UGC NET Psychology Syllabus 2024: Revised Unit Wise Topics, Free PDF, Exam Pattern & More

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Updated on Dec 24, 2024 16:29 IST

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the UGC NET Psychology exam on January 10, 2025. The detailed schedule is released. The UGC NET 2025 exam will be conducted from January 3 to January 16, 2025. The candidates appearing for the upcoming exam can check the NTA UGC NET Psychology syllabus in the article.

UGC NET Psychology Syllabus 2024: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the UGC NET Psychology exam on January 10, 2025. The authority has released the detailed schedule for the December session. The UGC NET 2024 December session will be conducted from January 3 to January 16, 2025. The candidates appearing for the upcoming exam must go through the syllabus & exam pattern to ensure a good preparation strategy. The UGC NET Psychology syllabus comprises two sections: UGC NET Paper 1 Psychology syllabus & UGC NET Paper 2 Psychology Syllabus.

The subject code of UGC NET Psychology Paper is 04. The NTA NET Psychology syllabus comprises ten units- The Emergence of Psychology, Research Methodology and Statistics, Psychological Testing, Biological Basis of Behaviour, etc. The candidates can check the detailed syllabus below in the article.

Q: What is the section-wise weightage of Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the UGC NET exam?

The UGC NET exam consists of two papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2. The section-wise weightage of each paper is as follows: Paper 1: a)Teaching Aptitude: 5 questions (10 marks) b)Research Aptitude: 5 questions (10 marks) c)Reading Comprehension: 5 questions (10 marks) d) Communication: 5 questions (10 marks) e)Reasoning (including Mathematical): 5 questions (10 marks) f) Logical Reasoning: 5 questions (10 marks) g) Data Interpretation: 5 questions (10 marks) h) Information and Communication Technology (ICT): 5 questions (10 marks) I) People and Environment: 5 questions (10 marks) j) Higher Education System: 5 questions (10 marks) The total marks for Paper 1 are 100. Paper 2: The UGC NET Paper 2 is subject-specific, and the section-wise weightage varies according to the subject. Paper 2 consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 2 marks. The total marks for Paper 2 are 200. In Paper 2, most of the questions are asked from the core subject, while a few questions may be asked from related subjects. The questions are designed to test the in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject by the candidate. Therefore, the section-wise weightage of the UGC NET exam varies according to the paper and subject. It is important for candidates to go through the UGC NET syllabus for their subject and prepare accordingly to score well in the exam.

Q: What is the marking scheme of UGC NET 2024 December session exam?

The marking scheme of the UGC NET exam is provided below for the candidates. Following the marking scheme for the UGC NET exam, candidates can understand the exam pattern and prepare for the examination well. The marking scheme will also help the candidate to count the probable scores from the UGC NET provisional answer key that is released by the National Testing Agency (NTA):

a) For correct answer 2 marks are awarded

b) For incorrect answer there is no negative marking

c) Unanswered/marked for review: 0 (no marks given)

d) If a question is found to be incorrect/ambiguous or has multiple correct answers, only those candidates who have attempted the question and chosen one of the correct answers would be given the credit.

E) If a question is found to be incorrect and the Question is dropped, then two marks (+2) will be awarded to only those candidates who have attempted the question

Q: What is the latest exam pattern for UGC NET 2024 exam?

The UGC NET 2024 exam pattern is outlined in the official notification by the NTA. It consists of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. The duration of the exam is three hours, Both papers consist of objective type multiple-choice questions (MCQs), totaling 150 questions across both papers. Each question weightage is two marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

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UGC NET 2024 Dec Admit Card Soon, City Slip Out LIVE UPDATES

UGC NET Psychology Syllabus 2024 Overview

The candidates can check the UGC NET Psychology syllabus 2024 overview in the table below:

