A good score in UGC NET is around 199 for Assistant Professor and 97 for JRF & Assistant Professor, 99 and 97 in Commerce, and 99 and 97 in English (UR category). Check here What is a good score in UGC NET category wise!
Since a good UGC NET score is essential, all aspirants wonder about what a good score is in UGC NET. While the definition of a good score can be subjective, general category candidates need 40% as the minimum qualifying mark, and reserved category candidates need 35%. For candidates belonging to the unreserved category, a good score in the June 2025 session was 162 in History for assistance professor, and 188 for JRF. On the other hand, in English, it was 168 for an assistant professor post and 188 for a JRF.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC NET 2026 December session exam from December 31, 2025, to January 07, 2026. While the UGC NET NTA result link Dec 2025 was activated on February 04, 2026, it turned inactive due to some server-related issues. However, you can expect a good score in History to be around 190 for JRF, and 175 for Assistant Professor. Similarly, 245 for JRF and 208 for Assistance Professor might be good scores in English.
What are UGC NET Qualifying Marks?
You must receive the minimum qualifying marks as per the UGC NET exam pattern. UGC NET cutoff scores are different from qualifying marks. Additionally, you must receive the required scores from NTA in the UGC NET exams to be considered for a JRF or Associate Professorship. The table below shows the UGC NET Passing Marks for candidates:
| Category | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
| General Category | 40 (40%) marks | 40 (40%) marks |
| PWD, ST, SC, OBC Non-Creamy Layer, Transgenders | 35 (35%) marks | 35 (35%) |
How to Calculate Score for UGC NET 2026?
Here is how the UGC NET 2026 cut off marks are determined:
- Step 1: Overall, at least 6% of the applicants who took both UGC NET exam papers(Paper 1 and Paper 2) will be qualified.
- Step 2: The total number of seats will be allocated, in accordance with the Indian government's reservation policy, to candidates from all categories.
- Step 3: Your eligibility for the JRF posts or Assistant Professor vacancies in the UGC NET is then determined by the minimum qualifying cut-off given below
| UGC NET Candidate Category | UGC NET Minimum Qualifying Cutoff (Paper I and II) |
| General | 40% (both papers attempted together) |
| OBC/ST/SC/PwD | 35% (both papers attempted together) |
- Step 4: Candidates who pass the exam will be eligible based on their subject-specific categorisation. The total percentage of applications received on both tests will be used as the qualifying cut-off, which varies according to the number of openings.
- Step 5: In accordance with the reservation guidelines, the total number of junior research fellow grant slots that are available is distributed among various categories.
Good Score in UGC NET 2026: Category-wise and Subject-wise
UGC NET 2025 Cutoff will be declared after the UGC NET result declaration. You can check the good scores for all the major subjects category-wise and subject-wise, in UGC NET 2026 below:
Philosophy
| Category | Assistant Professor Cutoff | JRF Cutoff | PhD Only Cutoff |
| UNRESERVED | 180 | 202 | 154 |
| ST | 140 | 168 | 124 |
| OBC (NCL) | 162 | 190 | 140 |
| EWS | 166 | 198 | 140 |
| SC | 154 | 188 | 134 |
| PWD-HI-UR | 110 | 110 | ---- |
| PWD-VI-UR | 158 | 158 | 106 |
| PWD-VI-OB | 120 | 134 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-UR | 168 | 168 | 138 |
| PWD-VI-SC | 120 | 120 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-SC | 112 | 112 | 110 |
| PWD-LM-OB | 148 | 148 | 126 |
| PWD-VI-EW | 136 | 136 | ---- |
Economics
| Category | Assistant Professor Cutoff | JRF Cutoff | PhD Only Cutoff |
| UNRESERVED | 182 | 210 | 154 |
| EWS | 164 | 200 | 140 |
| OBC (NCL) | 160 | 198 | 140 |
