What is UGC NET?
UGC-NET 2021 notification was released on February 2. The candidates can fill the UGC-NET application 2021 online at the official website. The UGC NET 2021 Exam will be conducted on May 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 17. The last date to apply online for the UGC NET 2021 (December 2020 Cycle) is March 3. University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a national-level exam conducted in order to select candidates for only Assistant Professor or both Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges. Till June 2018, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted NET on behalf of UGC. However, from December 2018 onwards National Testing Agency (NTA) started conducting the UGC NET exam.
The UGC NET 2021 notification has not been released yet. The UGC NET result 2020 was released on December 1. Total 47,157 candidates qualified for the exam.
Latest Updates:
- February 2: UGC NET 2021 notification released. The UGC NET application 2021 can be filled online. See here details
- December 14: UGC NET eligibility certificate 2020 has been released. Read More
- December 1: UGC NET 2020 result has been released. Read More
UGC NET 2021 Highlights
| Exam Name | UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) 2021 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Online only |
| Exam Duration | 180 minutes |
| Exam Purpose | Selection of candidates for posts of only Assistant Professor or both Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges |
| Registered Candidates | Will be updated after the application closed |
| Test-Takers | Will be released after the UGC NET 2021 exam |
| Exam Helpdesk No. | 0120-6895200 |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
The basic criteria that candidates must fulfil to meet UGC NET eligibility 2021 are:
- Candidates should secure at least 55 per cent aggregate marks in post-graduation
- Candidates should not be more than 31 years in age in order to be eligible for JRF
- There is no age restriction to apply for the post of Assistant Professor
- A relaxation of five per cent in educational qualification is given to reserved category candidates
- A relaxation of five years in age criteria is given to reserved category candidates
- Candidates who have cleared State Eligibility Test (SET) before June 1, 2002 are exempted from taking the UGC NET exam
Check complete UGC NET eligibility criteria.
Also Read: List of UGC NET subjects
Important UGC NET 2021 Dates
UGC NET 2021 exam dates have not been released yet. Check tentative UGC NET exam dates 2021 below:
| UGC NET Events | UGC NET Exam Dates | Salient Features |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | 2 Feb 2021 | UGC NET 2021 notification was released online by NTA. |
| Application form | 2 Feb 2021 | UGC NET 2021 application window was activated with the notification. |
| Application Closing | 3 Mar 2021 | The UGC NET 2021 application will be closed on March 3. |
| Admit card | April 2021(Tentative) | UGC NET admit card 2021 will be released on the official website of the exam as per the prescribed schedule. |
| UGC NET exam | 2-17 May 2021 | UGC NET 2021 Exam will be conducted from May 2 to 17 at the designated exam centres. |
| Provisional answer key | May 2021(Tentative) | Provisional UGC NET answer key 2021 will be released soon after the exam. |
| Final answer key and cutoff | June 2021(Tentative) | UGC NET final answer key and cutoff 2021 will be released on the official website as per the prescribed schedule. |
| Result | July 2021(Tentative) | UGC NET 2021 result is expected to be announced on the official website in July. |
UGC NET 2021 Notification & Application Form
The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the UGC NET notification 2021 on February 2. The UGC NET 2021 notification contains all important details about the exam such as dates, eligibility criteria, paper pattern, syllabus, result declaration criteria, etc. Candidates are advised to go through the complete UGC NET 2021 notification before applying for the exam.
NTA UGC NET application form 2021 was released along with the notification. Candidates can fill the UGC NET application form in online mode on the official website of the exam. UGC NET application fee is Rs 1,000 for General category, Rs 500 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL categories, and Rs 250 for SC/ST/PwD/Transgender.
UGC NET Registration Trends
Check out the number of candidates registered and appeared for UGC NET exam over the past few years below:
UGC NET Selection Process
UGC NET selection process includes the following steps:
Step 1: Fill UGC NET application form
For UGC NET registrations, candidates can fill the application form in online mode on the official website of the exam.
Step 2: Download UGC NET admit card
After successful registrations, candidates can download their UGC NET admit card by logging in to their registered accounts.