UGC NET Psychology Syllabus 2024 Overview
Exam Authority	National Testing Agency (NTA)
UGC NET Psychology Exam Date 2024	10-Jan-2025
UGC NET Psychology Application Form 2024	19-Nov-2024 to 11-Dec-2024
UGC NET Psychology Application Correction Window 2024	13-Dec-2024 to 14-Dec-2024
UGC NET Psychology Syllabus Paper 2	Emergence of Psychology Research Methodology and Statistics Psychological Testing Biological Basis of Behaviour Attention, Perception, Learning, Memory, and Forgetting Thinking, Intelligence, and Creativity Personality, Motivation, Emotion, Stress, and Coping Social Psychology Human Development and Interventions Emerging Areas
Exam Mode	Online (CBT)
UGC NET Exam Pattern	Total Questions: 150 Paper 1: 50 Paper 2: 100 Total Marks: 300 Paper 1: 100 Paper 2: 200
Marking Scheme	2 marks for correct answers No Negative Marking for incorrect answers
Official website	ugcnet.nta.ac.in

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UGC NET Psychology Syllabus PDF 2024

The candidates can download the UGC NET Psychology syllabus PDF below in the article It will help them keep things handy while preparing for the UGC NET 2024 exam. The candidates merely have to click the PDF link and the syllabus will appear on the screen. The candidates can download the NTA NET Psychology syllabus PDF and use it for preparation purposes.

UGC NET Psychology Syllabus PDF 2024: Click Here

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UGC NET Psychology Syllabus 2024: Chapter Wise

The UGC prescribes the syllabus for the NTA NET JRF exam. The UGC NET Psychology syllabus was revised in 2019, which was applicable from the June session. The syllabus comprises ten units. Check the chapter-wise syllabus for the UGC NET Psychology exam below:

Unit 1: Emergence of Psychology
Unit 2: Research Methodology and Statistics
Unit 3: Psychological Testing
Unit 4: Biological Basis of Behaviour
Unit 5: Attention, Perception, Learning, Memory, and Forgetting
Unit 6: Thinking, Intelligence, and Creativity
Unit 7: Personality, Motivation, Emotion, Stress, and Coping
Unit 8: Social Psychology
Unit 9: Human Development and Interventions
Unit 10: Emerging Areas

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UGC NET Psychology Paper 2 Syllabus 2024

The candidates can check the unit-wise detailed syllabus for the UGC NET Psychology exam below

Q: What is the UGC NET exam pattern?

The UGC NET (National Eligibility Test) is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency NTA on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The exam is conducted twice a year to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of Assistant Professor and for awarding Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The exam is conducted in two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Here are the details of the UGC NET exam pattern: Paper 1: a) Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes combining both papers) b) Total marks: 100 c) Number of questions: 50 d) Type of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) e) Marking scheme: Each question carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. F) Syllabus: Teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness. Paper 2: a) Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes combining both papers) b) Total marks: 200 c) Number of questions: 100 d) Type of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) e) Marking scheme: Each question carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. f) Syllabus: Based on the subject selected by the candidate. The UGC NET exam is conducted in online mode. The questions in both papers are in English and Hindi except for languages other than English and Hindi. Candidates need to secure the minimum qualifying marks in both papers to be eligible for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).

Q: What is the use of UGC NET exam analysis?

UGC NET exam analysis is the process of examining the UGC NET exam paper to identify the overall difficulty level, the type of questions asked, and the areas from which the questions were asked. Exam analysis is useful for both the candidates who have appeared for the exam and those who are preparing for it in the future. Here are some uses of UGC NET exam analysis: a) Understand the exam pattern: Exam analysis helps the candidates to understand the exam pattern and the type of questions that are asked in the exam. This helps them to prepare better and focus on the important topics and subtopics. B) Identify the difficulty level: Exam analysis helps the candidates to identify the overall difficulty level of the exam and the difficulty level of individual sections. This helps them to understand their performance and identify areas where they need to improve. C) Identify important topics: Exam analysis helps the candidates to identify the important topics and subtopics that are frequently asked in the exam. This helps them to prioritize their preparation and focus on the topics that are more likely to be asked in the exam. D) Plan future preparation: Exam analysis helps the candidates to plan their future preparation based on the areas where they need to improve. It also helps them to identify their strengths and weaknesses and work on them accordingly. E) Provide feedback to coaching institutes: Exam analysis helps coaching institutes to understand the difficulty level of the exam and the areas from which the questions were asked. This helps them to improve the quality of their coaching and provide better guidance to the candidates. In summary, UGC NET exam analysis is useful for both the candidates who have appeared for the exam and those who are preparing for it in the future. It helps them to understand the exam pattern, identify the difficulty level, prioritize their preparation, plan future preparation, and provide feedback to coaching institutes.

