UGC NET Full Form: What does UGC NET Stands For? All You Need to Know

UGC NET Full Form: The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a highly regarded national-level examination conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for the roles of Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), or both in Indian universities and colleges. The exam is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Qualifying the UGC NET opens up opportunities in academia and research institutions across the country.

Apr 21, 2025, 10:09 IST
UGC NET Full Form: What does UGC NET Stand For? All You Need to Know
UGC NET Full Form: What does UGC NET Stand For? All You Need to Know

UGC NET Full Form: UGC NET stands for University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test. It is a national-level qualifying examination for candidates aspiring to become Assistant Professors or to secure Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) in universities and colleges across India.

The exam is conducted for 85 different subjects, including Humanities, Social Sciences, Computer Science, Forensic Science, Environmental Science, and Electronic Science, among others. The primary objective of UGC NET is to maintain high academic standards in teaching and research by assessing candidates’ eligibility for these roles.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the exam on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). UGC NET is held twice a year, typically in June and December. It is an online examination consisting of two papers:

  • Paper 1: Common for all candidates, assessing general teaching and research aptitude.

  • Paper 2: Subject-specific, based on the candidate’s chosen discipline.

What is the Full Form of UGC NET?

The full name for UGC NET is University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test. This exam is conducted on behalf of UGC by NTA (National Testing Agency). This national-level exam is conducted twice a year and is for evaluating candidates' qualifications for various teaching and research positions in government institutions. It is a highly competitive exam that provides applicants with the opportunity to pursue a career in academia. Below is the overview for UGC NET:

UGC NET 

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test

Conducting body

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Exam Level

National

Frequency

Twice a Year

Number of Papers

Paper 1 and Paper 2

Questions type

Multiple Choice Question

Exam duration

3 hours

Marking Scheme

2 marks for every correct answer. No negative marking.

Language

English and Hindi (except Language subjects)

Official Website

ugcnet.nta.nic.in

What is the Eligibility Criteria for UGC NET?

To appear for the UGC NET exam, candidates must fulfill specific eligibility criteria related to age and educational qualifications. The criteria vary based on the category and the role (JRF or Assistant Professor).

Category Criteria
Age Limit  
JRF (General) Up to 31 years
JRF (SC/ST/OBC-NCL, PwD, Third Gender, Women) Up to 36 years (5-year relaxation)
Assistant Professor No age limit
Educational Qualification  
General/Unreserved Minimum 55% marks in Master’s degree or equivalent
SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Third Gender Minimum 50% marks in Master’s degree or equivalent
Ph.D. Degree Holders 5% marks relaxation (from 55% to 50%) for those who completed PG before September 19, 1991

Also, read:

UGC NET Preparation

UGC NET Salary

UGC NET Exam Pattern

UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper
UGC NET History Syllabus UGC NET Environmental Science Syllabus
UGC NET Computer Science Syllabus UGC NET Management Syllabus
UGC NET Exam Schedule UGC NET Exam Pattern

UGC NET Syllabus: What do you need to study?

The UGC NET syllabus changes depending on the subject chosen by the candidate. The detailed subject-by-subject syllabus can be seen on the official UGC website. A summary of the syllabus is given below:

Paper 1

General paper on teaching and research aptitude:

  • Teaching aptitude
  • Research aptitude
  • Comprehension
  • Communication
  • Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude
  • Logical reasoning
  • Data interpretation
  • Information and communication technology (ICT)
  • People, development, and environment
  • Higher education system

Paper 2

Subject specific questions

Exam pattern of UGC NET

The UGC NET examination is divided into two papers: Paper-1 and Paper-2. The UGC NET Paper I includes  50 questions, each worth two marks. Paper I has a total of 100 marks with no negative marking. The UGC NET Paper-II consists of 100 questions, each worth two marks. Paper-II has a total of 200 marks, with no negative marking. For more information, see the table below.

Particulars

Paper 1

Paper 2

Exam 

Online

Online

Exam duration

3 hours

3 hours

Total Marks

100 marks

200 marks

Type of paper

MCQs

MCQs

Total questions

50

100

Marking Scheme

+2 for the correct answer


0 for an incorrect answer

+2 for the correct answer


0 for an incorrect answer

Language

English and Hindi

English and Hindi

As previously stated, the UGC NET is a national level eligibility test used to determine aspiring applicants' eligibility standards for advanced teaching professions and research activities. Candidates who pass the UGC NET are eligible to apply for Assistant Professor positions in various Indian universities and colleges. The top 5-7% of candidates are eligible for JRF, which will provide them with a stipend and other benefits to assist them pursue their research studies.

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Upasna Choudhary
Upasna Choudhary

Content Writer

Upasna Choudhry holds a Master’s degree in Forensic Chemical Sciences and has an extensive background in preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She currently contributes to the Exam Prep Section of Jagran Josh, where her passion for reading and writing shines through her work. Upasna specializes in creating well-researched and aspirant-centric content, simplifying complex topics, and providing strategic preparation insights. Her academic expertise and firsthand experience with competitive exams enable her to deliver valuable resources tailored to the needs of exam aspirants.

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