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    UGC NET Syllabus 2026 - Download Paper 1 and Paper 2 Syllabus (Subject-wise PDF)

    UGC NET Syllabus 2026 - Download Paper 1 and Paper 2 Syllabus (Subject-wise PDF)

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    Pittala Bhanu PrasadUpdated on 08 Jun 2026, 02:46 PM IST
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    UGC NET Syllabus 2026 - The National Testing Agency has mentioned the UGC NET syllabus 2026 for the June session. The UGC NET 2026 syllabus PDF can be downloaded on the official website at ugcnet.nta,nic.in There are a total of 87 subjects to choose from in Paper 2. Indian Knowledge System, Disaster Management System, and Ayurveda Biology are the three subjects that have been newly added from the previous session.

    This Story also Contains

    1. UGC NET Syllabus 2026
    2. UGC NET Syllabus for Paper 1
    3. UGC NET Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2
    4. UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026
    5. UGC NET Syllabus 2026: Toppers Tips
    6. UGC NET Question Paper 2026
    UGC NET Syllabus 2026 - Download Paper 1 and Paper 2 Syllabus (Subject-wise PDF)
    UGC NET Syllabus

    The syllabus of the UGC NET exam is mentioned in the official notification. In case the syllabus of UGC NET 2026 changes, NTA issues a formal notification regarding the addition or deletion of subjects and topics. The UGC NET 2026 has 2 sections, Paper 1 and Paper 2. The UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus remains the same for all the candidates attempting the exam. However, the UGC NET paper 2 syllabus varies according to the field of study of the candidate, and they can choose the subjects they want to appear for.

    Candidates are recommended to refer to the UGC NET 2026 syllabus before starting the exam preparation. Those who are going to appear in the UGC NET exam are advised to check the syllabus PDF to know the subjects, topics, and sub-topics on which the question paper is based. The syllabus of the examination is released along with the UGC NET 2026 exam pattern. For more details regarding the UGC NET syllabus 2026, refer to the article given below.

    UGC NET Syllabus 2026

    For both papers, candidates must go through the UGC NET syllabus 2026 PDF to know all the important topics. The aggregate performance is based on the marks scored separately in Paper 1 and Paper 2. Let us understand the UGC NET exam syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2 in brief.

    UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus 2026:

    • Tests the teaching and research ability of the candidate.
    • It assesses candidates’ cognitive abilities, general awareness about teaching and learning processes in the higher education system, and interaction between people and the environment.

    The UGC NET Paper 2 syllabus:

    • Is focused on the subject of the candidate's choice.
    • It measures the in-depth knowledge and expertise of the applicant in the respective subject.

    Note: NTA also provides UGC NET 2026 mock tests based on the syllabus and the previous year's question papers. The UGC NET mock tests will help candidates understand the preparation level.

    UGC NET Syllabus for Paper 1

    Subject: General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude

    The UGC NET syllabus paper 1 tests the candidate’s teaching and research ability as well as the aptitude of the candidate. The UGC NET exam syllabus for Paper 1 is designed to test candidates’ cognitive abilities, including comprehension, analysis, evaluation, understanding the structure of arguments, deductive, and inductive reasoning.

    The UGC NET syllabus 2026 also provides for testing candidates’ general awareness of teaching and learning processes in the higher education system. Further, the UGC NET syllabus assesses if the candidate is aware of the interaction between people, environment, natural resources, and their impact on the quality of life.

    The detailed UGC NET Paper I Syllabus 2026 is given in the table below to help the candidates clearly understand what they need to study.

    UGC NET Syllabus 2026 for Paper I

    S.No.

    Unit

    Detailed UGC NET Paper I Syllabus 2026

    1

    Teaching Aptitude

    • Teaching: Concept, Objectives, Levels of teaching (Memory, Understanding, and Reflective), Characteristics, and basic requirements.

    • Learner’s characteristics: Characteristics of adolescent and adult learners (Academic, Social, Emotional, and Cognitive), Individual differences.

