
UGC NET Education Exam Analysis 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is the conducting authority for the UGC NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test) exam. The education exam was held on January 3, 2026, covering two papers i.e. Paper 1 and Paper 2. According to the candidates feedback, the UGC NET Education paper level is of the moderate to difficult levels.
The exam included a mix of assertion-reasoning questions and statement-based questions, confirming the anticipated question types.
The exam is subjective with lengthy, conceptual questions following a chronological pattern and includes match-the-following and sequence-step type questions.
A few questions (2-4) are out of the syllabus, mostly based on chronology and sequence steps.
UGC NET Education exam is a computer-based test of 3 hours covering papers 1 and 2. Candidates get 150 questions of 300 marks, combining papers 1 and 2 to solve in the exam.
| UGC NET Education Exam Analysis 2026 Overview | |
| Exam Name | UGC NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test) |
| Cycle | December 2025 Cycle (conducted in Jan 2026) |
| Authority Name | National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of UGC |
| Exam Date | January 3, 2026 (Shift 2) |
| Duration | 3 Hours (180 minutes) — No break between Paper 1 & 2 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Marking Scheme | +2 Marks for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
The overall UGC NET Education Exam Difficulty Level is moderate to difficult. Most candidates felt that the paper is lengthy.
| UGC NET Education Exam Analysis 2026 Topics Asked | |
| Unit / Topic Area | Difficulty Level |
| Unit 1 & 2 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Research Methodology | Moderate to Difficult |
| Learning Theories | Moderate to Difficult |
| Curriculum Studies | Moderate to Difficult |
| Philosophy & Religion | Moderate to Difficult |
| History & Politics | Moderate to Difficult |
| Educational Technology | Moderate to Difficult |
| Assessment & Administration | Moderate to Difficult |
Candidates can check the UGC NET Education Exam Analysis 2026 Topics Asked compiled unit-wise in the table format for reference. Subjective and fact-based questions carried significant weightage in the paper.
| UGC NET Education Exam Analysis 2026 Topics Asked | |
| Unit / Topic Area | Key Topics and Focus |
| Unit 1 & 2 | Inclusive Education, Disability Treatment Centres, RPwD Act, Policies |
| Research Methodology | Hypothesis Testing, Sampling Methods, ANOVA, Reliability, Validity, Experimental Designs |
| Learning Theories | Triarchic Theory, Spearman, Piaget, Skinner, Bandura |
| Curriculum Studies | CIPP Model, Kirkpatrick, Tyler, Deccan-Curry Model |
| Philosophy & Religion | Panchkosha, Buddhism, Islam, Vedanta, Jainism, Yoga Sutras, Structural Functionalism, Gandhi |
| History & Politics | RCI Act, Commissions, NEP 2020, CPD, Vocationalization, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Ramsar, Samagra Shiksha |
| Educational Technology | ADDIE, ASSURE, Systems Analysis, Gagne’s Instruction Model |
| Assessment & Administration | Reflective Journals, Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy, Andragogy, SWOT, Bureaucratic Management |
UGC NET Education Memory-Based Paper has been compiled by the faculty based on the difficulty level of questions asked in the paper. Candidates can get an idea of the paper level and topics to cover for the UGC NET exam preparation in the future.