UGC NET JRF Syllabus 2025: Detailed Paper 1 & Paper 2 Guide

The National Eligibility Test for Junior Research Fellowship (NET JRF) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). This prestigious national exam determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship and Lectureship positions in Indian universities and colleges.

The NET JRF exam comprises two papers — Paper I (General Aptitude) and Paper II (Subject-Specific). This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the syllabus for all major NET subjects along with preparation tips, recommended books, and exam details.

NET JRF Exam Pattern & Marks Distribution

Paper	Description	Number of Questions	Marks	Duration
Paper I	General Aptitude	50	100	1 hour
Paper II	Subject-specific	100	100	2 hours
Total		150	200	3 hours

Paper I: General Aptitude Syllabus (Common for All Candidates)

Topic	Subtopics & Description	Approx. Weightage
Teaching Aptitude	Principles, Methods, Learner’s Characteristics, Teaching Aids	10-15 questions
Research Aptitude	Types, Steps, Ethics, Thesis Writing, Research Tools	10-15 questions
Reading Comprehension	Passages testing understanding, inference, vocabulary	10-12 questions
Communication	Barriers, Effective Communication, Verbal & Non-verbal	5-7 questions
Reasoning (Logical & Mathematical)	Number Series, Coding-Decoding, Data Sufficiency, Venn Diagrams	10-15 questions
Data Interpretation	Graphs, Charts, Tables Analysis	5-7 questions
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)	Basics of Computers, Internet, Software, Digital Initiatives	3-5 questions
People and Environment	Environment Awareness, Sustainable Development	3-5 questions
Higher Education System: Governance, Polity & Administration	Structure, Policies, Reforms in Indian Higher Education	3-5 questions

Paper II: Subject-wise Detailed Syllabus for NET JRF 2025

1. Computer Science

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Discrete Mathematics	Logic, Set Theory, Relations, Functions, Graph Theory, Combinatorics	15-20
Digital Logic	Boolean Algebra, Combinational Circuits, Sequential Circuits	10-15
Data Structures	Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, Graphs, Stacks, Queues	15-20
Algorithms	Sorting, Searching, Dynamic Programming, Greedy Algorithms	15-20
Computer Organization	CPU Architecture, Memory, I/O Devices	10-15
Operating Systems	Processes, Threads, Scheduling, Memory Management	10-15
Database Systems	ER Model, Relational Algebra, SQL, Normalization	10-15
Software Engineering	Software Development Life Cycle, Testing, Maintenance	10-15

2. English

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Literary Theory	Critical Theories: Formalism, Structuralism, Marxism, Feminism, Postcolonialism	15-20
Poetry	Poetic Forms, Major Poets, Devices, Movements	15-20
Drama	Classical and Modern Drama, Techniques, Selected Plays	15-20
Fiction	Novel and Short Story, Narrative Techniques	15-20
Language and Linguistics	Phonetics, Syntax, Semantics, Sociolinguistics	10-15
Indian Writing	Postcolonial Texts, Major Indian Authors and Movements	10-15
Literary Criticism	Important Critics and Works	10-15

3. History

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Ancient History	Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire	15-20
Medieval History	Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Bhakti & Sufi Movements	15-20
Modern History	British Colonialism, Freedom Struggle, Social & Economic Movements	20-25
World History	Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, World Wars, Cold War	15-20
Historiography & Methods	Sources, Archaeology, Epigraphy, Numismatics	10-15

4. Political Science

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Political Theory	Concepts like Power, Justice, Equality, Rights	15-20
Indian Government & Politics	Constitution, Federalism, Political Parties, Electoral Politics	20-25
Comparative Politics	Systems, Governments, Democracy, Political Economy	15-20
International Relations	Theories, Global Organizations, Diplomacy	15-20
Public Administration	Bureaucracy, Administrative Theories, Governance	10-15

5. Psychology

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Research Methods	Experimental, Correlational Studies, Psychometrics	15-20
Biological Basis	Nervous System, Brain, Sensation & Perception	15-20
Cognitive Psychology	Memory, Thinking, Problem Solving, Intelligence	15-20
Developmental Psychology	Child, Adolescent, Adult Development	15-20
Personality & Social Psychology	Theories, Attitudes, Group Dynamics	15-20

6. Sociology

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Sociological Concepts	Society, Community, Institution, Social Groups	15-20
Social Theories	Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism	20-25
Research Methods	Qualitative, Quantitative, Fieldwork	15-20
Social Stratification	Caste, Class, Gender, Ethnicity	15-20
Indian Society	Family, Religion, Social Change, Movements	15-20

7. Economics

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Microeconomics	Demand & Supply, Consumer Behavior, Production, Market Structures	15-20
Macroeconomics	National Income, Inflation, Monetary & Fiscal Policy	15-20
Indian Economy	Growth, Planning, Agriculture, Industry	20-25
Development Economics	Poverty, Inequality, Sustainable Development	15-20
International Economics	Trade Theories, Balance of Payments	10-15

8. Mathematics

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Algebra	Groups, Rings, Fields	15-20
Real Analysis	Sequences, Series, Continuity, Differentiation	15-20
Complex Analysis	Analytic Functions, Contour Integration	15-20
Linear Algebra	Vector Spaces, Matrices, Eigenvalues	15-20
Differential Equations	Ordinary & Partial Differential Equations	15-20

