The National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC), has released the official notification for the UGC-NET December 2026 examination. The national-level exam determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for the award of a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor, appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D., or admission to Ph.D. only in Indian universities and colleges. The December 2026 session will be conducted for 87 subjects via Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
NTA UGC NET December 2026 Overview
| Organization / Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Exam Name | UGC-NET December 2026 |
| Purpose | Determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor, and Ph.D. admissions |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Application Dates | October 8, 2026 to October 28, 2026 |
| Late Submission | October 29, 2026 to October 31, 2026 (with Rs. 500/- late fee) |
| Application Fee | Rs. 1150/- (Gen), Rs. 600/- (EWS/OBC-NCL), Rs. 325/- (SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender) |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
UGC NET December 2026: Eligibility
The UGC-NET is open to Indian nationals seeking to qualify for the award of a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as an Assistant Professor, appointment as an Assistant Professor and admission to a Ph.D., or admission to a Ph.D. program only in Indian universities and colleges. Candidates must ensure they meet the specific academic and demographic requirements detailed in the official Information Bulletin available on the NTA website.
UGC NET December 2026: Important Dates
Candidates must complete their registrations within the specified timeline, as the NTA has outlined strict deadlines for the application and examination process:
| Event | Date & Time |
| Online Registration Window | October 8, 2026 to October 28, 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Last Date for Fee Submission (Regular) | October 28, 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Late Submission Window | October 29, 2026 to October 31, 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Late Fee Payment Deadline | October 31, 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Application Correction Window | November 2, 2026 to November 4, 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Examination Dates | December 14, 2026 to December 19, 2026 |
| Exam City & Admit Card | To be intimated later on the NTA website |
Note: Candidates applying during the late submission window will be subject to an additional late fee of Rs. 500/-. All dates are tentative and applicants will be informed in case of any changes.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee Structure
The application examination fee must be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
General / Unreserved: Rs. 1150/-
General-EWS / OBC-NCL: Rs. 600/-
SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender: Rs. 325/-
UGC NET December 2026: Application Process & Guidelines
Interested candidates must apply exclusively through the online portal at https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/. Applications submitted in any other mode will not be accepted.
Registration Gateway: Applications can be submitted directly on the NTA website or through the single sign-on service “Meri Pehchan,” facilitated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Aadhaar Verification: The NTA advises applicants to utilize Aadhaar verification during the form completion process to facilitate smoother registration, exam centre processing, and subsequent JRF processing.
Contact Details: Candidates must ensure the email address and mobile number provided belong to them or their parents/guardians, as all NTA communications, including SMS and emails, will be routed exclusively through these registered channels.
Application Restrictions: Only one application per candidate is permitted; multiple submissions will result in summary disqualification. Candidates must fill in their particulars carefully, as no changes will be allowed after the final submission outside of the designated correction window.
For clarifications or technical difficulties during the application process, candidates can contact the NTA helpdesk at 011-40759000 or 011-69227700, or reach out via email at ugcnet@nta.ac.in.
