UGC NET Syllabus for 2026 Exam
UGC NET Syllabus 2026 – Paper 1 & Paper 2 Subject-Wise Syllabus, PDF Download
The UGC NET Syllabus 2026 has been officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) along with the June 2026 notification on 29 April 2026. The syllabus is the most essential document for candidates preparing for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test, as it outlines the exact topics covered in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
The UGC NET June 2026 syllabus has been updated in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and now covers 87 subjects — including two newly added subjects: Statistics and Forestry. Candidates should download the official syllabus PDF from ugcnet.nta.ac.in before starting their preparation.
UGC NET Syllabus 2026 – Overview
|
Feature |
Details |
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Total Papers |
2 (Paper 1 + Paper 2) |
|
Paper 1 |
Common for all candidates – Teaching & Research Aptitude |
|
Paper 2 |
Subject-specific (chosen during registration) |
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Total Subjects |
87 (including Statistics & Forestry, newly added in 2026) |
|
Syllabus Alignment |
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 |
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Medium |
Bilingual (English & Hindi), except language-specific subjects |
|
Official Source |
ugcnet.nta.ac.in / ugcnetonline.in |
UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus 2026
Paper 1 is mandatory for all candidates, regardless of their chosen subject for Paper 2. It is designed to assess teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, and general awareness. The paper consists of 10 units, with approximately 5 questions from each unit, totalling 50 questions worth 100 marks.
Unit-Wise Breakdown of Paper 1
|
Unit |
Topic |
Key Sub-Topics |
|
Unit 1 |
Teaching Aptitude |
Concept, objectives, levels of teaching (memory, understanding, reflective), learner characteristics |
|
Unit 2 |
Research Aptitude |
Types of research, research methods, research ethics, thesis writing |
|
Unit 3 |
Comprehension |
Reading passages, inference drawing, analysis |
|
Unit 4 |
Communication |
Types of communication, mass media, barriers to communication, classroom communication |
|
Unit 5 |
Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude |
Number series, arithmetic, data sufficiency |
|
Unit 6 |
Logical Reasoning |
Analogies, syllogism, Venn diagrams, arguments, deductive/inductive reasoning |
|
Unit 7 |
Data Interpretation |
Tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs |
|
Unit 8 |
Information & Communication Technology (ICT) |
ICT basics, digital literacy, internet, e-governance, NPTEL, e-Pathshala |
|
Unit 9 |
People, Development & Environment |
Development & environment, human rights, natural resources, sustainability |
|
Unit 10 |
Higher Education System |
Institutions of higher learning, governance, policy, India's knowledge tradition |
Tip: Units 6 (Logical Reasoning) and 7 (Data Interpretation) are high-scoring as they are formula-based. Unit 10 on Higher Education is heavily tested and frequently updated — always refer to the latest government policies.
UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus 2026
Paper 2 is subject-specific and tests in-depth knowledge of the discipline chosen by the candidate during the application process. It carries 200 marks (100 questions × 2 marks each), making it the most significant section in determining JRF or Assistant Professor eligibility.
Paper 2 – Key Features
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Number of Questions |
100 MCQs |
|
Total Marks |
200 marks |
|
Nature |
Subject-specific, based on PG-level knowledge |
|
Units |
Typically 10 units per subject |
|
Question Style |
Shifting from recall to application-based and assertion-reason format |
List of Popular UGC NET Paper 2 Subjects (2026)
|
Subject |
Subject Code |
|
English |
30 |
|
Hindi |
20 |
|
History |
28 |
|
Political Science |
02 |
|
Economics |
01 |
|
Education |
09 |
|
Commerce |
08 |
|
Computer Science & Applications |
87 |
|
Law |
58 |
|
Sociology |
18 |
|
Psychology |
07 |
|
Management |
17 |
|
Geography |
27 |
|
Physical Education |
09 |
|
Statistics (New – 2026) |
TBA |
|
Forestry (New – 2026) |
TBA |
Candidates whose post-graduation subject is not in the list may choose a closely related subject. Always verify the subject code in the official notification before applying.
How to Download UGC NET Syllabus 2026 PDF
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Visit ugcnet.nta.ac.in (official NTA UGC NET website).
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Navigate to the "Information Bulletin / Notification" section.
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Click on the UGC NET June 2026 Notification PDF.
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The syllabus for Paper 1 and links to all Paper 2 subject syllabi are embedded in the PDF.
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You can also download subject-wise Paper 2 PDFs from ugcnetonline.in.
Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy
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Paper 1: Divide 10 units into weekly modules. Prioritise Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, and ICT.
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Paper 2: Since this section carries 200 marks, allocate at least 60–65% of study time to Paper 2.
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Previous Year Questions: Solve PYQs for the last 5–7 years to identify high-frequency topics.
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Mock Tests: Attempt full-length mocks in CBT mode to simulate exam conditions.
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Revision Notes: Prepare concise unit-wise notes for last-minute revision.
Other Recommended Books | Study Materials
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UGC NET Books | For 2026 Exams |
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UGC NET Mock Test Sample Papers | For 2026 Exams |
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UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers | For 2026 Exams |
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UGC NET Syllabus | For 2026 Exams |
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UGC NET Notes | For 2026 Exams |
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Free UGC NET Specimen Sample Books for Teachers |
Practice Comprehensively with Oswaal360 Online Courses for UGC NET 2026 Exams
Practice Now with Free Oswaal360 Online Mock Test Papers for UGC NET 2026 Exams
Are You a Teacher? Apply for FREE UGC NET Specimen Sample Books For Teachers from our end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The syllabus has been revised as per NEP 2020, and two new subjects — Statistics and Forestry — have been added, bringing the total to 87 subjects.
Yes. UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus is identical for all candidates, regardless of their Paper 2 subject.
From the official NTA website: ugcnet.nta.ac.in or ugcnetonline.in. Subject-specific PDFs are available for all 87 subjects.
No. Paper 1 tests general aptitude, while Paper 2 is entirely subject-specific based on your chosen postgraduate discipline.
Minor revisions may be present in line with NEP 2020. Always cross-check with the latest notification PDF on the official website.
