UGC NET Economics Exam Analysis 2026, Check Topic-Wise Difficulty Level
UGC NET Economics Exam Analysis 2026 highlights a balanced paper conducted on 7 January 2026 under the December 2025 cycle. The overall difficulty level of Paper 2 was Easy to Moderate. Micro Economics and Growth & Development were scoring, while International Economics was comparatively difficult.
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UGC NET Economics Exam Analysis 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC NET Economics Exam 2026 on 7 January 2026 under the December 2025 cycle. The examination was held in a single shift, with Paper 1 and Paper 2 conducted in one session. According to candidates’ feedback, the Economics paper was well-structured and closely aligned with the prescribed syllabus. Most questions focused on conceptual clarity, numerical application, and analytical understanding rather than rote memorisation. This detailed UGC NET Economics Exam Analysis 2026 covers the exam overview, shift details, Paper 1 review, and topic-wise difficulty level of Paper 2 to help aspirants evaluate their performance and expected cut-offs.
UGC NET Economics Exam Analysis 2026 Overview
UGC NET 2026 Economics Exam Analysis provides insights into the structure, difficulty level, and overall exam pattern followed in the December 2025 cycle. The paper was balanced and followed previous years’ trends, featuring a mix of conceptual, theoretical, and application-based questions.
| UGC NET Economics Exam 2026 Overview | |
| Events | Details |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Name | UGC NET Economics Exam 2026 |
| Posts | Assistant Professor & Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam Date | 7 January 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Medium of Exam | English & Hindi |
| Number of Papers & Marks | Paper 1: 100 Marks, Paper 2: 200 Marks |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET Economics Exam 2026 Shift & Timings
The UGC NET Economics exam was conducted on 7 January 2026 in Shift 1 only. Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 were held in a single continuous session. The examination process across centres was smooth and well-organised.
| Shift | Timing |
| Shift 1 | 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
UGC NET Exam Analysis 7th January 2026 – Paper 1 (Shift 1)
Paper 1 was rated Easy to Moderate overall. Teaching Aptitude and Research Aptitude sections were straightforward, while Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning required analytical thinking. ICT, Communication, and Higher Education System emerged as the most scoring areas.
| UGC NET 2026 – Paper 1 Difficulty Level | |
| UGC NET Paper 1 Sections | Difficulty Level |
| Teaching Aptitude | Moderate |
| Research Aptitude | Easy |
| Data Interpretation | Moderate |
| Reading Comprehension | Easy |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | Moderate |
| Communication | Moderate |
| Higher Education System, Governance & Polity | Easy |
| People & Environment | Moderate |
| ICT | Easy |
| Overall | Moderate |
UGC NET Economics Exam Analysis 2026 – Paper 2 Difficulty Level
Paper 2 of the UGC NET Economics Exam 2026 was reported as Easy to Moderate by most candidates. Questions were evenly distributed across units, focusing on conceptual understanding, numerical interpretation, and analytical ability. While Micro Economics and Growth & Development Economics were considered scoring, International Economics was perceived as the most challenging unit. Overall, the paper closely followed the standard syllabus and previous exam trends.
| UGC NET Economics Exam Analysis 2026 – Topic-Wise Difficulty Level | |
| Unit Name | Difficulty Level |
| Micro Economics | Easy |
| Macro Economics | Moderate |
| Statistics and Econometrics | Moderate |
| Mathematical Economics | Moderate |
| International Economics | Hard |
| Public Economics | Moderate |
| Money and Banking | Moderate |
| Growth and Development Economics | Easy |
| Environmental Economics and Demography | Moderate |
| Indian Economy | Moderate |
| Overall | Moderate |
Benefits of UGC NET Economics Exam Analysis 2026
UGC NET Economics exam analysis helps candidates evaluate the actual difficulty level of the paper and identify scoring as well as time-consuming units. It aids in estimating expected cut-offs, understanding topic-wise weightage, and improving preparation strategies. For future aspirants, this analysis provides clarity on exam trends and highlights areas requiring deeper conceptual focus. It also helps candidates realistically assess their chances of qualifying for JRF and Assistant Professor eligibility.