    • Factors affecting teaching related to the Teacher, Learner, Support material, Instructional facilities, Learning environment, and Institution.

    • Methods of teaching in Institutions of higher learning: Teacher-centred vs. Learner-centred methods; offline vs. online methods (Swayam, Swayamprabha, MOOCs, etc.).

    • Teaching Support System: Traditional, Modern, and ICT-based.

    • Evaluation Systems: Elements and Types of Evaluation, Evaluation in Choice-Based Credit System in Higher Education, Computer-based testing, Innovations in evaluation systems.

    2

    Research Aptitude

    • Research: Meaning, Types, and Characteristics, Positivism and Post-positivist approach to research.

    • Methods of Research: Experimental, Descriptive, Historical, Qualitative, and Quantitative methods.

    • Steps of Research.

    • Thesis and Article writing: Format and styles of referencing.

    • Application of ICT in research.

    • Research ethics.

    3

    Comprehension

    A passage of text is given. Questions will be asked about the passage to be answered.

    4

    Communication

    • Communication: Meaning, types, and characteristics of communication.

    • Effective communication: Verbal and Non-verbal, Inter-Cultural and group communications, Classroom communication.

    • Barriers to effective communication.

    • Mass-Media and Society.

    5

    Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude

    • Types of reasoning.

    • Number series, Letter series, Codes and Relationships.

    • Mathematical Aptitude (Fraction, Time & Distance, Ratio, Proportion and Percentage, Profit and Loss, Interest and Discounting, Averages, etc.).

    6

    Logical Reasoning

    • Understanding the structure of arguments: argument forms, the structure of categorical propositions, Mood and Figure, Formal and Informal fallacies, Uses of language, Connotations and denotations of terms, and Classical square of opposition.

    • Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning.

    • Analogies.

    • Venn diagram: Simple and multiple uses for establishing the validity of arguments.

    • Indian Logic: Means of knowledge.

    • Pramanas: Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference), Upamana (Comparison), Shabda (Verbal testimony), Arthapatti (Implication), and Anupalabddhi (Non-apprehension).

    • Structure and kinds of Anumana (inference), Vyapti (invariable relation), Hetvabhasa (fallacies of inference).

    7

    Data Interpretation

    • Sources, acquisition, and classification of Data.

    • Quantitative and Qualitative Data.

    • Graphical representation (Bar-chart, Histograms, Pie-chart, Table-chart, and Line-chart) and mapping of Data.

    • Data Interpretation.

    • Data and Governance.

    8

    Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

    • ICT: General abbreviations and terminology.

    • Basics of the Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio, and Video-conferencing.

    • Digital initiatives in higher education.

    • ICT and Governance.

    9

    People, Development, and Environment

    • Development and environment: Millennium Development and Sustainable Development Goals.

    • Human and environment interaction: Anthropogenic activities and their impacts on the environment.

    • Environmental issues: Local, Regional and Global; Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Noise pollution, Waste (solid, liquid, biomedical, hazardous, electronic), Climate change and its Socio-Economic and Political dimensions.

    • Impacts of pollutants on human health.

    • Natural and energy resources: Solar, Wind, Soil, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass, Nuclear, and Forests.

    • Natural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategies.

    • Environmental Protection Act (1986), National Action Plan on Climate Change, International agreements/efforts -Montreal Protocol, Rio Summit, Convention on Biological Diversity, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, International Solar Alliance.

    10

    Higher Education System

    • Institutions of higher learning and education in ancient India.

    • Evolution of higher learning and research in post-independence India.

    • Oriental, Conventional, and Non-conventional learning programmes in India.

    • Professional, Technical, and Skill-Based education.

    • Value education and environmental education.

    • Policies, Governance, and Administration.

    UGC NET 2026 Paper 1: Marking Scheme

    UGC NET Paper 1 is the same and mandatory for all candidates. Paper 2 is different for different subjects.

    • UGC NET Paper 1 will have a total of 50 multiple-choice questions.

    • Each question will carry 2 marks.

