NTA UGC NET December 2026: Apply Online
NTA UGC NET December 2026: National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the notification and started the online application process for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2026 examination. Eligible candidates can apply online for the examination, which determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor and PhD admission in Indian universities and colleges.
The UGC NET December 2026 application form opened on 8 October 2026. The last date to submit the application form and pay the regular examination fee is 28 October 2026. Candidates who miss the regular deadline can submit their application with a late fee during the notified window from 29 October to 31 October 2026.
The examination is scheduled to be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from 14 December to 19 December 2026. Candidates should check the official Information Bulletin for eligibility requirements, examination rules, subject codes and application instructions before applying.
UGC NET December 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Full Form | University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Last Date with Late Fee | 31 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Total Subjects | 87 |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
UGC NET December 2026: Important Dates
Candidates should note the following dates to complete their registration and prepare for the examination.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Starts | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Last Date for Regular 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 |
| Exam City Intimation | To be announced |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| UGC NET Exam Dates | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Answer Key | To be announced |
| Result | To be announced |
The official bulletin also lists 20–21 December 2026 as buffer dates. Candidates should follow the latest official NTA notices for any schedule changes.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
The application fee varies according to the candidate’s category.
| Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST | ₹325 |
| Third Gender | ₹325 |
| PwD / PwBD | ₹325 |
Applicable payment gateway or processing charges and GST may be additional. Candidates should make the payment through the methods available on the official application portal.
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification
Candidates must satisfy the educational qualification requirements specified in the official Information Bulletin.
- General / Unreserved / General-EWS: At least 55% marks in a recognised Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender: At least 50% marks in a recognised Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
An Candidates pursuing their Master’s degree or awaiting their final-year results may apply provisionally, subject to the conditions and deadlines stated in the official bulletin.
Candidates should ensure that their postgraduate subject or an accepted related subject matches the examination subject they intend to select.
2. Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree Candidates
Candidates who have completed the prescribed four-year or eight-semester bachelor’s degree may also be eligible under the applicable rules.
The standard minimum requirement is 75% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade, with applicable relaxations for specified categories. Candidates qualifying through this route may be eligible for JRF and PhD admission but are not eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor solely on the basis of the four-year bachelor’s degree.
Read the official bulletin carefully to determine whether your qualification meets the requirements.
3. UGC NET Age Limit
The age limit depends on the category under which the candidate applies.
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Maximum 30 years |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit |
| PhD Admission Only | No upper age limit |
For JRF, the age is calculated as of 1 December 2026. Applicable age relaxation is available to eligible categories, including OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, Third Gender and women candidates, subject to the official rules.
The maximum age relaxation and eligibility conditions should be checked in the Information Bulletin.
UGC NET December 2026: Examination Pattern
The UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted in CBT mode. The test comprises two sections with objective-type multiple-choice questions.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 | Teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, reading comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 | Subject-specific knowledge |
| Total | 150 | 300 | — |
- Total examination duration: 3 hours (180 minutes).
- There is no break between Paper I and Paper II.
- All questions are compulsory under the notified examination pattern.
- Candidates should check the official bulletin for the detailed marking scheme and subject-specific instructions.
UGC NET December 2026 Subjects
UGC NET December 2026 covers 87 subjects. Some major subject areas include:
- Hindi
- English
- Commerce
- Management
- Economics
- Political Science
- History
- Geography
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Education
- Law
- Computer Science and Applications
- Environmental Sciences
- Mass Communication and Journalism
- Social Work
- Library and Information Science
- Philosophy
- Sanskrit
- Public Administration
This is a selection of subjects, not the complete list. Candidates should refer to the official subject-code list and syllabus to select the correct examination subject.
UGC NET December 2026 Selection and Qualification Categories
The UGC NET examination determines eligibility under three categories.
Category 1: JRF and Assistant Professor
Candidates qualifying under this category may be eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship, Assistant Professor appointments and PhD admission, subject to the applicable rules.
Category 2: Assistant Professor and PhD Admission
Candidates qualifying under this category may be eligible for Assistant Professor appointments and PhD admission but not for JRF on the basis of this category.
Category 3: PhD Admission Only
Candidates qualifying under this category may use their UGC NET result for PhD admission according to the relevant university or institution’s admission rules.
Qualifying UGC NET does not automatically guarantee a fellowship, teaching job or PhD seat. Final eligibility and selection depend on the applicable rules and the requirements of the university or institution.
Documents Required for UGC NET Application
Keep the following documents and information ready before filling out the application:
- Active mobile number and email address
- Personal and educational details
- Recent photograph
- Live photograph, as required by the portal
- Scanned signature
- Category certificate, if applicable
- PwD/PwBD or UDID certificate, if applicable
- Details of the qualifying examination
- Payment method for the examination fee
Follow the image dimensions, file-size limits and other instructions specified in the official Information Bulletin.
How to Apply Online for UGC NET December 2026
Candidates can follow these steps to submit the application form:
- Visit the official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
- Open the UGC NET December 2026 application link.
- Register using your own mobile number and email address.
- Complete the required authentication and registration steps.
- Fill in your personal details, educational qualifications and category information.
- Select the appropriate examination subject and examination-city preferences.
- Upload the photograph, signature and any required certificates.
- Pay the examination fee through an available online payment method.
- Review all details carefully before final submission.
- Download and save the confirmation page after successful fee payment.
Candidates should use their own contact details and keep their application number safe for future login, admit-card downloads and result checking.
UGC NET December 2026: Important Links
| Link Description | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Official UGC NET Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| Apply Online / Candidate Login | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| Official Information Bulletin | https://cdnbbsr.ss.gov.in/s3bf/uploads/2026/10/125.pdf |
| Official Documents and Notices | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/documents/ |
| Latest Official Updates | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/category/latest-news/ |
| National Testing Agency (NTA) | https://www.nta.ac.in/ |
| Sarkari Result Reference | https://www.sarkariresult.com/railway/nta-ugc-net-december2026/ |
If the application link does not open directly, visit the official UGC NET website and select the December 2026 application option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. 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. The late-fee application window is scheduled from 29 October to 31 October 2026.
2. When will the UGC NET December 2026 examination be conducted?
The examination is scheduled for 14 December to 19 December 2026. The subject-wise schedule and shift details should be checked through official notices and the admit card.
3. What is the application fee for UGC NET December 2026?
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. Additional processing charges and taxes may apply.
4. What is the age limit for UGC NET JRF?
The maximum age for JRF is 30 years as of 1 December 2026, subject to applicable relaxations.
5. Is there an upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility?
There is no upper age limit for applying under the Assistant Professor category, according to the official bulletin.
6. How many subjects are available in UGC NET December 2026?
The examination covers 87 subjects. Candidates should use the official subject-code list to choose the appropriate subject.
7. What is the duration of the UGC NET examination?
The examination duration is three hours (180 minutes), with no break between Paper I and Paper II.
8. Where can candidates download the official notification?
The official Information Bulletin is available at:
https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s301eee509ee2f68dc6014898c309e86bf/uploads/2026/10/202610081852912625.pdf
Conclusion
UGC NET December 2026 is an important examination for candidates seeking JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility or PhD admission. Candidates should verify their educational qualification, age eligibility and examination subject before submitting the application. Complete registration and fee payment before the deadline and regularly check the official NTA website for examination-city information, admit cards, answer keys and results.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Application dates, eligibility criteria, fees and examination rules are governed by the official NTA Information Bulletin and subsequent notices. Candidates should verify the latest details through the official UGC NET website before applying.