The expected cut-off for the UGC NET 2026 is a crucial benchmark set by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to determine the eligibility of candidates for various academic positions, including Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) awards and Assistant Professor roles.
For 2026, the minimum qualifying marks are categorized based on the candidate’s group:
- General (UR) / EWS Category: 40% (120 marks out of 300)
- OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Transgender: 35% (105 marks out of 300)
It is important to note that these qualifying marks are separate from the final cut-off scores, which are determined after the examination based on various factors, including the number of candidates and the difficulty level of the exam.
Expected Subject-Wise Cut Off
Based on historical data and candidate feedback, the following are the expected cut-off marks for different subjects:
| Subject | JRF & PhD Award Selection (Expected Marks / 300) | Assistant Professor Eligibility (Expected Marks / 300) |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science | 214 – 220 | 188 – 196 |
| Economics | 228 – 234 | 198 – 202 |
| History | 210 – 216 | 188 – 194 |
| Commerce | 214 – 222 | 184 – 192 |
| Education | 224 – 228 | 196 – 202 |
| English | 184 – 190 | 162 – 166 |
| Geography | 218 – 224 | 190 – 196 |
| Sociology | 226 – 232 | 200 – 208 |
| Hindi | 204 – 210 | 180 – 186 |
| Management | 218 – 224 | 186 – 192 |
| Computer Science | 188 – 194 | 158 – 164 |
These expected cut-off marks are subject to change based on the actual exam conditions and the performance of candidates.
Factors Influencing Cut Off
The cut-off marks can fluctuate due to several factors:
- The total number of candidates appearing for the exam.
- The difficulty level of the exam papers.
- Normalization processes applied to balance scores across different sessions.
In summary, while the expected cut-off marks provide a guideline for candidates, the actual cut-off will be determined post-examination and may vary based on the factors mentioned above.