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The exam will be held from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
Drawing lessons from the June 2025 session, we also outline a forward-looking roadmap for the June 2026 cycle. The UGC NET Education exam assesses your understanding of pedagogical theories, inclusive practices, research methodologies, and educational policies, qualifying you for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) roles in teacher training institutes, universities, and policy bodies.
With an emphasis on conceptual clarity, practical application, and current reforms like NEP 2020, success depends on well-balanced study and consistent practice.
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🧭 UGC NET Education December 2025 Exam Overview
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The December 2025 session, officially scheduled by NTA from December 31, 2025 to January 7, 2026, follows the agency’s biannual format. It emphasizes interdisciplinary connections between the philosophical roots of education, technology integration, and modern challenges in educational administration.
Expect both conceptual and applied questions, especially on learner diversity, inclusive education, and quality assurance. The exam aligns with modern educational themes like digital equity, sustainability, and educational innovation.
🔑 Key Highlights
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Eligibility:
- Master’s in Education or equivalent with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Transgender).
- Final-year students may apply provisionally.
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Age Limit:
- JRF: Up to 30 years (relaxation of 5 years for women and reserved categories).
- Assistant Professor: No upper age limit.
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Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
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Duration: 3 hours (combined papers)
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Languages: English and Hindi
Clearing this exam qualifies you for leadership in curriculum design, educational research, and teacher training.
🧩 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Teaching and Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Education | 100 | 200 |
Total: 150 Questions | 300 Marks
- Type: Objective (MCQs with four options)
- Marking Scheme: +2 marks for correct answers, no negative marking
- Qualifying Marks:
- General/EWS/OBC-NCL: 40% (120/300)
- Reserved Categories: 35% (105/300)
This balanced marking system rewards both accuracy and conceptual understanding.
📊 UGC NET Education June 2025 Exam Analysis
The June 2025 session (Shift 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) was rated easy to moderate, though slightly lengthy, offering a clear benchmark for December 2025.
Key Takeaways:
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Paper 1: Straightforward and well-distributed across reasoning, comprehension, research aptitude, and current affairs (NEP-related questions were prominent).
- Good Attempts: 42–47 out of 50
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Paper 2: Moderate in difficulty with balanced topic coverage.
Topic Weightage Overview
- Inclusive Education & Pedagogy: 20–25%
- Research & Curriculum: 25%
- Technology & Educational Management: 20%
- Learner Process & Policies: 15–20%
- Philosophical/Sociological Foundations: 10–15%
Scenario-based questions focused on policy applications, while factual ones on education acts (like RPWD 2016) remained direct.
For December 2025, expect similar trends with additional NEP 2020 and digital pedagogy integration.
- Target Score: 110–120 (Assistant Professor) | 130+ (JRF)
📚 UGC NET Education Syllabus 2025–2026
The syllabus remains unchanged for the December 2025 and June 2026 cycles. Focus on interlinked understanding across 10 comprehensive units.
Unit 1: Inclusive Education
Policies (SSA, UNCRPD), disability classifications, identification methods, classroom adaptations, IEPs, and research in inclusion.
Unit 2: Educational Management, Administration, and Leadership
POSDCORB, leadership theories, TQM, NAAC indicators, Lewin’s change model, and cost analysis in education.
Unit 3: Pedagogy, Andragogy, and Assessment
Teaching levels, Knowles’ andragogy, formative and competency-based assessments, learning taxonomies, and feedback mechanisms.
Unit 4: Technology in Education
Theories of learning, ICT tools, e-learning platforms, design models (ADDIE, Gagne), OERs, and ethical ICT practices.
Unit 5: Research in Education
Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods; hypothesis testing, data tools, ANOVA, t-test, grounded theory, and ethics in research.
Unit 6: Curriculum Studies
Foundations of curriculum, design models, evaluation frameworks, outcome-based education, and curriculum reforms.
Unit 7: Teacher Education
Teacher competencies, reflective practices, agencies (NCTE, SCERT), professional ethics, and ICT-enabled teacher training.
Unit 8: Learner and Learning Process
Learning stages, intelligence theories, behavioral and social paradigms, guidance techniques, and mental health education.
Unit 9: History, Politics, and Economics of Education
Major commissions (Kothari, Yashpal), education policies, economics of education, and political ideologies in education.
Unit 10: Education Studies
Philosophical foundations, socialization theories, educational thinkers, and constitutional values like equity and secularism.
📘 PYQs (Previous Year Questions) for UGC NET Education
PYQs from 2009–2024 show consistent emphasis on:
- Research and Assessment: 20–25%
- Educational Policies and Technology: 15%
- Pedagogy and Inclusive Education: High recurrence
Practice Tips
- Solve 5–10 years’ PYQs in full mock format.
- Identify repetitive patterns and question styles.
- Maintain an error log to track weak topics.
Anss Academy’s PYQ compilations are curated for efficient revision before the Dec 2025 exam.
🧠 December 2025 Exam Tips
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Focus Areas: Prioritize high-weight units — Research, Pedagogy, and Inclusion (60% of prep time).
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Study Plan:
- 4–6 hours daily — 2 hours theory, 1 hour MCQs, 1 hour revision.
- Include 30 minutes on education current affairs (e.g., NEP updates).
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Mocks: Attempt weekly full-length tests; analyze time and accuracy (target 75%+).
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Resources: Maintain flashcards on key acts, theories, and commissions.
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Health & Focus: Ensure 7–8 hours of rest; use short breaks for better retention.
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Avoid Pitfalls: Don’t skip Paper 1 — ICT and environment carry 20% weight.
Target: Score 120+ aggregate for solid qualification.
🚀 June 2026 Preparation Strategies
After the December exam, transition smoothly into the June 2026 cycle (expected in March–April 2026).
Phase 1 (Nov 2025–Jan 2026): Foundation
Comprehensive coverage of all 10 units; focus on linking pedagogy with technology and inclusion.
Phase 2 (Feb–Apr 2026): Application
Attempt 2 mocks weekly; integrate interdisciplinary case studies like AI in assessment and digital classrooms.
Phase 3 (May–Jun 2026): Revision
Solve 100+ MCQs daily, revise difficult units, and simulate exam conditions.
Supportive Habits
- Join study groups for idea exchange.
- Track your progress via mock scores.
- Read education policy journals and NEP updates regularly.
At Anss Academy, access officially aligned mock tests, PYQ sets, and planner tools designed for both December 2025 and June 2026 UGC NET Education aspirants.
