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Aspiring to do higher-level research in the university departments? Get a fellowship (JRF) and funding for your researches after qualifying in the UGC NET exam. You can also acquire Lectureship (LS) and become a Lecturer after qualifying in the UGC NET 2021. Check out the preparation tips mentioned here, to help you prepare for the exam.
Latest News on UGC NET
- UGC NET June 2020 E-Certificate Available - Published on December 14, 2020
Latest Update:
- December 14, 2020: The e-certificate for candidates who have qualified the UGC NET 2020 exam is released. Candidates can download the same by logging in with their credentials. Visit the UGC NET Results page for the direct link.
Contents
- What is UGC NET?
- UGC NET 2021 Exam Date
- UGC NET 2021 Eligibility
- UGC NET 2021 Syllabus
- UGC NET 2021 Exam Pattern
- UGC NET 2021 Registration
- UGC NET 2021 Application Form
- UGC NET 2021 Application Process
- UGC NET 2021 Admit Card
- UGC NET 2021 Exam Centres
- UGC NET 2021 Result
- UGC NET 2021 Preparation
- UGC NET 2021 Cut off Marks
- UGC NET 2021 Counselling
- UGC NET Selection Process
- UGC NET Paper Analysis
- Related Exams
What is the UGC NET 2021 Exam?
The full form of UGC NET is University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test. It is a national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) biannually, on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to provide admission to an eligible candidate for the posts of Lecturer (LS) and/or Junior Research Fellow (JRF) in various colleges or universities across the nation.
| Exam Name | University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test |
| Acronym | UGC NET |
| Level | National-level |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Courses Offered | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) & Lectureship (LS) |
| Mode | Online, i.e. Computer-based Test (CBT) |
| Language | English or Hindi |
| UGC NET Exam Duration | Paper 1 - 90 minutes and Paper 2 - 90 minutes |
| UGC NET Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
| UGC NET Helpline Number | 8076535482 / 7703859909 |
| Similar Exam(s) | CSIR NET |
Candidates who have got Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) are eligible to pursue research in the subject of their post-graduation or a related subject. The number of seats available varies every year based on the requirements of the universities. UGC validates and inspects the universities in India before finalizing vacant positions.
The performance of the candidates in both the papers of UGC NET 2021 will be accounted for awarding a JRF and eligibility for Lectureship (LS). Candidates qualifying exclusively for Lectureship (LS) will not be considered for JRF.
Fellowship is offered only to the candidates who qualify the JRF mark. This will be provided by UGC or other institutions under various schemes. A monthly stipend of INR 25,000/- is provided during the period of research. The validity period of this offer is 2 years from the date of the issue of the JRF Letter.
UGC NET 2021 Exam Date
Exam Dates for the UGC NET2021 will be decided and declared by the NTA. Its application form will be made available on the official website of UGC NET from March 15, 2021, tentatively. The candidates will be able to register themselves for the June, 2021 exam till the third week of April, 2021. Candidates who satisfy the eligibility criteria can apply for UGC NET 2021.
UGC NET 2021 Exam Dates for all the events will be announced on the official website of UGC NET in February, 2021. The exam will be conducted online (Computer-based Test) tentatively on June 13, 2021.
All the important UGC NET 2021 Dates are tabulated below.
| Important Events to UGC NET 2021 | Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| UGC NET 2021 Application Form Start Date | Third week of March, 2021 |
| UGC NET 2021 Application Form Last Date | Third week of April, 2021 |
| UGC NET 2021 Application Form Correction Window | To be announced |
| UGC NET 2021 Admit Card Availability | To be announced |
| UGC NET 2021 Exam Date | Second week of June, 2021, onwards |
| UGC NET 2021 Exam Result Date | Last week of July, 2021 |
UGC NET 2021 Eligibility Criteria
The basic UGC NET 2021 eligibility criteria for the candidates who want to apply for the UGC NET June 2021 exam is that they should have completed their Master's degree or an equivalent, with a minimum aggregate of 55%.
