UGC NET 2021: Check Eligibility, Paper Pattern and other details here

UGC – National Eligibility Test, UGC NET is conducted by the National Testing Agency twice a year. NTA conducts UGC NET Exam for selection of eligible candidates for the post of ‘Assistant Professor’ and ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor’ in Indian colleges and universities. The selection for Assistant Professorship and awarding of JRF depends on the performance of the candidate in the UGC NET examination.

UGC NET Exam covers 81 subjects. The entire application process of the examination is online, including uploading of scanned images, payment of fees, admit card, etc. Candidates who are interested to appear for the examination are required to apply for it through the official website, ugcnet.nta.nic.in.  

UGC NET 2021: Eligibility Criteria

Education Qualification

• Candidates who have secured at least 55 per cent marks in Master’s Degree or equivalent from UGC recognized universities or institutes are eligible to appear for UGC NET Examination.
• Candidates who are pursuing a Master’s degree or equivalent can also apply for the exam. They will be provisionally admitted and would be considered eligible for award of JRF or Assistant Professor only after qualifying Master’s Degree.
• Ph.D. degree holders whose Masters’ level examination has been completed by September 19, 1991, are eligible for a relaxation of 5 per cent in aggregate marks.

Age Limit

• There is no age limit in applying for Assistant Professor.
• For JRF, the upper age limit is 31 years as on the first day of the month in which the exam is concluded. A relaxation of five years is provided to candidates belonging to the OBC NCL category.

Exam Pattern

• UGC NET test contains two papers. Both Paper I and Paper II consist of multiple choice questions. The total duration for the examination is 180 minutes without any break. Paper I comprise 50 questions whereas Paper II contains 100 questions. There is no break between the two papers.
• Paper I intends to assess the teaching/ research aptitude of the candidate. It tests reasoning ability, reading comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness of the candidate. Paper carry a total of 100 marks. Paper II, carrying 200 marks, is based on the subject selected by the candidate and assess domain knowledge.  
• Each question carries two marks. Candidates are awarded two marks for each correct answer and there is no negative marking for incorrect response. 
• The medium of the question paper will be in English and Hindi only.

Also Read: MBA Entrance Exams in India: List of national, state and institute level examinations

UG NET syllabus is available for download on the official website. Around eight lakh students register for the UGC NET exam every year. In 2020, a total of 8,60,976 candidates registered for the UGC NET June/September examination. Nearly five lakh candidates appeared for the examination out of which 47,000 candidates qualified for JRF and Assistant professor.

NTA declares UGC NET result on its official website. Candidates are advised to check the information bulletin carefully before applying for the examination. Applicants are advised to keep a regular check on the official website of NTA and UGC NET, to avoid missing any important update.