UGC NET 2020 Key Points: –
| Exam Name | UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) 2020 |
| 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 |
| Exam Helpdesk No | 0120-6895200 |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET Eligibility 2020 :-
The basic criteria that candidates must fulfill to meet UGC NET eligibility 2020 are:
- Candidates should secure at least 55 per cent aggregate marks in post-graduation
- Candidates should not be more than 30 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
Important UGC NET 2020 Dates:-
| UGC NET Events | UGC NET Exam Dates | Salient Features |
| Notification | 16-Mar-2020 | UGC NET 2020 notification was released by NTA on March 16. |
| Application form |
16-Mar-2020 to | UGC NET 2020 application form was released on March 16. Earlier, the online application process was to close on April 16. However, the deadline has now been extended till May 16. |
| Last date of successful transaction of application fee |
| Earlier, candidates could pay the UGC NET application fee 2020 (Rs 1,000 for General category, Rs 500 for OBC-NCL, Rs 250 for SC/ST/PwD) latest by April 17. However, the date has been postponed. |
| Application form correction window |
| Earlier, UGC NET application correction window was to open on April 18 and close on April 24. However, the dates have been postponed. |
| Admit card |
| Earlier, UGC NET 2020 admit card was to be released on the official website on May 15. Currently, the date has been postponed. |
| UGC NET exam |
15-Jun-2020 to
20-Jun-2020 | UGC NET 2020 exam will be held at different test centres across India from July 15-20. |
| Result | By 05-Jul-2020 | UGC NET 2020 result will be announced on the official website on July 5 |
UGC NET Eligibility 2020 – Age Criteria
Age criteria that candidates need to meet in order to be eligible for the exam is as follows:
- Candidates should not be aged more than 30 years as on June 1, 2020 to apply for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- There is no age bar to apply for the role of Assistant Professor
- A relaxation of five years in age criteria is given to SC/ST/OBC/PwD and women candidates. Relaxation is also given to candidates having research experience limited to the period spent on research in the relevant subject of post-graduation degree.
- Three years relaxation in age criteria is given to candidates holding LLM degree
UGC NET Application Form 2020
The last date to apply online for UGC NET 2020 exam has been extended till May 16 due to the emergent situation of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Earlier, Candidates had to fill the UGC NET application form on the official website of the exam by April 16. NTA had released the UGC NET June 2020 online form and notification on March 16.
The UGC NET application fee is Rs 1,000 for General category candidates, Rs 500 for General-EWS/OBC-NCL candidates and Rs 250 for SC/ST/PwD/transgender candidates.
UGC NET 2020 exam is likely to be conducted by NTA from June 15-20. However, most likely the exam will be postponed.
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 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 2020 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 safe keeping 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 | Douc Pen |
| 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 center 2020 are:
- Admit card: Candidates need to carry a clear printout (preferably colored 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 center
- ID proof: Candidates need to carry a valid and original photo ID proof such as PAN card/driving license/voter ID card/passport/ Aadhar Card (with photograph)/e-Aadhar/Ration Card to the test center. The official website informs, “ID cards issued by schools/colleges/universities/coaching centers, 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 2020: –
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 center. All exam centers are under CCTV surveillance and equipped with jammers. |
| Visit the exam center 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 center. |
| Reach the exam center as per the reporting time mentioned on the admit card. Candidates reporting beyond the gate closing time of center will not be allowed to enter exam hall. | Do not carry mobiles, watches or any other gadget to exam center. |
| 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. | – |
Overview of UGC NET Exam Pattern 2020
UGC NET Exam comprises two papers (paper-I and -II) containing multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Candidates need to complete both the papers in a single duration of three hours.
| UGC NET Paper | Number of Questions | Marks |
| I | 50 | 100 |
| II | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 150 | 300 |
UGC NET Syllabus for Paper-I
UGC NET Paper-I (General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude) is common and mandatory for all candidates. Check the complete UGC NET Paper-I syllabus 2020 below
| UGC NET Paper-I Units | UGC NET Paper-I Topics |
| Unit-I: Teaching Aptitude | Teaching: Concept, objectives, levels of teaching (memory, understanding and reflective), characteristics and basic requirementsLearner’s characteristics: Characteristics of adolescent and adult learners (academic, social, emotional and cognitive), individual differencesFactors affecting teaching related to: Teacher, Learner, Support material, Instructional facilities, Learning environment and InstitutionMethods of teaching in institutions of higher learning: Teacher centered vs. learner centered methods; offline vs. online methods (Swayam, Swayamprabha, MOOCs etc.).Teaching support system: Traditional, modern and ICT basedEvaluation 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 post-positivistic approach to researchMethods of research: Experimental, descriptive, historical, qualitative and quantitative methodsSteps of researchThesis and article writing: Format and styles of referencingApplication of ICT in researchResearch ethics |
| Unit-III: Comprehension | A passage of text be given. Questions to be asked from the passage to be answered |
| 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, structure of categorical propositions, mood and figure, formal and informal fallacies, uses of language, connotations and denotations of terms, classical square of oppositionEvaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoningAnalogiesVenn diagram: Simple and multiple use for establishing validity of argumentsIndian Logic: Means of knowledgePramanas: 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 dataQuantitative and qualitative dataGraphical representation (bar-chart, histograms, pie-chart, table-chart and line-chart) and mapping of dataData interpretationData and governance. |
| Unit-VIII: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) | ICT: General abbreviations and terminologyBasics of Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio and Video-conferencingDigital initiatives in higher educationICT and Governance |
| Unit-IX: People, Development and Environment | Development and environment: Millennium development and Sustainable development goalsHuman and environment interaction: Anthropogenic activities and their impacts on environmentEnvironmental 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 dimensionsImpacts of pollutants on human healthNatural and energy resources: Solar, Wind, Soil, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass, Nuclear and ForestsNatural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategiesEnvironmental 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 IndiaEvolution of higher learning and research in post-independence IndiaOriental, conventional and non-conventional learning programmes in IndiaProfessional, technical and skill-based education.Value education and environmental educationPolicies, governance, and administration |
Best UGC NET Books for Paper-I Preparation: –
| UGC NET Paper-I Book | Author |
| Trueman’s UGC NET/SET General Paper I | M Gagan and Sajit Kumar |
| NTA UGC NET/SET/JRF Paper I: Teaching and Research Aptitude by Pearson | KVS Madaan |
| General Paper-1 UGC NET/JRF/SLET – Teaching & Research Aptitude | Arihant Experts |
| Upkar’s UGC-NET/JRF/SET Teaching And Research Aptitude (General Paper – I) | Dr Lal Jain and Dr KC Vashistha |
UGC NET Syllabus for Paper-II
The subject for paper-II needs to be chosen by the candidate. A candidate can choose the subject of his/her post-graduation or a related subject. NTA UGC NET is conducted for total 81 subjects
Important Links:
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UCG Postponed Date information: Click Here
UCG Public notification in Hindi: Click Here
UCG Public notification in English: Click Here
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