Earlier, the upper age limit for applying for UGC NET JRF was 28 years. Now, it has been increased by two years, i.e. up to 30 years, for the candidates who belong to General Category.
For the reserved category (SC, ST, OBC), the upper age limit to apply is 35 years, which means a relaxation of 5 years. For more details on UGC NET 2021 eligibility criteria, candidates can refer below:
UGC NET 2021 Educational Qualification
The educational qualification for UGC NET 2021 is as follows:
- Candidates must obtain at least 55% marks in their post-graduation or equivalent from a recognized university.
- Students who are in their final year are eligible to appear in the exam.
- Candidates that hold PhD. Degree whose post-graduation was completed before September 19, 1991, is provided relaxation of 5% in minimum marks.
|
Category |
UGC NET Educational Qualification |
|
General Category |
Secured at least 55% marks in Master’s Degree or equivalent in subjects like Electronic Science, Social Science, Computer Science and Application |
|
SC/ST/OBC |
Equivalent in education domains mentioned for general category |
|
Ph.D. Degree holders |
5% marks relaxation is provided for candidates who have completed the PG program before September 19, 1991. |
UGC NET 2021 Age Limit
The age limit criteria for UGC NET 2021 is given below:
- Junior Research Fellowship: For candidates belonging to the General category, the upper age limit is 30 years as of June 1, 2021.
- Assistant Professorship: No age limit
|
Posts |
Unreserved Category |
SC/ST/OBC/PwD |
Candidates with L.L.M. Degree |
|
Junior Research Fellowship |
30 years |
35 years |
33 years |
|
Assistant Professor |
No age limit |
||
UGC NET 2021 Syllabus
UGC NET Syllabus 2021 is decided by the National Testing Agency (NTA). UGC NET 2021 will have 2 papers - Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates must go through the syllabus carefully and prepare well for the examination by covering all the topics mentioned in the syllabus. The subject and marks allotment for paper-1 and paper-2 is given below.
The paper-1 intends to test the aptitude of the candidates in terms of teaching and research. The questions here will be generic in nature and not core subject-oriented. It will test the comprehension, reasoning ability, general awareness, and the divergent thinking skills of the candidates. Paper-1 will access the cognitive skills of the candidates. Paper-2 will be subject-oriented and it will test the core subject knowledge of the candidates.
UGC NET 2021 Paper 1 Syllabus
- Research Aptitude
- Teaching Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
- Communication
- Reasoning
- Data Interpretation
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Information and Communication Technology
- People and Environment
- Governance
- Polity
A detailed UGC NET 2021 Syllabus of each subject will be available in the form of a PDF.
UGC NET 2021 Exam Pattern
UGC NET 2021 exam pattern consists of two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates can go through the below details regarding the UGC NET 2021 exam pattern:
Paper 1: Paper 1 consists of 50 questions. Candidates should answer all 50 questions. A maximum of 100 marks will be awarded for paper 1 if all the answers are right. The duration of Paper 1 is 60 minutes.
Paper 2: Paper 2 has 100 questions and all of them are mandatory to be attempted. The marks will be awarded to the applicant out of a total of 100 marks. The maximum time allotted for Paper 2 is 120 minutes. Each question carries 2 marks.
|
Particulars |
UGC NET 2021 Paper 1 |
UGC NET 2021 Paper 2 |
|
Exam mode |
Online |
Online |
|
Exam Duration |
3 hours |
3 hours |
|
Type of Paper |
50 |
100 |
|
Total Question |
MCQs |
MCQs |
|
Total Marks |
100 Marks |
200 Marks |
|
Marching Scheme |
+2 for the correct answer 0 for an incorrect answer |
+2 for the correct answer 0 for an incorrect answer |
|
Language of Paper |
English and Hindi |
English and Hindi |
Learn about the detailed marks allotment for each section/topic on the UGC NET 2021 Exam Pattern here.