Step 3: Appear for UGC NET exam
Next, candidates need to appear for UGC NET exam. UGC NET is a computer-based test that consists of two papers – I and II. Both the papers contain objective-type questions that candidates need to complete in a duration of three hours.
Step 4: Check UGC NET result
NTA declares UGC NET result on its official website as per the prescribed schedule. The result contains the roll number and status (qualified for Assistant Professor only or both JRF and Assistant Professor) of candidates qualifying the National Eligibility Test.
UGC NET 2021 Exam Day Guidelines
National Testing Agency issues an advisory stating some guidelines for UGC NET aspirants. All candidates are recommended to read the advisory and instructions mentioned on the admit card carefully. Candidates can also go through instructions given below for better clarity.
What to carry on exam day?
UGC NET 2021 is a computer-based test and candidates are given a pen/pencil and blank sheets for rough work. However, candidates are still advised to carry a pen/pencil to the exam centre to avoid any last-minute hassle.
What NOT to carry on exam day?
- UGC NET aspirants are not allowed to carry any instrument, metallic item or electronic gadgets/devices to the exam hall. It may be noted that there might also not be any provision for safekeeping of candidates’ valuables. Things that are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall include:
| Any kind of paper/stationery/textual material (printed or written material) | Handbag/purse |
| Geometry/pencil box | Eatables and water (loose or packed) |
| Mobile phone/ear phone/microphone/pager | Watch |
| Calculator | DocuPen |
| Slide rules | Log tables |
| Camera | Tape recorder |
- Diabetic students are allowed to carry eatables like sugar tablets, fruit and transparent water bottle to the exam hall. However, such candidates are not allowed to carry any packed food like chocolates, candy and sandwich.
Documents required
Documents that candidates need to carry at UGC NET exam centre are:
- Admit card: Candidates need to carry a clear printout (preferably coloured printout on A4 size paper) of the downloaded UGC NET admit card from NTA website
- Passport size photo: Candidates need to carry one passport size photograph (same as uploaded on the application form) that is pasted on the attendance sheet at the exam centre
- ID proof: Candidates need to carry a valid and original photo ID proof such as PAN card/driving license/voter ID card/passport/Aadhaar Card (with photograph)/e-Aadhaar/Ration Card to the test centre. The official website informs, “ID cards issued by schools/colleges/universities/coaching centres, Aadhar enrollment receipt without Aadhar number and photocopies or images stored in mobile phones etc is NOT accepted.”
- PwD certificate: Candidates who wish to claim relaxation under PwD category must carry their PwD certificate issued by the competent authority
Do’s and Don’ts for UGC NET Exam 2021
Some do’s and don’ts that candidates should keep in mind for UGC NET exam are:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Read the instructions on the admit card carefully. | Do not indulge in any unfair practice at the exam centre. All exam centres are under CCTV surveillance and equipped with jammers. |
| Visit the exam centre a day before the exam to make yourself familiar with the location and means of reaching at the venue. | Do not forget to carry NET admit card and other documents to the exam centre. |
| Reach the exam centre as per the reporting time mentioned on the admit card. Candidates reporting beyond the gate closing time of centre will not be allowed to enter exam hall. | Do not carry mobiles, watches or any other gadget to exam centre. |
| Remember to return the rough sheet and admit card to the invigilator before leaving the exam hall. | Do not carry any eatables or water inside the exam hall. |
| Enter all required details in the attendance sheet in legible handwriting and ensure that left hand thumb Impression is clear and not smudged. | – |
UGC NET Exam Analysis 2020
NTA successfully conducted the second shift of UGC NET 2020 exam from 3:00-6:00 PM on September 24. The UGC NET paper-I was of moderate difficulty level. Majority of the questions asked in the paper were from Teaching and Research Aptitude. Also Read: UGC NET 2020 Exam Analysis: Check difficulty level & important topics for paper-I and II
Also watch the complete UGC NET paper-I and -II analysis here:
The first shift of UGC NET 2020 exam was conducted successfully from 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon on September 24. Shiksha reported live from an exam centre in Noida to check arrangements at the test centre with respect to COVID-19 and capture students’ feedback regarding the difficulty level of paper-I and -II.
