Updated NTA UGC NET Syllabus for Comparative Study of Religions

UPDATED NTA UGC NET SYLLABUS FOR COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RELIGIONS

SUBJECT CODE – 62

(w.e.f. June 2019)

The UGC has revised the pattern and scheme of exam from December 2018. The pattern of exam has been changed from 3 papers (Paper I, II & III) to 2 papers (Paper I & II). Now, there are 50 MCQs in Paper 1 and 100 MCQs in Paper 2. Each question carries 2 marks without any NEGATIVE marking for wrong answer.

According to NEW SYLLABUS (June 2019 onwards) and new pattern (since Dec 2018), the exam would be Online Mode.

The UGC NET exam would be computer based like bank PO, SSC exam. the Paper 2 will have 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with each question carrying two (2) marks i.e. 200 marks in total. The objective type questions will include multiple choices, matching type, true/false and assertion-reasoning type etc.

The New Syllabus of Comparative Study of Religions for UGC NET Exam June 2019 onward will be as follows:

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 RELIGIOUOS 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 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.
Religious Authority: Tradition, magician, diviner, scripture, seer, saint, reformer, founder, prophet

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 Purana-s
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 Arhitecture
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 condition 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 Malki Imam Hanbal)
Some important Muslim thinkers: Ali ibn e Hazam, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, ibn-e-Taimiyah and Shah Waliullah
Development of Sufism, some important Sufi order’s (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.