UGC NET December 2026 applications are open until 28 October 2026, 11:50 pm. If you miss that, a late window runs from 29 to 31 October with an extra Rs 500. The test is computer based, covers 87 subjects, and is scheduled for 14 to 18 December and 21 December 2026, according to the National Testing Agency (NTA).
UGC NET December 2026 dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application and fee payment | 8 October to 28 October 2026 (up to 11:50 pm) |
| Late application with Rs 500 late fee | 29 October to 31 October 2026 (up to 11:50 pm) |
| Correction in the application form (online only) | 2 November to 4 November 2026 |
| Exam city intimation | 23 November 2026 |
| Admit card download | 7 December 2026 |
| Exam | 14 to 18 December 2026 and 21 December 2026 |
| Result | To be announced |
One detail to watch: NTA's 8 October public notice gave 14 to 19 December as the exam window. The information bulletin, linked from NTA's 16 October corrigendum, lists 14 to 18 December plus 21 December. Treat the date and shift printed on your admit card as final, because NTA also says its dates are tentative.
UGC NET application fee
| Category | Fee (Rs) |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | 600 |
| SC / ST / Third Gender / PwD | 325 |
Bank or payment gateway charges and GST are extra, and NTA does not refund a fee once it has been paid successfully. A form without a successful payment counts as incomplete.
UGC NET eligibility and age limit
Marks: a master's degree with at least 55%, or 50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender candidates.
Final-year students: you can apply while pursuing your master's or awaiting the result, but you are admitted provisionally. You must finish with the required marks within two years of the NET result, or within one year if you qualify only for PhD admission.
Four-year bachelor's degree: you need 75% (5% relaxation for notified categories). A NET qualification on this basis gives JRF and PhD admission, but not appointment as Assistant Professor.
Age: JRF applicants must not be older than 30 on 1 December 2026, with relaxations of up to 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender and women candidates. Assistant Professor and PhD admission have no upper age limit.
If your marksheet shows a CGPA, convert it with the CGPA to percentage calculator and then check the conversion rule your university follows. Your master's must come from a UGC-recognised institution, which you can verify on our UGC-recognised universities list.
UGC NET exam pattern and marking
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 50 | 100 | Teaching and research aptitude: reasoning, reading comprehension, general awareness |
| Paper 2 | 100 | 200 | Your chosen subject |
Both papers are multiple choice, run back to back in one 3-hour sitting with no break, and carry 2 marks per correct answer. There is no negative marking. Papers are in English and Hindi, except language subjects.
What to do before 28 October
Confirm your marks and category against the table above, so you pick the right fee and the right JRF or Assistant Professor option.
Register through the official site. NTA has enabled the Meri Pehchaan single sign-on, and it advises Aadhaar verification where possible.
Upload a recent photograph (10 to 200 KB) and a signature (10 to 50 KB), plus the disability certificate if it applies to you.
Choose the subject of your master's degree. NTA advises appearing in your postgraduate subject, or a related one if yours is not listed.
Pay the fee and download the confirmation page. You do not need to post any document to NTA.
Pick your options with care, because NTA says the form should be filled thoughtfully and that candidates who qualify only for Assistant Professor and PhD admission, or for PhD admission only, are not considered for the JRF. If PhD is your goal, read how NET scores are used in our guide to PhD admission in India, and how the doctorate routes differ in DBA vs PhD. Use the marks percentage calculator if you need to work out your master's aggregate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The form and fee close on 28 October 2026 at 11:50 pm. A late window with an extra Rs 500 runs from 29 to 31 October 2026, also until 11:50 pm.
When is the UGC NET December 2026 exam?
NTA's information bulletin lists 14 to 18 December 2026 and 21 December 2026. City intimation is due on 23 November and admit cards on 7 December 2026. Your admit card shows your exact date and shift.
What is the UGC NET fee for December 2026?
Rs 1,150 for General/Unreserved, Rs 600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL, and Rs 325 for SC, ST, Third Gender and PwD candidates, plus payment gateway charges and GST.
Is there negative marking in UGC NET?
No. Each correct answer earns 2 marks and wrong or unanswered questions carry no deduction.
Can final-year master's students apply for UGC NET?
Yes, but admission is provisional. You must pass your master's with the required marks within two years of the NET result, or within one year if you qualify only for PhD admission.
Can I correct mistakes in my UGC NET form?
Yes, only online, during the correction window from 2 to 4 November 2026. NTA says it will not change details after that window closes.
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