35-Day UGC NET English (June 2025) Study Plan with Paper 1

35-Day Detailed Study Plan for UGC NET English (June 2025) with Paper 1

This comprehensive 35-day study plan is designed to help both full-time students and working professionals effectively prepare for the upcoming UGC NET English examination in June 2025, including Paper 1. It emphasizes a balanced approach, incorporating theory, practice, and revision. Adjust the timings based on your individual schedule and peak productivity hours. Remember consistency is key!

Key Assumptions and Guidelines

You have a basic understanding of the UGC NET syllabus for both Paper 1 and English Literature.
You have access to relevant study materials (textbooks, notes, online resources, previous year papers).
You are willing to dedicate a minimum of 4-5 hours daily for study (flexible for working professionals on weekdays, with more on weekends).
Regular breaks are essential to avoid burnout. Take short breaks (5-10 minutes) every hour and longer breaks (30-60 minutes) after 2-3 hours of study.
Prioritize understanding concepts over rote learning.
Regularly assess your progress and adjust the plan if needed.

Paper 1: General Aptitude (Focus Areas)

Teaching Aptitude
Research Aptitude
Comprehension
Communication
Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude
Logical Reasoning
Data Interpretation
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
People, Development and Environment
Higher Education System

Paper 2: English Literature (Broad Units)

Unit 1: Drama
Unit 2: Poetry
Unit 3: Fiction, Short Story
Unit 4: Non-Fictional Prose
Unit 5: Language: Basic Concepts, Theories and Pedagogy. English in Use.
Unit 6: English in India: History, Evolution and Futures
Unit 7: Cultural Studies
Unit 8: Literary Criticism
Unit 9: Literary Theory Post World War II
Unit 10: Research Methodology in English

35-Day Study Schedule

Week 1: Foundations and Paper 1 Introduction (Days 1-7)

Days 1-2: Understanding the Syllabus and Planning

Day 1: Thoroughly review the detailed syllabus for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 (English). Identify your strengths and weaknesses in each unit. Create a personalized timetable based on this 35-day plan, allocating more time to weaker areas. Gather all necessary study materials.
Day 2: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, marking scheme, and previous year cut-offs. Analyze 2-3 recent previous year question papers to understand the difficulty level and types of questions asked in both papers.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (flexible)

Days 3-4: Paper 1 - Teaching Aptitude & Research Aptitude

Day 3: Focus on Teaching Aptitude: Concepts, Objectives, Levels of teaching (Memory, Understanding and Reflective), Characteristics of learners and teaching, Factors affecting teaching, Teaching methods, Teaching aids, Evaluation systems. Solve related MCQs.
Day 4: Focus on Research Aptitude: Meaning, Characteristics and Types of research, Steps of research, Research ethics, Paper writing, Thesis writing, Workshop & conference. Solve related MCQs.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (split between theory and MCQs)

Days 5-6: Paper 2 - Introduction to Literary Periods and Drama (Unit 1)

Day 5: Begin with a broad overview of English literary history (Renaissance, Elizabethan, Jacobean, Restoration, Augustan, Romantic, Victorian, Modern, Postmodern periods). Understand the key characteristics and major writers of each era.
Day 6: Start Unit 1 (Drama): Concepts of tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, farce. Study key playwrights and their important works (e.g., Shakespeare - Hamlet, Macbeth; Ibsen - A Doll's House; Beckett - Waiting for Godot). Focus on themes, characters, and dramatic techniques.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (reading texts and critical analysis)

Day 7: Paper 1 - Comprehension & Communication + Weekly Review

Morning: Practice comprehension passages (at least 2-3). Focus on identifying main ideas, supporting details, and inferring meanings.
Afternoon: Study Communication: Meaning, types, characteristics, effective communication, barriers to effective communication, mass-media & society. Solve related MCQs.
Evening: Review all topics covered in Week 1 for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Identify areas needing more attention.
Study Time: 5-6 hours

Week 2: Deep Dive into Poetry and Paper 1 (Days 8-14)

Days 8-9: Paper 2 - Poetry (Unit 2)

Day 8: Focus on Unit 2 (Poetry): Forms and genres (sonnet, ode, elegy, epic, dramatic monologue). Study key poets and their significant works (e.g., Donne - metaphysical poetry; Wordsworth & Coleridge - Romantic poetry; Tennyson & Browning - Victorian poetry; Eliot & Plath - Modern poetry). Pay attention to poetic devices, themes, and style.
Day 9: Continue studying Poetry. Analyze more poems, focusing on different periods and styles. Practice critical analysis and understanding literary allusions.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (reading and analysis)