UGC NET 2021 Application Form
The Registration and Application Forms for UGC NET will be available on the official website of UGC NET from the third week of March, 2021. Candidates will have to enter their details including an ID Number (not necessarily an Aadhar card; it can be any Government Approved ID card).
Once the registration is done for the UGC NET 2021, there will be an Application Number generated on the screen. Candidates will have to make a note of this number for future reference.
UGC NET 2021 Application Fee
Only the candidates who satisfy the eligibility criteria can fill in the UGC NET June 2021 Form. The fee once paid will not be refunded under any case. The candidates who do not satisfy the eligibility criteria will lose their candidature.
The UGC NET Application Fee for different categories is given below:
| Category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| General | INR 1000 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | INR 500 |
| SC/ST/PWD | INR 250 |
The Fees can be paid either online through Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking, or offline through e-Challan.
UGC NET 2021 Document Upload
When applying for the UGC NET 2021 Exam, candidates will be asked to upload scanned images of photograph and signature. The photograph must be passport size recently taken against a white background, and it should be a coloured photograph. The signature can be done in blue or black ink on a white paper. Following are the specification of documents that should be followed when uploading them in the UGC NET application form 2021.
|
Details |
Photograph |
Signature |
|
Size |
10 KB - 100 KB |
4 KB - 30 KB |
|
Format |
JPEG |
JPEG |
|
Dimensions |
3.5 cm x 4.5cm |
3.5cm x 1.5cm |
Documents required while filling the UGC NET Application Form 2021
Following documents are required to apply for UGC NET:
- Marks sheet of class 10 and 12
- A scanned file of Photograph and Signature
- A valid Credit/Debit/Net banking for Fee payment
UGC NET 2021 Application Process
The application process consists of registration, application form filling, uploading documents and paying the fees. All the steps are to be carried out online. Applicants must provide accurate information during the UGC NET application process. Applicants may be disqualified if any inconsistency is found.
How to apply online for UGC NET 2021?
A step-by-step procedure to apply for UGC NET 2021 is provided below:
- Step 1:Go to the official website of UGC NET at ugcnet.nta.nic.in
- Step 2: Click on the "Fill Application Form UGC-NET 2021" link
- Step 3: Fill in the Registration Form. You will receive credentials for logging in on your registered mobile number.
- Step 4: Log in with the received credentials and then fill in the Application Form
- Step 5: Upon filling in the UGC NET Application Form, you will be needed to upload the required documents,
i.e. a Scanned copy of your passport-sized Photograph and of your Signature - Step 6: Proceed to pay the fee for your application form.
- Step 7: When the payment is successfully done, you will need to take a printout of your application form for future references.
UGC NET 2021 Admit Card
Admit cards will be available for downloading from the official website of UGC NET. Candidates must visit the official website often to get updates about all the important dates related to the examination.
Admit card is an important document which a candidate has to carry to the examination hall. Along with his/her admit card, a candidate must also carry a government-approved ID card and a photograph. Candidates without valid admit card and ID proof will not be allowed to take up the exam.
Candidates can follow the steps mentioned below to download the UGC NET 2021, Admit Card:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of UGC NET.
- Step 2: Enter your Application Number and Password.
- Step 3: Click on the "Submit" tab and your Admit Card will be displayed on the screen.
- Step 4: Take the printout of your admit card, and retain it carefully.
Details Mentioned on the UGC NET 2021 Admit Card
UGC NET 2021 Admit Card contains necessary information about the candidate and the examination. Below are the details mentioned in the admit card:
- Candidate’s Name
- Father’s Name
- Exam Subject
- Exam Center
- Exam Date and Time
- Candidate’s Email ID
- Application Number
- Exam Instructions
Documents to carry with UGC NET Admit Card
Candidates will be asked to carry certain documents like a valid photo identity proof with its xerox copy, two recent passport size photographs along with the UGC NET 2021 admit card. The photographs should be the same as the ones uploaded during the application process. Candidates can bring any of the following documents as a photo identity proof.
