100+ Free UGC NET Practice Questions

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Question 1

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Under NEP 2020, the proposed multi-disciplinary undergraduate programme will offer multiple exit options with which degrees on completion of 1, 2, 3, and 4 years respectively?

Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's, M.Phil

Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor's, Bachelor's with Research/Honours

Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Diploma, Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's

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Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: UGC NET Exam

150 MCQs

Paper 1 (50) + Paper 2 (100) in 180 minutes

ugcnet.nta.nic.in

+2 / 0

Marking scheme — no negative marking

NTA UGC NET Information Bulletin

87 subjects

Subjects offered for Paper 2

NTA UGC NET 2026 Notification

INR 1150

Application fee for General category (2026)

NTA UGC NET 2026

100

Free Paper 1 practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

UGC NET is a 180-minute computer-based test with 150 MCQs across Paper 1 (50 Qs, Teaching & Research Aptitude) and Paper 2 (100 Qs, subject-specific). Marking is +2 / 0 (no negatives). Conducted by NTA twice a year; qualifies candidates for JRF and Assistant Professor in Indian universities.

Sample UGC NET Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your UGC NET exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following best describes the term 'pedagogy' in the context of teaching aptitude?

A.The science and art of teaching, including methods and strategies

B.The administration of an educational institution

C.The assessment of student performance through tests

D.The construction of curriculum frameworks by the government

Explanation: Pedagogy refers to the science and art of teaching, encompassing the methods, strategies, and practices used by teachers to facilitate learning. UGC NET Paper 1 explicitly distinguishes pedagogy from andragogy (adult learning theory by Malcolm Knowles) and heutagogy (self-determined learning).

2According to Bloom's revised taxonomy (Anderson & Krathwohl, 2001), which is the highest level of the cognitive domain?

A.Evaluating

B.Analysing

C.Creating

D.Understanding

Explanation: In the 2001 revised Bloom's taxonomy by Anderson and Krathwohl, the six cognitive levels in ascending order are Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyse, Evaluate, and Create. 'Creating' replaced 'Synthesis' and is the highest level. This is a frequently asked UGC NET item.

3Which teaching method is most consistent with the constructivist approach advocated by Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky?

A.Rote memorisation of facts

B.Lecture-only transmission of content

C.Activity-based, learner-centred discovery learning

D.Programmed instruction with fixed-step drills

Explanation: Constructivism (Piaget, Vygotsky) holds that learners actively construct knowledge through experience and social interaction. Activity-based, learner-centred discovery learning aligns with this view, and is the model endorsed by NEP 2020 for school and higher education in India.

4Which of the following is NOT a learner-related factor affecting teaching?

A.Prior knowledge of the student

B.Aptitude and learning style of the student

C.Teacher's mastery of subject matter

D.Motivation level of the student

Explanation: Factors affecting teaching are commonly grouped as learner-related, teacher-related, support-material related, instructional facilities, and institutional. The teacher's mastery of subject matter is a teacher-related factor, not a learner-related one. The other three are intrinsic to the learner.

5The 'micro-teaching' technique developed at Stanford University in the 1960s primarily focuses on:

A.Training large classes with reduced syllabus

B.Practising one specific teaching skill at a time with a small group for a short duration

C.Online delivery of pre-recorded micro-lectures

D.Teaching at the postgraduate level only

Explanation: Micro-teaching, developed by Dwight Allen and colleagues at Stanford University around 1963, is a teacher-training technique where a teacher practises one isolated skill (e.g., questioning, reinforcement, set induction) with 5-10 learners for 5-10 minutes, followed by feedback and re-teaching. It is widely used in B.Ed and NCTE-approved programmes in India.

6Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps in a typical scientific research process?

A.Data collection → Hypothesis → Problem identification → Conclusion

B.Problem identification → Review of literature → Hypothesis → Research design → Data collection → Analysis → Conclusion

C.Hypothesis → Problem identification → Conclusion → Data analysis

D.Conclusion → Hypothesis → Data analysis → Literature review

Explanation: The standard scientific research process flows logically: identify a research problem, review existing literature, formulate hypotheses, design the study, collect data, analyse the data, interpret findings, and draw conclusions. This sequence is fundamental to UGC NET Research Aptitude and aligns with Kerlinger's classical framework.

