UGC NET Exam Analysis 5th Jan 2026, Check Shift-wise Difficulty Level
UGC NET Exam 5 January 2026 was conducted by NTA in two shifts. Overall difficulty ranged from easy to moderate. Paper 1 was scoring in both shifts, while Paper 2 difficulty varied by subject and remained largely syllabus-based.
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UGC NET Exam Analysis 5th Jan 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) successfully conducted the UGC NET Examination on 5 January 2026 in two shifts at various examination centres across the country. The exam comprised Paper 1 (General Aptitude) and Paper 2 (Subject-specific), as per the prescribed pattern. Based on feedback received from candidates and expert reviews, the overall difficulty level of the examination was assessed as easy to moderate. Paper 1 was largely considered scoring in both shifts, while the difficulty level of Paper 2 varied depending on the subject opted by candidates. A detailed shift-wise analysis is provided below.
UGC NET Exam Analysis 5th Jan 2026
The UGC NET exam conducted on 5 January 2026 was well-organised, with most questions aligned with the official syllabus. Candidates reported balanced papers that tested conceptual clarity rather than unpredictable or lengthy questions. Below is the detailed shift-wise and paper-wise analysis.
UGC NET Exam Analysis 5th Jan 2026: Paper 1 β Shift 1
Paper 1 in Shift 1 focused primarily on conceptual understanding and basic application. Most sections were well-balanced, allowing prepared candidates to attempt a good number of questions with confidence and accuracy.
| UGC NET 2026 β 5 January Shift 1 Paper 1 Difficulty Level | |
| Section | Difficulty Level |
| Teaching Aptitude | Moderate |
| Research Aptitude | Easy |
| Data Interpretation | Moderate |
| Reading Comprehension | Moderate |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Easy |
| Logical Reasoning | Moderate |
| Communication | Moderate |
| Higher Education System, Governance, Polity & Administration | Easy |
| People & Environment | Easy to Moderate |
| ICT | Easy |
| Overall | Easy |
UGC NET Exam Analysis 5th Jan 2026: Paper 2 β Shift 1
Paper 2 in Shift 1 showed variation based on subject choice. Most subjects were rated easy to moderate, with questions directly derived from the syllabus. Language subjects were comparatively easier, while theory-oriented subjects required strong conceptual understanding.
| Paper 2 (Shift 1): Subject-wise Difficulty Level | |
| Subject | Difficulty Level |
| English | Moderate |
| Sanskrit (Traditional Subjects) | Easy to Moderate |
| Anthropology | Easy |
| Adult Education / Continuing Education / Andragogy / Non-Formal Education | Easy to Moderate |
| French (French Version) | Moderate |
| Dogri | Moderate |
| Russian | Easy |
| Chinese | Moderate |
UGC NET Exam Analysis 5th Jan 2026: Paper 1 β Shift 2
Paper 1 in Shift 2 was reported as easy to moderate, featuring several direct and familiar questions. Sections such as Teaching Aptitude and People & Environment were found to be particularly scoring, enabling candidates to maintain good accuracy.
| UGC NET 2026 β 5 January Shift 2 Paper 1 Difficulty Level | |
| Section | Difficulty Level |
| Teaching Aptitude | Easy |
| Research Aptitude | Moderate |
| Data Interpretation | Easy |
| Reading Comprehension | Moderate |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Easy |
| Logical Reasoning | Moderate |
| Communication | Moderate |
| Higher Education System, Governance, Polity & Administration | Easy |
| People & Environment | Easy |
| ICT | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | Easy |
UGC NET Exam Analysis 5th Jan 2026: Paper 2 β Shift 2
Paper 2 in Shift 2 was largely assessed as easy to moderate. The questions were syllabus-oriented and concept-based, allowing candidates with consistent preparation to attempt the paper confidently.
| Paper 2 (Shift 2): Subject-wise Difficulty Level | |
| Subject | Difficulty Level |
| History | Easy |
| Visual Art | Easy to Moderate |
| Assamese | Moderate |
| Tribal and Regional Language/Literature | Easy to Moderate |
| Archaeology | Moderate |
| Gujarati | Easy |
| Rajasthani | Easy |
Benefits of UGC NET Exam Analysis 5th Jan 2026
The UGC NET Exam Analysis helps candidates understand the actual difficulty level of the examination and identify scoring as well as high-weightage areas. It offers insights into section-wise trends and subject-wise difficulty, enabling future aspirants to refine their preparation strategies. Additionally, the analysis assists candidates in estimating expected cut-offs, evaluating performance, improving time management, and prioritising important topics for upcoming examination cycles.