The UGC NET December 2026 registration process has started. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test to determine candidates' eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor, and PhD admission in Indian universities and colleges.
According to the official UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin, the online application process began on 8 October 2026. Candidates can submit their applications without a late fee until 28 October 2026, 11:50 pm. Those who miss the deadline can apply with an additional late fee of ₹500 until 31 October 2026.
The UGC NET December 2026 examination is scheduled from 14 December to 19 December 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Candidates should check the application form start date, last date, examination fees, eligibility criteria, syllabus, and other important details before applying.
UGC NET December 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test |
| Examination Session | December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Purpose | JRF, Assistant Professor Eligibility and PhD Admission |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Start Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Application Form Last Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Last Date with Late Fee | 31 October 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Examination Duration | 3 Hours |
| Official Website | UGC NET Official Website |
UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
Candidates preparing to apply for UGC NET December 2026 should note the following dates announced by the National Testing Agency.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Begins | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Last Date for Examination Fee Payment | 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Application with Late Fee | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Late Fee Payment | 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Application Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination City Intimation | To be announced |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Result Date | To be announced |
Candidates are advised to complete their registration and fee payment before the deadline. The examination city intimation slip, admit card, and result dates will be announced separately by the NTA.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Form: Direct Link
Candidates can complete the UGC NET December 2026 online application process through the official NTA portal.
-
Apply Online/Official Website:
UGC NET Application Portal -
Information Bulletin:
View UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin PDF -
NTA Official Website:
National Testing Agency
Candidates should read the Information Bulletin carefully before submitting the application form.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
The UGC NET December 2026 application fee varies according to the candidate's category.
| Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS | ₹600 |
| OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | ₹325 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | ₹325 |
| Third Gender | ₹325 |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) / Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | ₹325 |
The applicable service charges and GST on payment gateway transactions are payable separately.
Late Application Fee
Candidates submitting the online application during the late-fee period from 29 October to 31 October 2026 must pay an additional ₹500 late fee along with the applicable examination fee.
The last date for successful payment of the examination fee with the late fee is 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates should check the educational qualification and age limit requirements before applying for UGC NET December 2026.
Educational Qualification
Candidates who have completed a Master's degree or an equivalent examination from a university or institution recognized by the UGC can apply, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.
- General, Unreserved and General-EWS candidates must have secured at least 55% marks in their Master's degree or equivalent examination.
- OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender candidates must have secured at least 50% marks.
- Candidates pursuing their Master's degree or awaiting their final-year results may also apply provisionally, subject to the conditions specified in the official Information Bulletin.
Eligibility for Four-Year Undergraduate Degree Students
Candidates who have completed a four-year or eight-semester Bachelor's degree programme must generally have at least 75% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade.
A relaxation of 5% marks may be available to eligible candidates belonging to specified categories, as provided under the applicable UGC regulations.
Candidates pursuing the final semester or final year of a four-year undergraduate degree programme may also apply provisionally.
Candidates qualifying through a four-year undergraduate degree can be eligible for JRF and PhD admission, subject to the prescribed requirements. They are not eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor on the basis of the four-year Bachelor's degree qualification alone.
UGC NET December 2026 Age Limit
The age limit depends on the category of eligibility selected by the candidate.
For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF):
- The maximum age limit is 30 years as on 1 December 2026.
- Age relaxation of up to five years is available to eligible candidates belonging to specified categories, including OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender candidates, as well as women applicants.
- Additional relaxations may apply under the conditions specified in the official Information Bulletin.
For Assistant Professor and PhD Admission:
There is no upper age limit for appearing in UGC NET for Assistant Professor eligibility or PhD admission.
Candidates should refer to the official UGC NET Information Bulletin for complete eligibility conditions and applicable relaxations.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern
The UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The examination consists of two compulsory papers, with no break between Paper 1 and Paper 2.
| Particulars | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 50 | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 | 200 |
| Question Type | Objective-type MCQs | Objective-type MCQs |
| Main Focus | Teaching and Research Aptitude | Subject-specific Knowledge |
Marking Scheme
- Each correct answer carries 2 marks.
- There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
- No marks are awarded for unanswered questions.
Paper 1 assesses teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, reading comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness. Paper 2 evaluates the candidate's knowledge of the subject selected for the examination.
UGC NET December 2026 Syllabus
The UGC NET December 2026 syllabus varies according to the subject selected by the candidate.
