UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025 & Exam Pattern: Download PDF Free

The UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025 is designed to provide candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse aspects of Indian culture. The UGC NET Indian Culture syllabus encompasses various dimensions, including art, literature, philosophy, religion, architecture, music, dance, and theatre. It aims to explore the rich heritage and traditions of India, allowing candidates to delve into the historical, social, and cultural aspects that have shaped the country's identity. By covering the UGC NET Indian Culture syllabus, candidates will gain profound knowledge of India's cultural landscape and its significance in shaping the nation's ethos. With a focus on both classical and contemporary perspectives, the UGC NET Syllabus for Indian Culture prepares candidates to critically analyze and interpret the cultural fabric of India.

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UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Below are the units of UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025:

• Meaning and Concepts of Culture
• Sources of the Study of Indian Culture
• Pre-historic and Proto-historic Cultures
• Vedic and Post-Vedic Period
• Mauryan and Post-Mauryan Period
• Gupta and Post-Gupta Period
• Early Medieval Period
• Sultanate Period
• Mughal Period
• Modern Period

UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025 in Detail

Unit 1: Meaning and Concepts of Culture

• Traditional and Modern concepts of Culture-Notions of Culture in textual tradition, anthropological, archaeological and sociological understanding of the term culture. Elements of Culture, concept of Indianness and value system. Relation between culture and civilization. Historiography and approaches to the study of Indian Culture– Stereotypes, Objectivity and Bias, Imperialist, Nationalist, Marxist and Subaltern. Heritage of India and world’s debt to Indian Culture.

Above are the topics of Unit 1 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Unit 2: Sources of the Study of Indian Culture

• Archaeological: cultural remains, Monuments, Numismatics, Epigraphy; Literary sources and Oral traditions; Foreign Accounts; Archival sources.

Above are the topics covered in Unit 2 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Unit 3: Pre-historic and Proto-historic Cultures

• Stone age cultures- palaeolithic, mesolithic and neolithic; Proto- historic cultures - chalcolithic horizon, Harappan Culture- current debates on nomenclature and scripts, Town planning and architecture, art, social, religious and economic life. Evolution of India’s main language families.

Above are the topics in Unit 3 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Unit 4: Vedic and Post-Vedic Period

• Early Vedic and later Vedic ideas and institutions: social, religious, economic, political and scientific. Post Vedic– Religious Movements and emergence of states, Shramana traditions- Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivikas and other sects. The education system and centres– Taxila and Kashi.

Above are the topics covered in Unit 4 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Unit 5: Mauryan and Post-Mauryan Period

• Ideas and Institutions: Social, Religious, Economic and Political. Ashoka’s Dhamma. Scripts- Brahmi and Kharosthi. Impact of Foreign Invasions. Art and Architecture. Literature- Arthasashtra, Manusmriti, Natyashastra, Panchatantra, Buddhacharit and Saundarananda. Scientific Achievements- Nagarjuna, Sushruta and Charaka. Education System and Centres. Sangam Age- Society and Culture. Contacts with outside world.

Above are the topics in Unit 5 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Unit 6: Gupta and Post-Gupta Period

• Ideas and Institutions: social, religious, philosophical, economic and political. Scientific Achievements- Mathematics, Astronomy, Metallurgy. Art and Architecture- evolution of Temples, Paintings of Ajanta and Bagh. Literature- Kalidasa, Banabhatta, Bharavi, Magha, Bhavabhuti, Dandi. Canonical Texts- Vishnu Dharmottara Purana. Education system and centres- Nalanda, Valabhi. Contacts with outside world.

Above are the topics of Unit 6 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Unit 7: Early Medieval Period

• Legacies of Classical ideas and emergence of new trends: Society- Proliferation of castes, outcastes, Vishti, Slavery. Position of women. Polity- feudalism. Economy- de-urbanization and agrarian system. Religion: Vedic-Puranic, Shramana tradition, Tantra, Bhakti movements. Philosophical thoughts- Shaddarshana. Philosophers- Shankara, Ramanuja. Pilgrimmage tradition. Art and Architecture- Nagara, Dravida, Bhumija, Vesara. Education system and centres- Vikramashila, Nalanda etc. Scientific achievements- Mathematics, Astronomy. Literature- Kalhana’s Rajatarangini and Al-Birunis’ Kitab- ul Hind. Contacts with Islam. Canonical texts- Samarangana- sutradhara, Manasara, Bhuvanapradeepa, Sadhanamala.

