UGC NET Normalization and Result Preparation Process 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The UGC NET exam is conducted across the country in twice a year – one in June and another in December.
To ensure that all students are judged fairly, the National Testing Agency (NTA) uses a detailed method to evaluate answer keys and prepare the final result.
Due to multiple shifts of the exams, NTA has to use UGC NET normalization to ensure that all candidates stand equal chance of cracking UGC NET JRF exam.
Here’s how it works, step by step.
1. Answer Key and Objection Process
After the exam, NTA uploads:
- The Provisional Answer Key
- The question paper you attempted
- Your recorded responses
These will be available on the official website: https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in
You can view and challenge the answer key if you believe any answer is wrong.
Challenge Fee: ₹200 per question (non-refundable)
You must provide proof or justification for your challenge.
Challenges submitted after the deadline or without proof will be rejected.
After reviewing objections, NTA releases the Final Answer Key.
No more challenges are accepted after the final key is released.
Your result is based on this final answer key.
2. Display of Recorded Responses
NTA will also display your response sheet and the questions you attempted.
This will be available for only 2–3 days, so download it for future reference.
It will not be provided later under the RTI Act.
3. Steps to Declare UGC NET Result
Step 1: Total Candidates
Only 6% of the total candidates who appeared in both papers will be declared eligible for Assistant Professor.
Step 2: Category-wise Distribution
These qualifying slots are divided into different categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/UR) as per Government of India’s reservation rules.
Step 3: Minimum Marks Needed
General/General-EWS: Minimum 40% marks in both papers combined
SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Third Gender: Minimum 35%
Step 4: Subject-wise Cut-offs
Each subject and category will have its own cut-off.
Cut-offs are based on the number of qualifying candidates and available slots.
Step 5: Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
The number of JRF slots is also calculated based on the total candidates and reservation policy.
Note: UGC has the final say in deciding cut-offs.
No individual result notifications will be sent.
Results will only be published on the official website.
4. UGC NET Normalization of Marks: Fairness in Multi-Shift Exams
Some subjects in UGC NET are conducted in multiple shifts.
Since each shift may have a slightly different difficulty level, raw scores are not directly comparable.
NTA uses a scientific method called the Equi-percentile Normalization to make fair comparisons.
Why Normalize?
To make sure that no candidate is unfairly benefited or penalized due to easier or tougher question papers.
Even if you wrote the exam in a difficult shift, your score is adjusted based on performance across all shifts.
5. How UGC NET Normalization Works: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Divide Candidates
Students are divided into shifts randomly to ensure balance.
Step 2: Calculate Percentile Score
For each shift: Your percentile score is calculated using the formula:
Percentile (P) = (Number of candidates with raw score ≤ your score / Total candidates in that shift) × 100
This score ranges between 0 to 100, with 100 being the highest.
Step 3: Prepare Final NTA Score
All shift-wise percentiles are merged to calculate your NTA Score.
This final score is used to determine eligibility and ranking.
Example: If 40% raw marks equal 78 percentile in Shift 1 and 79 percentile in Shift 2, then 78 percentile becomes the cut-off for General category across both shifts.
6. Final Notes on Result Declaration
No rechecking or revaluation is allowed.
Final results and merit lists are based on normalized percentile scores, not raw marks.
UGC NET scores can also be used for Ph.D. admissions and PSU recruitments.
The NTA ensures that UGC NET results are fair and accurate.
The use of UGC NET normalization and a transparent result process helps in selecting the best candidates.
Make sure to check the official website regularly for updates on answer keys and final results.
Check out our articles on UGC NET June 2025 notice, UGC NET Eligibility, and UGC NET Reservation Policy here.
We at Learning Skills Institute offer all-in-one UGC NET preparation courses for NET Paper 01, English Literature, Political Science, Commerce and Management.
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