UGC NET Political Science Cut Off 2026 analysis provides the expected cut-off for the UGC NET June 2026 cycle in Political Science. Based on student feedback and initial assessments, this blog explores historical trends, key influencing factors like paper difficulty and new question patterns, and presents detailed predictions for JRF and NET/PhD cut-offs across various categories.
UGC NET Political Science Cut Off 2026 is the minimum score a candidate must secure to qualify in the Political Science subject paper under the UGC NET examination. The official cut-off is released category-wise and varies for JRF, Assistant Professor, and PhD eligibility based on the exam’s difficulty level and the overall performance of candidates. The 2026 cutoff is finalised by the exam authority only after result processing.
Political Science is a subject known for its fluctuating cut-off trends in the UGC NET exam. The June 2025 cycle saw an all-time high cut-off, with JRF for the Unreserved category reaching 244 marks, which translates to 122 correct questions out of 150. However, the subsequent December 2025 cycle observed a controlled cut-off, where JRF for the Unreserved category was at 214 marks, corresponding to approximately 107 correct questions.
While initial student feedback suggested that the June 2026 paper was easier than the December 2025 cycle, which might typically lead to a higher cut-off (above 214 marks), two significant changes are expected to control the cut-off this cycle. Firstly, Paper One was reported to be quite difficult for students. Secondly, in Political Science, the typical 5-10 easily solvable questions from unseen passages presented a new challenge. The National Testing Agency (NTA) adopted a pattern similar to UPSC CSAT or CLAT exams, making it difficult to solve questions directly from the passages. These combined factors are anticipated to mitigate any upward trend that an "easier" Paper Two might otherwise suggest.
Considering all influencing factors, the cut-off for the June 2026 cycle is projected to be around or slightly above the December 2025 cut-off. The predictions for JRF and NET/PhD cut-offs are detailed below, with marks combined for both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
| JRF Cut-off Expected (June 2026) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Predicted Marks | Equivalent Correct Questions |
| Unreserved | 216-220 | 108-110 |
| OBC | 204-208 | 102-104 |
| EWS | 206-210 | 103-105 |
| SC | 194-200 | 97-100 |
| ST | 196-198 | 98-99 |
Predictions for NET/PhD cut-offs are also made based on this initial assessment, following similar relative trends compared to the JRF cut-offs.
These predictions are based on an initial assessment of the paper and preliminary information. A more definitive and precise analysis will be possible once the official question paper and answer keys are released by the National Testing Agency (NTA).