The University Grants Commission (UGC) expanded the subject list for the National Eligibility Test (NET) by adding Statistics and Forestry, effective from the June 2026 session.
The move gives candidates more academic options for the exam, which determines eligibility for Assistant Professor posts and Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) in universities and colleges across India. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET twice a year, in June and December.
Statistics joins the existing list of NET subjects, offering opportunities for students and researchers in data analysis, mathematics, and related disciplines. The syllabus for Statistics is available on the official UGC NET website. The UGC stated that this inclusion aligns the exam with evolving academic and research needs in higher education.
Forestry also becomes a new NET subject from the June 2026 cycle. The syllabus, now accessible online, focuses on forest science, management, ecology, and environmental studies. The UGC said the addition supports teaching and research in sustainable development and conservation.
