UGC NET Comparative Study of Religions Syllabus 2026 PDF Download (Hindi & English)

UGC Comparative Study of Religions Syllabus- Overview

This article offers a complete breakdown of the Comparative Study of Religions syllabus for the UGC NET exam. Candidates can explore the detailed, topic-wise curriculum below. The UGC National Eligibility Test consists of two papers, the structure of which is outlined in the following table:

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NET Comparative Study of Religions Syllabus: Important Topics

We have curated an overview of essential topics for the Comparative Study of Religions to support your UGC NET preparation. Key areas of study include the Introduction to the Study of Religion, early religious expressions, modern trends in religious discourse, and critical analyses of various religious traditions. Utilize these insights to build a structured study plan.

• Religion: Meaning, Definition, Nature, and Scope
• Early forms of Religious Expression: Mana, Magic, Fetishes, Shamans, Totem, Taboo, and Ancestor worship.
• Approaches to the Study of Religion: Anthropological, Sociological,
• Phenomenological, Psychological, Historical, and Experiential.
• Nature of Vedic Religion and Culture
• Sramana Culture and Tirthankara Tradition (Rsabhadeva to Mahavira)
• Background, Life and Teaching of Gautama Buddha
• Origin and Development: Creation, the Call of Abraham, the Call of Moses, the Exodus, the Covenant on Mount Sinai
  The Life and Message of Jesus Christ
• The social, religious conditions of Arabia before the advent of Islam
• Socio-religious milieu and life and mission of Guru Nanak

NET Comparative Study of Religions Topic-wise Syllabus for Paper 2

Paper 2 of the UGC NET focuses on the specialized subject of the Comparative Study of Religions. The 2026 topic-wise syllabus provided here clarifies the scope and expected depth of knowledge required to excel in the upcoming examination.

Unit I: Study of Religion

• Religion: meaning, definition, nature, and scope
• Theories: origin of religion
• Study of religion: aims and objectives
• Dimensions of religion: doctrinal, social, moral code of conduct, devotional praxis
• Religion’s relationship with other disciplines: theology, ethics, philosophy, sociology, psychology, culture, and arts

Unit II: Pre-historical Religious Forms

• Early forms of religious expression: mana, magic, fetishes, shamans, totem, taboo, ancestor worship
• Nature of holy: animism, naturism, theism, polytheism, henotheism, deism, monotheism, pantheism, and panentheism
• Task and objectives: myths, rituals, rites of passage, sacraments, prayers, festivals, sacrifices
• Religion of the major civilizations: Indus Valley, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese
• Meaning and nature: syncretism, mysticism, schism, sect, etc.
• Zoroastrianism: beliefs and practices

Unit III: Modern Trends in the Study of Religion

• Approaches to the study of religion: anthropological, sociological, phenomenological, psychological, historical, and experiential
• Challenges to religion: atheism, agnosticism, existentialism, humanism, Marxism, rationalism, materialism, secularism, relativism, globalization, clash of civilizations
• Modern trends in the study of religion: holistic or all-inclusive approach, interfaith understanding and dialogue, co-existence, human rights, empowerment of the subaltern or social justice, gender equality, ecology and environment, world peace and harmony
• University Grants Commission NET Bureau Syllabus
• Religious authority: tradition, magician, diviner, scripture, seer, saint, reformer, founder, prophet

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Unit IV: Hinduism

• Nature of Vedic religion and culture
• Vedic literature – Samhita-s, Aranyak-s, Upanisad-s
• Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Tantraism, etc.
• Six systems of Hindu philosophy – Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta
• Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata) and Puranas
• Bhakti and reform movements of the medieval period
• Modern reform movements (Brahmosamaja, Aryasamaja, Ramakrishna Mission, etc.)

