UGC NET December 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued the Information Bulletin for the UGC NET December 2026 Examination on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The examination is conducted to determine candidates’ eligibility for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to Ph.D. programmes in Indian universities and colleges.
The online application process began on 08 October 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their application forms until 28 October 2026 (11:50 PM). NTA has also provided a late application facility from 29 October to 31 October 2026 with an additional late fee of ₹500.
Candidates planning to appear for the December session should review the eligibility conditions, examination pattern, application fees, age limit and other instructions before submitting their forms.
UGC NET December 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Conducting Body | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Examination Name | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Purpose | JRF, Assistant Professor Eligibility & Ph.D. Admission |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Subjects | Refer to the official subject list |
| Application Start Date | 08 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Late Application Dates | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
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UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should keep track of the following dates to avoid missing the application deadline or other examination-related events.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Begins | 08 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 28 October 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 28 October 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Late Application Window | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Late Fee Payment | 31 October 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 02–04 November 2026 |
| Examination City Intimation | To be announced |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| UGC NET Examination | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Answer Key & Result | To be announced |
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fees
The examination fee varies according to the candidate’s category. The official bulletin specifies the following fee structure:
| Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS | ₹600 |
| OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC | ₹325 |
| ST | ₹325 |
| Third Gender | ₹325 |
| PwD / PwBD | ₹325 |
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must fulfil the educational qualification and other conditions prescribed in the official Information Bulletin.
Educational Qualification
Candidates who have completed a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university or institution may apply, subject to the following minimum marks:
- General, Unreserved and General-EWS: At least 55% marks in the Master’s degree.
- OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender: At least 50% marks in the Master’s degree.
Candidates pursuing their Master’s degree, awaiting final-year results or whose qualifying examination has been delayed may also apply provisionally. They must subsequently fulfil the prescribed qualification and minimum marks requirements within the applicable time limit.
Eligibility Through a Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree
Candidates with a four-year or eight-semester Bachelor’s degree can also apply under the conditions specified by UGC. The general minimum requirement is 75% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade, with applicable relaxation for eligible categories.
Candidates qualifying through a four-year Bachelor’s degree may be eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission, but they are not eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor on the basis of that qualification alone.
Applicants should read the official bulletin carefully to confirm their eligibility before applying.
UGC NET December 2026 Age Limit
The age limit depends on the category under which the candidate intends to qualify.
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Maximum 30 years |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit |
| Ph.D. Admission | No upper age limit |
The age cutoff date for JRF eligibility is 01 December 2026.
Age relaxation for JRF is available to eligible categories and candidates under the conditions prescribed by NTA. For example, a relaxation of up to five years is provided to specified categories, including OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, Third Gender candidates and women applicants. Other relaxations may apply in specified circumstances.
Candidates should consult the official Information Bulletin for the complete age-relaxation rules.
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UGC NET December 2026 Examination Pattern
The UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The question paper consists of two sections, both containing objective-type multiple-choice questions.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 | Teaching and Research Aptitude, Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and General Awareness |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 | Subject-specific Knowledge |
| Total | 150 | 300 | Both papers combined |
Important Exam Pattern Details
- Total examination duration: 180 minutes (3 hours).
- Both papers are conducted in a single sitting without a break.
- Each question carries 2 marks.
- There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
- All questions are compulsory.
- The question paper is generally available in English and Hindi, except for language papers.
- Candidates must select their subject carefully while completing the application form.
The examination assesses both general teaching and research aptitude and the candidate’s knowledge of the selected subject.
UGC NET December 2026 Selection and Qualification Process
UGC NET is an eligibility examination rather than a direct recruitment process. The result determines eligibility under the applicable qualification category.
The examination provides three qualification categories:
- JRF and Assistant Professor: Eligible candidates may qualify for the Junior Research Fellowship, Assistant Professor eligibility and Ph.D. admission.
- Assistant Professor and Ph.D. Admission: Candidates qualify for Assistant Professor eligibility and Ph.D. admission, but not for JRF.
- Ph.D. Admission Only: Candidates qualify for Ph.D. admission only, without JRF or Assistant Professor eligibility.
For candidates qualifying under the relevant Ph.D.-admission categories, NET marks carry 70% weightage and the university’s interview or viva voce carries 30% weightage, as specified in the bulletin.
Final admission and appointment remain subject to the applicable university, institution and recruitment rules.
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How to Apply Online for UGC NET December 2026
Candidates can complete the application process through the official NTA UGC NET portal. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
- Read the UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin and verify your eligibility.
- Register using your own email address and mobile number. The Meri Pehchaan Single Sign-On facility is also provided.
- Complete the online application form with your personal details, educational qualifications, category and subject preferences.
- Upload your live photograph and the required scanned documents, including your signature and disability certificate, where applicable.
- Select four preferred examination cities from the permitted choices in the application form.
- Pay the applicable examination fee through the available online payment methods.
- Review the details carefully and submit the application form.
- Download and save the confirmation page generated after successful fee payment.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Apply Online |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| UGC NET Syllabus | Click Here |
| NTA Official Website | UGC NET |
UGC NET December 2026 (FAQs)
Q1. When did the UGC NET December 2026 application process start?
The online application process started on 08 October 2026.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The regular application deadline is 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM. A late application facility is available from 29 October to 31 October 2026 with an additional fee.
Q3. When will the UGC NET December 2026 examination be held?
The examination is scheduled from 14 December to 19 December 2026.
Q4. What is the application fee for General category candidates?
The examination fee for General/Unreserved candidates is ₹1,150, excluding applicable service charges and GST.
Q5. Is there negative marking in UGC NET?
No. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
Q6. What is the maximum age for UGC NET JRF?
The maximum age for JRF is 30 years as of 01 December 2026, subject to the prescribed relaxation rules.
