UGC NET December 2026 application opens: apply by 28 October

In short

The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the notification for the UGC NET December 2026 examination on October 8, 2026.
Candidates can apply online through ugcnet.nta.nic.in until the application deadline of October 28, 2026.
The examination fee must also be paid by October 28, 2026, with a late fee option available until October 31, 2026.
The computer-based test for 87 subjects is scheduled to be held from December 14 to December 19, 2026.
The application correction window will be open from November 2 to November 4, 2026.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has initiated the online application process for the University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2026 examination. The notification for this cycle was released on October 8, 2026, with registration commencing the same day. Aspiring candidates can submit their applications through the official website, ugcnet.nta.nic.in, until October 28, 2026.

The UGC NET examination serves as a determinant for eligibility for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and admission to Ph.D. programmes across Indian universities and colleges. The December 2026 session will cover 87 subjects and will be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode.

Application Process and Key Dates

Candidates interested in the UGC NET December 2026 examination must complete their online applications and pay the requisite fees by October 28, 2026. For those who miss this initial deadline, a window for application submission with an additional late fee of ₹500 will be available from October 29 to October 31, 2026. Following the application period, a correction window will be provided between November 2 and November 4, 2026, for candidates to make any necessary amendments to their submitted forms.

The examination itself is scheduled to take place from December 14 to December 19, 2026. The NTA has also indicated buffer dates of December 20 and December 21, 2026, for the examination. Applicants are advised to keep their registered email addresses and mobile numbers active for receiving updates from the NTA. The application process is supported through the Meri Pehchaan single sign-on service.

UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
Event	Date
Notification Released	October 8, 2026
Registration Opens	October 8, 2026
Application Deadline	October 28, 2026
Last Date for Fee Payment	October 28, 2026
Application with Late Fee	October 29 – October 31, 2026
Application Correction Window	November 2 – November 4, 2026
Exam Dates	December 14 – December 19, 2026

Eligibility Criteria and Fee Structure

To be eligible for the UGC NET December 2026 examination, candidates must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification with at least 55% marks. A relaxation of 5% in marks, bringing the requirement to 50%, is applicable for candidates belonging to the SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD, and Third Gender categories. There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for Assistant Professor eligibility. However, for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), the maximum age is capped at 31 years, with specific relaxations provided for reserved categories as per government norms.

The application fees vary based on the candidate’s category. General and Unreserved category candidates are required to pay ₹1,150. For General-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates, the fee is ₹600, while candidates from SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender categories pay ₹325. Payments can be made online using credit cards, debit cards, net banking, or UPI. The NTA has specified that only online applications will be accepted, and each candidate is permitted to submit only one application.

UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
Category	Fee
General/Unreserved	₹1,150
General-EWS/OBC-NCL	₹600
SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender	₹325

Examination Pattern and Support

The UGC NET examination comprises two papers, both conducted in a single sitting. Paper 1 assesses teaching and research aptitude, while Paper 2 is subject-specific, covering the candidate’s chosen discipline. There is no negative marking in the examination, as confirmed by the NTA. The exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) covering close to 85 subjects, run across multiple shifts.

For any clarifications or assistance, candidates can contact the NTA helpline numbers at 011-40759000 or 011-69227700. Also, queries can be sent via email to ugcnet@nta.ac.in. Candidates are advised to prepare necessary documents such as 10th and 12th marksheets, qualifying degree certificates, category certificates, and a valid photo ID in advance of the application process.

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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