The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC-NET twice a year in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, covering 85 subjects across Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Commerce, and more. UGC NET June 2025 session was scheduled from 25–29 June 2025, with morning (9 AM–12 PM) and afternoon (3 PM–6 PM) shifts each day.
Before applying, candidates were advised to carefully go through the official Information Bulletin and refer to Appendix II, which listed all subjects and their four-digit codes. It was important to choose a subject that matched their postgraduate qualification. Choosing the wrong subject or code could lead to application rejection or misaligned preparation.
Understanding the UGC NET Subject List 2025 and its codes is the very first step toward a targeted study plan and a successful exam day.
- What is the UGC NET Subject List 2025?
- UGC NET 2025 Subject List with Codes
- Subjects with Highest Registration in the UGC NET Exam (2022–2024)
- UGC NET Subjects with High Cut-Offs
- Low Competition Subjects in UGC NET 2025
- How to Select the Right UGC NET Subject?
- UGC NET 2025 Subject List: Subject Selection Guidelines
- Wrapping Up
What is the UGC NET Subject List 2025?
The UGC NET subject list 2025 comprises 85 disciplines, spanning Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce, Education, Science, and emerging interdisciplinary fields. For each subject, the NTA assigns a unique four-digit code; when registering, candidates must choose their Paper II subject exactly as it matches their postgraduate qualification. An incorrect subject or code at the time of application can lead to outright rejection or disqualification during document verification.
To give you a sense of the list, here are a few of the most-chosen subjects (as per Appendix II of the June 2025 Information Bulletin):
- Economics – Code 01
- Education – Code 09
- English – Code 30
- Geography – Code 80
- Political Science – Code 81
- Computer Science & Applications – Code 87
- Psychology – Code 84
Remember, your selected subject must strictly correspond to your master’s degree. Choosing a subject unrelated to your postgraduate qualification will render you ineligible at later stages of the NET process.
UGC NET 2025 Subject List with Codes
The following excerpt is based on Appendix II of the NTA’s June 2025 Information Bulletin. Candidates must use these exact subject names and four-digit codes when choosing their Paper II subject during registration. Any discrepancy between your selected code and your postgraduate subject can lead to application rejection or cancellation at later stages.
UGC NET Subject List with Codes 2025
UGC NET June 2025 exam was conducted across five days (June 25to June 29) in two shifts daily, covering 85 subjects. From high-volume subjects like Commerce (Code 08), English (Code 30), and Political Science (Code 02) to niche papers like Dogri (Code 33) or Prakrit (Code 091), lakhs of candidates appeared depending on their domain.
Subjects with Highest Registration in the UGC NET Exam (2022–2024)
Over the last three years of UGC NET cycles (both June and December sessions from 2022 through 2024), certain subjects have consistently drawn the largest applicant pools. High registration numbers in these disciplines tend to push cut-off percentiles upward, intensifying competition for Junior Research Fellowships and Assistant Professor eligibility.
Most Popular UGC NET Subjects by Average Registration
Key Takeaway:
- Commerce and English top the list, with over a lakh applicants each session, indicating fierce competition.
- Political Science registrations are climbing steadily, suggesting growing interest in social science research.
- While Education sees ups and downs, it remains among the top five most chosen subjects.
- Stable trends in English and Hindi reflect enduring demand in language and literature streams
Check: UGC NET Syllabus 2025
UGC NET Subjects with High Cut-Offs
Over recent NET cycles, Commerce has consistently demanded the highest score—around 62%—reflecting both its large candidate pool and stringent evaluation. English follows closely at 60%, underscoring tough competition in language and literature. Management requires roughly 58%, while Political Science sits near 57%, indicating that even small percentage differences can significantly impact qualifying status in these popular streams.
Check: UGC NET 2025 Cutoff
Low Competition Subjects in UGC NET 2025
While most candidates gravitate toward high-demand streams, several niche subjects consistently see fewer registrations and correspondingly lower qualifying cut-offs. If your postgraduate specialization aligns with any of the following areas, you may face less intense competition.
- Adult Education
- Museology & Conservation
- Forensic Science
- Tribal and Regional Languages
- Comparative Literature
Note: Candidates must still meet eligibility criteria via PG specialization.
How to Select the Right UGC NET Subject?
Choosing the correct subject is essential for both eligibility compliance and effective preparation. Incorrect selection may lead to application rejection or studying content that doesn't align with your academic background. Use the following criteria to make an informed decision:
Key Selection Tips
- The subject must match your post-graduation stream exactly as per UGC and NTA norms.
- For interdisciplinary degrees, refer to the official UGC NET Information Bulletin to verify permitted subject combinations.
- Evaluate the availability of study material and coaching support, especially for niche or emerging subjects.
- Prefer subjects that have a strong overlap with your PG or graduation syllabus, as this improves content familiarity and reduces prep time
UGC NET 2025 Subject List: Subject Selection Guidelines
Candidates holding integrated or interdisciplinary postgraduate degrees must carefully refer to the NTA’s Information Bulletin for official subject equivalence. NTA provides specific mappings for such degrees to ensure valid subject selection.
For instance, a candidate with a PG in Environmental Studies may be eligible to apply under Environmental Sciences (Code: 89), as officially recognized.
Avoid choosing closely related but technically incorrect subjects, such as selecting Geography when your degree is in Geoinformatics, unless explicitly permitted in the eligibility list. Misaligned subject selection may lead to disqualification during document verification.
Wrapping Up
Reviewing UGC NET subject list 2025 is an important step for accurate registration and target preparation. Choosing the subject combined with its post-graduate qualification ensures eligibility compliance and enhances success capacity. Wrong options may lead to disqualification or irrelevant preparation. To avoid such issues, candidates should consult the official NTA Information Bulletin for subject code and eligibility guidelines before completing the application process.
