UGC NET 2026 • Subject Code 66

UGC NET Archaeology Syllabus 2026

Your complete guide to all 10 units of Paper 2 — from prehistory and excavation methods to epigraphy, numismatics and archaeological research, with exam pattern, marking scheme and the best books to prepare smartly.

Archaeology as a UGC NET subject explores how human history is reconstructed through material remains — tools, pottery, coins, inscriptions and monuments. The syllabus spans the earliest Stone Age cultures right up to structured research methodology, so a clear roadmap of every unit helps you study in the right sequence. Below you will find each of the 10 units broken into easy-to-scan topics, followed by the exam pattern, high-yield areas, recommended books and a practical strategy to score well.

Particular Details
Exam UGC NET (NTA)
Subject Archaeology (Code 66)
Total Units 10 Units
Papers Paper 1 (General) + Paper 2 (Archaeology)
Purpose Assistant Professor & JRF

UGC NET Archaeology Exam Pattern 2026

The exam has two papers held in a single sitting. Both are objective (MCQ) and there is no negative marking, so attempting every question is always to your advantage.

Paper Questions Marks
Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) 50 100
Paper 2 (Archaeology) 100 200
Total 150 300

Key points: Each correct answer earns +2 marks. There is no negative marking. Paper 1 is common to all subjects, while Paper 2 tests Archaeology only. Both papers are attempted in one 3-hour session.

Paper 2: Archaeology Syllabus — All 10 Units

Here is the full unit-wise breakdown of the UGC NET Archaeology syllabus. Study them roughly in order, as later periods build on the foundations of earlier ones.

Unit 1 • Introduction to Archaeology

Foundations, ethics, data recovery and the science of dating the past.

  • Definition, aims, scope and ethics of archaeology; history and growth of the discipline in India and the world
  • Relationship of archaeology with the social and natural sciences; types and nature of archaeological data
  • Data retrieval — exploration and excavation methods, subsurface investigation using remote sensing and resistivity surveys, recording and documentation
  • Artefact analysis: categorization, classification and characterization; Traditional, Processual and Post-Processual approaches
  • Conservation and preservation of remains and sites; antiquarian laws; preparing archaeological reports
  • Dating methods — relative dating (stratigraphy, typology, fluorine test) and chronometric dating (C14, K/Ar, TL/OSL, dendrochronology)

Unit 2 • Introduction to Prehistory

Human origins, the geological time scale and the earliest stone tool traditions.

  • Geological, biological and cultural dimensions of early humans; the geological time scale and Plio-Pleistocene boundary
  • Pleistocene environments, climatic changes and Marine Isotopic Stages (MIS); Pleistocene flora and fauna
  • Main stages of human evolution — Australopiths, Homo species and hypotheses on modern human dispersal
  • Evolution of lithic technology: Oldowan, Acheulian and flake-and-blade based industries
  • Palaeolithic developments in Africa, Europe, West Asia, China and South-East Asia
  • Prehistoric art — its antiquity, significance and distribution

Unit 3 • Palaeolithic Cultures of the Indian Subcontinent

How the Lower, Middle and Upper Palaeolithic unfolded across India.

  • Geo-chronology and key Stone Age regions — Sohan Valley, Belan and Son valleys, Didwana, Attirampakkam and Jwalapuram
  • Lower Palaeolithic: tool types, the Sohan industry and the spread of the Acheulian into major river valleys
  • Middle Palaeolithic culture, geographic spread, and the prepared-core (Levallois) technique
  • Upper Palaeolithic culture: blade and bone tools, technology and major sites
  • Prehistoric art in the Indian context — antiquity, significance and distribution

Unit 4 • Mesolithic and Neolithic Cultures

The shift from hunting-gathering to early food production.

  • Mesolithic in Europe and Epi-Palaeolithic developments in West Asia; beginnings of food production
  • Indian Mesolithic: microlithic technology, regional tool variations and ecological adaptation across plains, lakes, coasts and rock-shelters
  • Neolithic of the subcontinent — early farming at Mehrgarh and Kili-Gul-Muhammad; Kashmir Neolithic
  • Central Ganga and Vindhyan Neolithic (Koldihwa, Mahagara, Lahuradewa) and Eastern/North-Eastern sites
  • Southern Neolithic and ash-mound sites — Sanganakallu, Piklihal, Utnur, Tekkalakota, Hallur, Nagarjunakonda

Unit 5 • Proto-History

The rise, spread and decline of the Harappan civilisation and other Chalcolithic cultures.

