UGC NET Management Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Leave a Comment / By Madhav Sharma / May 18, 2026 / Exam Pattern Syllabus

The UGC NET Management Exam is a prestigious national-level examination conducted by the National Testing Agency on behalf of the University Grants Commission. The exam is organized to determine the eligibility of candidates for the posts of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in the field of Management. It is highly beneficial for students aspiring to build careers in teaching, research, business administration, and corporate management.

The syllabus covers important areas such as organizational behavior, marketing management, financial management, human resource management, strategic management, entrepreneurship, and business environment. The examination is conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode and consists of two papers designed to assess both general teaching aptitude and subject-specific knowledge. Qualifying the UGC NET Management Exam opens doors to career opportunities in universities, colleges, research institutions, public sector organizations, and private companies, making it an important step for candidates interested in academic and managerial professions.

UGC NET Management: Overview Table

Table of Contents

Feature	Details
Exam Conducting Body	National Testing Agency
Name of Examination	UGC-NET June 2026
Subject & Code	Management (Subject Code: 17)
Mode of Exam	Computer Based Test (CBT)
Marking Scheme	+2 for each correct answer; No Negative Marking
Medium of Paper	English and Hindi
Selection Process	Computer Based Test (CBT) Merit-based Cut-off

UGC NET Management: 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 Management Paper 2

Unit No.	Unit Name (Subject Domain)	Approx. Questions	Total Marks
Unit 1	Management Functions & Managerial Economics	10	20
Unit 2	Organizational Behaviour & HRM	10	20
Unit 3	Human Resource Management (Advanced)	10	20
Unit 4	Financial Statements & Accounting for Managers	10	20
Unit 5	Financial Management	10	20
Unit 6	Strategic Management & Marketing	10	20
Unit 7	Consumer Behaviour & Brand Management	10	20
Unit 8	Business Statistics & Operations Management	10	20
Unit 9	International Business & MIS	10	20
Unit 10	Entrepreneurship Development	10	20
Total	Subject-Specific (Management)	100	200

UGC NET Management: Syllabus

Part I: General Paper (Common for All Subjects)

Unit	Subject Area	Detailed Topics Covered
Unit I	Teaching Aptitude	Teaching concept, objectives, levels of teaching (memory, understanding, reflective); Learner characteristics (adolescent and adult learners); Factors affecting teaching; Methods of teaching in higher learning institutions (teacher-centered vs. learner-centered, offline vs. online); Teaching support systems (traditional, modern, ICT-based); Evaluation systems and Choice Based Credit System (CBCS).
Unit II	Research Aptitude	Research meaning, types, and characteristics; Positivism and post-positivistic approach; Methods of research (experimental, descriptive, historical, qualitative, quantitative); Steps of research; Thesis and article writing (format and referencing styles); Application of ICT in research; Research ethics.
Unit III	Comprehension	A passage of text is provided. Candidates must answer questions based on their understanding and analysis of the passage.
Unit IV	Communication	Communication meaning, types, and characteristics; Effective communication (verbal, non-verbal, intercultural, group, classroom); 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 (fractions, time & distance, ratio, proportion, percentage, profit and loss, interest, discounting, averages).
Unit VI	Logical Reasoning	Understanding the structure of arguments (premises, deductive/inductive reasoning); Evaluating and distinguishing arguments; Venn diagrams; Analogies; Indian Logic: Means of knowledge (Pramanas, Pratyaksha, Anumana, Upamana, Shabda, Arthapatti, Anupalabdhi); Structure and kinds of Anumana (inference), Vyapti, Hetvabhasas.
Unit VII	Data Interpretation	Sources, acquisition, and classification of data; Quantitative and qualitative data; Graphical representation (bar-chart, histograms, pie-chart, table-chart, line-chart) and mapping of data; Data interpretation; Data and governance.
Unit VIII	Information and Communication Technology (ICT)	ICT general abbreviations and terminology; Basics of the Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio and Video-conferencing; Digital initiatives in higher education; ICT and governance.
Unit IX	People, Development and Environment	Development and environment (Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals); Human and environment interaction (anthropogenic activities); Environmental issues (air, water, soil, noise pollution, climate change); Impacts of pollutants on human health; Natural and energy resources; Natural hazards and disasters; Environmental Protection Act (1986), National Action Plan on Climate Change, International agreements (Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, International Solar Alliance).
Unit X	Higher Education System	Institutions of higher learning and education in ancient India; Evolution of higher learning and research in post-independence India; Oriental, conventional, and non-conventional learning programs; Professional, technical, and skill-based education; Value education and environmental education; Policies, governance, and administration.

