Everything You Need to Know About the UGC NET English 2023
It is an introductory post on UGC NET English. If you are preparing for the exam, you might stumble upon the questions such as
What is the syllabus for the exam?
What books do I need?
What are the important novels?
If yes is the answer, you have found the right place. But first,
What is UGC NET?
It is a CBT mode examination to ensure the eligibility of a candidate for the post of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship.
The test is for Indian citizens, not for foreign nationals. It applies to Indian colleges and universities, not abroad India.
The NTA (National Testing Agency) conducts the exam twice a year. However, CBSE had been operating the exam until June 2018.
English is one of 83 subjects, and its subject code is 30.
About the Exam
NTA conducts the national eligibility test (NET) across the countries in 541 centers.
Exam | UGC NET |
Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Total Marks | 300 |
Official Website: | UGC-NET and NTA Checking the website from time to time is a good practice for the update. |
ugcnet@nta.ac.in If any problem arises, you can send an email to this official address. |
The schedule of UGC-NET December 2022
Submission of Online Application Form | 29 December 2022 to 17 January 2023 (upto 05:00 P.M) |
Last date for submission of Examination fee | 18 January 2023 (upto 11:50 P.M |
Dates of Examination | 21 February 2023 to 10 March 2023 |
For more information, visit- | UGC-NET |
UGC NET June 2023
Papers I and II
There are two papers. Paper I comprises ten topics. Every candidate, irrespective of their subjects, must attempt the first paper.
The second paper is a domain-specific paper.
Paper I comprises 50 questions, and there are 100 questions in Paper II. Therefore, there are 150 questions. Each question carries two marks.
Marking
There is no negative marking till now.
Therefore, it is best practice to attempt all remaining unanswered questions if there is time. Try to attempt the question based on your knowledge and experience.
Time
The duration is 3 hours, and there is no break. However, you can go to the washroom at your own expense.
Eligibility for NET
You must have an M.A. or an equivalent degree from any UGC-recognized university/institution. The minimum percentage you need is 55% in the final examination.
You can also appear even if you are in the first/second/third/fourth semester of your Master’s degree. If you pass, your eligibility will count after you complete your course.
Age Limit
There is no age limit for both men and women.
However, 30 years is the age limit for applying for JRF if you belong to General category (male). 5 years of relaxation is allowed for the OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Third gender categories and to women applicants.
The minimum percentage one needs to get is 40% for the General category and 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD category.
The validity of the certificate of Assistant Professor and JRF is a lifetime.
What are the benefits of NET?
The first benefit is many job opportunities are open once you qualify for Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
You can become an assistant professor on a contractual basis or get a permanent job if there is no Ph.D. holder on the day of the interview.
Second, you can apply for different schemes based on your category and result. There is no salary or direct money after passing the exam. But if you qualify for JRF, you can apply for a scholarship and receive around 25000 per month.
For NET holders, there are mainly three scholarship schemes.
The third benefit is applying for jobs in colleges or institutions for both contractual and permanent posts.
You can also pursue PhD. If you qualify for Junior Research Fellowship, getting admission for PhD. in a university or institution becomes easy.
You can get an exemption from the entrance exam for PhD. and can directly prepare for the interview.
If you pass the interview, you will receive 25000 per month as a scholarship.
NET-qualified candidates can also get an exemption. However, some universities or institution does not follow the rule. They allow only JRF-qualified candidates to sit in the interview.
What should I study?
Paper I
I have divided the topics for General Paper in the following table:
Theory | Practical |
Teaching Aptitude | Reading Comprehension |
Research Aptitude | Reasoning |
Communication | Logical Reasoning |
Information and Communication Technology | Data Interpretation |
People and Environment | |
Higher Education System: Governance, Polity and Administration |
Important Topics for Paper II
The important topics for the exam are:
Category I (Literature) | Category II (Applied Literature) | Category III (Language) | Category IV (Miscellaneous) |
History of English Literature (From Anglo Saxon period to the Contemporary) | Literary Criticism | History of English Language and English Language Teaching | Literary Movements and Groups |
American Literature | Literary Theory | Language Theories and Pedagogy | The list of Literary Awards Winners |
European and World Literature. It includes major works in Greek, French, Italian, German, Australian, and Canadian literature. | Postcolonial Literature | ||
History of Indian Literature (It includes Dalit Literature, and Indian Post colonial writers.) | Literary Terms and Devices | ||
Cultural Studies | |||
Research Methodology in English |
Which book is the best for NET preparation?
