UGC NET 2021 Syllabus: Download Paper 1 & Paper 2 Syllabus PDF

The UGC NET 2021 syllabus will e published with the release of exam notification by the National Testing Agency (NTA). UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus tests teaching and reasoning ability, research aptitude, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness of the candidate. UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus is based on the subject chosen by the candidate. It tests the candidate’s in-depth knowledge and expertise in the respective subject. NTA UGC NET is conducted for a total of 81 subjects.  

Overview of Exam Pattern

Check Detailed UGC NET Exam Pattern 2021

To increase the accuracy of solving the questions, the aspirants should thoroughly go through the UGC NET 2021 Preparation Tips. Moreover, for better preparations, candidates can also download  UGC NET Practice Papers.

UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus 2021

UGC NET Paper 1 is common and compulsory for every candidate. Paper 1 will have 50 questions worth 100 marks. Paper 1 syllabus has 10 units and exactly 5 questions will be asked from each unit. The detailed syllabus for Paper 1 is described below:

Unit-I Teaching Aptitude  

• Teaching: Concept, Objectives, Levels of teaching (Memory, Understanding, and Reflective), Characteristics, and basic requirements.
• Learner’s characteristics: Characteristics of adolescent and adult learners (Academic, Social, Emotional and Cognitive), Individual differences.
• Factors affecting teaching related to Teacher, Learner, Support material, Instructional facilities, Learning environment, and Institution.
• Methods of teaching in Institutions of higher learning: Teacher centered vs. Learner-centered methods; Off-line vs. On-line methods (Swayam, Swayamprabha, MOOCs, etc.).
• Teaching Support System: Traditional, Modern, and ICT based.
• Evaluation Systems: Elements and Types of evaluation, Evaluation in Choice Based Credit System in Higher education, Computer-based testing, Innovations in evaluation systems.

Unit-II Research Aptitude 

• Research: Meaning, Types, and Characteristics, Positivism, and Postpositivistic approach to research.
• Methods of Research: Experimental, Descriptive, Historical, Qualitative, and Quantitative Methods, Steps of Research.  
• Thesis and Article writing: Format and styles of referencing,  Application of ICT in research, Research ethics.

Unit-III Comprehension 

• A passage of text is given. Questions are asked from the passage to be answered.

Unit-IV Communication

• Communication: Meaning, types, and characteristics of communication.
• Effective communication: Verbal and Non-verbal, Inter-Cultural and group communications, Classroom communication, Barriers to effective communication, Mass-Media, and Society.

Unit-V Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude 

• Types of reasoning: Number series, Letter series, Codes, and Relationships.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Fraction, Time & Distance, Ratio, Proportion and Percentage, Profit and Loss, Interest and Discounting, Averages, etc. 

Unit-VI Logical Reasoning 

• Understanding the structure of arguments: argument forms, the structure of categorical propositions, Mood and Figure, Formal and Informal fallacies, Uses of language, Connotations, and denotations of terms, Classical square of opposition, Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning, Analogies. 
• Venn diagram: Simple and multiple uses for establishing the validity of arguments.  
• Indian Logic: Means of knowledge, Pramanas- Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference), Upamana (Comparison), Shabda (Verbal testimony), Arthapatti (Implication) and Anupalabddhi (Non-apprehension).  Structure and kinds of Anumana (inference), Vyapti (invariable relation), Hetvabhasas (fallacies of inference).

Unit-VII Data Interpretation 

• Sources, acquisition, and classification of Data.
• Quantitative and Qualitative Data. 
• Graphical representation (Bar-chart, Histograms, Pie-chart, Table-chart, and Line-chart) 
• Mapping of Data, Data Interpretation. Data and Governance.

Unit-VIII Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 

• ICT: General abbreviations and terminology, Basics of the Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio and Video-conferencing, Digital initiatives in higher education. ICT and Governance. 

Unit-IX People, Development and Environment 

• Development and Environment: Millennium Development and Sustainable Development Goals. 
• Human and environment interaction: Anthropogenic activities and their impacts on the environment. 
• Environmental issues: Local, Regional and Global; Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Noise pollution, Waste (solid, liquid, biomedical, hazardous, electronic), Climate change, and its Socio-Economic and Political dimensions. Impacts of pollutants on human health.
• Natural and energy resources: Solar, Wind, Soil, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass, Nuclear, and Forests.
• Natural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategies, Environmental Protection Act (1986), National Action Plan on Climate Change, International agreements/efforts -Montreal Protocol, Rio Summit, Convention on Biodiversity, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, International Solar Alliance.

Unit-X Higher Education System 

• Institutions of higher learning and education in ancient India.
• Evolution of higher learning and research in Post Independence India. 
• Oriental, Conventional, and Non-conventional learning programs in India. 
• Professional, Technical, and Skill-Based education.
• Value education and environmental education.
• Policies, Governance, and Administration.

Download UGC NET Practice Papers

UGC NET Paper 1 Books 

There are some of the important books that will help you to prepare better for UGC NET 2021. Candidates must be well versed in their respective subjects for Paper 2. They should rigorously go through books of their bachelor's and master's curriculum. For Paper 1 they can follow the given books:  

UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus 2021

The subject for paper 2 is chosen by the candidate. Paper 2 will have 100 questions exclusively based on the subject chosen. The detailed syllabus PDF for 81 subjects of UGC NET Exam is given in the table below – 

Note: The syllabus of UGC NET is also available in the libraries of all Indian Universities as well as on the UGC website: ugc.ac.in/net/syllabus.aspx.

UGC NET Marking Scheme 2021

• A uniform marking scheme is followed in the exam i.e. for both Paper 1 and 2, each correct answer is worth 2 marks. 
• As per the revised exam of UGC NET exam, there is no negative marking for an incorrect answer. 
• Hence, instead of skipping a question, once can use their calculated guess and mark the answer. 

The updated marking scheme of UGC NET is given below: 

Important Points:

1. The aspirants will get 2 marks for every correct answer, both for the two units.
2. In case of wrong answers, the students will not get any marks deduction.
3. Furthermore, the students will not get any score in case of unanswered questions or for ‘Marked for Review’ questions.

Note: If a question for any reason is found to be incorrect, the benefit of marks will be given to only those candidates who attempted the question. However, if NTA drops a question, the benefit will be given to all the candidates. 

Also read UGC NET 2021 Preparation Tips