The National Testing Agency (NTA) will administer the UGC NET 2025 examination across India. This national-level test determines eligibility for Assistant Professor positions and Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The exam schedule includes dates on December 31 , and then January 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 . The examination will run in two daily shifts. Shift 1 is from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM . Shift 2 is from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM .
Minimum Qualifying Criteria
Candidates must achieve specific minimum qualifying percentages to pass the exam. General category candidates require a minimum of 40% of the total marks across both papers combined. Candidates belonging to reserved categories, including SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), PwD, and Transgender, need a minimum of 35% of the total marks combined from both papers. The cut-off for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is typically higher than for Assistant Professor eligibility. Final cut-off marks are also influenced by the overall difficulty level of the examination.
The NTA will shortlist six percent of the total candidates who appear for both Paper I and Paper II. This shortlisting determines eligibility based on the UGC NET 2025 results. The Government of India’s reservation system governs the distribution of the total available seats across different categories. Achieving these minimum scores is essential for consideration for both JRF and Assistant Professor roles.
UGC NET 2025 Exam Pattern
The UGC NET 2025 exam consists of two papers, both multiple-choice questions (MCQ).
| Paper | Marks | Number of Questions | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 100 | 50 | Paper 1 tests a candidate’s general aptitude for teaching and research. It specifically assesses reasoning ability, reading comprehension, divergent thinking skills, and general awareness relevant to higher education. |
| Paper 2 | 200 | 100 | Paper 2 evaluates a candidate’s specialized domain knowledge. This content is dependent on the subject chosen by the candidate. |
Required Documents for Exam Day
Candidates must bring specific documents to the examination center on their exam date. Failure to present these required documents may result in denial of entry into the examination hall. It is crucial to ensure all documents are valid and match application details.
- A printed copy of the admit card. Candidates must download and print this from the NTA website.
- One recent passport-size photograph. This photograph must be identical to the one uploaded during the online application process. Candidates will paste it on the attendance sheet at the center.
- One original, valid, and non-expired photo identity proof. Acceptable forms of ID include a PAN card, driving licence, passport, or an Aadhaar card with a clear photograph. Photocopies or expired IDs will not be accepted.
- If a candidate’s name has changed due to marriage or other legal reasons, relevant supporting documentation is required. This includes a marriage certificate or a formal legal name change document.
- Candidates claiming relaxation under the Persons with Disability (PwD) or Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) categories must present a valid certificate. This certificate must be issued by a competent authority.
Contact Information
For any issues related to the UGC NET exam, candidates can contact the NTA directly. The NTA office phone numbers are 011-40759000 and 011-69227700 . Candidates can also send emails to ugcnet@nta.ac.in for assistance.