UGC NET Management Paper 2

Unit	Subject Domain	Key Topics & Detailed Content
Unit I	Management & Managerial Economics	1. Management Concepts Meaning, nature, scope, and importance of management Objectives and functions of management Levels of management Principles of management Management as art, science, and profession 2. Management Process and Theories Evolution of management thought Classical theory Neo-classical theory Modern management theory Systems approach Contingency approach Scientific management theory of Frederick Winslow Taylor Administrative theory of Henri Fayol Bureaucratic theory of Max Weber 3. Managerial Roles and Skills Interpersonal roles Informational roles Decisional roles Technical skills Human skills Conceptual skills Analytical and communication skills Leadership and motivational skills 4. Planning Meaning and importance of planning Planning process Types of plans Objectives, policies, procedures, rules, budgets, programs Strategic planning Operational planning Forecasting and planning premises 5. Organizing Meaning and principles of organizing Organization structure Departmentation Delegation of authority Centralization and decentralization Span of control Line and staff organization 6. Staffing Meaning and importance of staffing Manpower planning Recruitment and selection Training and development Performance appraisal Promotion and transfer Compensation management 7. Coordinating Meaning and importance of coordination Principles of coordination Techniques of coordination Barriers to coordination 8. Controlling Meaning and significance of control Control process Types of control Budgetary and non-budgetary control Performance standards Corrective actions 9. Decision-Making Tools Meaning and process of decision-making Types of decisions Rational decision-making Decision tree analysis Cost-benefit analysis Break-even analysis Probability and risk analysis Quantitative techniques 10. Managerial Economics Demand Analysis Meaning of demand Law of demand Elasticity of demand Demand forecasting Market Structures Perfect competition Monopoly Monopolistic competition Oligopoly National Income Concepts of national income Methods of measuring national income GDP, GNP, NNP, Personal income Inflation Meaning and causes of inflation Types of inflation Effects of inflation Measures to control inflation 11. Business Ethics Meaning and importance of ethics Ethical principles in business Ethical decision-making Corporate governance Ethical issues in management 12. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Meaning and scope of CSR Objectives of CSR CSR models and approaches Social responsibilities of business CSR initiatives and implementation Sustainable development and stakeholder approach
Unit II	Organizational Behaviour & HRM	1. Significance of Organizational Behavior (OB) Meaning and concept of Organizational Behavior Nature and scope of OB Importance and significance of OB in organizations Objectives of Organizational Behavior Challenges and opportunities in OB Models of Organizational Behavior 2. Theories of Organizational Behavior Classical approach Human relations approach Contingency approach Systems approach Behavioral science approach Social learning theory Organizational culture theory 3. Individual Behavior Personality Meaning and concept of personality Determinants of personality Personality traits and types Big Five personality model Personality development Perception Meaning and process of perception Factors influencing perception Perceptual errors and biases Attribution theory Motivation Meaning and importance of motivation Motivation process Financial and non-financial motivation Content and process theories of motivation Hierarchy of needs theory by Abraham Maslow Two-factor theory by Frederick Herzberg Theory X and Theory Y by Douglas McGregor Expectancy theory by Victor Vroom 4. Group Behavior Leadership Meaning and importance of leadership Leadership styles Leadership theories Trait theory Behavioral theory Situational and contingency theories Transformational and transactional leadership Group Dynamics Meaning and nature of groups Types of groups Stages of group development Group norms and cohesiveness Team building Conflict management Communication in groups Decision-making in groups 5. Human Resource Management (HRM) Concepts Meaning and scope of HRM Objectives and functions of HRM Importance of HRM in organizations Role of HR manager Difference between HRM and personnel management 6. Perspectives of HRM Strategic HRM Behavioral perspective Human capital perspective Resource-based perspective International HRM perspective 7. Emerging Trends in HRM Digital HR and HR analytics Remote and hybrid workforce management Diversity and inclusion Talent management Employee engagement Work-life balance Artificial Intelligence in HR Gig economy and flexible employment 8. Recruitment Meaning and importance of recruitment Recruitment process Sources of recruitment (internal and external) E-recruitment Selection process Interviews, tests, and assessment methods 9. Training Meaning and objectives of training Need and importance of training Training process Methods of training On-the-job training Off-the-job training Evaluation of training effectiveness 10. Development Meaning and concept of employee development Management development programs Career planning and development Succession planning Leadership development Coaching and mentoring