Days 10-11: Paper 1 - Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude and Logical Reasoning

Day 10: Focus on Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude: Number series, Letter series, Codes, Relationships, Fractions, Time & Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Interest, Discounting, Averages. Practice solving problems.
Day 11: Focus on Logical Reasoning: Understanding the structure of arguments, Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning, Verbal analogies, Word analogy, Classification, Logical Diagrams, Venn diagram, Syllogism, Logical fallacies. Practice solving problems.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (problem-solving and understanding concepts)

Days 12-13: Paper 2 - Fiction and Short Story (Unit 3)

Day 12: Begin Unit 3 (Fiction, Short Story): Concepts of plot, character, setting, narrative techniques, point of view. Study key novelists and their important works (e.g., Austen - Pride and Prejudice; Dickens - Great Expectations; Woolf - Mrs. Dalloway; Achebe - Things Fall Apart).
Day 13: Focus on Short Story: Evolution of the short story genre. Study significant short story writers and their works (e.g., Poe, Chekhov, Mansfield, Tagore, Maugham). Analyze narrative styles and thematic concerns.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (reading and critical analysis)

Day 14: Paper 1 - Data Interpretation + Weekly Review

Morning: Focus on Data Interpretation: Sources, acquisition, classification of data, Quantitative and Qualitative Data, Graphical representation (Bar chart, Pie chart, Table chart, Line chart) and mapping of data, Data interpretation, Data and Governance. Practice interpreting various types of data.
Afternoon: Solve previous year questions related to Data Interpretation.
Evening: Review all topics covered in Week 2 for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Take a break and relax.
Study Time: 5-6 hours

Week 3: Exploring Non-Fiction and Language Skills (Days 15-21)

Days 15-16: Paper 2 - Non-Fictional Prose (Unit 4)

Day 15: Begin Unit 4 (Non-Fictional Prose): Study different forms of non-fiction (essays, biographies, autobiographies, travel writing, philosophical discourse). Focus on key writers and their influential works (e.g., Bacon, Lamb, Emerson, Woolf). Analyze their styles and arguments.
Day 16: Continue studying Non-Fictional Prose, focusing on diverse voices and perspectives. Analyze the socio-historical context of these writings.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (reading and analytical skills)

Days 17-18: Paper 1 - Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Day 17: Focus on ICT: Basics of Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio-video conferencing, Digital initiatives in higher education, ICT and Governance. Understand key terms and concepts.
Day 18: Practice MCQs related to ICT. Focus on the practical applications of ICT in education and research.
Study Time (Daily): 3-4 hours (theory and MCQs)

Days 19-20: Paper 2 - Language: Basic Concepts, Theories and Pedagogy. English in Use (Unit 5)

Day 19: Focus on Unit 5: Basic linguistic concepts (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics). Study key theories of language acquisition and learning. Understand different pedagogical approaches in English language teaching.
Day 20: Focus on "English in Use": Grammar, vocabulary, usage, common errors. Practice exercises related to these areas.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (theory and practice)

Day 21: Paper 1 - People, Development and Environment + Weekly Review

Morning: Focus on People, Development and Environment: Development and environment, Human-environment interaction, Environmental problems and their impact, Sustainable development, Environmental protection acts.
Afternoon: Solve MCQs related to People, Development and Environment.
Evening: Review all topics covered in Week 3 for both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Study Time: 5-6 hours

Week 4: Indian English and Cultural Studies (Days 22-28)

Days 22-23: Paper 2 - English in India: History, Evolution and Futures (Unit 6)

Day 22: Focus on Unit 6: History of English education in India (Macaulay's Minute, Wood's Dispatch). Study the evolution of Indian English literature, key writers, and their contributions (e.g., R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Raja Rao, Anita Desai).
Day 23: Explore the themes and concerns in Indian English literature. Understand the debates around nativism, hybridity, and identity. Discuss the future trends of English in India.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (reading and understanding historical context)

Days 24-25: Paper 2 - Cultural Studies (Unit 7)

Day 24: Focus on Unit 7: Introduction to Cultural Studies, key concepts (ideology, hegemony, subculture). Study major thinkers and their theories (e.g., Raymond Williams, Stuart Hall).
Day 25: Explore different aspects of Cultural Studies (popular culture, media studies, gender studies, postcolonial studies). Analyze cultural texts and practices.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (theory and application)