Most of the candidates that Shiksha spoke with shared that UGC NET paper-I 2020 was of moderate difficulty level. Check complete UGC NET exam analysis 2020.
Go through topper interviews of last two years [2018 and 2019 (June)] for UGC NET preparation:
| UGC NET Toppers | Preparation Strategy and How They Cracked It |
|---|---|
| Rajat Sen Subject: Mass Communication & Journalism Qualified for Assistant Professor |
|
| Vivek Sharma Subject: Political Science Qualified for JRF & Assistant Professor |
|
| Abhinav Pandey Subject: History Qualified for Assistant Professor |
|
| Vivek Mishra Subject: Geography Qualified for JRF & Assistant Professor |
|
| Chiranjit Gorai Subject: History Qualified for JRF & Assistant Professor |
|
| Snigdha Moitra Subject: Forensic Science Qualified for Assistant Professor |
|
| Richa Chaudhary Subject: Psychology Qualified for Assistant Professor |
|
| Ramesh Kumar Subject: Commerce Qualified for Assistant Professor |
|
UGC NET Result 2020 Statistics
NTA UGC NET 2020 result was released on December 1. Last year, total 8,60,976 candidates registered for the UGC NET exam out of which 5,26,707 appeared. Total 47,157 candidates qualified the exam. Out of this, 40,986 candidates qualified the exam for Assistant Professor only and 6,171 candidates qualified the exam for JRF and Assistant Professor.
Q: When will UGC NET 2021 exam be conducted?
UGC NET notification 2021.
Q: Is UGC NET conducted online?
A: Yes, ever since NTA has started conducting the exam, UGC NET is conducted in online mode as a computer-based test (CBT) only.
Q: For how many subjects is UGC NET exam conducted?
A: UGC NET is conducted for total 81 subjects.
Q: What is the age limit to apply for UGC NET exam?
A: To apply for JRF, candidates should not be more than 30 years in age. There is no age limit to apply for the post of Assistant Professor.
Q: How many papers does one need to clear in order to qualify the UGC NET exam?
A: One needs to pass both the papers (paper-I and II) in order to qualify the UGC NET exam.
Q: Is there any negative marking in UGC NET exam?
A: No, there is no negative marking in the exam. Candidates are awarded zero marks for an incorrect answer or a question left unanswered.
Q: What is the validity of UGC NET eligibility certificate?
A: There is no prescribed validity for UGC NET eligibility certificate received for the post of Assistant Professor. This means that UGC NET certificate for Assistant Professor is valid for lifetime. However, the JRF award letter is valid for a period of three years starting from the day of issue of the letter.
Q: Can I choose the post for which I want to take the exam?
A: Yes, you have the option of selecting the role (Assistant Professor/JRF/both) at the time of filling the application form.
Q: Is Aadhaar card mandatory to apply for the exam?
A: No, you can mention any identification number (PAN card, ration card, passport etc) at the time of filling the application form.
Q: What is the minimum eligibility criteria to apply for UGC NET exam?
A: You should score at least 55 per cent aggregate marks in your master’s degree exams.
Q: Who are exempted from taking the UGC NET exam?
A: Candidates who possess the below-mentioned qualification are exempted from taking the UGC NET exam:
- PhD degree holders
- Candidates who have cleared UGC/CSIR JRF exam before 1989
- Candidates who have cleared SET
Q: When will I get my NTA UGC NET admit card?
A: UGC NET admit cards 2021 will be released on different dates for different papers. However, the exact dates for the release of the admit card have not been announced yet.
Q: How many candidates register for UGC NET exam every year?
A: Every year, about eight to ten lakh candidates appear for the UGC NET exam. In 2020, total 8,60,976 candidates registered for the exam. In December 2019, total 10,34,872 candidates had registered for the UGC NET exam.
Q: How many times is UGC NET exam conducted in a year?
A: NTA UGC NET exam is conducted twice a year. The UGC NET exam 2021 will be conducted in May instead of June.
Q: When will the UGC NET result be declared?
A: UGC NET result 2021 will be declared after the prescribed schedule soon after the released of the final answer key.