Unit III	Strategic HRM & Industrial Relations	1. Strategic Role of HRM Meaning and concept of Strategic HRM Evolution of strategic HRM Objectives of strategic HRM Role of HR in organizational strategy HR planning and business strategy alignment Strategic workforce planning HR as a strategic partner HR contribution to competitive advantage 2. Competency Mapping Meaning and concept of competency Types of competencies Core competencies Functional competencies Behavioral competencies Competency mapping process Identification of key competencies Assessment and evaluation of competencies Applications of competency mapping in HR 3. Balanced Scorecard Meaning and concept of Balanced Scorecard Development of Balanced Scorecard by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton Objectives of Balanced Scorecard Four perspectives of Balanced Scorecard Financial perspective Customer perspective Internal business process perspective Learning and growth perspective Implementation of Balanced Scorecard in HR Performance measurement using Balanced Scorecard 4. Career Planning Meaning and importance of career planning Career planning process Career stages Individual career planning Organizational career planning Career counseling Career development programs Succession planning 5. Performance Management Meaning and objectives of performance management Performance management process Setting performance standards Monitoring employee performance Feedback and coaching Performance improvement plans Strategic role of performance management 6. Performance Appraisal Meaning and importance of performance appraisal Appraisal process Traditional appraisal methods Modern appraisal methods 360-degree appraisal Management by Objectives (MBO) by Peter Drucker Self-appraisal and peer appraisal Challenges in appraisal system 7. Talent Management Meaning and concept of talent management Talent identification Talent acquisition Talent development Employee engagement Retention strategies Leadership pipeline development High-potential employee management 8. Industrial Relations Meaning and scope of industrial relations Objectives of industrial relations Importance of industrial relations Parties involved in industrial relations Employer-employee relationship Government role in industrial relations Causes of industrial disputes Prevention and settlement of disputes 9. Trade Unions Meaning and concept of trade unions Objectives and functions of trade unions Growth and development of trade unions Types of trade unions Role of trade unions in industry Problems of trade unions Trade union leadership 10. Collective Bargaining Meaning and importance of collective bargaining Objectives of collective bargaining Process of collective bargaining Types of collective bargaining Negotiation strategies Advantages and limitations of collective bargaining Collective agreements 11. Green HRM Meaning and concept of Green HRM Objectives of Green HRM Importance of environmental sustainability in HR Green recruitment and selection Green training and development Green performance management Green compensation and rewards Employee involvement in environmental initiatives Sustainable workplace practices
Unit IV	Accounting & Financial Management	1. Accounting Principles and Standards Meaning and objectives of accounting Nature, scope, and functions of accounting Basic accounting concepts and conventions Accounting principles Double entry system Accounting cycle Journal, Ledger, Trial Balance Capital and revenue items Depreciation accounting Accounting standards International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Role of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in accounting standards 2. Preparation of Financial Statements Meaning and objectives of financial statements Trading Account Profit and Loss Account Balance Sheet Adjustments in final accounts Preparation of manufacturing account Preparation of financial statements of companies Common-size financial statements Comparative financial statements 3. Analysis of Financial Statements Ratio Analysis Meaning and importance of ratio analysis Liquidity ratios Profitability ratios Solvency ratios Activity ratios Market value ratios Interpretation of financial ratios Funds Flow Analysis Meaning and concept of funds flow statement Sources and applications of funds Schedule of changes in working capital Preparation of funds flow statement Cash Flow Analysis Meaning and importance of cash flow statement Cash flows from operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Preparation of cash flow statement Cash flow as per International Accounting Standards Board guidelines 4. Costing Introduction to Cost Accounting Meaning and objectives of cost accounting Elements of cost Classification of costs Cost sheet preparation Cost control and cost reduction Marginal Costing Meaning and features of marginal costing Contribution analysis Profit-volume ratio Break-even analysis Margin of safety Decision-making under marginal costing