Introduction

Reviewed by Rajni Bala, Assistant Professor of Law | Academic Review Panel
Last Updated: February 20, 2026

The UGC NET Law Exam follows a fixed and official exam pattern prescribed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Every year, thousands of law aspirants lose marks not due to lack of knowledge but because they misunderstand the paper structure, number of questions, marking scheme, and exam duration.

Before beginning preparation, it is crucial to understand how the paper is structured. For eligibility conditions, you may also read our detailed guide on UGC NET Law Eligibility Criteria 2026.

UGC NET Law 2026 – Official Exam Pattern

Aspect	Paper 1	Paper 2 (Law)
Focus	Teaching & Research Aptitude	Law Subjects
Questions	50	100
Marks	100	200
Duration	–	3 Hours Combined
Question Type	MCQs	MCQs
Medium	English / Hindi	English / Hindi
Negative Marking	No	No

Source: NTA UGC NET Information Bulletin

How the UGC NET Law Paper is Conducted

UGC NET is conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode in a single session. Both papers are attempted without any break.

• Total Questions: 150
• Total Marks: 300
• Total Time: 180 minutes
• No sectional timing
• All questions are compulsory

This means time management across both papers is extremely important.

Paper 1 Structure (Common for All Subjects)

Paper 1 is common for all subjects, but for Law aspirants it is a score booster because questions are predictable and conceptual. It contains 10 units and approximately 5 questions per unit.

Unit	What NTA Asks	What You Should Study	Type of Questions
Teaching Aptitude	Methods of teaching, evaluation, learner types	Teaching models, Bloom’s taxonomy, assessment types	Concept-based MCQs
Research Aptitude	Research steps, thesis, ethics	Research methodology, plagiarism, sampling	Direct theory questions
Comprehension	Passage understanding	Practice reading speed	Passage-based
Communication	Barriers, models, media	Communication models, ICT role	Situational MCQs
Mathematical Reasoning	Ratios, averages, percentage	Basic aptitude maths	Numerical MCQs
Logical Reasoning	Arguments, Venn diagrams	Deductive/inductive logic	Logical puzzles
Data Interpretation	Graphs, charts	Practice DI sets	Graph-based
ICT	Digital education, e-learning	ICT tools, MOOCs, digital initiatives	Fact-based
People & Environment	SDGs, pollution, climate	Current environmental issues	Conceptual
Higher Education	NEP 2020, accreditation	UGC, NAAC, governance	Static GK type

How to attempt Paper 1 in exam

• Finish within 45–55 minutes
• Attempt Mathematical + Logical + DI first
• Leave comprehension for later
• Accuracy > speed

Paper 1 can easily give 70+ marks if prepared smartly.

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Paper 2 (Law): Exact Topic Coverage with Weightage Guidance

Paper 2 is where rank is decided. It contains 100 questions from 10 Law units. NTA asks questions from bare acts, concepts, case laws, and principles.

Unit	Core Areas NTA Focuses	Bare Acts to Read	Nature of Questions
Jurisprudence	Schools of law, rights, duties	Jurisprudence notes	Theory & thinkers
Constitutional Law	FRs, DPSPs, amendments, judiciary	Constitution of India	Articles + cases
Public International Law	Treaties, WTO, extradition	UN Charter	Static + current
Law of Crimes	IPC stages, exceptions	IPC Bare Act	Section-based
Torts & Consumer	Negligence, nuisance, liability	Consumer Protection Act	Principle-based
Commercial Law	Contracts, Sale of Goods, Company Law	ICA, SOGA, Companies Act	Section-based
Family Law	Marriage, divorce, adoption	Hindu & Muslim Law	Conceptual
Environment & HR	EIA, NGT, NHRC	Environment Acts	Current + static
IPR & IT Law	Copyright, patent, cyber law	IPR Acts, IT Act	Fact + concept
Comparative Public Law	Federalism, separation of powers	Comparative models	Analytical

Marking Scheme Explained

• Each question carries 2 marks
• No negative marking
• Unattempted questions = 0 marks
• Encourages attempting all questions intelligently

Important Points Most Students Ignore

• There is no break between papers
• Paper 1 should be completed in 45–55 minutes
• Remaining time must be reserved for Paper 2
• Accuracy matters more than speed due to no negative marking

Preparation Strategy Based on Exam Pattern

• Master Paper 1 first (scoring & predictable)
• Solve previous year CBT questions
• Practice 3-hour mock tests
• Focus on Constitution, IPC, Contracts, Torts for Paper 2

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is there negative marking in UGC NET Law?

No. There is no negative marking in either paper.

Q2. Are both papers conducted separately?

No. Both papers are conducted in a single 3-hour session.

Q3. How many total questions are asked?

Q4. What is the total duration of the exam?

Q4. What is the total duration of the exam?

180 minutes (3 hours).

Q5. Where can I verify official exam pattern updates?

From the official NTA UGC NET portal.

Sources (Official References)

1. NTA UGC NET Information Bulletin – Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme.
2. Official UGC NET Portal.