Unit V: Jainism

• Sramana culture and Tirthankara tradition (Rsabhadeva to Mahavira)
• Main sects of Jainism – Digambara and Svethambara
• Prakrit Agama literature and prominent Acaryas
• Basic doctrines, principles, and philosophy
• Contribution to arts and architecture
• Social aspects of Jainism
• Contemporary developments of Jainism
• Jain pilgrimage and Jain festivals

Unit VI: Buddhism

• Background, life and teaching of Gautama Buddha
• Pali Tipitaka literature and Mahayana Sutra-s
• Main sects – Hinayana, Mahayana, etc.
• Basic doctrines, principles, and philosophy
• Contribution to arts and architecture
• Expansion of Buddhism outside India
• Social aspects and revival of Buddhism

Unit VII: Judaism

• Origin and development: creation, the call of Abraham, the call of Moses, the Exodus, the covenant on Mount Sinai
• Hebrew scripture: Pentateuch (Torah), prophets (Nibium), writings (Ketubium)
• Jewish beliefs: Ten Commandments, Talmud, Midrash, Passover, Messiah, etc.
• Jewish celebration: Sabbath, synagogue assembly, Passover, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Tabernacles
• Jewish ethics: covenant consciousness, Mosaic Laws, Jubilee stipulations, marriage and family
• Importance of Jerusalem
• Major denomination of Judaism

Unit VIII: Christianity

• The life and message of Jesus Christ
• The beginning of Christianity and the Sermon on the Mount
• Old Testament and New Testament scriptures
• Main Christian churches (Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant)
• Important beliefs and teachings of Christianity
• Christian life: worship, rituals, and mysticism
• History of Christianity in India
• Contemporary trends in Christian theology

Unit IX: Islam

• The social, religious conditions of Arabia before the advent of Islam
• Life of the Prophet Mohammad and the basic teachings of the Quran, the establishment of the Islamic community, and the Madina state
• Introduction of Hadith and Fiqh, and some important Muhaddith (Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim) and Faqi (Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi, Imam Malik Imam Hanbal)
• Some important Muslim thinkers: Ali ibn e Hazam, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, ibn-eTaimiyah and Shah Waliullah
  Development of Sufism, some important Sufi orders (Chishtiyah, Qadriayah, Suharwardiyah, Naqsbandiyah, and their impact on society
• Challenges of modernity and the reform movements among Muslim in India
• Origin and development of sects: ithna Ashari, Mutazilites and Asharits
• The contribution of Medieval Islam to Rational sciences, philosophy and fine arts

Unit X: Sikhism

• Socio-religious milieu and life and mission of Guru Nanak
• Development of the Sikh Panth (1539-1708)
• The Sikh scripture (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and the Sikh literature
• The Sikh beliefs and the code of conduct
• The Sikh institutions, ceremonies and festivals
• The Sikh sects and modern socio-religious movements
• The Sikh diaspora and modern issues

UGC Comparative Study of Religions Syllabus PDF in Hindi and English

Access the direct download link for the UGC NET Comparative Study of Religions syllabus in both Hindi and English below. We ensure you have the most updated PDF version to align your preparation with the official exam standards.

NTA NET Comparative Study of Religions  Preparation Tips

Mastering the UGC NET Comparative Study of Religions requires a strategic approach. We have compiled effective preparation tips to help you optimize your study routine and improve your performance during the final execution phase.

• Many candidates tend to neglect their weaker topics out of fear of not mastering them. It’s crucial to address these areas by practicing quizzes daily.
• Evaluate your preparation – Candidates should assess their progress by taking mock tests or using question banks.
  Utilize online classes and available study materials.
• Engage in daily practice with quizzes and mock tests. Regularly attempt subject-wise quizzes and mock tests available on the Result91 store.
• Follow a structured study plan with a subject-specific strategy.
• Avoid overloading yourself. Take short breaks during your study sessions.
• Utilize diagrams and charts to aid in understanding complex concepts.
• Since there is no negative marking or sectional cutoff in the NTA NET examination, focus on maximizing your score by improving accuracy and speed.