Standard Costing Meaning and objectives of standard costing Setting standards Standard cost card Uses of standard costing Variance Analysis Meaning and concept of variance analysis Material cost variance Labour cost variance Overhead variance Sales variance Interpretation of variances 5. Financial Management Functions Meaning and objectives of financial management Scope and importance of financial management Functions of financial manager Investment decisions Financing decisions Dividend decisions Working capital management Profitability and liquidity management Risk and return analysis 6. Capital Structure Meaning and concept of capital structure Factors affecting capital structure Theories of capital structure Net income approach Net operating income approach Traditional approach Modigliani–Miller theorem (M–M Theory) Optimal capital structure 7. Cost of Capital Meaning and significance of cost of capital Specific cost of capital Cost of equity capital Cost of preference capital Cost of debt capital Cost of retained earnings Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) Marginal cost of capital Applications of cost of capital in decision-making
Unit V	Capital Budgeting & Portfolio Mgmt	1. Time Preference for Money Meaning and concept of time value of money Importance of time value of money in financial decisions Present Value (PV) concept Future Value (FV) concept Simple interest and compound interest Compounding techniques Discounting techniques Annuity concept Perpetuity concept Sinking fund concept 2. Capital Budgeting Meaning and importance of capital budgeting Capital budgeting process Types of investment decisions Estimation of cash flows Evaluation of investment proposals Capital Budgeting Methods Payback Period Method Accounting Rate of Return (ARR) Net Present Value (NPV) Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Profitability Index (PI) Discounted Payback Period Risk Analysis in Capital Budgeting Meaning and concept of risk in investment decisions Sensitivity analysis Scenario analysis Decision tree analysis Probability analysis Simulation techniques Risk-adjusted discount rate Certainty equivalent approach 3. Dividend Theories Meaning and concept of dividend Dividend policy and its importance Factors affecting dividend decisions Dividend Theories Dividend relevance theory Dividend irrelevance theory Modigliani–Miller theorem (M–M Theory) Walter’s dividend model by James E. Walter Gordon’s dividend model by Myron J. Gordon Residual dividend theory 4. Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Meaning and concept of mergers and acquisitions Objectives of mergers and acquisitions Types of mergers Horizontal merger Vertical merger Conglomerate merger Acquisition strategies Financial and strategic motives of M&A Valuation in mergers and acquisitions Due diligence process Post-merger integration Challenges in M&A 5. Portfolio Management Meaning and objectives of portfolio management Portfolio construction process Risk and return analysis Diversification Systematic and unsystematic risk Efficient portfolio selection CAPM Meaning and concept of Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) Risk-free return Market return Beta coefficient Security Market Line (SML) Applications of CAPM APT Meaning and concept of Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) Multi-factor risk model Arbitrage opportunities Applications of APT 6. Derivatives Meaning and concept of derivatives Features and importance of derivatives Types of derivative instruments Forward Contracts Meaning and characteristics Uses of forward contracts Futures Contracts Meaning and characteristics Margin requirements Mark-to-market mechanism Options Meaning and types of options Call option Put option Option pricing basics Swaps Meaning and concept of swaps Interest rate swaps Currency swaps 7. Working Capital Management Meaning and concept of working capital Importance of working capital management Types of working capital Determinants of working capital Operating cycle concept Estimation of working capital requirements Management of cash Management of receivables Management of inventory Management of payables Working capital financing Liquidity and profitability balance
Unit VI	Strategic Management & Marketing	1. Strategic Analysis • Meaning and importance of strategic management • Environmental scanning • PEST analysis (Political, Economic, Social, Technological) • Porter’s Five Forces Model by Michael Porter • Industry analysis and competitive advantage 2. SWOT Analysis • Meaning and concept of SWOT • Strength analysis • Weakness analysis • Opportunity analysis • Threat analysis • Application of SWOT in business decisions 3. Strategy Implementation • Meaning and process of strategy implementation • Resource allocation • Organizational restructuring • Leadership in strategy execution • McKinsey 7S Framework by McKinsey & Company 4. Marketing Concepts and Trends • Meaning and scope of marketing • Traditional and modern marketing concepts • Digital marketing • Social media marketing • Green marketing • Relationship marketing 5. STP (Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning) • Market segmentation • Bases of segmentation • Target market selection • Market positioning strategies 6. Product and Pricing Decisions • Product concept and classification • Product life cycle • Branding and packaging • New product development • Pricing objectives • Pricing strategies