Unit 1: Emergence of Psychology

Based on the development of psychology in India, the study of human behaviour and mental processes is used to address societal concerns and disciplinary identity crises. This subject covers the history of psychology, including its development in the Western, Greek, medieval, and contemporary eras, as well as various knowledge paradigms and the importance of self-awareness in Indian psychology. Check the topics and subtopics of the UGC NET Psychology unit 1 syllabus

Topic 1: Psychological Thought in some Major Eastern Systems

Bhagavad Gita
Buddhism
Sufism
Integral yoga

Topic 2: Academic Psychology in India

Pre-independence era; post-independence era; 1970s
The move to addressing social issues; 1980s
Indigenization; 1990s
Paradigmatic concerns
Disciplinary Identity Crisis; 2000s
Emergence of Indian Psychology in Academia
Issues: The colonial encounter; Postcolonialism and psychology
Lack of distinct disciplinary identity

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Topic 3: Western

Greek Heritage
The Medieval Period and the Modern Period
Structuralism
Functionalism
Psychoanalytical
Gestalt
Behaviorism
Humanistic Existential
Transpersonal
Cognitive Revolution
Multiculturalism
Four founding paths of academic psychology - Wundt, Freud, James, Dilthey

Topic 3: issues

Crisis in Psychology due to strict adherence to experimental analytical paradigm (logical empiricism)
Indic Influences on Modern Psychology

Also Read: UGC NET Education Question Paper

Topic 4: Essential Aspects of Knowledge Paradigms

Ontology
Epistemology and Methodology
Paradigms of Western Psychology: Positivism, Post-Positivism, Critical Perspective, Social Constructionism, Existential Phenomenology, and Co-operative Enquiry
Paradigmatic controversies
Science and Spirituality (Avidya and Vidya)
The primacy of self-knowledge in Indian Psychology

Also Read: UGC NET Computer Application Syllabus 2024

Unit 2: Research Methodology and Statistics

This Unit in the UGC NET Psychology syllabus deals with the research methodologies and statistical methods of researching for investing the concepts of Psychology. Check the topic-wise syllabus.

Topic 1: Research

Meaning of Research Purpose, and Dimensions
Research Problems
Variables and Operational Definitions
Hypothesis
Sampling
Ethics in Conducting and Reporting Research

Also Read: UGC NET Sociology Syllabus 2024

Topic 2: Paradigms of Research

Quantitative
Qualitative
Mixed Methods Approach

Topic 3: Methods of Research

Observation Survey [interview, questionnaires]
Experimental
Quasi-Experimental
Field Studies
Cross-Cultural Studies
Phenomenology
Grounded Theory
Focus Groups
Narratives
Case Studies
Ethnography

Also Read: UGC NET Political Sciene Syllabus 2024

Topic 4: Statistics in Psychology

Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
Normal Probability Curve
Parametric [t-test] and Non-Parametric tests [Sign Test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Friedman]
Power Analysis
Effect Size

Topic 5: Correlational Analysis

Correlation [product moment, rank order]
Partial Correlation
Multiple Correlations

Topic 6: Special Correlation Methods

Biserial
Point Biserial
Tetrachoric
Phi Coefficient

Topic 7: Regression

Simple Linear Regression
Multiple Regression

Topic 8: Factor Analysis

Assumptions
Methods
Rotation and Interpretation

Also Read: UGC NET English Syllabus 2024

Topic 9: Experimental Designs

ANOVA [One-way, factorial]
Randomized Bloock Designs
Repeated Measures Design
Latin Square
Cohort Studies
Time series
MANOVA
ANCONA
Single-subject designs

Unit 3: Psychological Testing

Check the UGC NET Unit 3 Psychology syllabus below in the table:

Topics	Sub-topics
Types of Tests	Test construction: Item writing, item analysis
Test Standardization	Reliability, validity and norms
Areas of Testing	Intelligence, creativity, neuropsychological tests, aptitude, personality assessment, interest inventories
Attitude Scales	Semantic differential, staples, Likert scale. Computer-based psychological testing
Applications of Psychological Testing in Various Settings	Clinical, organizational and business, education, counseling, military, career guidance

Unit 4: Biological Basis of Behaviour

The candidates can check the topic and subtopic wise syllabus for the UGC NET Psychology exam below in the table:

