UGC NET 2024 Important Topics for Paper 1 (Teaching and Research Aptitude)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) annually conducts the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET exam) to assess candidates' eligibility for the positions of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). This examination is scheduled to be held twice in the year 2024, in both June and December. The NTA has already announced dates for the UGC NET 2024, which is scheduled to be held on June 18, 2024.

Every year, the NTA administers the UGC NET exam in 83 subjects in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, determining eligibility for JRF and the Assistant Professor role. As the upcoming June cycle draws near, candidates may be pondering over the crucial topics and strategies for UGC NET 2024. This article will shed light on these essential subjects, the UGC NET exam pattern 2024, and the best approach for effective UGC NET 2024 preparation.

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UGC NET Exam Pattern for Paper-I

All the candidates who have applied for the UGC NET exam, Paper 1 is compulsory for every applicant. The UGC NET Paper 1 has a total of 10 sections. Here are the number of questions and allocated marks for each section of UGC NET Paper 1:

Also Read:UGC NET Question Papers 2024 - Download PDFs

UGC NET 2024 Syllabus for Paper 1

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prescribed the syllabus for the UGC NET June 2024 cycle for 83 subjects. The NTA UGC NET syllabus 2024 has been provided by the University for Paper 1 and Paper 2 (83 subjects). The UGC NET syllabus Paper 1 comprises topics from Teaching and Research Aptitude and the Paper 2 syllabus differs for all 83 subjects. The Paper-I for UGC NET 2024 will consist of the following subjects as syllabus:

• Teaching Aptitude

• Research Aptitude

• Communication

• Reading Comprehension

• Reasoning

• Data Interpretation

• Logical Reasoning

• Information & Communication Technology (ICT)

• People & Environment

• Higher Education System

On the other hand, Paper-II will depend on the subject chosen by the candidate.

UGC NET 2024 Important Topics for Paper 1

UGC NET Paper 1 syllabus 2024 comprises topics from General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude, which is common and mandatory for all candidates. Check the complete UGC NET syllabus for Paper 1 below. There are some important topics in UGC NET exam which the students must cover to score high in the exam. These important topics as per the different subjects are given in the table below.

1. Teaching Aptitude

Through the teaching aptitude, the skills and knowledge of the candidate in terms of teaching methods will be determined. This will examine the various knowledge domain of the student such as problem-solving skills, student management, teaching methods, etc. Some of the important topics for teaching aptitude are:

• Teaching: Concept, objectives, levels of teaching (memory, understanding and reflective), characteristics and basic requirements
• Learner’s characteristics: Characteristics of adolescent and adult learners (academic, social, emotional and cognitive), individual differences
• Factors affecting teaching: Teacher, Learner, Support material, Instructional facilities, Learning environment and Institution
• Methods of teaching in higher learning institutions: Teacher-centred vs learner-centred methods; offline vs online methods (Swayam, Swayamprabha, MOOCs, etc.).
• Teaching support system: Traditional, modern and ICT based
• Evaluation systems: Elements and types of evaluation, evaluation in Choice Based Credit Systems in higher education, computer-based testing, innovations in evaluation systems

2. Research Aptitude

Through the research aptitude, the candidates will be examined in the domain of research in different subjects and how to complete the research. Some of the important topics to cover for research aptitude are:

3. Communication

Through communication, the efficiency of the candidate will be examined in terms of exchanging ideas, conveying a message, speech, signals, behaviour and thoughts. Some of the important topics for communication are:

• Communication: Meaning, types and characteristics of communication
• Effective communication: Verbal and non-verbal, inter-cultural and group communications, classroom
• communication Barriers to effective communication
• Mass-media and society

4. Reading Comprehension

Through reading comprehension, the efficiency of the candidate will be tested on the basis of reading efficiency and answering questions related to that. There is no specific topic to prepare for reading comprehension. The candidates can read daily newspapers, and practice reading comprehensions to score well in this section.

5. Mathematical Reasoning

This section will test the reasoning skill of the candidate in terms of mathematical computations and logics. Some of the important topics for Mathematical Reasoning are:

6. Logical Reasoning

This section will be testing the ability of the candidate in terms of problem-solving and logical thinking. Most of the questions in this section will be related to logics interpretation and brain-teasing. Some of the important topics for Logical Reasoning are:

• Understanding the structure of arguments: Argument forms, structure of categorical propositions, mood and figure, formal and informal fallacies, uses of language, connotations and denotations of terms, the classical square of opposition
• Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning
• Analogies
• Venn diagram : Simple and multiple use for establishing validity of arguments
• Indian Logic: Means of knowledge
• Pramanas: Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference), Upamana (Comparison), Shabda (Verbal testimony), Arthapatti (Implication) and Anupalabddhi (Non-apprehension) Structure and kinds of Anumana (inference), Vyapti (invariable relation), Hetvabhasas (fallacies of inference)

7. Data Interpretation

This section will examine the proficiency of the candidates in terms of using the data given to solve the questions. Some of the important topics related to Data Interpretation are:

8. Information & Communication Technology (ICT)

Through this section, the candidates will be examined on the basis of their knowledge in terms of IT and other related topics such as audiovisual systems, operating systems, middleware, storage, etc. Some of the important topics to cover for Information & Communication Technology (ICT) are:

9. People & Environment

This section will evaluate the proficiency of the candidate in terms of environment-related concepts. Some of the important topics for People & Environment are:

• Environmental protection and development: Millennium Development Goals
• Environment-human interaction: Environmental effects of anthropogenic activity
• Environmental concerns: local, regional, and worldwide; noise pollution, solid, liquid, biomedical, toxic, and electronic waste; and climate change and its socioeconomic and political implications.
• Impacts of pollutants on human health
• Natural and energy resources: Solar, Wind, Soil, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass, Nuclear and Forests
• Natural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategies Environmental Protection Act (1986), National Action Plan on Climate Change, International agreements/efforts -Montreal Protocol, Rio Summit, Convention on Biodiversity, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, International Solar Alliance

10. Higher Education System

This section will evaluate the efficiency of the candidate in terms of the higher education system characteristics and latest process changes. Some of the important topics related to Higher Education System are:

Also Read: UGC NET 2024 Detailed Syllabus of All Subjects

UGC NET 2024 Paper-1 Preparation Tips 

• Follow the syllabus of central universities to cover the maximum topics in the exam Make a timetable that ensures that the candidate can cover all the topics of the syllabus leaving time for revision and practice.
• Practice the previous year's question papers, it will help the candidates to know the exam pattern and sections that get maximum weightage in the question paper.
• Take the mock tests in the exam conditions to prepare for the exam day Practice for accuracy and speed. It will help the candidates with time management
• Take frequent breaks while preparing for the UGC NET exam 2024. Relaxing the mind can take out the best in the exam.