UGC NET Defense and Strategic Studies Exam Pattern And Syllabus

Leave a Comment / By Madhav Sharma / May 20, 2026 / Exam Pattern Syllabus

UGC NET Defense and Strategic Studies is a specialized subject that focuses on national security, military strategy, international relations, conflict management, and defense policies. Conducted by the National Testing Agency for the University Grants Commission, the examination is designed for candidates aspiring to become Assistant Professors or qualify for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.

The subject covers important areas such as war and peace studies, geopolitics, India’s defense system, nuclear strategy, terrorism, and global security challenges. It helps students develop analytical and critical thinking skills related to strategic affairs and defense management. UGC NET Defense and Strategic Studies is highly relevant in today’s changing global environment, where security concerns and international cooperation play a major role. The examination not only promotes academic research but also encourages deeper understanding of national and international security issues.

UGC NET Defense and Strategic Studies: Overview Table

Table of Contents

Feature / Category	Official Details
Exam Name	UGC-NET June
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency
Exam Purpose	Assistant Professor Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Ph.D. Admission
Subject Name	Defence and Strategic Studies
Subject Code	11
Mode of Examination	Computer Based Test (CBT)
Exam Language	English and Hindi
Official Website	UGC NET Official Website

UGC NET Defense and Strategic Studies: Exam Pattern

Particulars	Details
Total Questions	150 Questions (Part I: 50 MCQs, Part II: 100 MCQs)
Total Marks	300 Marks (Part I: 100 Marks, Part II: 200 Marks)
Exam Duration	180 minutes (03 hours) without any break between Paper 1 & Paper 2
Duration	The total duration of the exam is 03 hours (180 minutes).
No Breaks	There is no break between Part I and Part II; the exam runs continuously.
Compulsory Questions	All 150 questions are compulsory.
Marks per Question	Each correct response carries 02 (two) marks.
Negative Marking	There is no negative marking for incorrect responses.
Unattempted Questions	No marks will be given for questions left unanswered, unattempted, or marked for review.

UGC NET: Paper 1 Exam Pattern

Unit	Subject Area	Number of Questions (Approx.)	Total Marks
Unit 1	Teaching Aptitude	5	10
Unit 2	Research Aptitude	5	10
Unit 3	Comprehension	5	10
Unit 4	Communication	5	10
Unit 5	Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude	5	10
Unit 6	Logical Reasoning	5	10
Unit 7	Data Interpretation	5	10
Unit 8	Information and Communication Technology (ICT)	5	10
Unit 9	People, Development and Environment	5	10
Unit 10	Higher Education System	5	10
Total	Overall Paper 1	50 Questions	100 Marks

UGC NET Defense and Strategic Studies (Paper 2) Exam Pattern

Syllabus Unit	Core Topics Covered	Expected Questions	Expected Marks
Unit 1	Theories and Concepts of Defense and Strategic Studies	10	20
Unit 2	Strategic Thought (Kautilya, Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, etc.)	10	20
Unit 3	War as an Instrument of State Policy	10	20
Unit 4	WMD, Nuclear Proliferation, and National Security	10	20
Unit 5	Global Security Concerns (Terrorism, Environment, etc.)	10	20
Unit 6	India’s Security Concerns & Policies (Internal & External)	10	20
Unit 7	Issues in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding	10	20
Unit 8	Disaster Management and National Security	10	20
Unit 9	Defence Economics (Budgeting, Production, Procurement)	10	20
Unit 10	Science & Technology and National Security	10	20
Total	Comprehensive Domain Knowledge	100	200

UGC NET Defense and Strategic Studies: Syllabus

Part I: General Paper (Common for All Subjects)

Unit	Subject Area	Detailed Topics Covered
Unit I	Teaching Aptitude	Teaching: Concept and objectives Levels of teaching Memory level Understanding level Reflective level Learner characteristics Adolescent learners Adult learners Factors affecting teaching Methods of teaching in higher learning institutions Teacher-centered methods Learner-centered methods Offline teaching Online teaching Teaching support systems Traditional methods Modern methods ICT-based systems Evaluation systems Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)
Unit II	Research Aptitude	Meaning and characteristics of research Types of research Positivism and post-positivistic approach Research methods Experimental research Descriptive research Historical research Qualitative research Quantitative research Steps of research Thesis and article writing Format Referencing styles Application of ICT in research Research ethics
Unit III	Comprehension	Reading comprehension passage Understanding and analysis-based questions Interpretation of ideas and arguments
Unit IV	Communication	Meaning, types, and characteristics of communication Effective communication Verbal communication Non-verbal communication Intercultural communication Group communication Classroom communication Barriers to effective communication Mass media and society
Unit V	Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude	Types of reasoning Number series Letter series Codes and relationships Mathematical aptitude topics Fractions Time and distance Ratio and proportion Percentage Profit and loss Interest Discounting Averages
Unit VI	Logical Reasoning	Structure of arguments Premises Deductive reasoning Inductive reasoning Evaluating and distinguishing arguments Venn diagrams Analogies Indian Logic Pramanas (Means of knowledge) Pratyaksha Anumana Upamana Shabda Arthapatti Anupalabdhi Structure and kinds of Anumana (Inference) Vyapti Hetvabhasas
Unit VII	Data Interpretation	Sources of data Acquisition and classification of data Quantitative data Qualitative data Graphical representation of data Bar chart Histogram Pie chart Table chart Line chart Mapping of data Data interpretation Data and governance
Unit VIII	Information and Communication Technology (ICT)	ICT abbreviations and terminology Basics of Internet and Intranet E-mail Audio conferencing Video conferencing Digital initiatives in higher education ICT and governance
Unit IX	People, Development and Environment	Development and environment Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Human and environment interaction Anthropogenic activities Environmental issues Air pollution Water pollution Soil pollution Noise pollution Climate change Impact of pollutants on human health Natural resources Energy resources Natural hazards and disasters Environmental Protection Act, 1986 National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) International agreements Kyoto Protocol Paris Agreement International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Unit X	Higher Education System	Institutions of higher learning and education in ancient India Evolution of higher learning and research in post-independence India Learning programs Oriental learning Conventional learning Non-conventional learning Professional education Technical education Skill-based education Value education Environmental education Policies, governance, and administration of higher education

