UGC NET December 2026 Notification Released: Check Application Dates, Exam Schedule and Eligibility

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued the Information Bulletin for the UGC NET December 2026 examination, outlining the application schedule, examination dates, eligibility requirements, application fees and test pattern. Candidates seeking eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor, or admission to PhD programmes can refer to the bulletin before completing their applications.

Candidates should carefully read the official UGC NET portal and the Information Bulletin to confirm the requirements applicable to their category and subject.

UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates

The UGC NET December 2026 schedule includes separate deadlines for online registration, fee payment, late applications, corrections, examination city information and admit cards. Candidates should complete each stage within the prescribed period.

The dates above follow the Information Bulletin. Candidates should monitor the official portal for any subsequent notice or schedule revision.

UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee

The examination fee varies by category. Candidates must pay the applicable amount online through the payment methods integrated into the application portal. Bank or payment gateway service charges and GST, where applicable, are additional.

The category-wise examination fee specified in the bulletin is as follows.

Candidates applying during the late application window must pay an additional INR 500 late fee over and above the applicable examination fee. Applicants should confirm their category and payment details before completing the transaction.

How to Apply for UGC NET December 2026?

The UGC NET December 2026 application process is online. Candidates should read the official instructions carefully and keep their required details and scanned documents ready before starting the form.

Follow these steps to complete the application:

1. Visit the official UGC NET website.
2. Open the online application link for UGC NET December 2026.
3. Complete registration using your own email address and mobile number.
4. Fill in the application form and note the system-generated application number.
5. Upload the required photograph, signature and other applicable documents in the prescribed format.
6. Pay the examination fee through an available online payment method.
7. Complete all required application stages and download the confirmation page for future reference.

The bulletin states that the application process is incomplete if the required form-filling and fee-payment stages are not completed. Candidates should check that the final submission is successful rather than assuming that registration alone completes the process.

UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern

The UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. The test consists of two compulsory sections containing objective-type multiple-choice questions, with no break between Paper I and Paper II.

The total examination duration is 180 minutes, or three hours. Candidates should note that the bulletin lists the examination timings as to be announced later. The specific date, shift and examination centre will be indicated on the admit card.

The question paper will generally be available in English and Hindi, except for language papers. Candidates should carefully select their preferred medium while completing the application form.

UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the educational qualification requirements specified in the bulletin. In general, applicants need a master's degree or an equivalent recognised qualification with the required minimum marks.

The bulletin specifies a minimum of 55% marks in the master's degree for General or Unreserved candidates and 50% for candidates belonging to eligible reserved categories, including OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender. Candidates should check the detailed eligibility provisions for their category and qualification before applying.

Candidates pursuing a four-year or eight-semester bachelor's degree programme in their final year or semester may also apply under the conditions specified in the bulletin. Candidates qualifying through a four-year undergraduate degree can be considered for JRF and PhD admission, but are not eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor on that basis.

UGC NET December 2026 Age Limit

The age limit depends on the purpose for which a candidate is applying. For the award of Junior Research Fellowship, the maximum age is 30 years as of December 1, 2026, subject to the relaxations specified in the bulletin.

Eligible categories, women applicants and certain other candidates may receive age relaxation under the prescribed rules. The bulletin also provides specific provisions for candidates with research experience, LLM degrees and eligible armed forces service.

There is no upper age limit for applying for UGC NET for Assistant Professor eligibility or PhD admission. Candidates should read the age-relaxation provisions in the official bulletin to determine their eligibility accurately.

UGC NET December 2026 FAQs