UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies MahaPack (UGC NET PAPER 1 & Paper 2 Defence and Strategic Studies) with PYQ, Mock Papers and Guide with Complete Syllabus Coverage (2 E-books) (PDF Format)
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The UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies examination is a highly specialized national-level competitive exam. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Meanwhile this examination is designed to assess the academic depth, analytical capability, and subject knowledge of candidates aspiring to build careers in teaching, research, strategic analysis, national security, defence studies, and international relations.
Defence and Strategic Studies, being an interdisciplinary subject, integrates concepts from political science, military history, international relations, security studies, geopolitics, and contemporary strategic affairs. With the increasing relevance of national security, military diplomacy, cyber warfare, and global strategic competition, the UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies exam has gained substantial importance among postgraduate students and researchers.
Finally this article provides a detailed explanation of the UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies exam. It cover the exam pattern, eligibility criteria, and complete syllabus in an extensive paragraph based format to help aspirants understand the exam holistically and prepare effectively.
Overview of UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies Examination
The UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies examination is conduct twice a year, usually in June and December, in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. The exam determines eligibility for Assistant Professor positions and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. Defence and Strategic Studies as a subject emphasizes both theoretical and applied aspects of security, war, peace, strategy, military doctrines, and global power structures.
Moreover the exam evaluates candidates’ understanding of classical and modern strategic thought. India’s defence policies, international security architecture, arms control regimes, and emerging security challenges.
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Unlike purely theoretical subjects, Defence and Strategic Studies requires aspirants to remain updated with current strategic developments, defence modernization trends, geopolitical shifts, and global security concerns. The UGC NET exam tests not only academic knowledge but also critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and the ability to interpret contemporary strategic scenarios.
UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies Exam Pattern
Though The exam pattern of UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies is uniform across all subjects under UGC NET. It consists of two compulsory papers, both conducted in a single session without any break. The total duration of the examination is 3 hours (180 minutes).
UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies Structure of the Examination
The exam comprises Paper I and Paper II, both conduct on the same day in online mode. Paper I is common for all candidates irrespective of subject, while Paper II is subject-specific and focuses exclusively on Defence and Strategic Studies.
Furthermore Paper I consists of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), each carrying 2 marks, making a total of 100 marks. The questions in Paper I are design to test the candidate’s teaching aptitude, research aptitude, comprehension skills, communication ability, reasoning, data interpretation, ICT knowledge, and general awareness. This paper evaluates the candidate’s general academic and intellectual abilities rather than subject expertise.
Paper II consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 2 marks, making a total of 200 marks. All questions in Paper II are compulsory and directly based on the Defence and Strategic Studies syllabus as prescribed by UGC. This paper assesses in-depth subject knowledge, conceptual clarity, analytical understanding, and awareness of strategic issues.
Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
The total marks for the UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies exam are 300 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers, which allows candidates to attempt all questions without fear of penalty. This makes strategic guessing an important component of exam strategy.
Medium of Examination
The examination is conducted in English and Hindi, except for language-specific subjects. Defence and Strategic Studies candidates can choose either medium according to their comfort level.
UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies Eligibility Criteria
Understanding the eligibility criteria is crucial before applying for the UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies exam. The eligibility conditions are primarily divided into educational qualification and age limit, especially for JRF.
UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies exam is conduct at a regular interval of time. Every year lakhs and lakhs of students appear for this examination. Those who wants to shape and make his/her career in the government sector. Here we will talk about UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies exam free Online Mock Test. UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies exam free last year question paper PDF download and Previous Year Question Papers PYQ.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification from a recognized university. In Defence and Strategic Studies or a closely related discipline such as Political Science, International Relations, History, Strategic Studies, Security Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, or Military Studies. The required minimum marks in the Master’s degree are 55% for General category candidates and 50% for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), PwD, and Transgender categories.
Candidates who are in the final year of their postgraduate degree or awaiting results are also eligible to apply provisionally. However, such candidates must complete their degree within the stipulated time frame and meet the required percentage criteria.
Age Limit
For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), the maximum age limit is 30 years. As of the cut-off date specified in the notification. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories, including SC, ST, OBC, PwD, women, and candidates with research experience or armed forces service.
There is no upper age limit for candidates applying only for the post of Assistant Professor. This makes UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies accessible to a wide range of aspirants. It also include working professionals and defence personnel.
UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies Syllabus: Detailed Explanation
The UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies syllabus is extensive and multidisciplinary. It cover classical theories, historical evolution of warfare, modern strategic concepts, national security frameworks, international relations, and emerging security challenges. The syllabus is divided into ten major units. Each focusing on a distinct area of the discipline.