Paper 1 focuses on teaching and research aptitude, while Paper 2 covers the candidate's chosen subject at the postgraduate level.
Candidates can check the available subjects, subject codes and syllabus through the following official resources.
- UGC NET Official Website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
- Information Bulletin: Download UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin
UGC NET Syllabus
View Subject-Wise SyllabusCandidates are advised to download the syllabus for their chosen subject and prepare according to the prescribed examination pattern.
How to Apply for UGC NET December 2026 Online
Eligible candidates can complete their UGC NET December 2026 application form by following these steps.
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Visit the UGC NET official website.
Step 2: Complete Online Registration
Open the UGC NET December 2026 registration link and register using your own email ID and mobile number. The application process uses the Meri Pehchaan Single Sign-On (SSO) service.
Step 3: Fill in the Application Form
Enter the required personal details, educational qualifications, category information and other details requested in the online application form.
Step 4: Upload the Required Documents
Upload the live photograph and scanned photograph and signature as instructed in the application portal. Candidates claiming disability-related benefits must upload the applicable disability or UDID certificate.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
Pay the applicable examination fee using the available payment methods, such as debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Review the details entered in the application form carefully and complete the submission process.
Step 7: Download the Confirmation Page
After successful fee payment, download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates should note that the application process is considered complete only after the required form details and fee payment have been successfully submitted.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Correction Window
The NTA has scheduled the UGC NET December 2026 application correction window from 2 November to 4 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
Candidates can use this period to make permitted corrections to their submitted application forms through the official portal.
Applicants should verify their personal details, educational qualifications, category and other information before the correction window closes. Changes are subject to the correction rules specified by the NTA.
Visit the UGC NET official website for correction-window instructions.
UGC NET December 2026 Admit Card and Exam City Slip
The examination city intimation slip and UGC NET December 2026 admit card release dates have not been specified in the Information Bulletin.
Candidates should regularly visit the UGC NET official website for updates regarding the examination city, admit card download, examination date, shift and centre details.
The examination centre, date and shift allotted to each candidate will be indicated on the admit card.
UGC NET December 2026 Result
The result date for UGC NET December 2026 has not yet been announced in the Information Bulletin.
Candidates can check the result and other examination updates through the UGC NET official website once the results are declared.
The examination determines eligibility for the following categories:
Category 1: Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor.
Category 2: Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD.
Category 3: Admission to PhD only.
Candidates should carefully review the applicable conditions associated with their qualifying category.
UGC NET December 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When did UGC NET December 2026 registration start?
The UGC NET December 2026 registration process started on 8 October 2026.
2. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The last date to submit the application form without a late fee is 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
3. Can candidates apply for UGC NET December 2026 with a late fee?
Yes. Candidates can submit their applications with an additional late fee of ₹500 from 29 October to 31 October 2026.
4. What is the UGC NET December 2026 exam date?
The UGC NET December 2026 examination is scheduled from 14 December to 19 December 2026.
5. What is the UGC NET December 2026 application fee?
The examination fee is ₹1,150 for General/Unreserved candidates, ₹600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates, and ₹325 for SC, ST, Third Gender and PwD/PwBD candidates. Applicable service charges and GST are additional.
6. What is the age limit for UGC NET December 2026?
The maximum age limit for JRF is 30 years as on 1 December 2026, subject to applicable relaxations. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility or PhD admission.
7. What is the UGC NET December 2026 exam pattern?
The examination consists of 150 objective-type questions carrying a total of 300 marks. Paper 1 has 50 questions for 100 marks, and Paper 2 has 100 questions for 200 marks. The total duration is three hours, with no break between the two papers.
8. Where can I download the UGC NET December 2026 syllabus?
Candidates can access the syllabus through the UGC NET subject-wise syllabus page.
9. Where can I download the UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin?
The Information Bulletin is available through the UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin PDF.
10. When will the UGC NET December 2026 admit card be released?
The admit card release date has not been announced in the Information Bulletin. Candidates should check the UGC NET official website for updates.
Subin Babu
Founder, Designer, and Developer of ApplyIn, as well as a Digital Marketing Professional and Content Writer specializing in SEO, AEO, GEO, LLMO, AI-powered search optimization, and performance marketing. With over 3 years of experience in the job portal sector across Kerala and throughout India, specializing in recruitment research, SEO, and content strategy to deliver accurate, trustworthy, and verified information on government and private-sector jobs, examinations, and career opportunities while strengthening online visibility and supporting informed career decisions.
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