

UGC NET Nepali syllabus prepares graduates for teaching or research careers in Nepali language and literature. It includes topics like poetry, prose, drama, criticism, literary theory, linguistics, comparative literature, folk traditions, and translation. The exam has two papers: Paper 1 focuses on teaching and research aptitude, while Paper 2 covers the advanced UGC NET Syllabus of Nepali language and literature.
Both papers consist of multiple-choice questions with no negative marking, and each correct answer carries two marks. Candidates should download the official syllabus PDF, study section-wise, make notes, and regularly practice previous year question papers for better results.
The UGC NET Nepali syllabus is designed to help graduate students prepare for teaching and research positions. The syllabus covers important topics in Nepali language, literature, grammar, and culture. Aspiring candidates must study these areas deeply to clear the UGC NET 2025 exam successfully.
| UGC NET Nepali Syllabus Overview | |
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | UGC NET Nepali |
| Exam Conducting Body | University Grants Commission (UGC) NET Bureau |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours total (Paper 1: 1 hour, Paper 2: 2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 150 (Paper 1: 50 questions, Paper 2: 100 questions) |
| Total Marks | 300 (Paper 1: 100 marks, Paper 2: 200 marks) |
| Covered Topics | Teaching aptitude, Nepali language, literature, grammar, culture, linguistics |
| Language | Questions available in English and Nepali |
| Marking Scheme | +2 marks for correct answer, no negative marking |
For a detailed study, candidates can download the official UGC NET Nepali Syllabus PDF. It contains all units and subtopics necessary for the examination. In addition, it helps candidates organize their preparation schedule efficiently and understand the syllabus structure well.
The UGC NET Nepali syllabus is divided into various units covering various aspects of the Nepali language and literature. These include grammar, prose, poetry, culture, and the history of Nepali literature. The syllabus also touches upon contemporary Nepali writings and linguistic studies.
| Section Wise UGC NET Nepali Syllabus | |
| Section | Topics |
| 1. Poetry | Study of poetic theory and types; historical and socio-cultural background of Nepali poetry; styles and traditions of Nepali epics and classical poetry; study of early, medieval, modern, and postmodern Nepali poetry; long and short forms of Nepali poetry - their tradition, style, development, and characteristics |
| 2. Prose | Various types and characteristics of prose; scientific development of Nepali prose; study of early, medieval, modern, and postmodern Nepali prose, including novels and short stories - their tradition, style, development, and characteristics |
| 3. Drama and Dramatic Genre | Study of dramatic theory, development and characteristics; Nepali drama’s historical, social, and thematic evolution; major traditions, forms, themes; Stage techniques, performance, criticism; Important playwrights, works, and movements in early, medieval, and modern Nepali drama. |
| 4. Criticism and Analysis | History and theory of literary criticism; Schools, approaches, methods and principles; Nepali criticism’s evolution, major critics and their contributions; Literary analysis, interpretation, thematic studies, evaluation and comparative criticism. |
| 5. Literary Theory | Principles and scope of literary theory; Types, field, and features; Origins and development of Nepali literary theory; Key theorists and traditions; Application to contemporary literature, text analysis, interpretation, and thematic study., Early classical Nepali fiction - introduction, features, themes, and unique characteristics, Early classical Nepali poetry introduction, features, literary and thematic uniqueness, Early classical Nepali narrative - introduction, features, literary and stylistic uniqueness, Early classical, Nepali drama and essays - introduction, features, literary and stylistic uniqueness, Modern Nepali fiction - introduction, features, literary and stylistic uniqueness, Modern Nepali narrative - introduction, features, literary and stylistic uniqueness, Modern Nepali drama and essays - introduction, features, literary and stylistic uniqueness, Comparative study of folk literature, world literature, history of international literature, history of Nepali language and literature |
| 6. General linguistics. | Indo-European, language and dialect distinctions, and criteria for identifying principal world languages, especially the status and scope of the Nepali language. Further, it addresses phonetics, phonology, and the formation and usage of words and sentences in Nepali. The section also explores semantics, idioms, proverbs, various dictionaries, as well as specialized branches like sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and computational linguistics. Learners will study language change, dialectology, phenomena like code-switching and borrowing, as well as language contact and the effects of bilingualism, creoles, and language shift. The syllabus includes language planning and policy, linguistic research methods, and the practical use of linguistics in translation, editing, and creative writing. |
| 7. Nepali Linguistics | Covers history and development of Nepali language, sentence formation, sound and word rules, meaning, dictionaries, dialects, grammar, and how Nepali became a language for mass communication. |
| 8. Comparative Literature | Focuses on comparing Nepali literature with literature from other countries. It covers authors, styles, movements, translation, history, and how literary themes connect worldwide. |
| 9. Folk Literature and Nepali Folklore | Explains folk literature and folklore in Nepali. Covers traditions, genres, poems, songs, customs, and stories passed down in Nepali villages and culture. |
| 10. Literary Criticism & Translation | Focuses on Indian and Nepali literary criticism and translation. Includes basic concepts, importance, translation process, and comparative study with Indian texts. |
Understanding the pattern of the exam is important in managing time and effort. The Examination is divided into two papers:
| UGC NET Nepali Exam Pattern | ||||
| Paper | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration | Focus |
| Paper 1 | 50 | 100 | 1 hour | Teaching and Research Aptitude |
| Paper 2 | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | Nepali Language and Literature |
Marking Scheme: The marking scheme is pretty simple and fair. In both papers, each correct answer carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. This encourages accuracy and removes the fear of penalty.
Effective preparation for the UGC NET Nepali syllabus requires a clear plan and focused effort. Candidates should organize their study material unit by unit and cover all topics without skipping. Careful note-making and regular revision strengthens memory, while practicing past exam questions sharpens problem-solving skills.
Break the syllabus into smaller units and study each one step by step.
Make concise notes to summarize key points from each unit.
Go over the notes quite frequently to keep the information fresh in your mind.
Solve previous years' question papers to understand the pattern of the examination and improve the answering speed.
Dedicate more time to Paper 2 because it deals with detailed topics of Nepali language and literature, and it carries more marks.
Use the officially prescribed UGC NET Nepali syllabus PDF and some recommended books for authentic and comprehensive content.
Focus on grammar, literary theories, and cultural studies to enhance the basics for better conceptual clarity.