| ST | 144 | 176 | 128 |
| SC | 148 | 184 | 130 |
| PWD-HI-UR | 120 | 158 | 108 |
| PWD-VI-UR | 138 | 176 | 112 |
| PWD-OD&AO-UR | 112 | 136 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-UR | 150 | 180 | 124 |
| PWD-VI-OB | 114 | 160 | 106 |
| PWD-LM-OB | 132 | 158 | 114 |
| PWD-HI-OB | 106 | 136 | ---- |
| PWD-VI-SC | ---- | 110 | ---- |
| PWD-HI-SC | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| PWD-OD&AO-OB | 106 | 124 | ---- |
| PWD-OD&AO-SC | ---- | 112 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-SC | 126 | 160 | 112 |
| PWD-HI-ST | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| PWD-VI-ST | 112 | 130 | ---- |
| PWD-OD&AO-ST | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| PWD-LM-ST | 112 | 128 | 106 |
| PWD-HI-EW | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| PWD-VI-EW | 136 | 148 | ---- |
| PWD-OD&AO-EW | ---- | 130 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-EW | 140 | 172 | 116 |
Political Science
| Category | Assistant Professor Cutoff | JRF Cutoff | PhD Only Cutoff |
| UNRESERVED | 96.3442108 | 99.7303386 | 83.2434462 |
| OBC (NCL) | 91.3165364 | 99.2325753 | 71.5947717 |
| EWS | 90.3911797 | 99.2422174 | 67.0228017 |
| SC | 83.2434462 | 97.3204533 | 64.3024845 |
| ST | 78.1581806 | 96.7656026 | 58.6466692 |
| PWD-VI-UR | 67.0228017 | 99.10568 | 15.0430093 |
| PWD-HI-UR | 34.8354767 | 91.3844894 | 17.1217914 |
| PWD-LM-UR | 79.5843992 | 97.7266521 | 56.4684599 |
| PWD-OD&AO-UR | 18.498791 | 93.1389951 | 15.0430093 |
| PWD-VI-OB | 42.534817 | 97.1791008 | 13.1690333 |
| PWD-HI-OB | 11.4998635 | 71.5947717 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-OB | 65.0361824 | 95.71784 | 39.2087465 |
| PWD-OD&AO-OB | 11.4998635 | 80.5707264 | ---- |
| PWD-VI-SC | 26.3482496 | 90.3911797 | 13.1690333 |
| PWD-HI-SC | 13.1690333 | 24.2737499 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-SC | 64.3024845 | 87.1780495 | 30.3522665 |
| PWD-OD&AO-SC | 16.7151417 | 43.6135543 | ---- |
| PWD-VI-ST | 14.98756 | 78.1581806 | ---- |
| PWD-HI-ST | 14.98756 | 76.0752321 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-ST | 44.910568 | 81.0631811 | 18.498791 |
| PWD-OD&AO-ST | ---- | 20.3840628 | ---- |
| PWD-VI-EW | 32.6803799 | 94.5521573 | ---- |
| PWD-HI-EW | 13.1690333 | 73.3503872 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-EW | 64.3024845 | 95.71784 | 19.1015838 |
| PWD-OD&AO-EW | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| Third Gender | 21.2247406 | 21.2247406 | ---- |
History
| Category | Assistant Professor Cutoff | JRF Cutoff | PhD Only Cutoff |
| UNRESERVED | 97.6608584 | 99.7928431 | 87.9748739 |
| OBC(NCL) | 93.4378028 | 99.3417755 | 79.3409723 |
| EWS | 92.8707031 | 99.5152214 | 77.1103126 |
| SC | 87.7652722 | 98.2993084 | 70.8844265 |
| ST | 83.1547902 | 97.1252288 | 65.7422567 |
| PWD-VI-UR | 79.3409723 | 98.6609262 | 24.0626483 |
| PWD-HI-UR | 50.519563 | 94.3299141 | 26.5950234 |
| PWD-LM-UR | 86.402468 | 97.1252288 | 65.4010441 |
| PWD-OD&AO-UR | 29.2833412 | 89.1653671 | 26.5950234 |
| PWD-VI-OB | 57.4411825 | 95.8810767 | ---- |
| PWD-HI-OB | 26.5950234 | 67.8283273 | ---- |
| PWD-LM-OB | 74.9745745 | 95.8810767 | 51.8272425 |
Commerce
| Category | JRF Cutoff | Assistant Professor Cutoff | PhD Only Cutoff |
| UNRESERVED | 99.8478738 | 97.7994764 | 90.1857106 |
| OBC(NCL) | 99.206861 | 92.1846789 | 80.1209934 |
| EWS | 99.5365457 | 93.8870261 | 80.1038174 |
| SC | 97.9978076 | 86.8110097 | 71.8955636 |
| ST | 97.0034671 | 83.5729946 | 66.9460923 |
| PWD-VI-UR | 99.2004528 | 80.1038174 | 32.992649 |
| PWD-HI-UR | 89.4042312 | 53.3111942 | 32.992649 |
| PWD-LM-UR | 98.7546876 | 89.0766056 | 69.4383544 |
UGC NET Previous Year Good Scores
You must also check the previous year UGC NET cut-offs as well to get a better idea of the marks you need. Refer to the table given below for a detailed bifurcation of UGC NET 2026 previous year scores.
