Start free

UGC NET Paper 1 free mock test 2026

UGC NET December 2026 runs from 14 to 19 December. Paper 1 is common to every subject: 50 questions, 100 marks, no negative marking, across ten units.

Time left until UGC NET December 2026, 14–19 Dec 2026

–days
–hours
–minutes
–seconds
Start free UGC NET Paper 1 mockRead the syllabusMarks calculator

1 full mock free, no card needed. Pro from ₹399, one-time payment.

UGC NET Paper 1 UGC NET (one sitting), drawn to scale

1 bubble = 1 question
  • Paper 1: Teaching & Research Aptitude50
  • Paper 2: Your subject100
300 marks, 180 minutes, Online (CBT)

About UGC NET Paper 1

NTA — UGC National Eligibility Test, Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude)

The UGC National Eligibility Test, run by the National Testing Agency, decides eligibility for Assistant Professor posts, Junior Research Fellowship and PhD admission. It is a single 3-hour computer-based sitting with two papers. Paper 1, common to all subjects, tests teaching and research aptitude: 50 questions of 2 marks each across ten units. Paper 2 has 100 questions of 2 marks each on your chosen subject. There is no negative marking. The December 2026 cycle is scheduled for 14 to 19 December 2026, with 20 and 21 December kept as buffer days.

Key facts

Conducted by
NTA
Category
Teaching
Stages
Paper 1 + Paper 2 (one sitting)
Held
Twice a year (June and December)

How hard it is

Only the top 6% of candidates per subject and category qualify for Assistant Professor

ModerateModerate–HighVery high

UGC NET Paper 1 exam pattern

Practise in this pattern

Marks by section

300 marks in all

  • Paper 1: Teaching & Research Aptitude 100
  • Paper 2: Your subject 200

Time each section gets

At an even 72 seconds a question

Paper 1: Teaching & Research Aptitude
60 min
Paper 2: Your subject
120 min

180 minutes for 150 questions. A question you get stuck on takes time from the rest of the paper.

UGC NET (one sitting) at a glance

UGC NET (one sitting) sections, questions and marks
SectionQuestionsMarks
Paper 1: Teaching & Research Aptitude50100
Paper 2: Your subject100200
Total150300
Time 180 minutesMode Online (CBT)

Negative marking: No negative marking. Both papers are answered in one 3-hour sitting with no break between them. Each question carries 2 marks.

How selection works

  1. Paper 1 + Paper 2 (single sitting)
  2. Qualify for Assistant Professor / PhD admission, or JRF

UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus 2026

Every topic in the syllabus, section by section.

Paper 1

Teaching & Research

  • Teaching Aptitude
  • Research Aptitude
  • Comprehension
  • Communication

Reasoning & Data

  • Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Data Interpretation

ICT, Environment & Higher Education

  • Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
  • People, Development & Environment
  • Higher Education System

UGC NET Paper 1 eligibility, posts and salary

A master's degree with 55% (50% for reserved categories), or in the final year; four-year undergraduate degree holders with 75% may also apply as per NTA rules

Who can apply

Education
A master's degree with 55% (50% for reserved categories), or in the final year; four-year undergraduate degree holders with 75% may also apply as per NTA rules
Age
No upper limit for Assistant Professor and PhD · JRF up to 30 years, with relaxation as per notice
Application fee
As per the NTA information bulletin for the cycle
Applications
8 Oct 2026 to 28 Oct 2026 (late window to 31 Oct; corrections 2–4 Nov)
How often
Twice a year (June and December)

Dates, fees and age rules come from NTA. Read the current notice on ugcnet.nta.nic.in.

Notification facts: UGC NET official site, NTA, UGC NET December 2026 dates, Shiksha, UGC NET exam date 2026, Adda247.

Your UGC NET Paper 1 preparation plan

Four stages, timed backwards from the exam. The dates move with today's date.