  • Formative stages of the Harappan culture and pre/early Harappan regional developments
  • Mature (Urban) Harappan: town planning, architecture, craft, trade, script and religious beliefs
  • Important sites — Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Kalibangan, Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Banawali, Surkotada
  • Regional variation (Sorath vs Sindhi/Classical Harappan) and the causes and theories of decline
  • Post-Urban and Late Harappan phases across Sindh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Western UP
  • Other Chalcolithic cultures — OCP and Copper Hoards, Ahar-Banas, Kayatha, Malwa and Jorwe

Unit 6 • The Iron Age

Iron technology, new pottery cultures and the rise of early historic cities.

  • Antiquity of iron in India and early Iron Age evidence from Malhar, Raja Nal-ka-tila, Hallur and Kodumanal
  • Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture — extent, chronology and characteristic traits
  • Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) culture — extent, chronology and traits
  • Megalithic culture of peninsular India: typology, chronology and authors
  • Second urbanisation — expansion of trade, trade routes and maritime contacts
  • Major city and historical sites — Taxila, Ujjain, Vaishali, Mathura, Arikamedu, Kodumanal, Pattanam

Unit 7 • Architecture, Art and Iconography

Stupas, rock-cut caves, temples and the great schools of sculpture.

  • Stupa architecture — structural stupas of North and South India, origin and development
  • Rock-cut architecture — Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jain traditions
  • Temple architecture — Nagara, Dravida, Vesara and Bhumija styles; Gupta, Chalukya, Pallava, Chola and Khajuraho temples
  • Sculptural art in stone and bronze — Mauryan, Mathura and Gandhara, Sarnath, Pala, Chola and Hoysala schools
  • Iconography of major deities — Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Surya, Shakti, Buddha, Bodhisattva and Tirthankaras
  • Terracotta art and cave paintings of Ajanta, Bagh and Sittanavasal

Unit 8 • Palaeography and Epigraphy

Reading the past through scripts and inscriptions.

  • Epigraphy as a source of Indian history; origin and antiquity of writing in India
  • Origin and development of the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts and the theories about them
  • Study of Ashokan edicts — major and minor rock edicts and the Lumbini inscription
  • Key inscriptions — Hathigumpha, Junagadh (Rudradaman), Allahabad Pillar (Samudragupta) and Aihole (Pulakeshin II)
  • Copper-plate charters — Khalimpur, Sanjan and Chola grants as historical records

Unit 9 • Numismatics

Coins as windows into economy, polity and chronology.

  • Coins as an important source of history; origin and antiquity of coinage in ancient India
  • Techniques of manufacturing coins in silver, copper, gold and alloys
  • Punch-marked coins and inscribed/un-inscribed cast coins
  • Janapada and tribal coins, Indo-Greek, Saka-Kshatrapa, Kushana and Satavahana coinage
  • Gupta dynasty coins, Roman coins in India and a brief account of early medieval coinage

Unit 10 • Methodology of Archaeological Research

Turning fieldwork into rigorous, ethical scholarship.

  • Role, characteristics and ethics of research; various methods of research
  • Case studies and field investigations; hypothesis formulation and research design
  • Data collection and processing — primary and secondary sources
  • Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in archaeological research
  • Systematic referencing and the presentation of data and results

High-Yield Topics for Archaeology

These recurring areas tend to carry good weight in previous papers — prioritise them in revision:

Prehistoric & Protohistoric ArchaeologyIndus Valley CivilizationDating MethodsEpigraphy & NumismaticsTemple ArchitectureArchaeological Sites of IndiaConservation & HeritageEthnoarchaeologyRock Art & PetroglyphsResearch Methodology

Best Books for UGC NET Archaeology

  • The Archaeology of India and prehistory texts by D. K. Bhattacharya
  • Prehistory and Protohistory of India by V. D. Misra / H. D. Sankalia
  • Indian Archaeology: A Review (ASI) for site reports and updates
  • The Wonder That Was India by A. L. Basham for cultural context
  • Indian Epigraphy by D. C. Sircar for inscriptions
  • The Coinage of Ancient India / numismatics references by P. L. Gupta
  • Standard UGC NET Paper 2 Archaeology guides and previous-year papers for practice

Smart Preparation Strategy

  • Study the units in chronological order — prehistory first, then protohistory, iron age and historic period, so concepts connect naturally.
  • Make a one-page chart of major sites with their period, region and key finds — this alone answers many questions.
  • Master dating methods and pottery cultures (PGW, NBPW, OCP) since they appear almost every year.
  • Revise architecture and iconography with images; visual memory helps in the exam.
  • Solve at least 8–10 years of previous papers and take regular mock tests to fix weak areas.
  • Do not ignore Paper 1 — it contributes a full 100 marks to your total score.