UGC NET Defense and Strategic Studies (Paper 2) Syllabus

Unit	Broad Topic	Detailed Sub-Topics
Unit 1	Theories and Concepts of Defense	Theories and Concepts of Defense Definition, scope, and components of Defense Studies Nation-state, national security, and elements of national power. Concepts of Strategy, tactics, and logistics. Policies: Defence, Foreign, and Domestic. Alliances, Treaties, Balance of Power, Deterrence, and Détente.
Unit 2	Strategic Thought	Strategic Thought Evolution of strategic thought. Prominent Thinkers: Sun Tzu, Kautilya, Clausewitz, Douhet, Mao, and Kissinger. Gandhian and Nehruvian perspectives on peace and security.
Unit 3	War as an Instrument in International Relations	War as an Instrument in International Relations Armaments: Arms Race, Arms Aid, Arms Trade, Arms Proliferation, and the proliferation of Small Arms. Evolution of Global Nuclear Doctrines. Democratic Peace Theory.
Unit 4	WMD, Nuclear Proliferation, and National Security	WMD, Nuclear Proliferation, and National Security Concepts of Disarmament & Arms Control, objectives, conditions, and approaches. Historical Survey of Disarmament Efforts. Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological Weapons Convention. Non-proliferation concepts (NPT, CTBT, PTBT, MTCR, FMCT) and Nuclear Export Control Regimes. Missile Defense, Cooperative Threat Reduction, and G-7 Global Partnership. Concept of Star Wars and NMD.
Unit 5	Global Security Concerns	Global Security Concerns Traditional and non-traditional security threats; Balance of power, Cold War and post-Cold War strategies; Global powers and shifting alliances. Issues of Terrorism, Cyber Security, Cyber Warfare, and environmental security.
Unit 6	India’s Security Concerns & Policies	India’s Security Concerns & Policies Structure of Indian armed forces, Paramilitary and Central Armed Police Forces. India’s defense organization and DRDO. India’s Foreign Policy, neighbourhood relations, and maritime security. India’s nuclear policy and Sino-Indian ties.
Unit 7	Issues in Conflict Resolution	Issues in Conflict Resolution United Nations roles and peace operations. Humanitarian laws, Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), and Gandhian non-violence.
Unit 8	Disaster Management and National Security	Disaster Management and National Security Natural and man-made disasters. Case studies (e.g., Bhopal, Fukushima). Role of NDMA, Armed Forces, and institutional roles in disaster mitigation.
Unit 9	Defence Economics	Defence Economics Defense budgeting and resource allocation. Defense procurement and indigenous defense production.
Unit 10	Science & Technology and National Security	Science & Technology and National Security Modern military technologies include Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, missiles, and satellites. Technology-driven security and cyber defense.

Preparation Tips

Familiarize Yourself with the CBT Format: Since the exam is strictly a Computer Based Test, comfort with on-screen reading and navigation is vital. The NTA provides CBT guidelines and recommends practicing with their Mock Test facility available at https://www.nta.ac.in/Quiz. Taking these mock tests will help you get used to the virtual keyboard, the question palette, and the “Mark for Review” feature.
Time Management is Crucial: You have 180 minutes to solve 150 questions (50 in Paper 1 and 100 in Paper 2) with absolutely no breaks in between. This translates to slightly over a minute per question. Practice sitting for 3-hour stretches to build your stamina.
Attempt Every Question: The NTA officially states that there is no negative marking for incorrect responses and zero marks for unanswered questions. Therefore, you should never leave a question un-attempted. Make educated guesses for questions you are unsure about before the timer runs out.
Master the Core Domain (Paper 2): Since Paper 2 carries double the weightage (200 marks), deep-dive into your Master’s degree notes. The test assesses advanced domain knowledge, so brushing up on contemporary strategic affairs, defense policies, and classical military thinkers is highly recommended.
Secure Easy Marks in Paper 1: Paper 1 tests general awareness, reasoning, and teaching/research aptitude. Consistent daily practice of reading comprehension and logical reasoning can significantly boost your overall percentile.
Review the Final Answer Keys: Post-exam, NTA displays provisional answer keys for 2-3 days. Keep an eye on the website to calculate your expected score and challenge any discrepancies if necessary.

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