NTA UGC NET 2026 Exam Analysis Out for 2 Jan, Check Attempts and Difficulty Level

NTA UGC NET 2026 exam analysis for 2 January is out. Check Paper 1 and Paper 2 difficulty level, section-wise good attempts, key topics, and expert insights based on student feedback and exam trends.

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The NTA UGC NET 2026 Exam Analysis for 2 January 2026 is now available, as today’s Shift 1 has concluded successfully. Based on real-time student feedback and expert review, Adda247 has released the detailed exam analysis for today’s shift, offering candidates a clear understanding of section-wise difficulty levels, good attempts, and question trends. This analysis is also aligned with previous year UGC NET exam patterns, ensuring aspirants get a reliable and accurate picture of the exam level.

UGC NET 2026 Exam Analysis by Students: Today Highlights

According to the Adda247 UGC NET expert team, today’s Shift 1 paper closely followed the established UGC NET pattern. Most questions were direct, syllabus-oriented, and concept-driven, making the paper approachable for well-prepared candidates.

Overall Difficulty Level: The paper was rated moderate, with a greater emphasis on conceptual understanding than calculations.
Paper Nature: Questions were largely syllabus-oriented and predictable for well-prepared candidates.
Teaching Section: Considered scoring and straightforward by most students.
Research Section: Slightly analytical, requiring conceptual clarity rather than rote learning.
Logical Reasoning: Perceived as the most time-consuming and challenging section.
Data Interpretation: Reported as easy and time-saving, helping candidates increase attempts.
Mathematical Reasoning: Moderate in nature with basic calculations.
ICT Section: Focused more on practical awareness than deep technical knowledge.
Environment Section: Questions were simple and based on general understanding.
Higher Education Section: Mostly factual and trend-based, making it relatively easy.
Communication Section: Direct and fact-based questions were asked.
Reading Comprehension: Passages were easy to read, with only one passage considered slightly lengthy.

NTA UGC NET 2026 Exam Pattern: Overview

The UGC NET examination consists of two papers conducted in a single session:

Paper 1: General Aptitude (50 Questions, 100 Marks)
Paper 2: Subject-Specific (100 Questions, 200 Marks)

Both papers are conducted in CBT mode, with no negative marking. Based on Adda247’s analysis and previous year trends, Paper 1 continues to be scoring, while Paper 2 remains decisive for JRF qualification.

UGC NET 2026 Paper 1 Analysis: Difficulty Level (Shift 1)

The UGC NET 2026 Paper 1 exam for Shift 1 was assessed as easy to moderate in overall difficulty, as per student feedback and expert review. The paper maintained a balanced structure, covering all ten units of the syllabus. Most questions were direct, concept-based, and familiar to candidates who had practised previous year questions. Below is the section-wise difficulty level table to help candidates quickly understand the paper’s overall nature and scoring potential.

Section	Good Attempt	Difficulty Level
Teaching Aptitude	4-5	Easy to Moderate
Research Aptitude	3-4	Moderate
Reading Comprehension	4-5	Easy
Communication	3-4	Easy
Logical Reasoning	2-3	Moderate to Difficult
Data Interpretation	4-5	Easy
Mathematical Reasoning	3-4	Moderate
Information & Communication Technology (ICT)	3-4	Moderate
People & Environment	2-3	Moderate to Difficult
Higher Education System	4-5	Easy

UGC NET 2026 Paper 1 Analysis: Section wise

As per Adda247’s today exam analysis, the UGC NET Paper 1 conducted on 2 January 2026 (Shift 1) was Easy to Moderate in overall difficulty. The paper focused more on conceptual understanding, application-based thinking, and PYQ-aligned topics rather than rote memorisation. All ten units of the syllabus were represented, making the paper balanced and scoring well for well-prepared candidates.

Part	Section	Important Topics Asked (as per Student Feedback)
I	Teaching Aptitude	Bloom’s Taxonomy, Cognitive Domain Hierarchy, Affective Domain Hierarchy, Teaching Models, Post-Teaching Evaluation Techniques
II	Research Aptitude	Types of Validity, Internal Validity (Causal), External Validity (Generalised), Internal & External Validity (Repeated Concept), Parametric & Non-Parametric Research, Sampling (Situation-based Matching), Qualitative Research, Research Steps
III	Reading Comprehension	Philosophical Passage RC, Overall easy RCs, One slightly lengthy/complex passage
IV	Communication & Media Studies	Group Communication, Mass Media, Barriers of Communication, Media Chronology (Radio, TV, Newspaper), USD Full Form, Protocol-based Questions
V	Logical Reasoning	Indian Logic (High Weightage, Repeated), Pramanas (Nyaya School – back-to-back questions), Formal Fallacies, Validity of Argument (Deductive & Inductive), Coding–Decoding, Alphabet Addition (Matching), Film Sequence
VI	Data Interpretation	Table-based DI, Percentage-based DI, Average-based DI, Easy and Scoring Sets
VII	Mathematical Reasoning	Number Series (Direct, Square-based, ± Pattern), Fractions (Ascending/Descending, Largest Fraction), Ratio & Percentage (Income–Expenditure), Calendar, Clock, ABC Pattern
VIII	Information & Communication Technology (ICT)	Input & Output Devices, Memory Hierarchy (RAM, ROM), Volatile Memory, USB Full Form, ICT in Language Teaching, SWAYAM Portal, GIAN, Operating System Chronology (DOS, Windows, Linux), Programming Languages (Not-a-language), Protocols (Matching), Networking (MAC & GEC)
IX	People & Environment	Greenhouse Gases, Hydropower, Blackfoot Syndrome (Arsenic), Eutrophication, Disease-related Questions, Environmental Protocol Matching
X	Higher Education System	NEP 2020 (2–3 Questions, Chronology-based), HECI, NAAC, UGC, Academic Bank of Credit (ABC), Functions of Councils (NCERT, AICTE, NAAC – Matching), Chronology of Education & Media

Preparation Insights Based on Today’s Exam Analysis

Candidates appearing in upcoming shifts should:

Conceptual Focus: Most questions were theory-driven; strong understanding of core concepts is essential.
High-Weight Topics: Indian Logic, Validity, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and NEP-related questions appeared repeatedly—prioritize these.
Scoring Sections: Data Interpretation, Reading Comprehension, and Teaching Aptitude were straightforward and time-saving.
Logical & Analytical Skills: Strengthen reasoning abilities to handle challenging questions efficiently.
Practical Awareness: ICT, environment, and policy-based questions tested application over deep theory.
Numerical Practice: Basic calculations in Maths and DI were manageable; regular practice is sufficient.
Chronology & Factual Updates: Focus on policies, media, and higher education timelines for easy scoring.
Time Management: Attempt easy sections first, then moderate to difficult ones for balanced performance.
Revision Strategy: Revisit repeated and conceptual topics for confidence and accuracy.
Mock Practice: Solve previous papers and test series to improve speed and overall preparedness.