UGC NET December 2026 Notification: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened online applications for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test, December 2026 session. Eligible candidates can apply for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor eligibility and Ph.D. admission, subject to the applicable qualification and result category.
UGC NET December 2026 – Apply Online
UGC NET December 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting agency | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Examination | University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET), December 2026 |
| Purpose | JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility and Ph.D. admission, according to qualification and result category |
| Application mode | Online only |
| Exam mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Papers / total marks | Paper I and Paper II / 300 marks |
| Official website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online registration starts | 8 October 2026 |
| Last date without late fee | 28 October 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Fee payment without late fee | 28 October 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Application window with additional ₹500 late fee | 29–31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM on 31 October |
| Last payment date with late fee | 31 October 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Application correction window | 2–4 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM on 4 November |
| Exam city intimation | 23 November 2026 |
| Admit card download | 7 December 2026 |
| Revised examination dates | 14–18 December and 21 December 2026 |
| Subject-wise shift and centre | As notified by NTA / indicated on the admit card |
| Answer key and result | To be announced |
All deadline times are Indian Standard Time (IST). Check subsequent NTA notices for any further changes.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Examination fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / Third Gender | ₹325 |
| PwD / PwBD | ₹325 |
Pay through the integrated payment gateway using the available debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI options. Applicable processing charges and GST are extra. The ₹500 late fee is additional to the category-wise examination fee and applies uniformly during the late application window.
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility
Master’s degree qualification
- General / General-EWS: At least 55% marks, without rounding off, in a recognised Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender: At least 50% marks, without rounding off, in a recognised Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- Candidates pursuing their Master’s degree, awaiting final results or facing delayed qualifying examinations may apply provisionally, subject to the bulletin’s completion requirements.
- For provisional Master’s candidates, the qualification must normally be completed within two years of the NET result for JRF / Assistant Professor eligibility; candidates qualifying for Ph.D. admission only must complete it within one year.
- Candidates should normally choose their postgraduate subject. Where it is not included in the NET subject list, a related subject may be selected as permitted by the bulletin.
Four-year bachelor’s degree route
Candidates with a four-year / eight-semester bachelor’s degree need at least 75% aggregate marks or equivalent grade. A 5% relaxation may apply to specified categories under the relevant UGC rules. This route provides eligibility for JRF and Ph.D. admission; NET qualification on this basis does not provide eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor. Final-year / final-semester candidates may apply provisionally under the stated conditions. Read the complete eligibility chapter before applying.
UGC NET December 2026 Age Limit
| Purpose | Upper age limit |
|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellowship | 30 years as on 1 December 2026, subject to permitted relaxation |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit |
| Ph.D. admission | No upper age limit |
JRF age relaxation of up to five years applies to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, Third Gender and women applicants. Research experience, LL.M. qualification and armed-forces service have specific relaxation provisions. Total relaxation under the listed grounds cannot exceed five years; consult the bulletin for documentary conditions.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 | Teaching / research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 | Candidate’s selected subject |
| Total | 150 | 300 | 180 minutes, without a break |
- Both papers comprise objective multiple-choice questions; all questions are compulsory.
- Each correct response carries two marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
- The question-paper medium is English and Hindi, except language papers.
- Select the medium carefully during application. Refer to the official subject-wise syllabus and the bulletin’s subject codes.
Download official UGC NET subject-wise syllabus
JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. Result Categories
| Qualification category | JRF | Assistant Professor | Ph.D. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Yes | Yes* | Yes |
| Category 2 | No | Yes* | Yes |
| Category 3 | No | No | Yes |
*Subject to the qualifying degree route and applicable UGC conditions. Four-year bachelor’s degree candidates are not eligible for Assistant Professor appointment on that basis.
For Category 2 and Category 3 Ph.D. admission, NET marks carry 70% weightage and the university / HEI interview or viva voce carries 30%. NET marks for this admission purpose are valid for one year from the result declaration.
Documents and Photograph Requirements
- Own active mobile number and email address.
- Identity and qualification details, with category certificates where applicable.
- A live photograph captured during application using a camera / webcam or the available QR-assisted facility.
- Recent scanned photograph: 10–200 KB, with 80% face visibility including ears, without a mask, against a white background.
- Scanned signature: 10–50 KB.
- Disability / UDID certificate, where applicable: legible PDF of 50–300 KB.
Follow the portal’s current upload format instructions. Ensure that identity records and application details agree.
How to Apply Online for UGC NET December 2026
- Open the official UGC NET website or the online application link below.
- Read the latest information bulletin and confirm your eligibility, subject and category.
- Register using your own mobile number and email. The bulletin provides registration through the Meri Pehchaan Single Sign-On facility; follow the portal prompts.
- Complete personal, academic, category, subject, medium and examination-city details.
- Capture the live photograph and upload your scanned photograph, signature and applicable certificates.
- Review all entries carefully and pay the prescribed fee through the integrated gateway.
- Check successful fee status and download the confirmation page. Keep the application number and payment record safely.
Registration alone does not complete the application. A confirmation page is generated only after successful payment. Candidates are not required to send the confirmation page or supporting documents to NTA by post or email.
Correction Window, City Slip and Admit Card
Corrections can be made online from 2 to 4 November 2026 only in the fields permitted by NTA. Review category, subject and academic details before submission. The city intimation slip provides advance city information; it does not replace the admit card. Download the admit card when released and check your exact examination date, shift, reporting instructions and centre address.
UGC NET December 2026 Official Links and PDF Downloads
| Resource | Official link |
|---|---|
| Online application form | Apply Online |
| Revised information bulletin / corrigendum | Open / Download Updated PDF |
| Registration notification | Open / Download Notification PDF |
| Original information bulletin (superseded where revised) | Original Bulletin PDF |
| Subject-wise syllabus | View Syllabus |
| Official website / future notices | Visit UGC NET NTA |
NTA helpdesk: 011-40759000 · ugcnet@nta.ac.in. Use the latest official notices and bulletin for final eligibility and examination instructions.
UGC NET December 2026 FAQs
What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The last date without late fee is 28 October 2026 at 11:50 PM IST. The late application window runs from 29 to 31 October 2026 with an additional ₹500 late fee.
What are the revised UGC NET December 2026 exam dates?
The revised bulletin lists 14–18 December and 21 December 2026. Check your admit card for the exact date and shift.
What is the application fee?
The examination fee is ₹1,150 for General, ₹600 for General-EWS / OBC-NCL, and ₹325 for SC / ST / Third Gender / PwD / PwBD candidates. Applicable processing charges and GST are extra.
Is there negative marking in UGC NET?
No. Each correct answer carries two marks and there is no negative marking for an incorrect response.
Can four-year bachelor’s degree candidates apply?
Yes, subject to the prescribed 75% marks or equivalent grade and applicable relaxation. This route is for JRF and Ph.D. admission, not Assistant Professor appointment.
What is the JRF age limit?
The upper age limit is 30 years as on 1 December 2026, with relaxation as permitted in the bulletin. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or Ph.D. admission.
When will city intimation and admit cards be released?
The revised bulletin schedules city intimation for 23 November 2026 and admit cards for 7 December 2026, subject to subsequent NTA notices.
When is the application correction window?
The correction window is 2–4 November 2026, closing at 11:50 PM IST on 4 November, for fields permitted by NTA.
GSR INFO – www.gsrmaths.in