The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened online registration for the UGC NET December 2026 examination. Candidates planning to pursue a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), become an Assistant Professor or seek PhD admission can now submit their applications.
The registration process started on 8 October 2026, and the last date to apply without a late fee is 28 October 2026. NTA has also introduced a ₹500 late fee for candidates applying during the extended window from 29 to 31 October.
The examination is scheduled to take place from 14 to 19 December 2026 across India.
Eligible candidates can complete their registration through the official UGC NET website.
Here are the important dates, category-wise fees, eligibility requirements and application steps.
UGC NET December 2026 Registration: Important Dates
NTA released the official registration notification on 8 October 2026. The examination will be conducted for 87 subjects in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
Candidates should note the following dates before applying.
| Event | Important Date |
| Registration begins | 8 October 2026 |
| Last date without late fee | 28 October 2026 |
| Last date for regular fee payment | 28 October 2026 |
| Registration with late fee | 29 to 31 October 2026 |
| Correction window | 2 to 4 November 2026 |
| Examination dates | 14 to 19 December 2026 |
| Exam city intimation | To be announced |
| Admit card release | To be announced |
The application and payment deadlines close at 11:50 PM on the respective final dates.
Candidates can check the complete schedule in NTA’s official registration notice.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fees
The application fee depends on the candidate’s category.
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / Third Gender | ₹325 |
| PwD / PwBD | ₹325 |
Additional bank processing charges and applicable GST may apply.
Candidates can pay through credit card, debit card, net banking or UPI using the payment options provided on the application portal.
NTA’s New ₹500 Late Fee Rule
For the December 2026 examination, NTA has introduced an additional ₹500 late application fee.
Candidates who miss the regular deadline can submit their forms between 29 and 31 October 2026 by paying this amount along with their normal category-wise fee.
For example, a General category candidate applying during the late window would pay ₹1,650, excluding applicable processing charges.
Students should complete registration early to avoid the additional cost.
Who Is Eligible for UGC NET December 2026?
Before filling out the application form, candidates should confirm that they meet NTA’s educational qualification and age requirements.
Educational Qualification
General and General-EWS candidates must have secured at least 55% marks in a recognised master’s degree or equivalent examination.
For OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender candidates, the minimum requirement is 50%.
Students pursuing their master’s degree or awaiting final-year results can also apply provisionally. However, they must complete their qualifications within the period prescribed by NTA.
Can Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree Holders Apply?
Yes. Candidates who have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree with at least 75% aggregate marks may be eligible, subject to the applicable rules.
Eligible reserved categories can receive a relaxation of five percentage points.
However, candidates qualifying through the four-year undergraduate degree route are eligible for JRF and PhD admission, not Assistant Professor appointments.
Age Limit for JRF and Assistant Professor
For JRF, candidates must not be older than 30 years as of 1 December 2026.
Age relaxation is available for eligible categories, women applicants and certain other candidates according to NTA’s rules.
There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility or PhD admission through UGC NET.
Candidates should review the detailed conditions in the UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin.
How to Apply for UGC NET December 2026 Online
The entire UGC NET application process is conducted online. Candidates do not need to visit an NTA office or send printed forms by post.
Follow these steps to register:
- Visit the official UGC NET application portal.
- Open the UGC NET December 2026 registration link.
- Complete new registration using a valid mobile number and email address.
- Fill in your personal details, educational qualifications and examination subject.
- Select your preferred examination cities from the available options.
- Complete the live photograph capture and upload the required photograph, signature and applicable certificates.
- Review the application carefully before proceeding to payment.
- Pay the category-wise examination fee through an available online payment method.
- Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
NTA has enabled registration through the Meri Pehchaan single sign-on service as an additional facility.
Important: Your application is considered successfully submitted only after the examination fee is received and the confirmation page is generated.
Keep your application number and payment details safely, as they may be needed for future exam-related activities.
UGC NET December 2026 Correction Window
NTA has scheduled the application correction window from 2 to 4 November 2026, closing at 11:50 PM on the final day.
During this period, registered candidates may be able to correct certain permitted details in their submitted applications.
However, NTA may restrict changes to specific fields.
Students should verify their name, category, examination subject, date of birth and qualification details before final submission.
Do not depend entirely on the correction window to fix mistakes.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Dates and Pattern
The UGC NET December 2026 examination is scheduled from 14 to 19 December 2026.
It will be conducted in CBT mode for 87 subjects.
Paper 1 and Paper 2 Exam Pattern
| Exam Section | Questions | Marks |
| Paper 1 | 50 | 100 |
| Paper 2 | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 150 | 300 |
Paper 1 evaluates teaching aptitude, research aptitude, reasoning and general awareness.
Paper 2 focuses on the subject selected by the candidate.
The examination duration is three hours, with no break between the two papers. Each correct answer carries two marks, and there is no negative marking.
When Will NTA Release the Exam City Slip and Admit Card?
NTA has not announced the exact dates for the examination city intimation slip or admit card release.
The city slip will inform candidates about their allotted examination city.
The admit card will provide examination centre details, reporting time, shift and other important instructions.
Both updates will be published on the official UGC NET website.
Documents Required for UGC NET Registration
Candidates should keep their educational records, identity details, recent photograph and signature ready before applying.
Those claiming reservation or disability-related benefits should also have the applicable certificates available.
NTA requires live photograph capture during registration, along with uploaded images according to the prescribed specifications.
Only one application form is permitted per candidate.
Applicants are not required to send printed documents or confirmation pages to NTA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Last Date for UGC NET December 2026 Registration?
The regular application deadline is 28 October 2026, until 11:50 PM. Candidates can apply with a ₹500 late fee until 31 October 2026.
Is There a Late Fee for UGC NET December 2026?
Yes. NTA has introduced an additional ₹500 charge for applications submitted during the late registration window from 29 to 31 October 2026.
Can Final-Year Master’s Students Apply for UGC NET?
Yes. Students pursuing their master’s degree or awaiting final results can apply provisionally, provided they meet the required eligibility conditions within NTA’s prescribed timeline.
What Is the Official Website for UGC NET December 2026?
The official website is ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Candidates should use this portal for registration, notifications and future examination updates.
Final Reminder for Candidates
Candidates planning to appear in UGC NET December 2026 should complete their registration before 28 October to avoid paying an additional fee.
Read the official bulletin, verify all application details and save the confirmation page after successful payment.
For more examination notifications, admit card updates and education-related developments, explore the Education section and Exams and Results coverage on News Vocal.
