How it's calculated
Unattempted questions score zero. Fractions are kept exact and the total is rounded once, to two decimals.
Estimate only. Official results, marks and eligibility are decided by the National Testing Agency. Verify on the official website.
Worked example: UGC NET (Paper I + Paper II)
Paper I (Teaching and Research Aptitude): 40 right, 5 wrong; Paper II (Subject): 80 right, 10 wrong. Total: 240 out of 300. The General / EWS qualifying mark is 120 (40%), so this score clears it.
UGC NET December 2026 exam pattern and marking
UGC NET (Paper I + Paper II)
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Wrong answer | Max marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I (Teaching and Research Aptitude) | 50 | 2 | No penalty | 100 |
| Paper II (Subject) | 100 | 2 | No penalty | 200 |
No negative marking. 40% / 35% aggregate of both papers is only the minimum to be considered; the number qualifying for Assistant Professor is capped at 6% of candidates who appeared in both papers, split by category and subject, so the actual cut-off is set after the exam. Each subject is planned in a single shift; if a subject runs in more than one shift, the 40% / 35% minimum and the cut-offs apply to normalised marks (section 11.3(2)), so the official figure can differ from the raw score shown here.
Using your score
- Count right and wrong answers from the official answer key for a reliable score.
- There is no negative marking, so an unattempted question and a wrong answer both score zero.
- JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD-only qualification use separate cut-offs set by NTA and UGC after the exam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the negative marking in UGC NET December 2026?
UGC NET (Paper I + Paper II): +2 for a right answer and no negative marking.
What are the total marks in UGC NET (Paper I + Paper II)?
300 marks: Paper I (Teaching and Research Aptitude) (50 questions), Paper II (Subject) (100 questions).
Is an unattempted question marked negatively?
No. Only wrong answers carry a penalty. A question left blank scores zero.
How do I count my right and wrong answers?
Compare your responses with the official answer key published by the exam body. Count only the questions you marked: those matching the key are right, the rest are wrong.
What are the minimum qualifying marks?
General / EWS 40%, OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third gender 35%. These are the minimum; cut-offs for the next stage are set after the exam.
If I get 40%, have I qualified NET?
Not necessarily. 40% (General/EWS) or 35% (reserved) of the combined marks is the minimum to be considered. The number of candidates declared qualified for Assistant Professor is limited to 6% of those who appeared in both papers, split by category and subject, so the real cut-off is decided after the exam and is usually higher.
How many questions are in UGC NET?
Paper I has 50 questions (100 marks) and Paper II has 100 questions (200 marks), in one 3-hour sitting with no break. The bulletin says all questions are compulsory; each carries 2 marks.
Sources
- NTA: UGC-NET December 2026 Updated Information Bulletin (as on 16-10-2026), sections 3.2, 3.5 and 11.3, National Testing Agency (NTA) for the University Grants Commission