Above are the topics of Unit 7 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Unit 8: Sultanate Period

• Delhi Sultanate - Ideas and Institutions: Political- Iqta; impact of the new ruling class on society. Economic- market reforms, growth of new urban centres, percolation of Islam in rural areas, resistance and acceptance. Extent of slavery. Religion- Acharya traditions, Bhakti tradition, Kabir and Ravidas, emergence of Sufism - Chishti and Suhrawardy. Art and Architecture- emergence of Sultanate school of architecture and paintings, regional styles. Religious and secular structures. Literature - Sanskrit, Persian, Regional languages and emergence of Hindawi. Amir Khusrau, Chandabardai. Education system. Vijay Nagar Empire: Ideas and Institutions - political - Nayankara. Art and Architecture, Literature. Educational institutions.

Above are the topics in Unit 8 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Unit 9: Mughal Period

• Ideas and Institutions: Polity – Mansab and Jagir, Watan Jagir, Economy – Zamindari and Zabt. Society – Aristocracy, emergence of middle classes, labourers, Slaves. Position of Women.
• Religion and Philosophy - growth of Vaishnava Bhakti, Panthiesm and Sufi traditions. Sulh-i kul, Naqshabandis. Gurunanaka, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Meerabai, Narayanabhatta, Raghunandana. Literature- development in Sanskrit, Persian and vernacular languages- Tulasidasa, Suradasa, Abdur Rahim Khan-i-khanan, Abdul Fazl, Faizi, Badauni, Banarasidas (Ardhakathanaka). Translation of religious texts by Akbar and Dara-Shukoh. Art and Architecture– Emergence of Mughal Schools; Temples of Vrindavan– Gobinda Deva and Keshava Das Temple; Four Quarter Gardens. Introduction of new education curricullum from Akbar’s period onwards Dars-i- nizami. Religious syncretism in coinage, miniatures and structures. Science and Technology. – Introduction of mechanical devices, pindrum gearing and astrolabe; Sawai Jai Singh’s observatories. Arrival of Europeans and their impact – Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, French.

Above are the topics covered in Unit 9 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Unit 10: Modern Period

• Emergence of successor states and cultural developments: Awadh, Hyderabad, Mysore, Marathas and Rajputana. Impact of Western ideas and Indian responses: European studies of India; William Jones and Asiatic Society; Fort William College; influence of Christian missionaries. Emergence and Development of a New Education System. Indian Cultural Renaissance. Socio-Religious reform movements: Reformists- Brahama Samaja, Aligarh Movement, Ramakrishna Mission and Theosophical Society; Revivalist- Wahabi and Arya Samaj Movement. Dalit Movements; Sikh reform movements. Administrative Measures: legislation on women, education and social evils. Literature: emergence of Shahr Ashob; Urdu– Mirza Ghalib, Allama Iqbal; Hindi- Bhartendu Harishchand, Prem Chand; Bengali-Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Rabindranath Tagore, Qazi Nazrul Islam. Science and Technology: emergence of modern science and technology.

Above are the topics in Unit 10 for UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Also Read: UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus

Important Topics in UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025

Indian Culture is a rich tapestry woven with diverse traditions, history, and customs. The UGC NET Indian Culture syllabus 2025 encompasses a wide array of subjects that delve into the essence of this vibrant heritage. Aspirants preparing for the exam must have a thorough understanding of these crucial topics to ensure success. Below, we present ten essential topics from the UGC NET Indian Culture syllabus:

• Indus Valley Civilization
• Vedic Literature: Vedas and Upanishads
• Epics and Puranas: Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata
• Indian Philosophical Systems: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, etc.
• Classical Dance Forms: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and more
• Classical Music: Hindustani and Carnatic Traditions
• Indian Art and Architecture: Temples, Caves, and Monuments
• Bhakti and Sufi Movements
• Medieval Indian Literature
• Indian Folk and Tribal Traditions

Also Read: UGC NET Important Topics

UGC NET Indian Culture Exam Pattern 2025

Candidates can have a look at UGC NET Exam Pattern for the UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025. The following table shows the mark distribution and number of questions for both papers. 

Note:

• Correct Answer: 2 marks
• Incorrect Answer: 0 marks

It is crucial to understand the UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus and exam format before beginning any preparation. With the right use of the UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025, you may undoubtedly improve your score. In order to pass the UGC NET exam, interested applicants must gather all relevant information about the test and properly prepare using the curriculum posted on the official website. Download the Testbook app for additional information.