The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the Information Bulletin for UGC NET December 2026. Online registration is open from 8 October to 28 October 2026 on ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The exam will be held from 14 to 19 December 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
This guide covers everything about UGC NET December 2026, including dates, fee, eligibility, age limit, exam pattern, result criteria and the application steps.
What Is UGC NET December 2026?
UGC NET December 2026 is a national-level test that decides whether Indian nationals are eligible for:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor
- Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.
- Admission to Ph.D. only
NTA conducts the exam on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The test is held in more than 80 subjects, mostly in humanities, social sciences, languages, commerce, education, law, computer science and related fields. The full list with subject codes is in Annexure II of the bulletin.
UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
The tentative schedule for UGC NET December 2026 is given below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online registration starts | 8 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 28 October 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Last date to pay fee | 28 October 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Late submission (with ₹500 late fee) | 29 to 31 October 2026 |
| Last date to pay fee with late fee | 31 October 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Application correction window | 2 to 4 November 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Exam city intimation | To be intimated later |
| Admit card download | To be intimated later |
| Exam dates | 14 to 19 December 2026 (buffer days: 20 and 21 December) |
| Exam timing / shift | To be intimated later |
| Answer key and recorded responses | To be announced |
| Result | To be announced |
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
The fee for UGC NET December 2026 depends on your category.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC (NCL) | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / Third Gender | ₹325 |
| PwD / PwBD | ₹325 |
| Late fee (all categories) | ₹500 extra |
You can pay by Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking or UPI. Bank or payment gateway service charges and GST are extra. State-list OBC candidates who are not in the Central OBC-NCL list must select General/Unreserved.
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To appear in UGC NET December 2026, candidates must meet the following educational and age criteria.
Educational Qualification
| Category | Minimum Marks in Master’s Degree |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved / General-EWS | 55% |
| OBC (NCL) / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | 50% |
- Final-year Master’s students, and those awaiting their result, can apply. They are admitted provisionally.
- Provisional candidates must pass with the required marks within two years of the result. For “Admission to Ph.D. only”, the limit is one year.
- Ph.D. holders whose Master’s was completed by 19 September 1991 get a 5% relaxation (55% to 50%).
- Candidates with a 4-year / 8-semester bachelor’s degree need at least 75% marks (5% relaxation for reserved categories). They can get JRF and Ph.D. admission, but cannot be appointed Assistant Professor on that basis. They may choose any subject in which they want to pursue a Ph.D.
- Candidates should appear in the subject of their post-graduation. If it is not in the NET list, they can choose a related subject.
Age Limit
| Post | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| JRF | 30 years as on 1 December 2026 |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit |
| Ph.D. admission only | No upper age limit |
The JRF age relaxation is up to 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, Third Gender and women applicants. Relaxation is also given for research experience and for armed forces service. The total relaxation cannot exceed 5 years. LL.M. degree holders get a separate relaxation of 3 years.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern
The paper has two parts, both with objective (MCQ) questions. All questions are compulsory, and there is no break between the two parts.
| Part | Questions | Marks | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I | 50 | 100 | Teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, reading comprehension, general awareness |
| Part II | 100 | 200 | Subject chosen by the candidate (domain knowledge) |
| Total | 150 | 300 | Duration: 180 minutes (3 hours) |
Marking scheme:
- Each question carries 2 marks.
- There is no negative marking.
- Unanswered questions and questions marked for review get no marks.
- If a question is wrong or dropped, 2 marks go to those who attempted it.
- If more than one option is correct, 2 marks go to those who marked any correct option.
Medium: English and Hindi (except language papers). The medium chosen in the form cannot be changed later. If the two versions differ, the English version is final.
Result and Qualifying Criteria
Based on performance in UGC NET December 2026, candidates qualify in three categories:
| Qualified For | JRF | Assistant Professor | Ph.D. Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1: JRF and Assistant Professor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Category 2: Assistant Professor and Ph.D. | No | Yes | Yes |
| Category 3: Ph.D. only | No | No | Yes |
- Only the top 6% of candidates who appeared are declared qualified for Assistant Professor eligibility.
- You must appear in both parts and score at least 40% aggregate marks (General/EWS) or 35% (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD/PwBD, Third Gender).
- Slots are allocated by category as per the Government of India reservation policy.
- For Category 2 and 3 candidates, Ph.D. admission carries 70% weightage for NET marks and 30% for the interview. These marks are valid for one year.
- A JRF award letter is valid for three years from the date of issue.
How to Apply for UGC NET December 2026
Follow these steps to apply for UGC NET December 2026 online:
- Go to the official website ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
- Register with your own email ID and mobile number (registration is enabled through Meri Pehchaan single sign-on).
- Fill in the application form and note down the Application Number.
- Upload the required documents:
- Live photograph (via webcam or QR code on mobile)
- Recent photograph: 10 KB to 200 KB, colour or black and white, white background, 80% face visible including ears
- Signature: 10 KB to 50 KB
- Disability/UDID certificate (if applicable): PDF, 50 KB to 300 KB
- Pay the fee online and keep the proof of payment.
- Download and save the Confirmation Page. It is generated only after successful payment.
Tips:
- Steps 2 and 3 must both be completed. An incomplete application is rejected.
- NTA does not accept any document by post, fax, WhatsApp, email or in person.
- Use your own email ID and mobile number. NTA sends all communication only to these.
- Choose four exam cities in order of preference. NTA may still allot a different city.
- Make corrections only in the window from 2 to 4 November 2026.
- Fees are non-refundable once paid.
Answer Key Challenge
After the exam of UGC NET December 2026, NTA will display the question paper, recorded responses and the provisional answer key for two to three days. You can challenge an answer by paying ₹200 per question (non-refundable). Only paid challenges made through the official link within the time limit are considered. The result is based on the final answer key, and no grievances are entertained after the result.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply online: official website for UGC NET December 2026 | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| NTA official website | https://nta.ac.in/ |
| Syllabus (UGC) | https://www.ugcnetonline.in/syllabus-new.php |
| UGC NET December notice | Download Here |
| NTA helpdesk email | ugcnet@nta.ac.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The last date is 28 October 2026 (up to 11:50 PM). With a ₹500 late fee, you can apply until 31 October 2026.
2. When is the exam going to be held?
The exam will be held from 14 to 19 December 2026. The exact date and shift will be on your admit card. 20 and 21 December are kept as buffer days.
3. What is the application fee?
It is ₹1,150 for General, ₹600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL, and ₹325 for SC, ST, Third Gender and PwD/PwBD.
4. What is the minimum qualification required?
You need a Master’s degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, PwBD and Third Gender). Final-year students can apply provisionally.
5. What is the age limit for JRF?
The upper limit is 30 years as on 1 December 2026, with up to 5 years’ relaxation for eligible categories. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or Ph.D. admission only.
6. Is there negative marking?
No. Each question carries 2 marks and wrong answers are not penalised.
7. How many questions are there in the paper?
There are 150 MCQs worth 300 marks: 50 in Part I and 100 in Part II. The time allowed is 3 hours.
8. What are the minimum qualifying marks?
You need at least 40% aggregate marks for General/EWS and 35% for reserved categories. The final cut-off depends on the top 6% slot rule.
9. In which language is the paper conducted?
The paper is in English and Hindi, except for language papers.
10. Can I correct my application after submitting it?
Yes, but only during the correction window from 2 to 4 November 2026.
11. Can final-year Master’s students apply?
Yes. They are admitted provisionally and must complete the degree with the required marks within the time limit in the bulletin.
12. How many exam cities can I choose?
You choose four cities in order of preference. NTA may allot a different city for administrative reasons.