- Aadhar Card
- PAN Card
- Passport
- Ration Card
- Permanent Driver's License
- Voter Card
UGC NET 2021 Exam Centres
UGC NET 2021 will be held at 264 Exam Centres across India. Candidates will get the option of choosing 4 UGC NET 2021 exam centres of their choice while filling in the UGC NET application.
The NTA, the conducting authority of UGC NET, makes sure that candidates are allotted their preferred exam centres. Once an exam centre is allotted, it cannot be changed. Seats will be allotted based on availability.
Candidates will have to carry the following documents to the exam hall along with them:
- Admit Card
- Photo ID proof
- A passport size photo
UGC NET 2021 Result
The UGC NET Result 2021 will be announced in the last week of July, 2021. A scorecard or a result card will not be mailed or sent to the candidate by post.
Candidates are advised to take a printout of their result card for future reference. This will act as a valid proof of their eligibility for getting the fellowship or the lectureship.
How to download UGC NET 2021 Result?
Candidates can follow the steps mentioned below to download their UGC NET June 2021 result:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of UGC NET
- Step 2: Click on the link of UGC NET 2021 Result.
- Step 3: Enter your Registration Number along with your password, and then log in. The result card will be displayed on the screen.
- Step 4: Candidates will have to take a printout of the result card for future use.
Details Mentioned on the UGC NET 2021 Scorecard
Candidates can check with the below information which will be available in the UGC NET 2021 Scorecard:
- Candidate’s Name
- Hall Ticket Number
- Rank Scored
- Name of the subject or course
- Marks obtained in each paper
- Total Marks
- Percentage Secured
UGC NET 2021 Preparation
Applicants should keep the following things in mind while preparing for the UGC NET 2021.
- Time management is the key to success.
Aspirants will have to write two papers, so they should plan their course of action, dividing time for each question. Also, don't spend too much time over one question. That may reduce your chances to cover the rest of the questions.
- Analyze previous years' question papers.
Solve previous years' papers and mock papers for UGC NET. This will give you an idea of how the questions in the exam will be framed. Changes in the question papers over the years can be well predicted if practised diligently.
- Use of flashcards.
To enhance memory retention, you can use flashcards. Preparing these for the important concepts that are hard to memorize can be very useful. You can paste them on a wall to take your preparation to the next level.
UGC NET 2021 Reference Books
One of the best ways for candidates to prepare well for their examinations is to thoroughly read reference books and make a practice of it.
To help with the UGC NET Exam Preparation, candidates can go through the below-mentioned books which can be of help to ace the exams:
Books for Paper 1:
- CBSE UGC NET/SET/JRF – Paper 1: Teaching and Research Aptitude by KVS Madaan
- Trueman's UGC NET/SET General Paper I by M. Gagan and Sajit Kumar
- UGC NET/SET Paper 1 by McGraw Hill Education
- UGC NET/JRF/SLET General Paper-1 Teaching & Research Aptitude by Arihant Experts
- CBSE UGC-NET: Teaching and Research Aptitude-JRF and Assistant Professor Exam Guide (for Paper-I) (CBSE UGC (NET) JRF & Asstt. Professor Exam) by Dr. M.S. Ansari & RPH Editorial Board
- UGC-NET (Paper-I) 50 Practice Papers (Solved) by Ramesh Publishing House
- UGC NET/SET (JRF & LS) 14 Years’ Solved Papers Teaching and Research Aptitude Paper-I
Books for Paper 2:
- Political Science: Trueman’s UGC NET Political Science by KA Babu and Sajit Kumar
- Philosophy: Trueman's UGC NET Philosophy by A.M. Tripathi
- Sociology: Trueman's UGC NET Sociology by S.Hussain
- Commerce: Trueman’s UGC NET Commerce by Parveen Kataria, Anshu Kataria and M. Shivani
- Education: Trueman’s UGC NET Education by GaganManocha
- English: UGC NET/SET (JRF & LS) English Literature Paper II & III by Arihant Experts (Author), Third (Editor)
UGC NET 2021 Cut-off
UGC NET 2021 cut-off marks is decided by the conducting authority, the NTA. A cut-off is the minimum qualifying marks a candidate has to score to be eligible for the post of Lectureship (LS) and/or Fellowship (JRF). A separate cut-off list will be prepared for category-wise eligibility and subject-wise eligibility. Candidates must note that the cut off marks depend on various factors like the number of vacancies available, the difficulty level of the examination, the total number of candidates appearing for the exam, etc. Candidates can view previous year cutoffs to get a brief idea about the required score that has to be secured in order to get into the respective post. Cut off scores vary from one year to another. Previous year cut off's can be used as a reference.
