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To score well in the UGC NET exam, aspirants must have a proper preparation plan. In order to have the best strategy for the exam, you must know the UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021 and marking scheme.
In this blog, you will get a complete idea of the NTA UGC NET Paper Pattern for all the sections in an easy-to-understand format.
Here in this article, you will find: -
NTA UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021
Scheme of NTA UGC NET Paper Pattern
UGC NET Exam Pattern for Paper 1
UGC NET 2021 Exam Pattern for Paper 2
UGC NET Marking Scheme
UGC NET Syllabus
Frequently Asked Questions About NET Exam
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NTA UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021 for JRF & Assistant Professor
The first step towards the preparation of any exam is understanding its structure. The NTA conducts the UGC NET Exam twice a year (in June and December month) in two papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Paper 1 is based on General Paper while Paper 2 is a subject-specific exam (for the subject that you choose during the form filling process).
The UGC NET Paper Pattern for both General Paper 1 and Paper 2 is given below –
NTA UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021 |
Paper 1 |
Paper 2 |
Type of Papers |
Common for all subjects |
Subject-based paper |
Type of Questions |
MCQ (Multiple choices with a single correct answer) |
No. of Questions |
50 |
100 |
Marking Weightage |
100 (2 marks of each question) |
200 (2 marks of each question) |
Total Time |
3 Hours (180 minutes) |
Questions Based on Topics |
General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude |
Subject related topics |
Exam Mode |
Online (Without any break) |
Marking Scheme |
No negative marking |
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As per the UGC NET 2021 Notification, the exam will be conducted in two different shifts:
UGC NET Exam Timing 2021 |
Shift-1 |
Shift-2 |
Exam Time |
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
Total Duration |
3 hours |
Entry Time |
1 hour before the exam |
Documents Checking Before Entering |
30 minutes before the exam |
Instructions by the Invigilators |
8:45 AM to 8:55 AM |
2:45 PM to 2:55 PM |
Paper Starting Time |
9:00 AM |
3:00 PM |
End of the Exam |
12:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
Note – It is expected that NTA will release the subject wise UGC NET Exam Time Table for 2021 (Dec 2020 Session) exam in April. You can check all the updates and news here - UGC NET 2021 Notification.
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Below, we have explained the NTA UGC NET Paper Pattern 2021 in detail. You can check it for a better understanding of the exam scheme.
Scheme of UGC NET Exam Paper Pattern – Understand the Paper Format
UGC NET paper pattern consists of two objective type papers. Each paper has a different standard and difficulty level.
NTA UGC NET Exam Pattern for Paper 1 - General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude
General Aptitude Test is common for all the subjects. The questions in UGC NET Paper 1 are based on teaching and research aptitude that measure your interpretation skill. It consists of Reasoning Ability, Reading Comprehension, Mental Ability, General Awareness, etc.
Below, you can check the complete study kit for UGC NET Paper 1.
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UGC NET Pattern for Paper 2
Paper-II is a subject-based paper that consists of 100 MCQ type questions (multiple choices with a single correct answer), each consisting of two marks.
The NTA UGC NET Paper-II covers the entire syllabus of the master’s degree subject selected by the candidates. And to qualify for the exam, you must have deep knowledge of your chosen subject.
Here is the marking scheme and duration for Paper 1 and Paper 2:
Marking in the Exam |
UGC NET Total Marks |
Number of Questions |
Duration |
Paper-I |
100 |
50 |
3 Hours (180 minutes) without any break (Shift 1: 9.00 AM – 12.00 PM; Shift 2: 3.00 PM – 6.00 PM) |
Paper-II |
200 |
100 |
Total |
300 |
150 |
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UGC NET Marking Scheme
According to the UGC NET 2021 Marking Scheme: -
For each correct response, you will get 2 marks in both Paper I & II.
There is no negative marking in UGC NET for incorrect responses. Therefore, you are advised to attempt all the UGC NET Questions.
No marks will be given for questions ‘Unanswered/Marked for Review’.
All the questions are compulsory.
If a question is found to be incorrect/ambiguous during the key challenge, only those candidates who have attempted the question and chosen one of the correct answers would be given the credit.
Only for dropped question(s), if any, marks will be given to all the candidates.
UGC NET Negative Marking |
Making Process |
Each Incorrect Answer |
0 marks deducted |
One Correct Answer |
2 marks added |
No Answer |
0 marks deducted |
Wrong Question |
Marks will be given to all aspirants |
Note – The above-mentioned details for UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021 is based on the latest notification released by National Testing Agency.
UGC NET Syllabus 2021
After checking the complete UGC NET Exam Pattern, you should also know the updated syllabus. It will help you to know the important topics and sub-topics that can be asked in the exam. If you are preparing for the 2021 exam, then you should check the UGC NET Syllabus 2021 along with the paper pattern.
Note - Eduncle had conducted a webinar on 10th February for UGC NET exam preparation with UGC NET expert, Ms. Mahak Mahajan. In this webinar, you will get tips for effective preparation and planning.
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) About UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021
Below, we have mentioned some common questions that are generally asked by the aspirants who are preparing for the exam. Check them below -
Question - What is the pattern of UGC NET Exam 2021?
Ans. – You can check NTA UGC NET Paper Pattern for May 2021 (Dec 2020 Session) from here.
Question – What is the duration of the UGC NET Exam?
Ans. – As per the UGC NET May 2021 exam pattern, both the papers will be conducted in a single three-hour duration but candidates belonging to the PwD category have an extra time of 20 minutes for Paper-I and 40 minutes for Paper-II in case the aspirant is availing the facility of the scribe.
Question – Is there any negative marking in the UGC NET exam?
Ans. – No, there is no negative marking in both Paper-I and Paper-II. We would recommend you attempt all the questions in the National Eligibility Test.
Question – What is the mode of NET examination in 2021, is it online or offline?
Ans. – The NET 2021 Exam will be conducted in online mode (Computer Based Test) only.
Question - How many papers are there in the UGC NET Exam?
Ans. – The UGC NET Exam consists of two papers – Paper 1 (general paper) and paper 2 (subject-wise paper).
Question - How many times is the UGC NET exam held in a year?
Ans. – Every year, UGC NET Exam is conducted 2 times, in June & December. But due to Covid -19 in 2020, the June session was conducted in the September month and December session is going to be conducted in May 2021.
Question - Does UGC NET Exam Pattern change every year?
Ans. – No, the NTA UGC NET Exam Pattern doesn’t change every year.
Know what type of questions are asked in the exam by solving UGC NET Last 5 Exams Question Papers. Download Here
We hope the above information will help you in understanding the UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021 in a better way. If you have any queries about NTA NET Pattern, you can share them with us through the comment box below.
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