Unit VII	Consumer Behaviour & Brand Mgmt	1. Consumer Buying Behaviour • Meaning and importance of consumer behavior • Consumer decision-making process • Factors affecting consumer behavior • Psychological and social influences 2. Industrial Buying Behaviour • Meaning and characteristics • Buying center concept • Industrial buying process 3. Brand Management • Meaning and importance of brand • Role of brands in marketing • Brand identity • Brand image • Brand equity • Brand loyalty • Brand positioning 4. Logistics and Supply Chain Management • Meaning and scope • Logistics functions • Inventory management • Warehousing • Transportation management • Supply chain integration 5. Service Marketing • Meaning and characteristics of services • Service quality • Service marketing mix • Customer satisfaction 6. Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) • Meaning and objectives of CRM • CRM strategies • Customer retention • Customer lifetime value
Unit VIII	Statistics & Operations Mgmt	1. Statistics for Management • Meaning and importance of statistics • Collection and presentation of data • Measures of central tendency • Measures of dispersion 2. Probability and Research Methodology • Meaning and concept of probability • Probability distributions • Research process • Research design • Sampling techniques • Data collection methods 3. Correlation and Regression Analysis • Meaning and concept of correlation • Types of correlation • Karl Pearson correlation • Regression analysis • Regression equations • Business applications 4. Operations Management • Meaning and scope of operations management • Production planning and control • Capacity planning • Facility layout 5. Quality Management • Meaning and importance of quality • Total Quality Management (TQM) • Six Sigma methodology • Continuous improvement 6. Operations Research Techniques • Linear programming • Transportation model • Assignment model • Queuing theory • Decision theory
Unit IX	International Business & IT	1. International Business Environment • Meaning and scope of international business • Global business environment • Economic and political environment • Cultural environment 2. FDI and International Trade Procedures • Meaning of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) • Types of FDI • Export and import procedures • Documentation in international trade 3. International Financial Institutions • Role of International Monetary Fund (IMF) • Role of World Bank • Global financial assistance 4. Information Technology in Management • Management Information System (MIS) • Decision Support System (DSS) • Business intelligence systems 5. Artificial Intelligence and Big Data • Meaning and applications of AI • Machine learning basics • Big data analytics • Data-driven decision making
Unit X	Entrepreneurship Development	1. Entrepreneurship Concepts • Meaning and concept of entrepreneurship • Characteristics of entrepreneur • Functions of entrepreneur • Entrepreneurial process 2. Entrepreneurship Development • Need and importance of entrepreneurship development • Entrepreneurial competencies • Development programs 3. Intrapreneurship • Meaning and concept of intrapreneurship • Role of intrapreneurs in organizations 4. Innovation in Business • Meaning and importance of innovation • Types of innovation • Innovation management 5. Women and Rural Entrepreneurship • Role of women entrepreneurs • Challenges and opportunities • Rural entrepreneurship development 6. Business Plan Feasibility • Meaning of business plan • Technical feasibility • Financial feasibility • Market feasibility • Risk analysis 7. Small Scale Industries (SSI) • Meaning and importance of SSI • Government support for SSI • Problems and opportunities of SSI

UGC NET Management: Preparation Tips

1. Master the General Paper (Paper I)

Do not neglect Paper I. It often acts as the “score-booster.” Focus on Teaching and Research Aptitude and practice Mathematical Reasoning daily.

2. Deep Dive into Management Fundamentals

For Paper II, strengthen your grip on Financial Management and Marketing. These sections often contain numerical problems and case-based questions that require conceptual clarity.

3. Time Management and CBT Familiarity

Since the exam is a 3-hour non-stop CBT, practice mock tests on the official NTA portal (https://www.nta.ac.in/Quiz) to get used to the interface. Learn to navigate the “Question Palette”—remember that questions “Answered and Marked for Review” will be evaluated.

4. Leverage the No Negative Marking Rule

Since there is no penalty for wrong answers, ensure you attempt all 150 questions. If stuck, use the elimination method to choose the most appropriate option.

5. Documentation and Deadlines

Ensure your application is completed by 20 May 2026. Use your own mobile number and email for registration, as all communication will be sent there. Keep scanned copies of your signature (10kb-50kb) and a recent photo (10kb-200kb) ready

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