7A research that aims to study the effect of a new pedagogical intervention on student achievement by manipulating one variable while controlling others is best classified as:

A.Descriptive research

B.Historical research

C.Experimental research

D.Ex-post-facto research

Explanation: Experimental research involves the deliberate manipulation of an independent variable (treatment) while controlling extraneous variables, to observe its effect on a dependent variable. Random assignment to groups is its hallmark. This is contrasted with ex-post-facto, where the cause has already occurred.

8Which sampling technique would best ensure that every member of a population has an equal and independent chance of being selected?

A.Convenience sampling

B.Simple random sampling

C.Quota sampling

D.Snowball sampling

Explanation: Simple random sampling is a probability technique where each unit in the population has an equal and independent probability of selection (e.g., lottery method or random number tables). Convenience, quota, and snowball are non-probability methods where selection is biased toward accessibility or characteristics.

9Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good hypothesis?

A.It should be testable empirically

B.It should be specific and clearly stated

C.It should be value-laden and based on personal belief

D.It should be consistent with known facts

Explanation: A good hypothesis is testable, specific, parsimonious, consistent with known facts, and stated in measurable terms. It should be free from personal bias and value judgements. Value-laden statements that cannot be empirically verified violate the foundations of scientific research as articulated by Karl Popper (falsifiability).

10Plagiarism in academic research is best defined as:

A.Citing too many references in a paper

B.Presenting another person's work or ideas as one's own without due acknowledgement

C.Submitting the same paper to two different conferences with permission

D.Writing review articles based on multiple sources

Explanation: Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's words, ideas, or work without proper attribution and presenting them as one's own. The UGC (Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2018 define four levels (L0-L3) with penalties up to dismissal of a thesis.

About the UGC NET Exam

UGC NET is the national-level eligibility test conducted twice a year (June and December cycles) by the National Testing Agency on behalf of the University Grants Commission. It determines the eligibility of Indian candidates for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and/or for appointment as Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges. The Computer-Based Test runs 180 minutes continuously and contains 150 multiple-choice questions across two papers — Paper 1 (50 questions on Teaching and Research Aptitude, common to all candidates) and Paper 2 (100 questions in one of 87 NTA-listed subjects). Each correct answer carries +2 marks; there is no negative marking.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

180 minutes (3 hours) for both papers combined

Passing Score

40% aggregate for General (35% for reserved categories); JRF/Assistant Professor cut-offs by percentile

Exam Fee

INR 1150 (General); INR 600 (EWS/OBC-NCL); INR 325 (SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender) (National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC))

UGC NET Exam Content Outline

10%

Teaching Aptitude

Concept, objectives, levels and characteristics of teaching; learner/teacher characteristics; factors affecting teaching; methods of teaching; evaluation systems; classroom communication

10%

Research Aptitude

Meaning, characteristics and types of research; steps in research; methods (descriptive, experimental, ex-post-facto, action); thesis writing; APA referencing; plagiarism (UGC Regulations 2018); Shodhganga

10%

Comprehension

A passage of text with questions on main idea, inference, tone, attitude, vocabulary in context, and rhetorical structure

10%

Communication

Nature, characteristics, types and barriers of communication; verbal vs non-verbal; mass media; effective classroom communication; Shannon-Weaver and Schramm models; feedback

10%

Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude

Number series, letter series, codes; relationships; mathematical aptitude (fractions, percentages, ratio-proportion, profit-loss, time-speed-distance, interest, averages)

10%

Logical Reasoning

Understanding the structure of arguments; deductive/inductive reasoning; syllogisms; Venn diagrams; analogies; Indian logic (Nyaya); fallacies

10%

Data Interpretation

Sources, acquisition and interpretation of data; quantitative and qualitative data; graphical representation (bar, pie, line, histogram); central tendency, dispersion; data and governance

10%

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

General abbreviations and terminology; basics of internet, intranet, email, audio/video conferencing; digital initiatives in higher education (SWAYAM, NDLI, Shodhganga, DIKSHA); ICT and governance

10%

People, Development and Environment

Development and environment; human and environment interaction; environmental issues — local, regional and global; air, water, soil pollution; solid waste; climate change; sustainable development; natural resources

