UGC NET Qualifying Marks 2026: Minimum Passing Marks, Category-Wise Cut-Off & Safe Score Explained
Updated: January 2026 — Every year, thousands of aspirants appear for the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) to become eligible for Assistant Professor posts and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. While cracking the UGC NET is a big goal, understanding the qualifying marks, subject-wise cut-offs, and safe score targets is just as important as preparation.
Many candidates score the minimum required marks but still fail to qualify in the final merit list simply because they didn’t know how qualifying criteria and cut-offs work. Here’s a complete breakdown of the UGC NET qualifying marks and what score you should ideally aim for in 2026.
📌 What Are UGC NET Qualifying Marks 2026?
The University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to certify eligibility for Assistant Professorship and award of JRF. To be eligible for further selection stages, every candidate must first meet the minimum qualifying marks, which are determined based on category and performance in both papers combined.
Unlike many exams, UGC NET doesn’t consider only Paper I or Paper II separately — it looks at the aggregate score out of 300 (Paper I: 100 marks + Paper II: 200 marks).
📊 Minimum Qualifying Marks (Aggregate)
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks | Approx. Marks (Out of 300) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 40% | 120 marks |
| EWS | 40% | 120 marks |
| OBC (NCL) | 35% | 105 marks |
| SC | 35% | 105 marks |
| ST | 35% | 105 marks |
| PwD | 35% | 105 marks |
| Third Gender | 35% | 105 marks |
| These are the minimum marks needed to qualify UGC NET. Meeting them doesn’t guarantee final selection — that depends on run-of-the-mill cut-offs that vary by subject and category. |
🧠 Difference Between Qualifying Marks and Cut-Off
- Qualifying Marks: These are the basic eligibility criteria you must meet to be considered for further rounds. Meeting them means you’ve passed the exam.
- Cut-Off Marks: These vary subject-wise and category-wise, and determine who actually qualifies in the final merit list. Cut-offs are usually higher than qualifying marks, especially for competitive subjects like Political Science, Economics, Commerce, etc.
For example, even with the 40% qualifying marks, candidates may need much higher scores (often >50–60%) in subjects with tougher competition to finally make it to the list of qualified candidates.
📈 Subject-Wise & Category-Wise Expected Safe Scores
While official cut-offs are released after results, experts predict that safe score targets for popular subjects in 2026 may look something like this (expected trends based on previous patterns and analysis):
| Subject | General (UR) | OBC (NCL) | SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science | ~55% | ~50% | ~45% |
| Economics | ~57% | ~52% | ~46% |
| History | ~54% | ~49% | ~44% |
| Sociology | ~53% | ~48% | ~42% |
| Commerce | ~56% | ~51% | ~45% |
| These percentages represent expected safe score thresholds aspirants aim for to stand a strong chance of qualifying in their category. |
Note: Exact cut-offs will be published by NTA after the results and differ by exam cycle.
📍 Tips for Achieving a Safe Score in UGC NET 2026
- Understand the Exam Structure: Paper I carries 100 marks and tests teaching aptitude and reasoning, while Paper II has 200 marks based on your chosen subject.
- Focus on Strengths: Aim for well above the minimum qualifying marks, especially in Paper II, as the subject paper plays a major role in the final merit list.
- Practice with Strategy: Solve past papers and mock tests regularly to know where you stand relative to expected cut-offs.
- Check Category Targets: If you’re in a reserved category, your safe score target may differ — plan your preparation accordingly.
❓ UGC NET Qualifying Marks FAQs
Q1. What is the minimum percentage needed to qualify UGC NET 2026?
👉 General and EWS candidates must score at least 40% aggregate; all other categories (OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender) must score 35% aggregate.
Q2. Are qualifying marks the same as subject cut-offs?
👉 No — qualifying marks are basic eligibility thresholds, whereas cut-offs determine final selection and vary by subject and category.
Q3. Is clearing minimum qualifying marks enough to become eligible for JRF?
👉 Not always. To secure JRF or Assistant Professor eligibility, you often need to score above the qualifying marks and clear the subject-wise cut-offs.
Understanding UGC NET qualifying marks and safe score targets is essential to turning months of preparation into success. Keep preparing with clarity and aim for marks well above the minimum thresholds to stay competitive in your subject area!