The UGC NET Physical Education Paper 2 (subject code 047) held on 7 January 2026 in the Evening shift had 100 questions. This analysis is based on the official NTA question paper and the NTA answer key. NTA dropped no questions from this paper.
To see what was new, each question was placed in one unit and one sub-unit of the official syllabus, and the result was compared with three earlier Evening-shift papers: December 2023, September 2024 and June 2025.
Unit-wise breakdown
With 10 units and 100 questions, an equal share would be 10 questions per unit. NTA does not publish official unit weights, so the table and chart compare each unit with that equal share. The comparison with earlier papers comes in the key findings below.
| Unit | Jan 2026 | Equal share (10) | Difference (+/−) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Foundations of Physical Education | 10 | 10 | ±0 |
| 2. Exercise Physiology | 18 | 10 | +8 |
| 3. Kinesiology and Biomechanics | 12 | 10 | +2 |
| 4. Sports Psychology and Sociology | 9 | 10 | −1 |
| 5. Development of Teacher Education for PE | 4 | 10 | −6 |
| 6. Health Education | 9 | 10 | −1 |
| 7. Sports Training | 7 | 10 | −3 |
| 8. Research and Statistics | 14 | 10 | +4 |
| 9. Test, Measurement and Evaluation | 11 | 10 | +1 |
| 10. Sports Management | 6 | 10 | −4 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Key findings
1. Exercise Physiology jumped to 18 questions
Exercise Physiology had 18 questions, the most of any unit. That is 8 more than the equal share of 10, and almost double its average of 9.3 in the other 3 papers (9, 10 and 9). Five of the 18 came from one reading passage on the recovery process. Even without that passage, the unit still had 13 questions.
2. Test and Measurement, and Psychology, were below their average
Test, Measurement and Evaluation had 11 questions. That is 1 more than the equal share of 10, but 5 fewer than its average of 16 in the other 3 papers (17 in December 2023, 20 in September 2024 and 11 in June 2025).
Sports Psychology and Sociology had 9 questions: 1 fewer than the equal share of 10, and 4 fewer than its average of 13 in the other 3 papers (10, 13 and 16).
Kinesiology and Biomechanics had 12: 2 more than the equal share of 10, and 3 more than its average of 9.0 in the other 3 papers. Teacher Education was again the smallest unit, with 4 questions. That is 6 fewer than the equal share of 10, but close to its average of 3.7 in the other 3 papers, so this unit is usually small.
3. Assertion–Reason appeared for the first time
This was the first of the four papers with Assertion–Reason questions: 10 of them. Multiple-select questions fell to 10, from 25, 20 and 20 in the other 3 papers.
| Question type | Jan 2026 | Dec 2023 | Sep 2024 | Jun 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct MCQ (four options) | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Match List I with List II | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 |
| Sequence / correct order | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 |
| Multiple-select (choose from A–E) | 10 | 25 | 20 | 20 |
| Assertion (A) – Reason (R) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Passage-based (2 passages × 5) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Statement I / Statement II | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Two things stayed steady in all four papers: exactly 40 direct MCQs, and one block of 10 passage-based questions. In January 2026 the two passages were on data and the normal probability curve (Research and Statistics) and on the recovery process (Exercise Physiology).
4. The paper was spread wide
52 of the 98 sub-units were asked, and 28 of those only once. No sub-unit had more than 6 questions. Every unit had at least one question.
Most-asked sub-units
| Sub-unit | Unit | Jan 2026 | All 4 papers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data, normal probability curve and grading scales | Research and Statistics | 6 | 10 |
| Recovery process: fatigue, energy restoration, recovery oxygen | Exercise Physiology | 6 | 7 |
| Communicable diseases | Health Education | 5 | 11 |
| Test, measurement and evaluation: types, principles | Test, Measurement and Evaluation | 4 | 21 |
| Management: principles and theories | Sports Management | 4 | 14 |
| Strength: types, factors, development | Sports Training | 4 | 11 |
| Muscle: structure, sliding filament theory, fibre types | Exercise Physiology | 4 | 9 |
| Motivation in sports: types and theories | Sports Psychology and Sociology | 4 | 5 |
The top two each include one 5-question passage set. Note the last column: the basics of test, measurement and evaluation have appeared 21 times across the four papers, more than any other sub-unit in this list.
These are good topics to revise first. You can practise PE Paper 2 PYQs on these units on StudyPE AI Coach.
What it means for the next exam
One paper is not a fixed pattern. Use these results to set priorities, not to skip units.
Study priorities
- Give Exercise Physiology more time. Revise recovery and fatigue, muscle structure and fibre types, and neuromuscular control.
- Do not drop Test, Measurement and Evaluation. Its 11 questions were 1 more than the equal share of 10 but 5 fewer than its average of 16 in the other 3 papers, where it had as many as 17 and 20. Its basic sub-unit (types and principles of evaluation) appeared 21 times across the four papers.
- Keep Research and Statistics strong. It had 14 questions this time: 4 more than the equal share of 10, and close to its average of 12.7 in the other 3 papers (14, 15 and 9). 6 of the 14 were on data and the normal probability curve.
- Cover every unit. With 52 sub-units asked, wide reading pays more than deep reading of a few topics.
Short preparation tips
- Practise Assertion–Reason questions: first check each statement on its own, then decide whether R explains A.
- Practise reading passages with a timer. Every paper so far has had ten passage-based questions.
- For match and sequence questions, make small tables and order lists in your notes.
- Plan your weekly revision with the 60-day revision plan for UGC NET Physical Education.
A note on the data
Unit/topic classification by StudyPE; a borderline question may fit a neighbouring unit. NTA does not label questions by unit. The comparison uses the four Physical Education Paper 2 papers in StudyPE’s past-paper bank, all from the Evening shift.
Summary
- 100 questions, none dropped. Exercise Physiology had 18: 8 more than the equal share of 10, and almost double its average of 9.3 in the other 3 papers.
- Test, Measurement and Evaluation (11) and Psychology (9) were below their averages in the other 3 papers (16 and 13). Against the equal share of 10, they were +1 and −1.
- Assertion–Reason questions appeared for the first time (10); multiple-select fell to 10, from 20–25 in the other 3 papers.
- Direct MCQs (40) and the passage block (10) were the same as in every earlier paper.
- Revise widely, give Exercise Physiology extra time, and keep practising new question formats.
FAQs
Which unit had the most questions on 7 January 2026? Exercise Physiology, with 18 questions.
Did NTA drop any questions from this paper? No. All 100 questions were counted.
Were Assertion–Reason questions asked before? Not in the three earlier papers compared here (December 2023, September 2024 and June 2025).
Practise these topics
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