UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025: Download PDF Now!

The UGC NET International and Area Studies syllabus encompasses ten main units, each comprising several sub-units. It is highly recommended for candidates to thoroughly read through the entire UGC NET International and Area Studies syllabus not just once, but preferably two or three times. This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the topics and sub-topics that need to be covered. By familiarizing themselves with the complete UGC NET syllabus for International and Area Studies, candidates can make informed decisions about the most suitable books and study materials to aid their preparation. It is essential to delve into each of the ten units mentioned in the UGC NET International and Area Studies syllabus, studying them in detail, as this will significantly contribute to meeting the cutoff and achieving success to cover the UGC NET International and Area Studies syllabus.

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UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus Highlights

Before delving into the details of UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus, let us quickly go through the paper pattern and key points about the exam below:

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UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

The UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025 provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to studying the environment. Below are the units of UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025:

• International and Area Studies
• Evolution of International Relations and Area Studies
• Contemporary World Order
• Conflict, Security and Peace
• International Organisations and Global Governance
• India's Foreign Policy
• South Asia and Indo
• Central Asia, West Asia and Africa
• Europe and Erstwhile Soviet Union/Russia
• The Americas

Now, let us go through unit-wise UGC NET International and Area Studies syllabus topics in detail below:

Unit 1: International and Area Studies: Concepts, Theories and Approaches

• Major concepts, scope and nature of International Relations and Area Studies
• Theories: Realist, Liberal, Marxist and Critical Theories of IR and Area Studies
• Approaches: Western and Non-Western
• Power Politics: Balance of Power, Geopolitics, Bipolarity, Unipolarity, Multipolarity and Polycentrism
• State and Non-State Actors in IR and Area Studies

Above are the topics of Unit 1 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Unit 2: Evolution of International Relations and Area Studies

• Emergence of nation-states and nationalism
• Pre-World War I International System
• Inter-War Period
• Post-World War II Period (Cold War)
• Decolonisation, Global South and International Politics
• Post-Cold War International Relations
• Impact of Globalisation

Above are the topics covered in Unit 2 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Unit 3: Contemporary World Order

• Changing Patterns of World Order: Unipolarity, Bipolarity, Multipolarity and Polycentrism
• Role of Major Powers: US, Russia, China, Japan, India and EU
• Globality, Globalism and Globalisation
• Democratisation and the World Order
• Science, Technology and Global Order

Above are the topics in Unit 3 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Unit 4: Conflict, Security and Peace: National and International

• Concepts, components and models of National and International Security
• Evolution of Strategic Thoughts: Kautilya, Sun Tzu, Machiavelli, Antonio Jomini, Carl von Clausewitz, H. Mackinder, A.T. Mahan, G. Douhet, William Mitchell, Alexander de Seversky, H. Kissinger
• Evolution of Strategic Doctrines: Massive Retaliation, Deterrence, Flexible Response, Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI), NMD
• Evolution of India’s Security Policies and Nuclear and Maritime Doctrines
• New Modes of Warfare: Conventional, Low Intensity Conflicts, Information and Communication warfare, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare, Revolution in Military Affairs
• Non-Traditional Security Threats: Food and Health Security, Energy Security, Environmental Security, Gender Security, Human Security, Cyber Security and Terrorism
• Conflict Resolution and Peace, Arms Control and Disarmament.

Above are the topics covered in Unit 4 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Unit 5: International Organisations and Global Governance

• Role of International Organisations in International Peace and Security, Development cooperation and Democratisation
• United Nations: Role, Relevance, and Reforms
• Global Governance: Issues and Challenges of global commons
• Regional and Sub-regional Organisations
• Impact of Globalisation.
• International Law as an instrument of global governance

Above are the topics in Unit 5 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Unit 6: India’s Foreign Policy

• Evolution of Objectives and Principles of India’s Foreign Policy
• India’s Relations with Neighbourhood and Extended Neighbourhood
• India and Major Powers: US, Russia, China, Japan, and EU
• India’s Look East and Act East Policy
• India’s Engagement with International and Regional Organisations
• Role of India’s Soft Power in its Foreign Policy

Above are the topics of Unit 6 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Unit 7: South Asia and Indo-Pacific Region

• Geopolitical and Geostrategic setting
• Colonialism, nationalism and independence movements
• Nation building, state building and challenges to democratization
• Post-Independence developments: Political Regimes
• Internal and External Threats to State Security and Human Security
• Regional Territorial and Maritime Issues, Role of Extra-regional Powers.
• Regional Trade, Development Cooperation and Strategic Partnership: IORA, SAARC, ASEAN, ARF, APEC, BIMSTEC, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation etc.
• Impact of Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation (LPG)

Above are the topics of Unit 7 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Unit 8: Central Asia, West Asia and Africa

• Geopolitical and Geostrategic setting
• Colonialism, nationalism and independence movements
• Nation building, state building and challenges to democratization
• Post-Independence developments: Political Regimes I
• nternal and External Threats to State Security and Human Security
• Regional conflicts and issues and role of extra-regional powers
• Regional Trade, Development Cooperation and Strategic Partnership
• Impact of Globalisation

Above are the topics in Unit 8 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Unit 9: Europe and Erstwhile Soviet Union/Russia

• Geopolitical and Geostrategic setting
• Nationalism, Industrial Revolution and State building
• Europe between two World Wars
• Alliances and Accords in Europe: NATO, WARSAW PACT, Helsinki Accord, EU etc.
• Internal and External Threats to State Security and Human Security, Migration refugees and Ethnic Problems
• Trade, Development cooperation and Strategic Partnerships
• Role of US in Europe
• Impact of Globalisation

Above are the topics covered in Unit 9 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Unit 10: The Americas

• Geopolitical and Geostrategic setting.
• Colonialism, Nationalism and Independence Movements.
• Nation building, state building and challenges to democratization.
• Internal and External Threats to State Security and Human Security.
• Regional conflicts and Issues: Role of US and Extra-regional Powers.
• Regional trade, development cooperation and strategic partnership.
• Globalisation and its impact.

Above are the topics in Unit 10 for UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus 2025

Also Read: UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus 

UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus - Important Topics

Understanding the UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus is crucial for candidates preparing for this competitive examination. To help you focus your study efforts effectively, we have compiled a list of important topics within the UGC NET International and Area Studies syllabus. Here are some key areas to concentrate on:

• Globalization and Its Implications
• International Relations Theory
• International Organizations and Institutions
• Foreign Policy Analysis
• International Political Economy
• Global Governance and Security
• Comparative Politics
• Regional Studies
• Gender and Global Politics
• Migration and Refugee Studies
• Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies
• Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention
• Environmental Politics and Sustainability
• Postcolonial Studies
• Cultural Studies and Identity Politics

Also Read: UGC NET Important Topics

UGC NET International and Area Studies Exam Pattern 2025

There are two papers in the UGC NET International Relations examination:

• Paper I- General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude
• Paper II- International and Area Studies

The questions in Paper II will be asked in English or Hindi, as opted by the candidates while applying. Only multiple-choice questions will be asked. The examination will be conducted in the Computer Based Test mode. Here is the exam pattern for the respective UGC NET International and Area Studies syllabus:

Best Books to Prepare UGC NET International and Area Studies Syllabus

The books are an essential part of the preparation, as they enhance the performance of the candidates in all ways. The best UGC NET International and Area Studiess books will give the candidates the insights about all the necessary concepts related to the subject and thus reinforce their self-confidence. Some of the UGC NET International and Area Studiess books’ will also help the candidates for practicing the model questions that are designed as per the latest UGC NET International and Area Studiess syllabus.