commerce covers business, accounting, finance, economics, and management topics.
If you are well-versed in the fundamentals of commerce, pick commerce.

As an alternative, you can choose UGC NET Management, which is closely related to MBA courses.
Your subject-matter expertise and career objectives should guide your decision.

Hello,

Here are some links where you can access UGC NET study materials :

1. Best Books for NTA UGC NET

2. UGC NET Question Papers

Hope it helps !

Hii,

Yes, you can still appear for the UGC NET in Geography, but there's a small change. UGC prefers candidates to write NET in the subject of their post-graduation. However, if your Rural Development MA had strong overlaps with geography topics like environment, population studies, etc., and you feel confident with Geography concepts, you can go for it. Just be ready to justify your choice if asked during verification. Otherwise, another option is to appear for UGC NET in Rural Development if that’s more aligned with your MA.

Thank you for reaching out and all the best for your exam !