The 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.
The UGC NET examination determines candidates’ eligibility for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to PhD programmes, depending on the qualifying category.
Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official website. Applicants should read the information bulletin carefully to understand the eligibility criteria, application fee, examination schedule and other important instructions.
UGC NET December 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Organisation | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Examination Session | December 2026 |
| Number of Subjects | 87 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Without Late Fee | 28 October 2026 |
| Application with Late Fee | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
Important Dates
Candidates should note the following dates for UGC NET December 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 8 October 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Without Late Fee | 28 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment Without Late Fee | 28 October 2026 |
| Application with Late Fee | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Exam City Intimation | To be announced |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
Candidates should check the official NTA website regularly for revised dates and examination-related announcements.
UGC NET December 2026: Application Fee
The reported category-wise application fees are given below.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
Candidates should verify the fee applicable to their category in the official information bulletin. Any late fee is additional to the prescribed examination fee.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must satisfy the educational eligibility conditions prescribed by the UGC and NTA.
- Candidates with a recognised master’s degree or equivalent qualification generally need at least 55% marks for the General category.
- Candidates belonging to eligible reserved categories, including OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender, generally require at least 50% marks.
- Candidates appearing in their final qualifying examination may be eligible provisionally, subject to the conditions in the information bulletin.
- Candidates applying through an eligible four-year bachelor’s degree route should check the separate conditions applicable to JRF and PhD admission.
The eligibility rules may differ according to the candidate’s qualification and the category for which they apply. Candidates should read the official information bulletin before completing the form.
Age Limit
The age limit depends on the eligibility category.
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): The upper age limit is generally 30 years, subject to the prescribed reference date and applicable relaxations.
Assistant Professor: There is no upper age limit prescribed for appearing in UGC NET for Assistant Professor eligibility.
PhD Admission: Candidates must satisfy the applicable educational and examination requirements.
Age relaxation may be available to eligible candidates under the applicable rules. Refer to the official December 2026 information bulletin for the precise age-calculation date and category-wise provisions.
UGC NET December 2026: Subject List
UGC NET December 2026 covers 87 subjects across various academic disciplines.
Candidates should select the subject appropriate to their qualifying degree and the subject eligibility rules prescribed by NTA.
The complete subject list and subject codes are available in the official information bulletin on the UGC NET website.
Selection Process
The UGC NET examination is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
The examination result determines eligibility under the applicable categories:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor eligibility.
- Assistant Professor eligibility and admission to PhD.
- Admission to PhD only.
The qualifying category depends on the candidate’s performance and the prescribed examination rules. Qualifying UGC NET does not automatically guarantee a fellowship, teaching appointment or admission to a PhD programme.
Examination Pattern
The UGC NET examination consists of two papers conducted in a single session.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Teaching and Research Aptitude | 50 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Selected Subject | 100 | 200 |
| Total | Both Papers | 150 | 300 |
The total examination duration is 3 hours. Candidates should consult the official information bulletin for the detailed marking scheme, subject-specific instructions and examination rules.
How to Apply for UGC NET December 2026
Follow these steps to submit your application:
- Visit the official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
- Open the UGC NET December 2026 application link.
- Complete the registration process using the required details.
- Log in using your registration credentials.
- Fill in your personal, educational and examination-related information.
- Select the appropriate subject and examination details.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the applicable examination fee online.
- Review the application form carefully before submission.
- Download or print the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates should use accurate information and retain their application number for future updates.
Important Links
- Apply Online: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
- Official Website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
- Information Bulletin: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/information-bulletin/
- Official Notification: Available under Public Notices on the official website.
- Exam City Intimation: To be announced.
- Admit Card: To be announced.
- Result: To be announced.
Candidates should use the official NTA portal for registration, fee payment and examination updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is UGC NET December 2026?
UGC NET December 2026 is a national-level examination conducted by NTA to determine eligibility for JRF, Assistant Professor positions and PhD admission under the applicable categories.
2. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The last date to submit the application without a late fee is 28 October 2026. Applications with a late fee are scheduled for 29–31 October 2026.
3. When will the UGC NET December 2026 examination be held?
The examination is scheduled from 14 to 19 December 2026, subject to official updates.
4. How many subjects are included in UGC NET December 2026?
The examination covers 87 subjects. Candidates should consult the official subject list and codes before applying.
5. What is the application fee for UGC NET December 2026?
The reported fee is ₹1,150 for General candidates, ₹600 for General-EWS/OBC-NCL candidates, and ₹325 for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates. Verify the applicable fee in the official information bulletin.
6. Is there an age limit for UGC NET?
The JRF category has an upper age limit, subject to applicable rules and relaxations. There is no upper age limit for appearing for Assistant Professor eligibility.
7. Where can candidates apply online?
Candidates can apply through the official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/.
Disclaimer
MathsIQ.in is an independent educational and examination information website and is not affiliated with NTA or UGC. Information is provided for general guidance. Candidates should verify the latest eligibility conditions, fees, deadlines and examination instructions in the official notification before applying.