| Subjects | Category | Assistant Professor Cut-Off |
JRF & Assistant Professor Cut-Off
|
|
Psychology
|
Gen/ UR | 196 | 216 |
| EWS | 174 | 200 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 174 | 200 | |
| SC | 162 | 184 | |
| ST | 158 | 178 | |
|
Education
|
Gen/ UR | 190 | 210 |
| EWS | 172 | 198 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 172 | 196 | |
| SC | 160 | 182 | |
| ST | 162 | 184 | |
|
Anthropology
|
Gen/ UR | 174 | 194 |
| EWS | 160 | 190 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 162 | 184 | |
| SC | 150 | 166 | |
| ST | 150 | 166 | |
|
Sociology
|
Gen/ UR | 200 | 218 |
| EWS | 184 | 208 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 182 | 204 | |
| SC | 168 | 192 | |
| ST | 166 | 190 | |
|
Social Work
|
Gen/ UR | 178 | 196 |
| EWS | 162 | 188 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 156 | 180 | |
| SC | 142 | 172 | |
| ST | 144 | 166 | |
|
Philosophy
|
Gen/ UR | 206 | 226 |
| EWS | 186 | 216 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 186 | 210 | |
| SC | 178 | 200 | |
| ST | 158 | 180 | |
|
Home Science
|
Gen/ UR | 182 | 200 |
| EWS | 162 | 184 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 162 | 182 | |
| SC | 150 | 176 | |
| ST | 150 | 176 | |
|
Defence & Strategic Studies
|
Gen/ UR | 208 | 224 |
| EWS | 194 | 216 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 192 | 208 | |
| SC | 192 | 214 | |
| ST | 182 | 190 | |
|
Population Studies
|
Gen/ UR | 182 | 204 |
| EWS | 168 | 196 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 168 | 186 | |
| SC | 164 | 174 | |
| ST | 160 | 172 | |
|
Public Administration
|
Gen/ UR | 182 | 200 |
| EWS | 168 | 192 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 166 | 190 | |
| SC | 150 | 172 | |
| ST | 150 | 172 | |
|
Maithili
|
Gen/ UR | 202 | 218 |
| EWS | 182 | 202 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 184 | 198 | |
| SC | 198 | 212 | |
| ST | — | — | |
|
Management
|
Gen/ UR | 164 | 180 |
| EWS | 148 | 170 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 144 | 164 | |
| SC | 136 | 154 | |
| ST | 134 | 152 | |
|
Sanskrit
|
Gen/ UR | 178 | 196 |
| EWS | 164 | 186 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 162 | 180 | |
| SC | 152 | 170 | |
| ST | 138 | 158 | |
|
Punjabi
|
Gen/ UR | 160 | 172 |
| EWS | 148 | 162 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 144 | 160 | |
| SC | 134 | 152 | |
| ST | 136 | 136 | |
|
Telugu
|
Gen/ UR | 154 | 164 |
| EWS | 144 | 152 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 140 | 154 | |
| SC | 134 | 152 | |
| ST | 136 | 146 | |
|
Tamil
|
Gen/ UR | 148 | 160 |
| EWS | 144 | 140 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 138 | 150 | |
| SC | 132 | 144 | |
| ST | 132 | — | |
|
Law
|
Gen/ UR | 202 | 224 |
| EWS | 182 | 210 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 180 | 206 | |
| SC | 168 | 190 | |
| ST | 160 | 182 | |
|
Urdu
|
Gen/ UR | 202 | 214 |
| EWS | 190 | 206 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 190 | 206 | |
| SC | 168 | 204 | |
| ST | 178 | 190 | |
|
Geography
|
Gen/ UR | 182 | 202 |
| EWS | 164 | 192 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 164 | 186 | |
| SC | 152 | 176 | |
| ST | 150 | 168 | |
|
Mass Communication & Journalism
|
Gen/ UR | 184 | 208 |
| EWS | 166 | 194 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 166 | 186 | |
| SC | 156 | 172 | |
| ST | 152 | 166 | |
|
Computer Science & Applications
|
Gen/ UR | 162 | 180 |
| EWS | 146 | 166 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 142 | 162 | |
| SC | 136 | 150 | |
| ST | 132 | 148 | |
|
Economics
|
Gen/ UR | 192 | 212 |
| EWS | 172 | 198 | |
| OBC(NCL) | 170 | 196 | |
| SC | 152 | 176 | |
| ST | 150 | 172 |
UGC NET Certificate 2026
UGC NET certificate 2026 is a document issued by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for candidates who qualify for the UGC NET. It serves as a formal credential for both Assistant Professorship and JRF. It has a lifetime validity, helping you apply for teaching positions indefinitely. However, the JRF Letter is valid for only 3 years. For the December 2025 UGC NET cycle, UGC NET certificates are expected to be released in the 2nd week of February 2026. You can download it from the official UGC NET portal using your roll number, application number, and date of birth.
Quick Facts
-
Gen: 40% min marks; Reserved: 35%. -
NTA conducts UGC NET exams. -
JRF certificate valid for 3 years. -
Assistant Professor certificate has lifetime validity.