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Welcome to Anss Academy, your ultimate destination for focused preparation tools on competitive exams. If you’re aiming for the UGC NET Economics 2026, this guide is your complete companion.
Subject Code 01, the exam tests your mastery over microeconomic behavior, macroeconomic policy, quantitative modeling, and development paradigms, connecting theory with global challenges like inequality and fiscal sustainability.
Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), this exam qualifies candidates for Assistant Professor roles and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in economics faculties, policy research organizations, and financial institutions.
This article covers:
- Exam details
- Key lessons from June 2025
- Syllabus overview
- The importance of PYQs (Previous Year Questions)
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🧭 UGC NET Economics 2026 Exam Overview
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The UGC NET Economics 2026 follows NTA’s biannual schedule —
- June Session: Expected in March–April 2026
- December Session: Expected in August–September 2026 (Tentative)
It tests both theoretical understanding and empirical applications, highlighting modern trends like behavioral economics, green fiscal policies, and digital currencies.
🔑 Key Highlights
- Eligibility:
- Master’s degree in Economics / Applied Economics or related field
- 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Transgender)
- Final-year postgraduates eligible provisionally
- Age Limit:
- JRF: Up to 30 years (5-year relaxation for reserved/women/third gender)
- Assistant Professor: No upper age limit
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Languages: English & Hindi
Clearing this exam opens pathways to research, academia, and policymaking.
🧩 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Teaching & Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 | General skills & awareness |
| Paper 2 | Economics | 100 | 200 | Subject-specific |
Total: 150 Questions | 300 Marks
- +2 marks for each correct answer
- No negative marking
Qualifying Marks:
- General/EWS/OBC-NCL: 40% (120/300)
- Reserved Categories: 35% (105/300)
📊 UGC NET Economics 2026 Exam Analysis
Based on the June 2025 session (June 29, Shift 2):
- Overall Difficulty: Moderate
- Paper 1: Easy to moderate — reasoning and comprehension were manageable.
- Paper 2: Moderate — focused on conceptual clarity and applied economics.
Topic Weightage (Approx.)
- Microeconomics: 20–25%
- Macroeconomics: 25%
- Statistics & Econometrics: 20%
- Development & International Economics: 15–20%
- Public Finance & Indian Economy: 10–15%
Question Trends:
- Analytical and application-based
- Focus on fiscal multipliers, inflation, trade theories
- Numerical challenges in econometrics
Target Scores:
- Assistant Professor: 125–135 marks
- JRF: 145+ marks
📚 UGC NET Economics 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus (unchanged since 2019) covers 10 comprehensive units:
1️⃣ Microeconomics
Consumer theory, production & exchange equilibrium, market structures, welfare economics, general equilibrium.
2️⃣ Macroeconomics
National income, money & income theories, inflation, growth models, open economy macro.
3️⃣ Statistics & Econometrics
Probability, regression, hypothesis testing, time series, panel data models.
4️⃣ Mathematical Economics
Optimization, matrix algebra, linear programming, game theory.
5️⃣ International Economics
Trade theories, balance of payments, exchange rates, IMF/WTO, regional blocs.
6️⃣ Public Economics
Public goods, taxation, fiscal federalism, budgetary policies.
7️⃣ Money & Banking
Money supply, monetary policy, banking structure, financial markets.
8️⃣ Growth & Development Economics
Growth vs. development, poverty, inequality, HDI, SDGs.
9️⃣ Environmental Economics & Demography
Resource valuation, sustainable use, population dynamics, migration.
🔟 Indian Economy
Pre- and post-1991 reforms, agriculture, industry, planning, inflation, NITI Aayog.
📘 PYQs (Previous Year Questions) for UGC NET Economics
PYQs (2018–2025) reflect consistent question styles and themes:
- 25–30% numericals in macro/econometrics
- Conceptual theory in micro/development
- Data interpretation and policy analysis questions
Best Practice Tips
- Solve last 5–7 years’ papers in full mock mode
- Track trends like IS-LM variations or inequality measures
- Focus on conceptual clarity & time management
Anss Academy integrates PYQs within its mock test platform for guided practice.
🧠 Preparation Tips for UGC NET Economics 2026
To master the syllabus and perform confidently:
- Plan 5–7 months: Cover 2 units every fortnight
- Books:
- Ahuja / Samuelson – Macro & Micro
- Koutsoyiannis – Econometrics
- RBI Reports – Indian Economy
- Practice:
- 60+ MCQs daily
- Full-length mocks weekly
- Revise:
- Formula sheets & graphs
- Link topics across units
- Stay Updated:
- Read economic surveys and fiscal reports
Anss Academy’s smart analytics, live tests, and PYQ integration make your preparation goal-driven and exam-ready.