Build the base

Until 6 weeks before
  • Go through every UGC NET (one sitting) section once: Paper 1: Teaching & Research Aptitude, Paper 2: Your subject.
  • Start each day with the section you score lowest in.
  • Keep one notebook for formulas, rules and your own mistakes.
Practise with chapter drills

Speed under the clock

6 to 3 weeks before
  • One sectional test a day for each section.
  • UGC NET (one sitting) allows about 72 seconds a question. Time yourself to it.
  • Leave a question that has not opened in 90 seconds and come back.
Take a sectional test

Full mocks

3 weeks to 1 week before
  • A full 180-minute mock every other day, at the time of your shift.
  • Spend as long reviewing a mock as taking it.
  • Drill the topics your report marks weak.
Start a full mock

Final week

Last 7 days
  • Two mocks only, at your shift time.
  • Revise your list of mistakes, nothing new.
  • Check your admit card, centre and ID the day before.
See your weak-topic report

What you get for UGC NET Paper 1

Everything below is open in one account. Each exam shows only what it really has.

  • Full mock tests

    In the real exam screen, with the real timer and marking. Every answer is explained after you submit.

  • Previous-year papers

    Sit the real paper from a past exam, under the real clock, and see where you stand.

  • Sectional tests

    One subject at a time. Fix your weakest section without sitting a full paper.

  • Chapter bank

    Practise one topic at a time, with instant answers and explanations.

  • Daily GK and current affairs

    A short daily routine for the GK section, with quizzes and a monthly digest.

  • Weak-topic report

    After each test you see which topics cost you marks, and how your score moves over time.

  • Bookmarks

    Save any question and come back to it before the exam.

Start free: 1 full mock stays free for every UGC NET Paper 1 aspirant, and every new account gets 3 full mocks free for 2 days.

Pick a plan that lasts till your exam

Every plan unlocks every exam on MockBlast. Only the length changes, so choose the one that runs past your exam.

1 month₹399A last-month revision sprint
Get 1 month
3 months₹749One exam stage, start to finish
Get 3 months
12 months₹1,199Every stage and the next cycle
Get 12 months
Not sure yet? Start free.

1 full mock with solutions and a full report. No card needed.

Start free mock

UGC NET Paper 1: questions people ask

Answers from the official notification and the NTA calendar.

When is UGC NET December 2026?

From 14 to 19 December 2026 in computer-based mode, as per the NTA notice of 8 October 2026. Some sites report a revised schedule of 14 to 18 and 21 December, so check the dates on ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The exam city slip and admit card come later.

What is the last date for the UGC NET December 2026 form?

The form opened on 8 October 2026. The regular last date is 28 October 2026 (11:50 PM), and sites report the form stays open till 31 October, with a late fee of ₹500 per some reports. The correction window is 2 to 4 November 2026.

What is the UGC NET Paper 1 pattern?

50 questions of 2 marks each, so 100 marks, answered with Paper 2 in a single 3-hour sitting. There is no negative marking.

What does Paper 1 cover?

Ten units: Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Comprehension, Communication, Mathematical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, ICT, People, Development & Environment, and the Higher Education System.

Is there an age limit for UGC NET?

No upper age limit for Assistant Professor and PhD admission. For JRF the limit is 30 years, with relaxation for reserved categories and women as per the notice.

What is the full form of UGC NET Paper 1?

UGC NET Paper 1 stands for NTA UGC National Eligibility Test, Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude).

What is the eligibility for UGC NET Paper 1?

A master's degree with 55% (50% for reserved categories), or in the final year; four-year undergraduate degree holders with 75% may also apply as per NTA rules.

What is the UGC NET Paper 1 application fee?

As per the NTA information bulletin for the cycle.

Is the UGC NET Paper 1 mock test free?

Yes. 1 full mock is free in the real exam interface, with every answer explained and a report on your weak topics. No card needed to sign up.

Will I be charged again automatically?

No. Every plan is a single payment. When it ends, your account goes back to free and nothing is charged.

Can I get a refund?

Yes. Write to us within 24 hours of paying and we refund the full amount, on any plan.

More on UGC NET Paper 1

Other exams on MockBlast

Sit a full UGC NET Paper 1 mock this week

The real pattern on the real clock. Your result shows the sections to fix before the exam.

Start free mockSee plans
Start free mockPro from ₹399