Topics	Sub-topics
Sensory Systems	General and specific sensations, receptors and processes
Neurons	Structure, functions, types, neural impulse, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters
The Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems	Structure and functions, neuroplasticity
Methods of Physiological Psychology	Invasive methods – Anatomical methods, degeneration techniques, lesion techniques, chemical methods, microelectrode studies. Non-invasive methods – EEG, scanning methods
Muscular and Glandular system	Types and functions
The Biological Basis of Motivation	Hunger, thirst, sleep and sex
The Biological Basis of Emotion	The limbic system, hormonal regulation of behaviour
Genetics and behaviour	Chromosomal anomalies; nature-nurture controversy [Twin studies and adoption studies]

Unit 5: Attention, Perception, Learning, Memory, and Forgetting

The candidates can check the UGC NET Psychology syllabus for unit 5 below in the table:

Topics	Sub-topics
Attention	Forms of attention, models of attention
Perception	Approaches to the study of perception; gestalt and physiological approaches, perceptual organization: gestalt, figure and ground, law of organization perceptual constancy: size, shape, and color; illusions perception of form, depth and movement role of motivation and learning in perception
Signal Detection Theory	Assumptions and applications of subliminal perception and related factors, information processing approach to perception, culture and perception, perceptual styles, pattern recognition, ecological perspective on perception
Learning Process and Fundamental Theories	Thorndike, Guthrie, Hull Classical Conditioning: procedure, phenomena and related issues instrumental learning: phenomena, paradigms and theoretical issues; reinforcement: basic variables and schedules; behaviour modification and its applications of cognitive approaches in learning: latent learning, observational learning. Verbal learning and discrimination learning recent trends in learning: Neurophysiology of learning
Memory and Forgetting Memory Processes	Encoding, storage, retrieval stages of memory: sensory memory, short-term memory (Working memory), long-term memory (Declarative – Episodic and Semantic; Procedural) theories of forgetting: Interference, retrieval failure, decay, motivated forgetting

Unit 6: Thinking, Intelligence and Creativity

The candidates can check the UGC NET Psychology Unit 6 syllabus for Paper 2 in the table below:

Topics	Sub-topics
Theoretical Perspectives on Thought Processes	Associationism, gestalt, information processing, feature integration model concept formation: Rules, Types, and Strategies; Role of concepts in thinking types of reasoning language and thought
Problem-Solving	Type, strategies, and obstacles
Decision-Making	Types and models
Metacognition	Metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive regulation
Intelligence	Spearman; Thurstone; Jensen; Cattell; Gardner; Stenberg; Goleman; Das, Kar & Parrila
Creativity	Torrance, Getzels & Jackson, Guilford, Wallach & Kogan Relationship between intelligence and creativity

Unit 7: Personality, Motivation, Emotion, Stress, and Coping

The candidates can check the UGC NET Psychology Unit 7 syllabus for Paper 2 in the table below:

Topics	Sub-topics
Determinants of Personality	Biological and socio-cultural approaches to the study of personality: Psychoanalytical, neo-Freudian, social learning, trait, and type, cognitive, humanistic, existential, and transpersonal psychology. Other theories: Rotter's Locus of Control, Seligman's Explanatory styles, Kohlberg’s theory of moral development
Basic Motivational Concepts	Instincts, needs, drives, arousal, incentives, motivational cycle. Approaches to the study of motivation: Psychoanalytical, ethological, S-R cognitive, humanistic
Exploratory Behaviour and Curiosity Zuckerman's Sensation seeking Achievement, affiliation, and power motivational competence self-regulation flow
Emotions	Physiological Correlates Theories of Emotions: James-Lange, Canon-Bard, Schachter and Singer, Lazarus, Lindsley emotion regulation
Conflicts	Sources and types of stress and coping: Concept, models, type A, B, C, D behaviours, stress management strategies [biofeedback, music therapy, breathing exercises, progressive muscular relaxation, guided imagery, mindfulness, meditation, yoga asana, stress inoculation training]

Unit 8: Social Psychology

The candidates can check the UGC NET Psychology Unit 8 syllabus for Paper 2 in the table below:

