June 2024 UGC NET English (Cancelled) – Detailed Paper Analysis

Nerd's Table
Apr 19
3 min read

Updated: May 13

The June 2024 UGC NET English exam (now cancelled) offered a deep insight into the evolving trend of literary and theoretical questions. With its balanced distribution across British, American, Indian, World Literature, and Literary Theory, this paper was designed to test both traditional content knowledge and emerging areas in literary criticism and cultural studies.

Below is a section-wise analysis based on the number and type of questions asked:

British Literature – 22 Questions

British Literature continued to hold the largest weightage in the paper. A wide spectrum of authors, genres, and movements were covered.

1 question was asked specifically on Black British Literature, reflecting the paper’s attention to inclusivity and decolonial narratives.
The rest ranged from canonical writers to modern dramatists and novelists.
Types of questions: Chronology, Match the Following, Assertion-Reason, and MCQs on authors and texts.

Trend Insight: Black British texts are gaining prominence. Candidates should be aware of writers like Andrea Levy, Zadie Smith, and Bernardine Evaristo.

Indian Writing in English – 16 Questions

This section witnessed a shift towards theory and indigenous criticism.

3 questions were rooted in Indian Literary Criticism, Cultural Theory, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
4 questions focused on Dalit Literature, indicating the exam's increasing engagement with marginalized voices.

Trend Insight: Expect more questions from Bama, Omprakash Valmiki, Namdeo Dhasal, and Sharan Kumar Limbale. Indian theorists like G.N. Devy and Bhalchandra Nemade are also being recognized.

American Literature – 5 Questions

Although fewer in number, 2 questions were directly based on African-American Literature.

These included themes of racial identity, resistance, and Black feminism.

Trend Insight: Core texts from writers like Toni Morrison, Langston Hughes, and Ralph Ellison remain key. Keep an eye on Harlem Renaissance and Black feminist criticism.

World Literature and Diaspora – 7 Questions

This section broadened the global canvas with attention to indigenous and migrant narratives.

2 questions were based on Australian Aboriginal Literature.
1 question emerged from African Literature.
Diasporic themes and transnational identity were indirectly addressed.

Trend Insight: Writers such as Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Jack Davis (Australia), and Chinua Achebe (Africa) should not be overlooked. Diasporic literature continues to be tested from postcolonial angles.

Literary Criticism, Theory, and Culture – 25 Questions

This was the most significant section in terms of volume and depth.

Questions ranged from Classical Criticism to Postmodernism, Poststructuralism, and Cultural Studies.
1 question was focused on Feminist Magazines, showcasing how popular culture intersects with literary theory.

Trend Insight: Feminist theory, Marxism, Deconstruction, and Postcolonialism remain foundational. Critical theorists like Spivak, Butler, Said, and Derrida should be studied in depth.

Language and Linguistics – 7 Questions

This section leaned into both structural and sociolinguistic frameworks.

1 question was based on Langue and Parole (Saussurean concepts).
1 question examined Creole-based works, pointing to postcolonial linguistics and identity.

Trend Insight: Core topics like Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, and Language Varieties are important. Sociolinguistic themes like Pidgins, Creoles, and Code-Switching are now regularly featured.

Research Aptitude – 8 Questions

This section emphasized academic referencing and formatting standards.

3 questions focused on MLA and APA formats (latest editions).
Topics included citation style, annotated bibliography, and referencing techniques.

Trend Insight: Candidates should be well-versed in the MLA 9th edition and APA 7th edition. Formatting, citation, and referencing are now essential components of research aptitude.

Summary of Section-Wise Weightage:

Section	No. of Questions
British Literature	22
Indian Writing in English	16
American Literature	5
World Literature & Diaspora	7
Literary Criticism & Theory	25
Language and Linguistics	7
Research Aptitude	8
Reading Comprehension	10

Key Takeaways for Future UGC NET English Aspirants:

Don't underestimate emerging areas like Dalit Literature, Black Literature, and Indigenous Criticism.
Theory matters more than ever — from Feminism to Cultural Studies, be thorough with keywords, movements, and theorists.
Global and Postcolonial frameworks are increasingly integrated into questions — prepare writers beyond the Western canon.
Be exam-smart — understand how questions are framed: chronology, match the following, assertion-reason, and application-based comprehension.