UGC NET December 2026 Notification: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the notification for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2026. This national-level examination helps candidates qualify for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and Ph.D. admission, depending on their eligibility and examination results.
According to the provided notification details, the UGC NET December 2026 application process started on 8 October 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their online application forms until 31 October 2026. The agency also published an updated Information Bulletin through a corrigendum dated 16 October 2026, containing revised examination-related information.
Candidates preparing for the UGC NET December 2026 examination should carefully review the application schedule, educational qualifications, age requirements, examination pattern, and fee structure before submitting the form. Applicants should also check the updated notification for the latest instructions regarding examination city information, admit cards, and result announcements.
UGC NET December 2026 Overview
The UGC NET examination is conducted by NTA to assess candidates seeking eligibility for academic and research opportunities in higher education institutions. The following table provides the main details of the December 2026 examination cycle.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Conducting Body | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Examination Name | UGC National Eligibility Test |
| Examination Cycle | December 2026 |
| Available Eligibility Categories | JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. Admission |
| Subjects Covered | 87 subjects |
| Notification Release Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Updated Bulletin Date | 16 October 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
Candidates must complete the application process within the prescribed deadline. The revised schedule mentioned in the supplied notification details is given below.
| Event | Important Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Published | 8 October 2026 |
| Updated Information Bulletin | 16 October 2026 |
| Online Registration Begins | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 October 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Application Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip | 23 November 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 7 December 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14–18 December and 21 December 2026 |
Applicants should refer to the official NTA website for any subsequent changes to the examination schedule.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
The application fee depends on the candidate’s category. As mentioned in the supplied information, the applicable charges are listed below.
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
| Late Fee (if applicable) | ₹500 extra |
| Payment Method | Online |
The application fee can be paid through the available online payment options, such as UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking. Candidates should confirm the applicable payment deadline and late-fee rules in the updated Information Bulletin before paying.
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the educational qualification and age requirements applicable to their preferred eligibility category. Meeting the prescribed conditions is important before completing the UGC NET online application form.
Educational Qualification
Candidates with a postgraduate degree from a recognised university or institution can apply if they meet the required minimum marks.
- General and General-EWS candidates: At least 55% marks in a Master’s degree.
- OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender candidates: At least 50% marks in a Master’s degree.
- Four-year Bachelor’s degree holders: Candidates meeting the prescribed requirement of 75% marks may be eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission under the applicable rules.
Candidates applying through a four-year undergraduate degree should carefully check the official eligibility provisions because this route has specific restrictions and does not automatically provide eligibility for every UGC NET purpose.
Age Limit
For the December 2026 cycle, the supplied notification details state that the maximum age for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is 30 years, calculated as of 1 December 2026.
There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility or Ph.D. admission through the relevant UGC NET qualification categories. Age relaxation for JRF may be available to eligible candidates under the applicable rules.
Applicants should read the official notification to determine the age relaxation applicable to their category and circumstances.
UGC NET December 2026 Examination Pattern
The UGC NET examination consists of two papers conducted in a single session. Both papers assess different skills and contribute to the total score.
| Paper | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Main Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 | Teaching aptitude, research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension and general awareness |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 | Subject-specific knowledge |
| Total | 150 | 300 | Combined examination |
The total examination duration is three hours, or 180 minutes, without a break between the two papers.
Questions are generally available in Hindi and English, except for language-related papers and other applicable exceptions. Candidates should read the examination instructions carefully before appearing for the test.
UGC NET December 2026 Selection Process
The UGC NET is an eligibility examination rather than a conventional recruitment process with a fixed number of vacancies. Candidates are assessed according to their examination performance and the eligibility rules applicable to their selected category.
The main stages generally include:
- Online Examination: Candidates appear for the computer-based test covering Paper I and Paper II.
- Result and Score Assessment: NTA evaluates performance and declares results according to the applicable examination rules.
