The UGC NET exam is one of the most important milestones for students and professionals aspiring to build a career in academics or research. Among all the subjects, Economics attracts thousands of candidates every year due to its scope in teaching, research, and policymaking. One of the biggest areas of curiosity for aspirants is always the cutoff marks—how high they go, how they change over time, and what that means for preparation strategies.
In this article, we’ll look at the recent cutoff trends in UGC NET Economics and break them down in a simple, insightful way.
Recent Cutoff Numbers
Here’s a quick snapshot of how the cutoffs for Economics have shaped up over the past few sessions:
June 2025
- JRF: 198 (Unreserved), 184 (OBC), 186 (EWS), 166 (SC), 162 (ST)
- Assistant Professor: 170 (Unreserved), 150 (OBC), 154 (EWS), 140 (SC), 136 (ST)
December 2024
- JRF: 206 (Unreserved), 192 (OBC), 194 (EWS)
- Assistant Professor: 180 (Unreserved), 162 (OBC), 166 (EWS)
June 2024
- JRF: 210 (Unreserved), 198 (OBC)
- Assistant Professor: 182 (Unreserved), 160 (OBC)
What Do These Trends Show?
Cutoffs Are Gradually Declining
If we compare June 2024 with June 2025, there’s a visible dip in the JRF cutoff for the unreserved category—from 210 to 198. Similar declines appear across other categories. This may reflect shifts in exam difficulty, candidate performance, or scaling adjustments by NTA.
Category Gaps Stay Consistent
Across all sessions, the difference between Unreserved and OBC/SC/ST categories remains steady. For example, the JRF cutoff gap between Unreserved (198) and OBC (184) in June 2025 is almost the same as earlier years.
December Sessions Are Slightly Lower
Typically, December cutoffs tend to be marginally lower compared to June. For instance, Unreserved JRF cutoff was 210 in June 2024 but dropped to 206 in December 2024.
Assistant Professor Cutoffs Are More Accessible
While JRF cutoffs are highly competitive, the Assistant Professor qualifying marks are comparatively more achievable. For many aspirants, this offers an encouraging path into academia even if JRF feels out of reach.
What This Means for Aspirants
- Don’t Rely on Lowering Trends Alone: Even though recent cutoffs have dropped, competition remains intense. A few marks can make the difference between JRF and only qualifying for Assistant Professor.
- Aim Higher Than the Previous Year’s Cutoff: A smart strategy is to target at least 10–15 marks above the previous year’s JRF cutoff. This creates a safe margin in case the paper turns out easier and cutoffs shoot back up.
- Balance Both Papers: Economics is a demanding subject, but Paper 1 (General Aptitude) plays a big role in boosting your total. Consistent practice in reasoning, teaching aptitude, and comprehension can be a game-changer.
Final Thoughts
UGC NET Economics cutoffs tell us a clear story: while there’s some fluctuation over sessions, the competition remains fierce and consistent. For serious aspirants, the goal should not just be “crossing the line” but staying comfortably above it.
As we move towards the December 2025 session, keeping an eye on these trends can help you set realistic targets and fine-tune your preparation. Remember, preparation that aims higher than the cutoff will always give you an edge—whether your dream is to secure JRF or build a career as an Assistant Professor.
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