Rescheduling of the UGC-NET December 2024 Exam due to festivals
Updated on : 15 January 2025

Image Source: UGC-NET exam
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been entrusted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) with the task of conducting UGC-NET, which is a Test to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for ‘Assistant Professor’ as well as ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor’ in Indian Universities and Colleges.The UGC-NET is being conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode w.e.f. December 2018 onwards.
Rescheduling of the UGC-NET December 2024 Exam
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct UGC NET December 2024 for (i) 'award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor, (ii) 'appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.' and (iii) 'admission to Ph.D. only' for 85 subjects in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
The Revised schedule of examination is mentioned in table below:
Exam Date | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
---|---|---|
15 January 2025 | Indian Knowledge System | |
Malayalam | ||
Labour welfare/Personnel Management/Industrial relations/Labour And Social Welfare/Human Resource Management | ||
Criminology | ||
Tribal And Regional Language/Literature | ||
Folk Literature | ||
Konkani | ||
Environmental Science | ||
27 January 2025 | Sanskrit | |
Mass Communication and Journalism | ||
Japanese | ||
Performing Art - Dance/Drama/Theatre | ||
Electronic Science | ||
Women Studies | ||
Law | ||
Nepali |

Image Source: Rescheduling of the UGC-NET December 2024 Exam
UGC NET 2024 Postponed
The National Testing Agency has postponed the UGC NET 2024 exam scheduled on January 15, 2025. The decision has been taken considering the Pongal, Makar Sankranti and other festivals being celebrated on this date. The new examination date will be communicated later on the official website: ugcnet.nta.ac.in. However, the examination scheduled on 16th January 2025 will be conducted as per the schedule. The official notice reads, ''The National Testing Agency has received representation to postpone the UGC - NET December 2024 examination on account of Pongal, Makar Sankranti and other festival on 15th January 2025.

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UGC NET Postponement 2024 Official Notice
Reasons for Postponement
While no specific reasons have been officially stated, reports suggest logistical issues and recent disruptions in certain regions might have influenced the decision. This step has been taken to ensure a fair and efficient examination process for all aspirants.
Below is the list of subjects for which the UGC NET exam, scheduled for January 15, has been postponed. The exams for these subjects will now be conducted at a later date:
Exam Date | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
---|---|---|
15 January 2025 (Postponed) | Sanskrit | Indian Knowledge System |
Mass Communication and Journalism | ||
Malayalam , Urdu | ||
Japanese ,Performing Art - Dance/Drama/Theatre | ||
Labour Welfare / Personnel Management / Industrial Relations/ Labour and Social Welfare / Human Resource Management | ||
Electronic Science , Criminology | ||
Women Studies ,Tribal and Regional Language/Literature | ||
Law,Folk Literature | ||
Nepali,Konkani |
Check the complete UGC NET Exam Schedule here.
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Release of Admit Card for UGC NET December 2024
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct UGC – NET December 2024 Examination for 85 subjects in Computer Based Test (CBT), mode at different cities across the country from 03rd January 2025 to 16th January 2025.
The candidates have already been intimated about the city and date of examination.
The Admit cards for UGC – NET December 2024 examination have been released.The Candidates are advised to download their Admit Card of UGC – NET December 2024 Examination (using Application No. and Date of Birth) along with the undertaking from the website https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in/ w.e.f. 28 December 2024 and go through the instructions contained therein.
In case any candidate faces difficulty in downloading the Admit Card or discrepancy in the details contained in the Admit Card, candidates for UGC – NET December 2024, he/she can contact on 011- 40759000 or e – mail at ugcnet@nta.ac.in.
The Candidates are advised to keep visiting the official website of NTA https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in// , for the latest update.

Image Source: UGC NET admit card
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Steps to Download UGC NET Admit Card
The admit card for the postponed exam will be released a week prior to the exam date. Here are the steps that you can follow to download UGC NET admit card:
Step 1: Visit the official website at ugcnet.nta.ac.in.
Step 2: Click on the UGC NET December 2024 Admit Card download link provided on the homepage.
Step 3: Enter your login credentials and submit the details.
Step 4: View and download your admit card.
Step 5: Print a copy of the admit card for future use.

Image Source: UGC NET admit card
How to Apply for UGC NET
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The application process for UGC NET is conducted entirely online. Candidates can follow these steps:
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Visit the official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
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Click on the "Apply Online" link.
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Register with your details and generate a user ID and password.
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Log in, fill in the application form, upload the required documents, and pay the application fee.
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Download and save a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.
Eligibility Criteria for UGC NET
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
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Educational Qualification: A Master's degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories).
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Age Limit: For JRF, the upper age limit is 30 years. There is no age limit for Assistant Professor.
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Relaxations: Reserved category candidates are eligible for relaxations as per the government norms.
UGC NET Minimum Qualifying Marks
To qualify for the exam, candidates must secure the UGC NET minimum qualifying marks in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 combined. The required percentage for General and EWS candidates is 40%, while candidates belonging to reserved categories need to secure at least 35% marks.
Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks (%)(UGC NET Paper 1 + Paper 2) |
---|---|
General (UR)/ EWS | 40% |
SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Third gender | 35% |
Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The UGC NET consists of two papers:
Paper 1: General Aptitude and Teaching/Research Aptitude.
Paper 2: Subject-specific questions based on the candidate's chosen field.
Each paper is conducted in a computer-based format, and there is no negative marking
Preparation Tips for UGC NET
Candidates can enhance their preparation using the following strategies:
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Understand the syllabus: Go through the official syllabus thoroughly.
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Practice mock tests: Attempt regular mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
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Refer to standard books: Use recommended study materials and books for in-depth learning.
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Revise regularly: Revise frequently to retain important concepts.
Important Updates and Notifications
To stay updated, candidates should:
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Regularly visit the NTA UGC NET website for announcements.
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Subscribe to email alerts or notifications from the official website.
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Follow social media pages of the NTA for quick updates.
This postponement, though unexpected, offers an opportunity for aspirants to better equip themselves for the examination. Ensure that all your preparations are on track and keep checking official channels for further updates. Best of luck to all candidates!