    • The UGC NET exam syllabus for Paper 1 covers 10 units.

    • 5 questions will be asked from each unit (i.e., 10 units X 5 questions = 50 questions).

    UGC NET Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2

    UGC NET Paper 2 is based on the subject chosen by the candidate.

    • A total of 87 subjects are provided by NTA.

    • The candidate has to choose one subject from these 87 subjects.

    • Paper 2 will also consist of only objective-type questions (MCQs).

    The detailed UGC NET Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2 is provided on the official website.

    UGC NET Syllabus 2026 - Paper II (Subject-Wise)

    Download the UGC NET exam syllabus for all the other subjects here. Candidates must choose Paper II as per their subject in post-graduation.

    All UGC NET Paper 2 Optional Subjects

    From the following table, candidates can check the UGC NET Paper 2 2026 optional subjects.

    UGC NET Paper 2 Optional Subjects

    Subject CodeSubjectsUGC NET syllabus in EnglishUGC NET syllabus in Hindi

    1

    Economics / Rural Economics /Co-operation / Demography / Development Planning/ Development Studies / Econometrics/ Applied Economics/Development Eco./Business Economics

    Download

    Download

    2

    Political Science

    Download

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    3

    Philosophy

    Download

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    4

    Psychology

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    5

    Sociology

    Download

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    6

    History

    Download

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    7

    Anthropology

    Download

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    8

    Commerce

    Download

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    9

    Education

    Download

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    10

    Social Work

    Download

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    11

    Defence and Strategic Studies

    Download

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    12

    Home Science

    Download

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    14

    Public Administration

    Download

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    15

    Population Studies

    Download

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    16

    Music

    Download

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    17

    Management (including Business Admn. Mgt./Marketing/ Marketing Mgt./Industrial Relations and Personnel Mgt./ Personnel Mgt./Financial Mgt./Co-operative Management)

    Download

    Download

    18

    Maithili

    Download

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    19

    Bengali

    Download

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    20

    Hindi


    Download

    21

    Kannada

    Download

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    22

    Malayalam

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    23

    Oriya

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    24

    Punjabi

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    25

    Sanskrit

    Download

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    26

    Tamil

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    27

    Telugu

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    28

    Urdu

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    29

    Arabic

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    30

    English

    Download

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    31

    Linguistics

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    32

    Chinese

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    33

    Dogri

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    34

    Nepali

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    35

    Manipuri

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    36

    Assamese

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    37

    Gujarati

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    38

    Marathi

    Download

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    39

    French (French Version)

    Download

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    40

    Spanish

    Download

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    41

    Russian

    Download

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    42

    Persian

    Download

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    43

    Rajasthani

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    44

    German

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    45

    Japanese

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    46

    Adult Education/ Continuing Education/ Andragogy/ Non Formal Education.

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    47

    Physical Education

    Download

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    49

    Arab Culture and Islamic Studies

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    50

    Indian Culture

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    55

    Labour Welfare/Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/ Labour and Social Welfare/Human Resource Management

    Download

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    58

    Law

    Download

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    59

    Library and Information Science

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    60

    Buddhist, Jaina, Gandhian and Peace Studies

    Download

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    62

    Comparative Study of Religions

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    63

    Mass Communication and Journalism

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    65

    Performing Art - Dance/Drama/Theatre

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    66

    Museology & Conservation

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    67

    Archaeology

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    68

    Criminology

    Download

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    70

    Tribal and Regional Language/Literature

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    71

    Folk Literature

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    72

    Comparative Literature

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    73

    Sanskrit traditional subjects (including) Jyotisha/Sidhanta Jyotish/ Navya Vyakarna/ Vyakarna/ Mimansa/ Navya Nyaya/ Sankhya Yoga/ Tulanatmaka Darsan/ Shukla Yajurveda/ Madhav Vedant/ Dharmasasta/ Sahitya/ Puranotihasa /Agama).


