UGC NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test) is a prestigious national-level examination that determines eligibility for the position of Assistant Professor and the award of the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the UGC, the exam is held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and covers a wide array of subjects.The UGC NET plays a crucial role in upholding academic standards and promoting quality higher education across India.[Click Here to Download the Exam Schedule]
UGC NET Exam Schedule 2025: Overview
| Description | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Name | UGC NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Objective | Determine eligibility for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test – CBT) |
| Papers | Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
| Paper 1 | Teaching & Research Aptitude – 50 Questions, 100 Marks |
| Paper 2 | Subject-Specific – 100 Questions, 200 Marks |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Exam Dates | 31st December, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th & 7th January |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET Exam 2025: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 07 October 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 07 October 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 07 November 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 07 November 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | 10 November 2025 – 12 November 2025 |
| Admit Card Release Date | To be Notified |
| Examination Dates | 31st December, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th & 7th January |
| Result Declaration Date | To be Notified |
UGC NET Exam Schedule 2025: Shift and Timing
| Shift | Timing | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 3 Hours |
| Shift 2 | 03:00 PM – 06:00 PM | 3 Hours |
Detailed Exam Schedule
The UGC NET 2025 examination will be conducted on 31st December 2025 and 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th January 2026. The exam comprises Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) and Paper 2 (Subject-Specific). Candidates must check their specific exam date and shift before preparing.
Exam Schedule by Day and Shift
Day 1 – 31 December 2025
Shift 1 (09:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Law (058)
- Social Work (010)
- Telugu (027)
- Tourism Administration and Management (093)
- Spanish (040)
- Prakrit (091)
- Kashmiri (084)
- Konkani (085)
Day 2 – 02 January 2026
Shift 1 (09:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Computer Science and Application (087)
- Library and Information Science (059)
- Urdu (028)
- Forensic Science (082)
- Bengali (019)
- Arabic (029)
- Bodo (094)
- Human Rights and Duties (092)
Shift 2 (03:00 PM – 06:00 PM)
- Sociology (005)
- Psychology (004)
- Philosophy (003)
- Oriya (023)
- Yoga (100)
- Punjabi (024)
- Social Medicine & Community Health (081)
- Women Studies (074)
Day 3 – 03 January 2026
Shift 1 (09:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Commerce (008)
- Sanskrit (025)
- Criminology (068)
- Politics & International Relations/Studies (090)
- Disaster Management (104)
- Museology & Conservation (066)
Shift 2 (03:00 PM – 06:00 PM)
- Geography (080)
- Education (009)
- Santali (095)
- Folk Literature (071)
- Maithili (018)
- Indian Culture (050)
- Persian (042)
- Comparative Study of Religions (062)
Day 4 – 05 January 2026
Shift 1 (09:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- English (030)
- Sanskrit Traditional Subjects (073)
- Anthropology (007)
- Adult Education / Continuing Education (046)
- French (033)
- Dogri (033)
- Russian (041)
- Rajasthani (043)
Shift 2 (03:00 PM – 06:00 PM)
- History (006)
- Visual Art (079)
- Assamese (036)
- Tribal & Regional Language/Literature (070)
- Archaeology (067)
- Gujarati (037)
- Chinese (032)
Day 5 – 06 January 2026
Shift 1 (09:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Political Science (002)
- Defence & Strategic Studies (011)
- Arab Culture & Islamic Studies (049)
- Hindu Studies (102)
- Nepali (034)
- Comparative Literature (072)
- Japanese (045)
- Sindhi (101)
Shift 2 (03:00 PM – 06:00 PM)
- Hindi (020)
- Tamil (026)
- Mass Communication & Journalism (063)
- Kannada (021)
- Malayalam (022)
- Manipuri (035)
- Indian Knowledge Systems (103)
- German (044)
Day 6 – 07 January 2026
Shift 1 (09:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Economics / Rural Economics / Cooperation / Demography / Development Planning / Development Studies / Applied Economics / Business Economics (001)
- Management (017)
- Public Administration (014)
- Population Studies (015)
- Linguistics (031)
- Buddhist, Jaina, Gandhian & Peace Studies (060)
- Ayurveda Biology (105)
Shift 2 (03:00 PM – 06:00 PM)
- Environmental Sciences (089)
- Home Science (012)
- Physical Education (047)
- Labour Welfare / Personnel Management / Industrial Relations / Labour & Social Welfare / HRM (055)
- Electronic Science (088)
- Music (016)
- Marathi (038)
- Pali (083)
- Performing Arts – Dance/Drama/Theatre (065)
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025
| Particulars | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 1 Hour | 2 Hours |
| Number of Questions | 50 | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 200 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | 2 Marks per correct answer | 2 Marks per correct answer |
| Negative Marking | None | None |
| Subjects / Topics | Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Communication Technology, Governance, Polity & Administration | Topics from the candidate’s main subject |
UGC NET Admit Card 2025
The UGC NET 2025 Admit Card is released online by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates can download it using their Application Number and Date of Birth.
Important
- The admit card contains exam date, shift, exam city, center address, and instructions.
- Carry a printed admit card and a valid photo ID on the exam day.
UGC NET Result 2025
The UGC NET 2025 Result is declared online after the examination. The result includes:
- Subject-wise marks
- Total marks
- Percentile
- Qualification status for Assistant Professor and JRF
Qualified candidates can download their e-certificate from the official NTA portal once released.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the UGC NET 2025 notification released
The official notification was released on 07 October 2025
What is the last date to apply online
The last date to submit the application form and pay the fee is 07 November 2025
When will the application correction window be open
The application correction window will be available from 10 November 2025 to 12 November 2025
When will the UGC NET 2025 exam be conducted
The exam will be conducted on 31 December 2025 and 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th January 2026
How many papers are there in the exam
There are two papers Paper 1 on Teaching and Research Aptitude and Paper 2 is Subject-Specific
Conclusion
UGC NET 2025 exam is a key opportunity for candidates aspiring to become Assistant Professors or earn the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. With a clear exam schedule, well-defined pattern, and online application process, candidates can plan and prepare effectively. It is important to check the official notification, follow the exam dates, and ensure readiness for both the Paper 1 and Paper 2 sections. By staying updated, practicing thoroughly, and maintaining exam discipline, aspirants can maximize their chances of qualifying and advancing their academic careers.