9. Life Sciences

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Cell Biology	Cell Structure, Function, Cell Cycle	15-20
Genetics	Mendelian Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Gene Expression	15-20
Ecology & Evolution	Ecosystem, Population Biology, Evolutionary Concepts	15-20
Physiology	Plant and Animal Physiology	15-20
Biochemistry	Enzymes, Metabolism, Biomolecules	15-20

10. Chemical Sciences

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Physical Chemistry	Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Quantum Chemistry	20-25
Organic Chemistry	Reaction Mechanisms, Stereochemistry, Functional Groups	20-25
Inorganic Chemistry	Coordination Chemistry, Chemical Bonding, Periodic Table	20-25
Analytical Chemistry	Spectroscopy, Chromatography, Electrochemistry	15-20

11. Physical Sciences

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Classical Mechanics	Newtonian Mechanics, Lagrangian, Hamiltonian	20-25
Electromagnetism	Electrostatics, Magnetostatics, Maxwell’s Equations	20-25
Quantum Mechanics	Schrödinger Equation, Operators, Perturbation Theory	20-25
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics	Laws of Thermodynamics, Ensembles	15-20
Solid State Physics	Crystal Structure, Band Theory	15-20

12. Environmental Sciences

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Ecosystem	Structure, Functions, Biodiversity	15-20
Pollution	Air, Water, Soil Pollution, Waste Management	20-25
Environmental Policies	Laws, Treaties, Sustainable Development	15-20
Natural Resources	Conservation, Renewable and Non-renewable Resources	15-20

13. Education

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Foundations of Education	Philosophical, Sociological, Psychological Bases	20-25
Educational Psychology	Learning, Motivation, Intelligence	20-25
Curriculum and Teaching	Curriculum Development, Teaching Methods	20-25
Educational Evaluation	Tests, Measurement, and Evaluation	15-20

14. Commerce

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Accounting	Financial, Cost, and Management Accounting	20-25
Business Environment	Economic, Social, Legal Environment	15-20
Marketing	Concepts, Strategies, Consumer Behavior	15-20
Financial Management	Capital Structure, Budgeting, Working Capital	15-20
Auditing	Principles, Techniques, Types	15-20

15. Law

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Constitutional Law	Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles	20-25
Criminal Law	IPC, Criminal Procedure	15-20
Civil Law	Contracts, Property Law	15-20
Jurisprudence	Theories of Law, Legal Systems	15-20
International Law	Treaties, Organizations, Human Rights	15-20

16. Library & Information Science

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Library Management	Functions, Systems, Library Laws	20-25
Information Sources & Services	Reference Sources, User Services	20-25
Information Technology	Digital Libraries, Database Management	15-20
Classification & Cataloguing	Systems, Methods, Standards	15-20

17. Geography

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Physical Geography	Geomorphology, Climatology, Biogeography	20-25
Human Geography	Population, Urbanization, Economic Activities	20-25
Regional Geography	India, World Regions	15-20
Geographical Techniques	Cartography, GIS, Remote Sensing	15-20

18. Philosophy

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Indian Philosophy	Vedic, Upanishads, Buddhism, Jainism	20-25
Western Philosophy	Greek, Medieval, Modern Thinkers	20-25
Logic & Epistemology	Reasoning, Knowledge Theories	15-20
Ethics & Aesthetics	Moral Philosophy, Art and Beauty	15-20

19. Anthropology

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Physical Anthropology	Human Evolution, Primates	15-20
Cultural Anthropology	Culture, Society, Social Institutions	20-25
Archaeological Anthropology	Excavation, Dating, Prehistory	15-20
Applied Anthropology	Development, Health, Education	15-20

20. Journalism & Mass Communication

Unit	Topics	Approx. Marks
Media Theories	Communication Models, Agenda Setting	15-20
Journalism	News Reporting, Editing, Media Laws	20-25
Mass Communication	Advertising, Public Relations, Broadcasting	15-20
New Media	Digital Journalism, Social Media	15-20

Preparation Tips for NET JRF

• Understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
• Make a study plan covering Paper I and Paper II topics in detail.
• Refer to standard textbooks and UGC NET previous year question papers.
• Practice MCQs daily and improve time management skills.
• Join coaching or online courses if required for better guidance.
• Regularly revise concepts to retain important topics.

Recommended Books for NET JRF Preparation

• General Aptitude: “UGC NET/JRF/SET Paper 1 Teaching and Research Aptitude” by Arihant Experts
• Computer Science: “Introduction to Algorithms” by Cormen, “Discrete Mathematics” by Kenneth Rosen
• English: “A History of English Literature” by C.H. Herford, “Literary Theory” by Terry Eagleton
• History: “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra, “A Brief History of Modern India” by Rajiv Ahir
• Political Science: “Indian Government and Politics” by B.L. Fadia
• Psychology: “Introduction to Psychology” by Morgan and King
• Others: Refer to NCERT textbooks and UGC syllabus specific books for respective subjects.

Conclusion

Preparing for the NET JRF exam requires dedication and a strategic approach. By understanding the syllabus and focusing on both Paper I and Paper II topics, aspirants can improve their chances of success. Use this detailed syllabus guide to plan your preparation effectively and achieve your goal of securing Junior Research Fellowship or Lectureship.