- Eligibility Determination: Candidates are assessed for JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility, or Ph.D. admission, depending on their scores and the relevant criteria.
- Document Verification: Universities, institutions, or recruiting authorities may verify educational certificates and other supporting documents when required.
Qualifying the examination does not guarantee appointment to an Assistant Professor position, a research fellowship, or admission to a particular Ph.D. programme. Candidates must also meet the requirements of the relevant institution or authority.
How to Apply Online for UGC NET December 2026
Candidates can follow the steps below to complete the UGC NET December 2026 registration process.
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Open the official UGC NET portal at https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ and locate the December 2026 examination registration link.
Step 2: Complete Registration
Create an account using the registration method provided on the portal. Enter the required details carefully and retain your application number and login credentials.
Step 3: Fill Out the Application Form
Provide the requested personal information, educational qualifications, contact details, examination subject, and other required particulars.
Step 4: Select Examination Cities
Choose the examination cities according to the instructions in the current Information Bulletin. Check your selections before proceeding.
Step 5: Upload Required Documents
Upload the photograph, signature, and any applicable certificates in the prescribed format and size. Follow the instructions for live photograph capture if required.
Step 6: Pay the Application Fee
Pay the applicable fee through an available online payment method. Confirm that the payment status is successful before leaving the portal.
Step 7: Submit the Form
Review all entered information and submit the completed application form. Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
Step 8: Make Corrections if Necessary
If any permitted information needs to be changed, use the correction window scheduled for 2–4 November 2026, subject to the official correction rules.
Important Note: The dates, fees, eligibility conditions, and links in this article are based on the supplied material. Before publishing or submitting an application, verify them against the latest official NTA notification and corrigendum, as examination details may be revised.
Important Links for UGC NET December 2026
Candidates can use the following links to access the notification, updated bulletin, application form, and official examination website.
| Resource | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| UGC NET December 2026 Apply Date Extend Notice | Date Extend |
| UGC NET December 2026 Corrigendum & Updated Information Bulletin | Corrigendum |
| UGC NET December 2026 Notification PDF | Notification |
| UGC NET December 2026 Online Form Link | Apply Online |
| Official NTA UGC NET Website | Visit Official Website |
| More Latest Hr Sarkari Result Jobs | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When was the UGC NET December 2026 notification released?
The notification date mentioned in the supplied details is 8 October 2026. An updated Information Bulletin was issued on 16 October 2026.
2. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The supplied schedule lists 31 October 2026 as the final date for online registration and fee payment, up to 11:50 PM.
3. What is the UGC NET December 2026 examination date?
According to the provided schedule, the examination is planned for 14–18 December and 21 December 2026.
4. What is the maximum age for UGC NET JRF?
The supplied notification details specify a maximum age of 30 years for JRF, calculated as of 1 December 2026, subject to applicable relaxation rules.
5. Is there an age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility?
The supplied details state that there is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility or Ph.D. admission through the relevant UGC NET categories.
6. What educational qualification is required for UGC NET?
Candidates generally need a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks for General and General-EWS categories or 50% for the specified reserved categories. Eligible four-year Bachelor’s degree holders may apply under separate provisions for JRF and Ph.D. admission.
7. How many papers are included in the UGC NET examination?
The examination contains two papers. Paper I has 50 questions for 100 marks, while Paper II has 100 questions for 200 marks. The combined duration is three hours.
8. Where can candidates download the UGC NET December 2026 notification?
Candidates can access the notification and updated Information Bulletin through the links provided above or visit the official NTA UGC NET website.
9. Can candidates correct their submitted application forms?
The supplied schedule lists an application correction window from 2 to 4 November 2026. Changes are subject to the fields and conditions permitted by NTA.
10. Does qualifying UGC NET guarantee an Assistant Professor job?
No. Qualifying UGC NET establishes eligibility under the applicable rules. Appointment depends on the recruitment process, institutional requirements, available positions, and other applicable criteria.
