Check Your Eligibility (Age)
UGC NET December 2026 apply online is open from 08.10.2026 to 28.10.2026 at 11:50 PM. NTA holds the test from 14 to 19 December 2026 in 87 subjects, and it decides JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD eligibility.
UGC NET December 2026 apply online closes on 28.10.2026. A late form is taken from 29 to 31 October with Rs 500 extra. The fee is Rs 1,150 General, Rs 600 EWS and OBC (NCL), Rs 325 SC, ST, PwD and third gender. The exam runs from 14 to 19 December 2026.
Application dates and fee
| Date or fee | What the NTA notice says |
|---|---|
| Online registration | The form can be filled from 08.10.2026 to 28.10.2026 until 11:50 PM. |
| Last date to pay fee | The fee must be paid by 28.10.2026 through card, net banking or UPI. |
| Late submission | A late form is accepted from 29.10.2026 to 31.10.2026 with a Rs 500 late fee. |
| Correction window | Particulars in the form can be corrected from 02.11.2026 to 04.11.2026. |
| Exam dates | The computer based test runs from 14.12.2026 to 19.12.2026. |
| City slip and admit card | NTA will announce both later, and neither was out on 10.10.2026. |
| General fee | Rs 1,150 for General and unreserved candidates. |
| EWS and OBC fee | Rs 600 for General-EWS and OBC (NCL) candidates. |
| SC and ST fee | Rs 325 for SC, ST, PwD and third gender candidates. |
Note: The window is 21 days long, counting both ends. Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 got 30. As on 10.10.2026, 19 days are left, including 28 October. A General candidate who misses 28.10.2026 pays Rs 1,650, the Rs 1,150 fee plus Rs 500 late fee. The notice calls all dates tentative and says NTA will inform applicants of any change.
Important Links
| Link | Status |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click here · Live, open till 28.10.2026 |
| Information Bulletin PDF | Click here · Published 08.10.2026 |
| Public Notice PDF | Click here · Published 08.10.2026 |
| Subject Syllabus | Click here · Live on the UGC NET syllabus page |
| UGC NET Official Website | Click here · Live |
| City Slip and Admit Card | Click here · Not announced as on 10.10.2026, will appear here |
| CSIR NET December 2026 | Click here · Apply till 05.11.2026 |
| More Sarkari Naukri Updates | Click here · Live |
Note: The apply link carries a session token in its address. If it stops working, open the official website and use the application form link on its home page. We opened the apply page, the bulletin, the notice and the syllabus page on 10.10.2026 and all four loaded. NTA says it will not give anyone a copy of the syllabus, so the UGC page is the only place to get it.
How to apply online
- Open the apply link and complete New Registration with your own email and mobile number, or a parent’s. NTA sends every message there.
- Log in and fill the form. The notice advises Aadhaar verification, and says registration is also enabled through the Meri Pehchan single sign on.
- Choose your subject and exam cities. Only one application is allowed per candidate.
- Pay Rs 1,150, Rs 600 or Rs 325 by debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI before 28.10.2026.
- Download the confirmation page and keep it. Changes are possible only from 02.11.2026 to 04.11.2026.
Eligibility and age limit
| Eligibility rule | What the bulletin says |
|---|---|
| Master’s marks | General and EWS candidates need 55%, OBC (NCL), SC, ST, PwD and third gender need 50%. |
| Final year students | Candidates awaiting the Master’s result can apply and are admitted provisionally. |
| Time to finish | They must pass within two years of the NET result, or one year for PhD only. |
| Four year bachelor’s | A four year degree needs 75% marks, with up to 5% relaxation for reserved categories. |
| JRF age limit | Not more than 30 years on 01.12.2026, the first day of the exam month. |
| Age relaxation | Up to 5 years for OBC (NCL), SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, third gender candidates and women. |
| Assistant Professor and PhD | There is no upper age limit for either category. |
Note: Many candidates assume a Master’s degree is the only way in. The bulletin also accepts a four year bachelor’s degree with 75%, but that route leads only to JRF and PhD admission. Someone who qualifies on a four year degree is not eligible for Assistant Professor. Relaxation on every ground together, including research experience, an LLM degree and armed forces service, cannot go past 5 years. The 55% is counted without rounding off.
Exam pattern and qualifying categories
| Exam detail | What the bulletin says |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 50 questions for 100 marks on teaching and research aptitude, reasoning and comprehension. |
| Paper 2 | 100 questions for 200 marks on the subject the candidate chooses. |
| Duration | 180 minutes for both papers together, with no break in between. |
| Negative marking | There is no negative marking for an incorrect response. |
| Category 1 | JRF and Assistant Professor, which also covers PhD admission. |
| Category 2 | Assistant Professor and PhD admission, without JRF. |
| Category 3 | PhD admission only, without JRF or Assistant Professor. |
| PhD admission marks | Category 2 and 3 candidates are ranked 70% on NET marks and 30% on interview. |
Note: That is 150 questions in 180 minutes, about 1.2 minutes each, and every question is compulsory. With no negative marking a blank answer can only cost marks, so mark an answer to every question before time runs out. Category 2 and 3 marks stay valid for PhD admission for one year from the result. Results come as a percentile with normalised marks when a subject runs in more than one shift. One more thing worth checking. The 19th of December is an exam day here and in Joint CSIR-UGC NET too, so anyone sitting both should compare the two city slips when they come out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date for UGC NET December 2026 apply online?
28.10.2026 at 11:50 PM. A late form is accepted from 29.10.2026 to 31.10.2026 with a Rs 500 late fee, and corrections run from 02.11.2026 to 04.11.2026.
When is the UGC NET December 2026 exam?
From 14 to 19 December 2026 in computer based mode. The exam city slip and admit card were not announced as on 10.10.2026.
What is the UGC NET December 2026 application fee?
Rs 1,150 for General, Rs 600 for General-EWS and OBC (NCL), and Rs 325 for SC, ST, PwD and third gender candidates.
What is the JRF age limit in UGC NET December 2026?
Not more than 30 years on 01.12.2026, with up to 5 years relaxation for OBC (NCL), SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, third gender candidates and women. Assistant Professor and PhD have no upper age limit.
Is there negative marking in UGC NET December 2026?
No. The bulletin says there is no negative marking, so an answer should be marked for all 150 questions.
Can a four year degree holder apply for UGC NET December 2026?
Yes, with 75% marks. Qualifying that way gives JRF and PhD admission but not Assistant Professor eligibility.