UGC NET December 2026 Application Form
Apply Online | Last Date | Eligibility | Application Fee | Exam Date
The UGC NET examination is conducted to determine eligibility for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD programmes, depending on the qualification category achieved by the candidate.
The December 2026 examination will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode across 87 subjects. Candidates interested in applying should check the official notification, eligibility criteria, subject list, fee details and examination schedule before submitting the form.
UGC NET December 2026: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test |
| Session | December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Purpose | JRF, Assistant Professor Eligibility and PhD Admission Eligibility |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Late Fee Application Window | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Exam Dates | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Subjects | 87 |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification and Information Bulletin | 8 October 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Last Date for Examination Fee Payment | 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Late Application Window | 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 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip | To be announced |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| UGC NET Examination | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Result | To be announced |
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
The application fee must be paid through the payment methods available on the official portal. Candidates should verify that the payment is successful and retain the transaction receipt.
For applications submitted during the late-fee window, an additional late fee of ₹500 is reported. Check the official information bulletin for the applicable category-wise total and payment instructions.
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfil the educational qualification and other requirements prescribed by NTA. The main eligibility conditions are described below.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates should have a Master's degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification from a recognised university or institution.
- General/Unreserved category candidates generally need at least 55% marks in the Master's degree, without rounding off.
- OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender candidates are generally eligible with at least 50% marks, without rounding off, subject to the official rules.
- Candidates appearing in their final year of a Master's degree or awaiting results may apply provisionally, subject to the prescribed conditions and completing the qualification within the permitted period.
- Equivalent postgraduate qualifications recognised by the competent authority may also be considered according to the notification.
Four-Year Bachelor's Degree Candidates
Candidates who have completed a four-year/eight-semester bachelor's degree may be eligible for certain UGC NET qualification categories under the applicable rules, subject to the prescribed minimum percentage and other conditions.
However, qualification through a four-year bachelor's degree does not automatically establish eligibility for every purpose. Candidates should read the current information bulletin carefully, particularly the separate conditions for JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility and PhD admission.
UGC NET December 2026 Age Limit
| Qualification Category | Age Criteria |
|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Generally, not more than 30 years as on the prescribed cut-off date |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit for appearing in the examination |
| PhD Admission Eligibility | No separate upper age limit for appearing in UGC NET, subject to the applicable rules |
Age relaxation for JRF is available to eligible categories under the prescribed rules. Relaxations may apply to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, women and candidates with relevant research experience, subject to the applicable limits and conditions.
What Is UGC NET Used For?
1. Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
JRF qualification is intended for eligible candidates who want to pursue research and potentially receive a fellowship according to the applicable UGC and institutional rules. Candidates must satisfy the JRF-specific merit and age conditions.
2. Assistant Professor Eligibility
UGC NET is used to determine eligibility for appointment as an Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges, subject to the applicable recruitment rules and other qualifications required by the institution.
3. PhD Admission Eligibility
UGC NET scores can also be used for PhD admission under the prescribed framework. The applicable category and score-weightage rules depend on the current notification and the admitting institution.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern
The UGC NET examination consists of two papers conducted in a single three-hour session. Both papers contain objective multiple-choice questions.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Teaching and Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 |
| Paper II | Selected NET Subject | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 150 | 300 | |
- Examination mode: Computer Based Test (CBT).
- Total duration: 3 hours.
- Question type: Objective multiple-choice questions.
- Paper I: General teaching and research aptitude.
- Paper II: Subject-specific questions selected by the candidate.
- Negative marking: No negative marking for incorrect answers under the standard UGC NET pattern.
UGC NET Paper I Syllabus
Paper I evaluates teaching aptitude, research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension, communication and general awareness of higher education.
- Teaching Aptitude: Teaching concepts, learner characteristics, teaching methods and evaluation systems.
- Research Aptitude: Research methods, research ethics, types of research and research process.
- Comprehension: Understanding and interpreting a passage.
- Communication: Types, barriers and effective communication.
- Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude: Basic arithmetic, number series and mathematical reasoning.
- Logical Reasoning: Arguments, deductive and inductive reasoning, analogies and logical structures.
- Data Interpretation: Tables, graphs, charts and interpretation of data.
- Information and Communication Technology: Digital tools, ICT concepts and their use in education.
- People, Development and Environment: Environment, sustainable development and related topics.
- Higher Education System: Indian higher education, governance, policies and institutions.
UGC NET Paper II Syllabus
Paper II is based on the subject selected by the candidate during the application process. NTA conducts UGC NET across 87 subjects.
Applicants should download the syllabus for their chosen subject and prepare according to the prescribed topics. Subject selection should be based on the candidate's postgraduate subject or the relevant eligibility rules mentioned in the information bulletin.
