UGC NET Pali Syllabus is one of the most important preparation resources for candidates who have chosen Pali as their elective subject from the list of 83 optional papers in the UGC NET Exam. Candidates with Pali as their elective paper must carefully go through the complete UGC NET Pali Syllabus and Exam Pattern to ensure that they are well prepared for the upcoming exam. As per the official UGC NET Pali Exam Pattern, Paper I is compulsory for all candidates, whereas candidates choose Paper II as per their expertise. Candidates need to have the best understanding of the UGC NET Syllabus for Pali so that they can construct a proper study plan.

• 100 multiple-choice questions will be asked in the UGC NET Pali Paper II.
• Some of the important chapters in the UGC NET Pali syllabus are – Biography of the Buddha based on Pali sources, Pali Grammar, Introduction to Abhidhamma Literature, General Introduction to Vinayapiṭaka, General Introduction to Pāli Kāvya Literature, Buddhist Philosophical Concepts etc.
• The UGC NET Pali Syllabus will have units on Language, Literature and Grammar and therefore, candidates should be familiar with all the key literary texts of Pali as well as the key rules of language and grammar. 

The detailed unit-wise breakdown of the UGC NET Pali new syllabus (June 2019 onwards) has been discussed in the article below.

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UGC NET Pali Syllabus Highlights

Before delving into the details of UGC NET Pali Syllabus, let us quickly go through the paper pattern and key points about the exam below –

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UGC NET Pali Syllabus 2025

The UGC NET Pali syllabus has ten significant units, and there are few sub-units among these ten units. The syllabus will help them choose the best study materials and books for their preparation, which will eventually help them to score more in the examination. That is why knowing the UGC NET Pali syllabus for Paper II before the preparation is considered so important. Let us go through the unit-wise Pali syllabus for Paper II in UGC NET below –

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Download UGC NET Pali Syllabus in Hindi PDF

UGC NET Pali Syllabus – Important Topics

The following are some of the most important topics from the UGC NET Pali Paper 2 Syllabus from UGC NET Exam which will test the candidate's in-depth knowledge of Pali Buddhist texts and literature. Some of the most important topics to focus on are as follows –

• Tipiṭaka: Primary sections of the Pali Canon including Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
• Majjhima Nikaya: Important discourses from the Majjhima Nikaya including Mangala Sutta, Ratana Sutta etc.
• Dhammapada: Memorize verses and commentarial explanations from this scripture.
• Visuddhimagga: Chapters on Abhidhamma and insights from this text.
• Milindapañha: Questions posed by Menander I and Nagasena's responses.
• Pali Grammar: Thorough understanding of declensions, conjugations, sandhi principles etc.
• Tipitaka Commentaries: Explanations from Atthakatha, Tikā, Vimuttimagga.
• Lives of Buddha: Important events, disciples and teachings in Buddhacarita, Lalitavistara etc.

Also go through UGC NET Important Topics for Pali and other subjects.

UGC NET Pali Exam Pattern 2025

Candidates should know the latest UGC NET Pali exam pattern to ensure that they prepare according to the examination requirements. The UGC NET Pali exam will be conducted in the Computer Based Test mode. There are two papers in the examination –

• Paper I – General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude (compulsory for all)
• Paper II – Pali (as chosen by the candidates)

The questions in Paper II of Pali will be asked in English or Hindi, as opted by the candidates during applying. 100 multiple-choice questions will be asked, each of which will carry two marks. Below is the Paper-wise exam pattern for UGC NET Pali –

Go through the complete UGC NET Exam Pattern in detail.

Best Books to Prepare UGC NET Pali Syllabus

Preparing the syllabus with the help of expert recommended books for UGC NET Pali Paper II is the most crucial step during the preparation for the examination. You must read those books only that comply with the UGC NET Pali syllabus. Some books provide objective questions per the latest UGC NET syllabus for Pali and exam pattern. You can use these books to practice questions once you have completed reading the textbooks.

Go through this detailed list of UGC NET Paper II Books here to enhance your preparation.

Tips to Cover UGC NET Pali Syllabus

To prepare the Pali syllabus for UGC NET exam, start with reading basic Pali textbooks and learning the Pali grammar rules in detail. Practice reading simple Pali texts and translating sentences on a daily basis to gain fluency. Some key tips to enhance your preparation include –

• Make flashcards of important Pali vocabulary words and test yourself regularly.
• Learn the basic Pali verb conjugations and noun declensions by heart.
• Study summaries of important Pali scriptures and commentaries prescribed in the syllabus.
• Practice answering questions from past year papers to understand the exam pattern and test your subject knowledge.
• Join online Pali coaching classes or study groups to clear doubts and monitor your preparation.
• Maintain a notebook of difficult Pali terms and concepts to refer back to while revising.

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