UGC NET December 2026 Notification: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened the online application process for the UGC NET December 2026 examination. Eligible candidates can apply for the examination through the official website.
The UGC NET December 2026 last date to apply is 28 October 2026. Candidates who need additional time can use the late-fee application window from 29 to 31 October 2026, according to the official information bulletin.
The UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted on 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 December 2026, according to the revised examination schedule.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has listed 7 December 2026 as the date for admit card availability in its updated information bulletin. Candidates should check the official website for the latest announcement before downloading their admit cards.
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The last date to submit the regular UGC NET December 2026 application form is 28 October 2026. Candidates who need more time can use the late-fee window from 29 to 31 October 2026, subject to the official instructions.
The UGC NET examination is conducted for candidates seeking eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions and PhD admission. Candidates should check the eligibility criteria, application fee, examination dates and application procedure before submitting their forms.
UGC NET December 2026 Latest Update
Update Date: 27 October 2026
The UGC NET December 2026 application window is closing soon. Candidates who have not yet submitted their application should complete the process before the deadline.
Here are the important dates:
- Application Last Date: 28 October 2026
- Last Date with Late Fee: 31 October 2026
- Application Correction Window: 2–4 November 2026
- UGC NET Admit Card Date: 7 December 2026, as listed in the information bulletin
- UGC NET Exam Dates: 14–18 December and 21 December 2026
Candidates should check the official UGC NET website for the latest notices and any subsequent changes.
UGC NET December 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Full Form | University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Late-Fee Window | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Exam Dates | 14–18 December and 21 December 2026 |
| Admit Card Date | 7 December 2026, as listed in the bulletin |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should note the following schedule before applying.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification and Application Start | 8 October 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 28 October 2026 |
| Application with Late Fee | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Late-Fee Payment | 31 October 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination City Intimation | 23 November 2026, as listed in the bulletin |
| Admit Card Download | 7 December 2026, as listed in the bulletin |
| UGC NET December Examination | 14–18 December and 21 December 2026 |
| Answer Key | To be announced |
| Result | To be announced |
The dates above are based on the updated information bulletin available for this article. Candidates should verify the latest schedule before making examination arrangements.
UGC NET December 2026 Apply Online
Candidates can submit the UGC NET December 2026 application form through the official NTA portal.
The application process is online. Candidates should enter their personal details, educational qualifications and examination preferences carefully.
Steps to Apply for UGC NET December 2026
- Visit the official UGC NET website.
- Open the UGC NET December 2026 application link.
- Complete the registration process using the required details.
- Log in to your account.
- Fill in the online application form.
- Enter your educational qualifications and select the appropriate subject.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and other documents.
- Pay the application fee according to your category.
- Check all the details before submitting the form.
- Download and save the confirmation page.
Candidates should use their own valid contact details or those permitted by the official instructions. Keep the application number and login details safe for future use.
Important: The regular application deadline is 28 October 2026. Do not wait until the final hours to submit the form.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
The application fee depends on the candidate’s category.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST | ₹325 |
| Third Gender | ₹325 |
| PwD / PwBD | ₹325 |
An additional late fee of ₹500 applies during the late-fee application window.
Payment gateway charges and applicable taxes may be extra. Candidates should check the official information bulletin for the complete payment instructions.
UGC NET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Which Candidates Should Apply for UGC NET?
UGC NET eligibility depends on the candidate’s educational qualification and the purpose for which they want to qualify.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Candidates must meet the prescribed educational qualification and age requirements.
- Assistant Professor: Candidates must meet the applicable educational qualification requirements. There is no upper age limit for this eligibility.
- PhD admission: UGC NET scores may be used under the applicable admission rules, depending on the candidate’s qualification category and the university’s requirements.
Candidates with a four-year bachelor’s degree may also be eligible under specific UGC NET rules. However, eligibility for JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD admission can differ.
Read the official information bulletin carefully before applying. Meeting the minimum qualification does not automatically guarantee a fellowship, job or university admission.
Educational Qualification
Candidates who have completed a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university can apply if they meet the prescribed marks criteria.
- General, Unreserved and General-EWS: At least 55% marks.
- OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender: At least 50% marks.
Candidates who are pursuing their Master’s degree or awaiting their final results may also apply provisionally, subject to the conditions mentioned in the official information bulletin.
Candidates with a four-year bachelor’s degree may also be eligible under the applicable rules. Eligibility for JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD admission can differ, so candidates should carefully read the official requirements.