Topics	Sub-topics
Social Psychology	Nature, scope and history of social psychology
Traditional Theoretical Perspectives	Field theory, cognitive dissonance, sociobiology, psychodynamic approaches, social cognition
Social Perception	Communication, Attributions, attitude and its change within a cultural context, prosocial behaviour
Group and Social influence	Social Facilitation; Social loafing, Social influence [Conformity, Peer Pressure, Persuasion, Compliance, Obedience, Social Power, Reactance]. Aggression, Group dynamics, leadership style and effectiveness. Theories of intergroup relations [Minimal Group Experiment and Social Identity Theory, Relative Deprivation Theory, Realistic Conflict Theory, Balance Theories, Equity Theory, Social Exchange Theory]
Applied Social Psychology	Health, environment and law; personal space, crowding, and territoriality

Unit 9: Human Development and Interventions

The candidates can check the UGC NET Psychology Unit 9 syllabus for Paper 2 in the table below:

Topics	Sub-topics
Developmental Processes	Nature, principles, factors in development, stages of development. Successful ageing. Theories of development: Psychoanalytical, behavioristic, and cognitive various aspects of development: Sensory-motor, cognitive, language, emotional, social and moral
Psychopathology	Concept, mental status examination, classification, causes
Psychotherapies	Psychoanalysis, person-centered, Gestalt, existential, acceptance commitment therapy, behavior therapy, REBT, CBT, MBCT, play therapy, positive psychotherapy, transactional analysis, dialectic behaviour therapy, art therapy, performing art therapy, family therapy
Applications of theories of motivation and learning in school factors in educational achievement teacher effectiveness guidance in schools: needs, organizational setup and techniques.
Counselling	Process, skills, and techniques

Unit 10: Emerging Areas

The candidates can check the UGC NET Psychology Unit 10 syllabus for Paper 2 in the table below:

Topics	Sub-topics
Issues of Gender, Poverty, Disability, and Migration: Cultural bias and discrimination. Stigma, marginalization, and social suffering; Child abuse and domestic violence.
Peace Psychology	Violence, non-violence, conflict resolution at the macro level, the role of media in conflict resolution
Wellbeing and self-growth	Types of wellbeing [Hedonic and Eudemonic], character strengths, resilience and post-traumatic growth
Health	Health-promoting and health-compromising behaviours, lifestyle and chronic diseases [Diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease], psychoneuroimmunology [Cancer, HIV/AIDS]
Psychology and Technology Interface	Digital learning; Digital etiquette: cyberbullying; Cyber pornography: Consumption, implications; Parental mediation of digital usage

UGC NET Psychology Paper 1 Syllabus 2024

The candidates appearing for the UGC NET exam can check the Paper 1 syllabus below in the table. The UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus is common paper for all the subjects that comprises topics from Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Maths, Reasoning & more:

Research Aptitude
Reading Comprehension
Communication
Reasoning
Logical Reasoning
Data Interpretation
Information and Communication Technology
People and Environment
Higher Education System: Governance, Polity and Administration

UGC NET Psychology Exam Pattern 2024

The exam pattern for the NTA NET Psychology exam is provided below in the table:

UGC NET Paper	Number of Questions	Marks
Paper 1	50	100
Paper 2	100	200
Total	150	300

UGC NET Marking Scheme

The UGC NET does not follow any negative marking scheme. The candidates are awarded +2 marks for every correct answer whereas no marks are deducted for incorrect answers or unanswered questions. The candidates can check the marking scheme below:

UGC NET Marking Parameters	Marks Allotted
Correct answer	+2
Incorrect answer	0
Un-attempted question	0

UGC NET Psychology Exam Preparation Tips 2024

The candidates can check the preparation tips for the UGC NET Psychology exam below. It will help the candidates to secure maximum marks in the exam:

Go through the detailed UGC NET Psychology exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
Undertake deep studies initially to cover the whole syllabus.
Prepare study notes for quick revision at a later stage.
Practice more with the help of UGC NET previous year’s question papers 2024
Solve more and more UGC NET mock tests 2024
Revise the UGC NET important topics on a daily basis.

Read More: UGC NET English Topper Interview

About the Author

Shikha Goyal

Assistant Manager

Shikha Goyal is an author with expertise in various domains, especially engineering. She has postgraduate degrees in Mathematics as well as Mass Communication and Journalism. She has devoted her life to helping stud... Read Full Bio

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