The UGC NET December 2024 session examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), concluded on December 31, 2024. Candidates across various centers appeared for the crucial test which determines eligibility for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). The exam was held in a single shift from 3 PM to 6 PM.
Overall Exam Difficulty and Structure
Initial feedback from candidates and experts suggests the overall difficulty level of the UGC NET December 2024 exam was moderate. The paper followed the familiar pattern, comprising two papers. Paper 1, designed to assess teaching and research aptitude, contained 50 questions carrying a total of 100 marks. Paper 2, focused on the candidate's chosen subject, consisted of 100 questions worth 200 marks.
As per the analysis, a good attempt for the December session is estimated to be between 115 to 125 questions out of the total 150. This range is considered a safe benchmark for candidates aiming to clear the cutoff. The exam was conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, and the question paper comprised solely Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
Subject-Wise Breakdown and Candidate Reactions
Reactions from candidates who appeared for the exam have been mixed, varying significantly based on their chosen subject for Paper 2. Many found the General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude (Paper 1) to be of standard difficulty, with questions covering expected areas like reasoning, comprehension, and communication.
However, the complexity of Paper 2 seemed to differ from one subject to another. Some candidates reported a moderately difficult paper in subjects like Commerce and Management, while others in fields like Computer Science and Humanities found the questions to be balanced and aligned with the syllabus. There were no major reports of technical glitches at exam centers, indicating a smooth administrative process by the NTA.
What Comes Next? The Road to Results
With the examination phase over, the focus now shifts to the evaluation process and result declaration. The NTA will now begin the meticulous work of assessing the answer sheets. Based on past trends, the UGC NET December 2024 results are expected to be announced on the official website, ugcnet.nta.ac.in, within 4 to 6 weeks after the exam.
Following the result announcement, the agency will release the final answer key and the subject-wise and category-wise cutoff marks. Candidates who qualify will then be eligible for the roles of Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges, or for the Junior Research Fellowship, depending on their score and rank.
Prospective candidates are advised to keep a close watch on the official NTA UGC NET portal for all future notifications. Experts recommend that aspirants who found the paper challenging should not be disheartened, as the cutoff is determined relative to the performance of all candidates and the paper's difficulty.