10%

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 programmes; professional, technical and skill-based education; value education; governance, polity and administration; NEP 2020; NIRF; NAAC; IoEs

How to Pass the UGC NET Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 40% aggregate for General (35% for reserved categories); JRF/Assistant Professor cut-offs by percentile
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 180 minutes (3 hours) for both papers combined
Exam fee: INR 1150 (General); INR 600 (EWS/OBC-NCL); INR 325 (SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

UGC NET Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the official NTA Paper 1 syllabus first — all 10 units carry equal weightage (5 questions each), so balanced preparation beats lopsided expertise

2Solve previous-year UGC NET Paper 1 questions from 2018-2025 — NTA repeats themes and exact concepts (NEP 2020, NAAC grading, plagiarism Regulations, Shannon-Weaver model) frequently

3For Mathematical Reasoning and DI, target 9-10 correct out of 10 — these are formula-based and the highest-scoring units once you drill arithmetic shortcuts

4Read one quality English newspaper editorial daily (The Hindu, Indian Express) to build comprehension stamina and current-affairs vocabulary used in NTA passages

5Make a one-page summary of UGC and government bodies — UGC, AICTE, NCTE, NAAC, NIRF, NEP 2020 timelines, SDGs, environmental Acts — Higher Education and PDE units lean heavily on factual recall

6Attempt at least 10 full-length 3-hour mock tests to build the stamina to sit through 150 MCQs across both papers continuously without losing accuracy in the last hour

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UGC NET exam pattern in 2026?

UGC NET is a single computer-based test of 180 minutes with 150 MCQs. Paper 1 has 50 questions (100 marks) on Teaching and Research Aptitude — common to all candidates. Paper 2 has 100 questions (200 marks) from the candidate's chosen subject. Each correct answer gets +2 marks; there is no negative marking. Both papers are conducted in one continuous session.

What is the difference between JRF and Assistant Professor eligibility in UGC NET?

All candidates who appear for UGC NET can be considered for Assistant Professor eligibility, but only candidates who explicitly opt for JRF (and are below 30 years of age as on 1 June of the year, with relaxation for reserved categories) can be considered for the Junior Research Fellowship. JRF cut-offs are higher than Assistant Professor cut-offs and are determined by NTA based on percentile.

When is UGC NET 2026 conducted?

UGC NET is conducted twice a year — typically a June 2026 session and a December 2026 session — by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Application windows open about 6-8 weeks before each test cycle; exact dates are announced on ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The exam is held in over 200 cities across India in two shifts per day.

What is the eligibility for UGC NET?

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Transgender candidates) from a UGC-recognised university. PhD holders who completed Master's by 19 September 1991 receive a 5% relaxation. For JRF, the upper age limit is 30 years as of 1 June (relaxation: 5 years for reserved categories, women, PwD). No age limit for Assistant Professor.

How many subjects are offered in UGC NET 2026?

UGC NET 2026 is conducted in 87 subjects across humanities, social sciences, sciences, commerce, languages, and applied fields. Some popular subjects include English, Hindi, History, Political Science, Economics, Commerce, Education, Sociology, Geography, Computer Science, Management, Library Science, and Yoga. Candidates choose their Paper 2 subject at the time of application.

What is the cost of the UGC NET 2026 application fee?

The application fee for UGC NET 2026 is INR 1150 for General candidates, INR 600 for EWS/OBC-NCL, and INR 325 for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates. Payment is made online through the NTA portal using credit/debit card, net banking, UPI, or wallet.

Is there negative marking in UGC NET 2026?

No, there is no negative marking in UGC NET from 2018 onwards. Every correct answer earns +2 marks; unattempted or incorrect questions get 0. This means candidates should attempt every question, since there is no penalty for wrong answers — pure guessing has positive expected value.

Can I qualify for JRF and Assistant Professor with the same UGC NET attempt?

Yes. If you score above the JRF cut-off, you qualify for both JRF and Assistant Professor. If you score between the Assistant Professor cut-off and the JRF cut-off, you qualify only for Assistant Professor. NTA declares two separate merit lists. JRF certificates are valid for 3 years from the result date for joining a research programme.

100+ Free UGC NET Practice Questions

UGC NET