    Download

    74

    Women Studies

    Download

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    79

    Visual Art (including Drawing & Painting/Sculpture Graphics/Applied Art/History of Art)

    Download

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    80

    Geography

    Download

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    81

    Social Medicine & Community Health

    Download

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    82

    Forensic Science

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    83

    Pali

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    84

    Kashmiri

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    85

    Konkani

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    87

    Computer Science and Applications

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    88

    Electronic Science

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    89

    Environmental Sciences

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    90

    Politics including International Relations/International Studies including Defence/Strategic Studies, West Asian Studies, South East Asian Studies, African Studies, South Asian Studies, Soviet Studies, American Studies.

    Download

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    91

    Prakrit

    Download

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    92

    Human Rights and Duties

    Download

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    93

    Tourism Administration and Management.

    Download

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    94

    Bodo


    Download

    95

    Santali


    Download

    100

    Yoga

    Download

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    101

    Sindhi

    Download

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    102

    Hindu Studies

    Download

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    103Indian Knowledge SystemDownloadDownload
    104Disaster Management SystemDownloadDownload
    105Ayurveda BiologyDownloadDownload

    UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026

    UGC NET exam 2026 is conducted by the National Testing Agency in the following exam pattern:

    • Both Paper -1 and Paper - 2 are conducted in Online mode.

    • The questions are objective-type in both Paper - 1 and Paper - 2.

    • Paper 1 has 50 questions, and Paper 2 has 100 questions.

    UGC NET Syllabus 2026: Toppers Tips

    • Analyzing the UGC NET Syllabus is very, very important
    • Solve previous years' UGC NET question papers to get an idea about the pattern of questions asked in the last few years.
    • Focus on the topic-wise content in each unit of the syllabus
    • Don't ignore current affairs related to the UGC NET Syllabus
    • Read the headlines and collect the facts. To crack the NET exam 2026, you need fact-based knowledge rather than theoretical knowledge.
    • Maintain consistency in studies

    UGC NET Question Paper 2026

    The previous year's papers are available on the official website. The UGC NET previous year papers are the best source of material for preparation. Solving them will give you an understanding of the UGC NET 2026 exam pattern, difficulty level, and popular topics in the exam paper.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: When will the UGC NET 2026 notification be released?
    A:

    The UGC NET 2026 notification for the June session has been released on April 29, 2026, on the official website. 

    Q: Can I appear for two subjects in UGC NET 2026?
    A:

    No, candidates need to apply for the subjects in which they have a postgraduate degree. The minimum eligibility criteria of UGC NET is to have a master's degree.

    Q: Is the UGC NET syllabus updated every year?
    A:

    No, UGC NET syllabus 2026 is almost the same every year. However, candidates are advised to check the UGC NET exam syllabus thoroughly for any changes.

    Q: Are the UGC NET syllabus 2026 for both the papers different?
    A:

    Yes, the UGC NET syllabus of both the papers are different.

    Q: Where can I check the NET JRF syllabus?
    A:

    The NET JRF syllabus is available in the official brochure. 

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    Questions related to UGC NET

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to UGC NET ?

    Hi,

    Yes, you can generally use a Bihar EWS certificate issued in May 2026 for UGC NET June 2026 if it is in the Central Government prescribed format and issued by a competent authority such as a Revenue Officer/Tehsildar. UGC NET requires a valid EWS certificate in the latest Government

    Hello Dear Student,

    No, you generally cannot use an EWS certificate for 2025–26 for the UGC NET May 2026 application if it has expired.

    EWS certificates are usually valid only for the relevant financial year, so for May 2026 applications, you may need a newly renewed EWS certificate based on

    Hello Dear Student,

    There is no separate UGC NET paper specifically for Mechanical Engineering .

    Mechanical Engineering students usually appear for:

    • related UGC NET subjects based on their specialization, or
    • the CSIR NET exam, which is more common for engineering and science backgrounds.

    You can get directly find, check, get

    Yes, you will be eligible to appear for UGC NET Environmental Science exam with background in M.Sc Microbiology. You can also apply for JRF (PhD) and Lectureship (Assistant Professor) with an age limit of 30 years.