It is tough to refer to one book. Most reputed authors have not written their books for NET except for some texts.
The syllabus for English is so vast that you have to read different books and online materials.
For instance, you can start with Pramod K Nayar’s Literary Theory for theory or Beginning Theory. For history, no single book can claim that reading this will be enough for your preparation.
However, some of my recommended texts are:
S. No. | Book Name | Purchase Link |
1 | Oxford 2022 NTA UGC Paper 1 by Harpreet Kaur | Buy on Amazon |
2 | UGC NET Paper 1 Previous Year Papers by KVS Madaan | Buy on Amazon |
3 | English Literature by William J Long | Buy on Amazon |
4 | The Routledge History of Literature in English by R. Carter and J. McRae | Buy on Amazon |
5 | A Critical History Of English Literature by David Daiches | Buy on Amazon |
6 | The Short Oxford History of English Literature by Andrew Sanders | Buy on Amazon |
7 | Beginning Theory by Peter Barry | Buy on Amazon |
8 | Literary Theory by Pramod K Nayar | Buy on Amazon |
FAQs
Here I have picked some questions and answered them based on my understanding of the official document and my experience.
Can I give UGC NET after my M.A. English?
Of course, you can. You should start your preparation right after your M.A. if you aspire to be a professor.
How can I prepare for NET English literature?
First, calculate how many days you have and plan out a timetable accordingly. Start with English literature and history, American literature, Indian literature, contemporary literature, literary theory, criticism, cultural studies, etc.
Is the NET English exam tough?
Yes, it is tough compared with other subjects. However, if you prepare rightly, it can be easy for you. For that, you need to plan out a strategy based on your knowledge, time, and experience that works for you.
Is it easy to crack NET in English?
It can be easy to qualify if you prepare the right way.
Can I crack NET with self-study?
Definitely, you can prepare with self-study at home. I have studied at home and passed NET twice and SLET once.
Can I clear NET exam without coaching?
Yes, you can do it if you have the right materials and guidance. I did that without coaching. I watched YouTube videos for the math and reasoning parts of Paper I. I also studied a few books and online materials for Paper II.
Can I crack NET on the first attempt?
It depends. I know some people who have attempted in their first attempt. On the other hand, I cracked it on my second attempt.
Can I do a PhD in English without NET?
Yes, you can do Ph.D. without it. Some of my friends are pursuing their Ph.D. without NET. Some of them have M. Phil, and some have just passed M.A.
You can do Ph.D. after qualifying NET. There is no written document to the statement.
However, NET gives you an edge over your competitors. But, it is not a defining factor for Ph.D. Your entrance exam, interview, and proposal play an equal role.Are 2 months enough for UGC NET?
Honestly, two months is not enough.
Whether you can pass the exam in 2 or 3 months depends on your knowledge and experience. There is no clear-cut answer to this.
Someone might claim that s/he can make you prepared in two months.
But, you need to pay an amount. Stay away from such people.
The person is fooling you. Remember, you need to pay the price to get something.
Two months is not enough for beginners. The reason is you have to cover Paper I along with paper II. You should ideally have 4-6 months.Is Ph.D. compulsory for NET?
Ph.D. is not mandatory for NET. The only thing you should keep in mind is that the average percentage of the final result of an M.A. degree should be at least. However, there is a 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC categories.
Which is more important, NET or Ph.D.?
It depends on your situation. You can deny the importance of none. Without a Ph.D., you might get a job after qualifying for NET.
But if you are pursuing a Ph.D. but have not passed the exam. Then NET is more important than the other.
Without NET, you become eligible to sit in the interview, but the interview board will not count the Ph.D. mark it carries.Is the NET exam enough for the lecturer?
NET is not enough to become a lecturer. It is a long process to be a professor.
First, you need to qualify for either Assistant Professor or JRF.
Having passed the test, you need to pursue your career in research. For research, get a seat in a UGC-recognized university or institution.
Select a topic and complete your research.
Along with the research, make your CV strong by publishing some research papers in reputed national or international journals.