Popular UGC NET Subjects
- Commerce
- English
- Political Science
- History
- Economics
- Law
- Education
- Management
- Hindi
- Sociology
- Computer Science and Applications
- Environmental Sciences
This is a sample list of popular subjects, not the complete list. Candidates should confirm the full list of 87 subjects and the subject codes on the official UGC NET portal.
Documents Required for UGC NET Application Form
Before starting the online registration, candidates should keep the following information and documents ready as required by the application portal:
- Valid mobile number and email address
- Candidate's personal and date-of-birth details
- Government-issued identity details as required
- Class 10 and other educational details
- Postgraduate qualification details and marks
- Category certificate, if applicable
- PwD certificate, if applicable
- Recent photograph in the prescribed format
- Scanned signature in the prescribed format
- Payment method for the examination fee
Additional certificates or declarations may be required for specific eligibility claims. Check the official bulletin for image dimensions, file size, acceptable formats and other upload instructions.
How to Apply Online for UGC NET December 2026?
- Visit the official website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
- Open the UGC NET December 2026 application link.
- Complete new candidate registration using the required details.
- Verify the registration information and save the application number.
- Log in to the application portal.
- Fill in personal, educational, category and contact details.
- Select the appropriate UGC NET subject and examination cities as instructed.
- Upload the photograph, signature and other required documents.
- Pay the applicable application fee online.
- Review the complete form before final submission.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page.
- Keep the application number, confirmation page and fee receipt safe.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Correction Window
NTA has scheduled the application correction window from 2 November to 4 November 2026. Candidates should review their application carefully before submission to minimise the need for corrections.
During the correction period, only the fields permitted by NTA can be modified. Some changes may not be allowed, and certain changes may require an additional fee. The detailed correction rules in the official notice will apply.
UGC NET December 2026 Admit Card
The UGC NET December 2026 admit card has not yet been announced. Candidates should regularly check the official website for the exam city intimation slip and admit-card release notice.
The admit card generally contains the candidate's name, roll number, examination date, shift, reporting time, examination centre and important instructions. Candidates should verify these details after downloading it.
UGC NET December 2026 Preparation Tips
1. Complete the Paper II Syllabus
Paper II carries 200 marks, making subject-specific preparation especially important. Divide the syllabus into topics and revise each topic systematically.
2. Practise Paper I Every Day
Paper I contains 50 questions and covers teaching aptitude, research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension, ICT, data interpretation and other topics. Regular practice can improve speed and accuracy.
3. Solve Previous-Year Papers
Previous-year questions help candidates understand the question format, recurring topics and difficulty level. Use them alongside the latest syllabus.
4. Take Mock Tests
Attempt full-length mock tests under timed conditions. Review incorrect answers and revise weak areas after each test.
5. Revise Important Notes
Prepare concise notes for definitions, concepts, theories, important dates, formulas and subject-specific facts. Revision is especially useful in the final weeks before the examination.
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Apply only through the official NTA UGC NET website.
- Read the December 2026 information bulletin before registration.
- Verify your subject code and eligibility before final submission.
- Ensure that your category details and certificates are correct.
- Complete the application and fee payment before the deadline.
- Save the final confirmation page and payment receipt.
- Use the correction window only for changes permitted by NTA.
- Check the official website regularly for city intimation, admit card and result notices.
UGC NET December 2026 FAQs
The online application process started on 8 October 2026.
The regular application deadline is 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
The examination is scheduled from 14 December to 19 December 2026.
The standard fee is ₹1,150 for General/Unreserved candidates, ₹600 for General-EWS/OBC-NCL candidates and ₹325 for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates.
Generally, candidates need a Master's degree with at least 55% marks for the General category and 50% for specified reserved categories, subject to the official eligibility rules.
The general upper age limit for JRF is 30 years, with applicable relaxations. The prescribed cut-off date and detailed rules in the information bulletin determine eligibility.
No separate upper age limit applies for appearing in UGC NET for Assistant Professor eligibility.
The December 2026 examination covers 87 subjects.
The test has two papers: Paper I with 50 questions for 100 marks and Paper II with 100 questions for 200 marks. The total duration is three hours.
Under the standard UGC NET examination pattern, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
The scheduled correction window is from 2 November to 4 November 2026.
Candidates can apply through the official website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
UGC NET December 2026 Important Links
| Particular | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Information Bulletin | Download Here |
| Official Notices | View Notices |
| NTA Official Website | Click Here |
Conclusion
The UGC NET December 2026 Application Form is now available on the official NTA website. Eligible postgraduate candidates can submit their forms from 8 October to 28 October 2026. The examination is scheduled from 14 December to 19 December 2026 in CBT mode for 87 subjects.
Candidates should carefully check the eligibility requirements, subject selection, application fee and JRF age criteria before applying. After submission, keep the confirmation page safe and regularly check the official website for the exam city intimation slip, admit card and result updates.
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