UGC NET 2026 Age Limit
The upper age limit for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is 30 years as of 1 December 2026.
Age relaxation is available for specified categories under the official rules. Eligible women candidates, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender candidates may receive relaxation of up to five years, subject to the applicable conditions.
There is no upper age limit for UGC NET eligibility for Assistant Professor or PhD admission only.
Candidates should check the official information bulletin for the complete age-relaxation rules.
What Is UGC NET? What Is the Purpose of the Examination?
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is conducted by NTA to determine eligibility for academic and research opportunities.
The examination is used for three broad purposes:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor eligibility
- Assistant Professor eligibility and PhD admission
- PhD admission only
The result category depends on the candidate’s performance and the applicable qualification rules.
Qualifying UGC NET does not automatically guarantee a job, fellowship award or admission to a university. Candidates must also meet the relevant institution’s requirements.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern
The examination is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
The paper contains two sections.
| Paper | Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 150 | 300 |
Examination duration: 3 hours (180 minutes), without a break between the two papers.
Paper I tests teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, reading comprehension and general awareness.
Paper II tests knowledge of the subject selected by the candidate.
Each correct answer carries two marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers under the examination scheme in the official bulletin.
Candidates should download the syllabus for their chosen subject and prepare according to the prescribed examination pattern.
UGC NET December 2026 Admit Card
The UGC NET December 2026 Admit Card is an important document required to attend the examination.
The updated information bulletin lists 7 December 2026 as the admit card download date. Candidates should check the official website for confirmation and any subsequent announcement.
The admit card will provide important details, including:
- Candidate’s name
- Application or roll number
- Examination date and shift
- Reporting time
- Examination centre address
- Examination-day instructions
Candidates should download the admit card as soon as it becomes available and check all the details carefully.
Do not confuse the examination city intimation slip with the admit card. The city slip provides advance information about the examination city, while the admit card contains the details required to attend the examination.
UGC NET December 2026 Syllabus
Candidates should prepare for both Paper I and Paper II.
Paper I covers teaching aptitude, research aptitude, comprehension, communication, mathematical reasoning, logical reasoning, data interpretation, information and communication technology, people and environment, and higher education.
Paper II is based on the subject selected by the candidate.
The syllabus varies by subject. Candidates should download the official syllabus and focus on the topics included in their selected paper.
Preparing with the correct syllabus and practising previous question papers can help candidates plan their study schedule.
UGC NET December 2026 Official Website and Important Links
Candidates should use official sources for the application form, notification and examination updates.
| Web-Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| UGC NET Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
| NTA Official Website | nta.ac.in |
| UGC NET Information Bulletin | Available on the official UGC NET website |
| Online Application Form | Available through the official UGC NET portal |
UGC NET December 2026 FAQs
1. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The last date to submit the regular application form and pay the examination fee is 28 October 2026.
2. Can I apply for UGC NET after 28 October 2026?
Yes. The official schedule provides a late-fee application window from 29 to 31 October 2026, subject to the official instructions and portal availability.
3. What are the UGC NET December 2026 exam dates?
The examination is scheduled for 14–18 December and 21 December 2026.
4. When will the UGC NET December 2026 admit card be released?
The updated information bulletin lists 7 December 2026 as the admit card download date. Check the official website for any subsequent changes.
5. What is the UGC NET 2026 application fee?
The fee is ₹1,150 for General candidates, ₹600 for General-EWS/OBC-NCL candidates, and ₹325 for SC/ST/PwD/PwBD/Third Gender candidates. An additional late fee of ₹500 applies during the late-fee window.
6. What is the minimum qualification for UGC NET 2026?
Candidates generally need a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification with at least 55% marks for General, Unreserved and General-EWS categories, and 50% for the specified reserved and other eligible categories.
7. What is the age limit for UGC NET JRF 2026?
The upper age limit for JRF is 30 years as of 1 December 2026, with applicable age relaxations under the official rules.
8. Is there negative marking in UGC NET 2026?
No. According to the official examination scheme, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
9. What is the difference between UGC NET and CSIR-UGC NET?
UGC NET covers a broad range of subjects, including humanities, social sciences and other listed disciplines. CSIR-UGC NET focuses on five science-related subjects. They have separate application portals and examination schedules.
10. Where can I check UGC NET December 2026 updates?
Candidates can check the official UGC NET website for application notices, examination city slips, admit cards, answer keys and results.