The UGC NET December 2026 online application is now open on the official NTA portal. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will hold the exam as a Computer Based Test (CBT) in 87 subjects. Regular registration closes on 28 October 2026, and a late window with an extra fee runs till 31 October 2026. This guide covers the dates, fees, eligibility, JRF age limit, exam pattern and the steps to apply. All details come from NTA’s public notice of 8 October 2026 and the Information Bulletin.
UGC NET December 2026: Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of UGC |
| Exam | UGC-NET December 2026 |
| Subjects | 87 |
| Purpose | JRF and Assistant Professor; Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission; Ph.D. admission only |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Apply mode | Online only |
| Official portal | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
First, note the key dates. All online deadlines close at 11:50 PM. Also, NTA says the dates are tentative and may change, so keep checking the portal.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application | 8 October to 28 October 2026 |
| Last date for fee payment | 28 October 2026 |
| Late registration (with late fee) | 29 October to 31 October 2026 |
| Correction window | 2 November to 4 November 2026 |
| Exam city intimation slip | 23 November 2026 (as per Information Bulletin) |
| Admit card download | 7 December 2026 (as per Information Bulletin) |
| Exam dates | 14 to 18 December and 21 December 2026 (as per Information Bulletin) |
| Answer key and result | To be announced later |
Note that the 8 October public notice listed the exam window as 14 to 19 December 2026. However, the Information Bulletin linked by NTA on 16 October 2026 lists 14 to 18 and 21 December. Your admit card will show your final date and shift.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
You can pay by credit card, debit card, net banking or UPI. In addition, bank charges and GST are payable separately.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
| Late fee (29–31 October) | ₹500 extra, over the category fee |
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility
The main condition is a Master’s degree with the minimum marks below. Next, check the age rule, because it applies only to JRF.
- Master’s marks: at least 55% for General/EWS, and 50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender.
- JRF age limit: not more than 30 years as on 1 December 2026, with relaxation of up to 5 years for eligible categories.
- Assistant Professor and Ph.D.: there is no upper age limit.
Exam Pattern
The exam has two papers in one sitting of 180 minutes. There is no break between them.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 | Teaching and research aptitude |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 | Your chosen subject |
- Each correct answer gets 2 marks, and there is no negative marking.
- The medium is English and Hindi, except for language papers.
- To qualify, you need an aggregate of 40% (General/EWS) or 35% (reserved categories) across both papers.
For Ph.D. admission, NET marks carry 70% weightage and the university interview carries 30%. Moreover, these NET marks stay valid for one year from the result.
How to Apply for UGC NET December 2026
- First, open ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
- Next, register using Meri Pehchan, the single sign-on service. NTA recommends Aadhaar verification.
- Then fill in the form. Use your own (or parent’s) email and mobile, because NTA sends all updates there.
- Choose four exam cities in the state of your permanent or present address.
- After that, pay the fee by 28 October 2026.
- Finally, check every detail and save the confirmation page. Only one application is allowed per candidate.
Keep your certificates ready in digital form. Our DigiLocker guide for government exams can help.
Exam Day and Answer Key Rules
Report two hours before the exam, because gates close 30 minutes before it starts. Later, NTA will release the provisional answer key. You can challenge it by paying ₹200 per question. For study planning, see our 2026 exam preparation guide and other education updates.
Important Links
| Link | Open |
|---|---|
| Apply online | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
| Public notice (8 October 2026) | Download PDF |
| Information Bulletin / corrigendum notice (16 October 2026) | Download PDF |
| NTA official website | nta.ac.in |
FAQs on UGC NET December 2026
What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The regular last date is 28 October 2026. With a ₹500 late fee, you can apply from 29 to 31 October 2026.
When is the UGC NET December 2026 exam?
The Information Bulletin lists 14 to 18 December and 21 December 2026. Your admit card will show the exact date.
What is the age limit for JRF?
The limit is 30 years as on 1 December 2026, with up to 5 years’ relaxation for eligible categories. There is no age limit for Assistant Professor.
Is there negative marking?
No. Each correct answer gets 2 marks, and wrong answers lose nothing.
What is the fee for General candidates?
General candidates pay ₹1,150. Gen-EWS and OBC-NCL pay ₹600, while SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender pay ₹325.
Sources
- National Testing Agency – Public Notice on UGC-NET December 2026 registration, 8 October 2026: application dates, fees, late fee, correction window, portal and contacts.
- National Testing Agency – UGC-NET December 2026 Information Bulletin (linked 16 October 2026): exam dates, city slip and admit card dates, eligibility, JRF age, pattern, qualifying marks and answer key challenge fee.
- National Testing Agency – official website: list of latest notices.
Always confirm details on the official website before applying.