The UGC NET exam consists of two papers: Paper 1 (General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude) and Paper 2 (Subject-specific). For candidates opting for English, Paper 2 focuses entirely on English literature, language, and theory.
UGC NET Paper-2 Exam Pattern
- Paper 2 contains 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions.
- Each question carries 2 marks, making Paper 2 worth a total of 200 marks.
- There is no negative marking in the UGC NET exam.
UGC NET English (Paper 2) Syllabus
Here is the official unit-wise syllabus for UGC NET English (Paper 2):
Literature in English
The first four units cover all literature written in English (British, American, Indian, Postcolonial, etc.). They are also tested through comprehension passages to assess your critical reading, thinking, and writing skills.
Unit I: Drama
Unit II: Poetry
Unit III: Fiction, Short Story
Unit IV: Non-Fictional Prose
Language and Pedagogy
Unit V: Language: Basic Concepts, Theories, and Pedagogy. English in Use.
This includes phonology, morphology, syntax, history of the English language, and applied linguistics.
Unit VI: English in India: History, Evolution, and Futures.
Focuses on the introduction and growth of English in India, educational policies (like Macaulay’s Minute), and the development of Indian Writing in English.
Theory, Criticism, and Culture
Unit VII: Cultural Studies.
Covers major cultural theorists, mass culture, popular culture, and the intersection of literature with society.
Unit VIII: Literary Criticism.
Spans from classical criticism (Plato, Aristotle) to modern critics.
Unit IX: Literary Theory Post-World War II.
Includes Structuralism, Post-structuralism, Marxism, Feminism, Postcolonialism, Queer Theory, and Ecocriticism.
Research Methodology
Unit X: Research Methods and Materials in English.
Covers how to conduct literary research, methodology, bibliography, and citation formats (like MLA).