| Category |
Minimum score required (Paper-1 + Paper-2) |
| General/EWS | 40% (120 marks) |
| OBC/SC/ST/PwD | 35% (105 marks) |
UGC NET 2021 Counselling
After the declaration of the UGC 2021 results, the conducting authority announces the counselling dates on the official website.
UGC NET 2021 Counselling is only for the candidates who clear the examination. Candidates must have all their original documents ready for the procedure. Candidates must follow the schedule and instructions given out by the conducting body. The counselling process will include document verification post which the seat allotment will happen. Before the counselling process, candidates need to research about which course and college they want to choose. Considering the score of the candidate and the previous year cut-off will help in deciding the course and college that can be expected.
UGC NET 2021 Selection Process
Candidates who score qualifying marks that are eligible for Lectureship (LS) or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) under the UGC NET 2021, will be called for counselling. During their counselling, candidates will be allotted to the postings they have applied for only if they are deemed eligible.
UGC NET Dec 2019 Paper Analysis
The exam was conducted in shifts and on different dates between 2-6 December 2019.
The exam analysis has been discussed below in detail:
UGC NET Shift 1 Paper Analysis
The questions for Shift 1 were asked from the sections mentioned below:
| Category | Number of Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Governance, Polity, Administration & Current Affairs | 3-4 | Difficult |
| Teaching Aptitude | 11-13 | Easy |
| Communication | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Research Aptitude | 7-9 | Difficult |
| Reading Comprehension | 5 in 1 set | Easy |
| Mathematics | 4-5 | Easy to Moderate |
| Information & Communication Technology (ICT) | 2-3 | Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning | 7-8 | Easy |
| Data Interpretation | 5 in one set | Moderate |
| People & Environment | 3-4 | Difficult |
| Total | 50 questions (2 marks each) |
UGC NET Shift 2 Paper Analysis
The questions pattern for Shift 2 is given below:
| Category | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Higher Education System | Easy |
| Information & Communications Technology | Moderate |
| Research Aptitude | Difficult |
| People & Environment | Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | Difficult |
| Reading Comprehension | Easy |
| Communication | Easy to Moderate |
| Mathematics & Reasoning | Moderate |
| Data Interpretation | Easy |
UGC NET Shift 3 Paper Analysis
The candidates who had appeared for the UGC NET Dec 2019 exam, deemed the question paper to be easy to moderate. They found the Data Interpretation section very easy as compared to the expected difficulty. A question that was asked in the shift was about Classroom Communication, 4th Generation Language, and Effective Learning.
The questions asked in the paper were from Number System, Compound Interest, Ration, Blood Relations. There were some memory based questions too. The communication problem asked in the paper was easy to solve as per the students. Logical Reasoning was a tough section and the questions were asked from Fallacies, Square opposition, and Inductive Reasoning. The Current Affairs questions asked were also easy.
This exam is conducted for over 84 subjects and selected candidates are placed across the country in over 874 Universities. Payment of application fee can be made online as well as offline, through debit card or credit card, or e-Challan.