Days 26-27: Paper 1 - Higher Education System

Day 26: Focus on Higher Education System in India: Institutions of higher learning and education in ancient India; Evolution of higher learning in India; Orientals vs. Occidentals; Development of higher education post-independence.
Day 27: Focus on: Technical, vocational and skill-based education; Value education and environmental education; Policies, governance, and administration in higher education. Solve related MCQs.
Study Time (Daily): 3-4 hours (theory and current affairs related to higher education)

Day 28: Full Syllabus Mock Test (Paper 1 & 2) + Weekly Review

Full Day: Take a full-length mock test for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 under timed conditions. Analyze your performance, identify weak areas, and understand your time management.
Evening: Review your performance in the mock test and plan your strategy for the remaining week.
Study Time: 6-7 hours (including analysis)

Week 5: Literary Criticism and Theory (Days 29-35)

Days 29-30: Paper 2 - Literary Criticism (Unit 8)

Day 29: Focus on Unit 8: Classical criticism (Plato,Aristotle, Longinus). Study key concepts and their significance.
Day 30: Explore Neoclassical criticism (Dryden, Pope, Johnson) and Romantic criticism (Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley). Understand the shift in critical perspectives.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (reading critical texts and understanding their context)

Days 31-32: Paper 2 - Literary Theory Post World War II (Unit 9)

Day 31: Focus on Unit 9: Structuralism and Semiotics (Saussure, Barthes). Understand key concepts like sign, signifier, signified, and their application in literary analysis.
Day 32: Explore Post-structuralism and Deconstruction (Derrida, Foucault). Understand concepts like difference, discourse, power relations.
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (understanding complex theoretical frameworks)

Days 33-34: Paper 2 - Literary Theory (Continued) & Research Methodology (Unit 10)

Day 33: Continue with Literary Theory: Psychoanalytic criticism (Freud, Lacan), Marxist criticism (Marx, Althusser, Eagleton), Feminist criticism (Woolf, de Beauvoir, Showalter), Postcolonial criticism (Said, Spivak, Bhabha). Focus on core tenets and their application to literature.
Day 34: Focus on Unit 10: Research Methodology in English: Meaning, scope and significance of research; Types of research; Research approaches; Data collection; Citation styles (MLA, APA).
Study Time (Daily): 4-5 hours (connecting theory to literary texts and understanding research principles)

Day 35: Final Revision and Mock Test

Morning: Quick revision of key concepts and important facts for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Focus on your weaker areas identified from previous mock tests.
Afternoon: Take another full-length mock test to assess your final preparation level and refine your time management strategy.
Evening: Light review of important formulas, dates, and key thinkers. Relax and ensure you get a good night's sleep.
Study Time: 5-6 hours

Tips for Working Professionals

Maximize Morning Hours: Try to wake up an hour or two earlier than usual for focused study before work.
Utilize Commute Time: Listen to educational podcasts or audiobooks related to your syllabus during your commute.
Lunch Break Study: Dedicate a portion of your lunch break to quick revision or solving a few MCQs.
Evening Study Blocks: Allocate dedicated time slots in the evening for focused study after work. Even 2-3 hours of consistent study can be effective.
Weekend Warriors: Utilize weekends for longer study sessions, covering more in-depth topics and taking full-length mock tests.
Prioritize and Be Realistic: Focus on the most important topics and be realistic about the amount of time you can dedicate. Don't aim for perfection; aim for consistent progress.
Minimize Distractions: Create a dedicated study space free from distractions. Inform family members about your study schedule.
Stay Healthy: Ensure you get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, and take short breaks to avoid burnout.

General Study Tips

Active Recall and Spaced Repetition: Instead of passively rereading notes, try to recall information from memory. Use spaced repetition techniques to reinforce learning over time.
Mind Mapping and Concept Notes: Create visual aids like mind maps to connect different concepts. Prepare concise notes for quick revision.
Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve as many previous year question papers as possible to understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level.
Join Study Groups (Online or Offline): Engage in discussions with fellow aspirants to clarify doubts and gain different perspectives.
Utilize Online Resources: Explore online platforms for study materials, video lectures, and mock tests.
Stay Positive and Motivated: Believe in yourself and stay motivated throughout your preparation. Celebrate small achievements to keep your spirits high.
Regular Evaluation: Continuously assess your progress and adjust your study plan accordingly. Identify your weak areas and focus on improving them.

Remember, this is a suggested plan. Feel free to modify it based on your individual needs, learning style, and the time you can dedicate. Consistency and focused effort are the keys to success. All the best for your UGC NET English examination!

35 Day UGC NET English June 2025 Study Plan with Paper 1