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Unit 1: Evolution of Warfare and Strategic Thought
This unit focuses on the historical evolution of warfare from ancient to modern times and the development of strategic thought across civilizations. It includes the study of ancient Indian military traditions, classical Western strategic thinkers, and Eastern philosophies of war. Key thinkers such as Kautilya, Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Machiavelli, Jomini, and Liddell Hart are central to this unit. Candidates must understand concepts like total war, limited war, deterrence, attrition, maneuver warfare, and revolutionary warfare. The transformation of warfare due to technological advancements and changing political objectives is also emphasized.
Unit 2: National Security Concepts
Unit 2 deals with the conceptual foundations of national security. It covers traditional and non-traditional security perspectives, including military, political, economic, societal, and environmental dimensions of security. Candidates study theories of security, national interest, power, balance of power, and collective security. The unit also emphasizes internal security challenges such as insurgency, terrorism, extremism, and organized crime, along with strategies to address them.
Unit 3: Indian National Security and Defence Policy
This unit focuses on India’s national security framework, defence policy, and strategic culture. It includes the evolution of India’s defence policy, civil-military relations, higher defence organization, and defence planning mechanisms. Aspirants must study India’s threat perceptions, border disputes, nuclear doctrine, maritime security, internal security challenges, and defence diplomacy. The role of armed forces, paramilitary forces, intelligence agencies, and national security institutions is also examined in detail.
Unit 4: Military History of India
Unit 4 examines the military history of India from ancient times to the contemporary period. It includes the study of major wars, battles, military campaigns, and strategic decisions during the ancient, medieval, colonial, and post-independence eras. Candidates analyze wars such as 1947-48, 1962, 1965, 1971, Kargil conflict, and counter-insurgency operations. This unit emphasizes lessons learned, strategic outcomes, and military reforms.
Unit 5: International Relations and Strategic Environment
This unit explores the international strategic environment and major theories of international relations such as realism, liberalism, constructivism, and neo-realism. It covers global power structures, alliances, regional security complexes, and great power rivalry. Aspirants must understand the strategic policies of major powers like the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union, along with regional dynamics in South Asia, Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and East Asia.
Unit 6: Nuclear Strategy and Arms Control
Unit 6 focuses on nuclear strategy, deterrence theory, arms control, and disarmament. It includes the evolution of nuclear weapons, doctrines of nuclear deterrence, mutually assured destruction, nuclear proliferation, and non-proliferation regimes. Treaties such as NPT, CTBT, START, INF, and New START are studied. India’s nuclear policy, nuclear command and control, and regional nuclear dynamics are also covered extensively.
Unit 7: Defence Economics and Military Technology
This unit examines the economic aspects of defence and the role of technology in modern warfare. It includes defence budgeting, military-industrial complex, defence procurement, indigenization, and self-reliance initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat. Candidates must understand emerging military technologies such as cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, space warfare, drones, missile defence systems, and information warfare.
Unit 8: International Law and Laws of War
Unit 8 deals with international humanitarian law, laws of armed conflict, and legal frameworks governing warfare. It includes the study of Geneva Conventions, Hague Conventions, war crimes, human rights in armed conflict, and the role of international institutions. So therefore candidates must understand legal issues related to prisoners of war, civilians, neutrality, and military occupation.
Unit 9: Internal Security and Counter-Insurgency
This unit focuses on internal security challenges, including insurgency, terrorism, left-wing extremism, separatist movements, and border management. Although it covers counter-insurgency doctrines, intelligence operations, psychological warfare, and civil-military cooperation. Case studies from India and other countries are often emphasized to assess practical understanding.
Unit 10: Emerging Security Challenges
The final unit examines non-traditional and emerging security threats such as cyber security, space security, energy security, climate change, pandemics, and transnational threats. It also includes hybrid warfare, information warfare, and the role of non-state actors. On the other hand this unit requires candidates to stay updated with current affairs and contemporary strategic debates.
Conclusion
The UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies examination is a rigorous and intellectually demanding test that requires a strong foundation in strategic theory, military history, national security, and international relations. With its comprehensive syllabus and analytical focus, the exam prepares candidates for academic, research, and policy-oriented careers in defence and security studies.
To conclude a clear understanding of the exam pattern, eligibility criteria, and detailed syllabus is essential for effective preparation. By adopting a disciplined study approach, integrating current affairs with theoretical concepts, and practicing previous year questions, aspirants can significantly enhance their chances of success in the UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies exam.
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