UGC NET 2026 January 5 Shift 1 Exam Analysis: Difficulty Levels and Good Attempts

Overall difficulty level for UGC NET 2026 Shift 1 was analyzed as easy to moderate based on immediate expert and student feedback.
The examination maintained the standard pattern: Paper 1 (general aptitude) and Paper 2 (subject specific) in a computer based test (CBT) format.
The exam adhered to the consistent format used since 2018, emphasizing concept driven questions over mere rote memorization skills.
High frequency question types included assertion reason and match the following formats across both general and subject specific papers.
Good attempts analysis provides strategic guidance, suggesting Paper 1 difficulty ranged from easy to moderate across all ten sections.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC NET 2026 examination on January 5, 2026, during the first shift. Based on student feedback and expert reviews, the analysis reveals an easy to moderate overall difficulty. This provides candidates with details on section-wise challenges, good attempts, and recurring question types, aiding preparation for remaining shifts in the nationwide test.

UGC NET Exam Analysis 2026 by Students: Today Highlights

Student reports describe the Shift 1 Paper 1 as easy to moderate in difficulty. The paper followed the standard UGC NET pattern closely. Questions remained direct, syllabus-oriented, and focused on conceptual understanding rather than rote memory.

Assertion-reason and match-the-following formats appeared frequently. Numerical and data-based questions proved manageable with basic skills. Logical reasoning required careful interpretation. The paper showed balance across sections with no major surprises. Many questions repeated patterns from previous years. Proper time management supported good attempts.

NTA UGC NET 2026 Exam Pattern

The UGC NET consists of two papers in one session.

Paper 1 tests general aptitude with 50 questions for 100 marks.
Paper 2 covers subject-specific topics with 100 questions for 200 marks.

Both papers use computer-based test mode. No negative marking applies. Paper 1 remains scoring for most candidates, while Paper 2 determines JRF eligibility.

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

Paper 1 maintained a balanced structure covering all ten syllabus units. Most questions tested direct concepts familiar to those who practiced past papers.

Here is the section-wise breakdown in table format:

Section	Difficulty Level	Good Attempts
Teaching Aptitude	Easy to Moderate	6-8
Research Aptitude	Moderate	5-7
Reading Comprehension	Easy	5
Communication	Easy to Moderate	6-8
Logical Reasoning	Moderate	5-7
Data Interpretation	Moderate	4-5
Mathematical Reasoning	Moderate	5-6
Information & Communication Technology (ICT)	Easy to Moderate	6-8
People & Environment	Moderate	5-7
Higher Education System	Moderate	4-6

Who is Eligible for UGC NET 2026?

This analysis pertains to candidates appearing in the UGC NET 2026 for eligibility as assistant professors or for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). It applies to the December 2025 cycle, reconducted in January 2026 across India. Participants include postgraduate degree holders or final-year students from recognized universities, as defined by UGC guidelines.

The exam is applicable nationwide, with results determining qualifications for higher education roles in institutions regulated by UGC and AICTE.

Important Topics Asked (as per Student Feedback)

Feedback highlights key areas from each unit:

Teaching Aptitude: Evaluation functions and types (match-the-following format), formative vs summative assessment, P-value concepts, assertion-reason items, matching ancient universities (Nalanda and Takshashila), and teaching-learning processes.
Research Aptitude: Research methodology steps, hypothesis and null hypothesis, P-value applications, statistics-related problems, and concepts of research evaluation.
Reading Comprehension: Passages were straightforward and fact-oriented, with clear vocabulary and direct questions.
Communication & Media Studies: Models of communication (Aristotle’s model, 5W chronology), mass media elements, television channel sequences, news agencies and sources, and barriers to effective communication.
Logical Reasoning: Square of opposition, logical fallacies, Indian logic principles, assertion-reason questions, coding-decoding, number series (example: 2, 6, 12, 20, ?, 42), and alphabet-series problems.
Data Interpretation: Primarily table-based questions involving percentage calculations; considered less complex than recent previous shifts.
Mathematical Reasoning: Problems on speed & distance, compound and simple interest, speed-related scenarios, basic gaseous state numericals, and binary-octal number conversions.
Information & Communication Technology (ICT): Number systems, binary-octal conversions, RAM vs ROM, CPU components, generations of computers, MS Excel shortcut keys, networking devices, and common full forms.
People & Environment: Chronology of Environment Protection Acts, greenhouse gases, ozone-related protocols, ethanol production/use, stages of coal formation (including longest period), and Earth’s developmental stages.
Higher Education System: Sequence of NAAC and UGC processes, university matching questions, education-linked historical facts about coal, and governance-related factual items.

Preparation Insights Based on Today’s Exam Analysis

The authority has not announced further details yet on official answer keys or results. Candidates for remaining shifts should emphasize conceptual clarity over memorization. Regular practice of assertion-reason and match-the-following questions improves accuracy. Time management remains essential for lengthy but solvable items. Accuracy outweighs maximum attempts. Basic formulas aid numerical sections. Analytical thinking supports moderate reasoning questions. Revision of static topics builds confidence. Attempting easy and familiar questions first maximizes scores.

Written by Shreoshree Chakrabarty

Shreoshree Chakrabarty is an experienced content writer with over five years of professional expertise in creating engaging and impactful content across diverse formats. Over the course of her career, she has collaborated with well-known brands such as Myntra and Justdial, contributing high-quality content that aligns with brand voice and audience expectations. Academically, Shreoshree holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, and outside of her professional pursuits, she is an avid reader and a passionate traveller who enjoys exploring new places and cultures. She also loves watching movies, finding inspiration in cinema and literature that often reflects in her writing style.

View all posts →