UGC NET December 2026 Notification – Apply Online, Exam Dates, Fee and Eligibility
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened the online registration process for the UGC NET December 2026 examination. Eligible candidates can apply online for this national-level examination, which determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and Ph.D. admission in Indian universities and colleges.
According to the official public notice dated 8 October 2026, the examination will cover 87 subjects and will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. Candidates should check the important dates, application fee, eligibility requirements, and official instructions before submitting their application.
Table of Contents
UGC NET December 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Examination Purpose | JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility and Ph.D. admission |
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Subjects | 87 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 08 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
Important Dates for UGC NET December 2026
Candidates should note the following dates announced by the NTA.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application begins | 08 October 2026 |
| Last date for online application | 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Last date for examination fee payment | 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Application with late fee | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Last date for late-fee payment | 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Application correction window | 02–04 November 2026 |
| Announcement of exam city | To be announced |
| Admit card availability | To be announced |
| UGC NET examination | 14–19 December 2026 |
Important: The dates above are based on the NTA public notice dated 8 October 2026. Candidates should check the official website for any subsequent updates.
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified in the official UGC NET Information Bulletin.
The public notice confirms that UGC NET determines eligibility for three purposes:
- Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor.
- Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D. programmes.
- Admission to Ph.D. programmes only.
The detailed educational qualification, minimum marks, age limit for JRF, and applicable relaxations should be checked in the official Information Bulletin before applying. Eligibility conditions may differ depending on the category and the purpose for which a candidate is appearing.
Official reference: UGC NET Information Bulletin
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
The application fees mentioned in the official public notice are as follows:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
Candidates must pay the applicable examination fee through the online payment methods specified by the NTA, including credit card, debit card, net banking or UPI.
Candidates applying during the late application window from 29 to 31 October 2026 must also pay the prescribed late fee of ₹500, in addition to the applicable examination fee.
Check the official Information Bulletin for the complete fee-payment instructions and any category-specific provisions.
UGC NET December 2026 Examination Schedule
The NTA has announced that the UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted from 14 December to 19 December 2026 in Computer Based Test mode.
The examination will cover 87 subjects. The examination centre, date and shift assigned to an individual candidate will be indicated on the admit card.
The following details are yet to be announced in the public notice:
- Examination city information.
- Admit card download date.
- Date for displaying recorded responses and answer keys.
Candidates should regularly visit the official UGC NET website for announcements regarding these stages.
How to Apply Online for UGC NET December 2026
Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official NTA UGC NET portal by following these steps.
- Visit the official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
- Open the UGC NET December 2026 application link.
- Read the Information Bulletin and application instructions carefully.
- Complete the online registration process using the details requested by the portal.
- Fill in the application form accurately, including personal, educational and examination-related particulars.
- Upload the required documents, photograph and signature in the prescribed format, wherever requested.
- Pay the applicable examination fee through an available online payment method.
- Submit the application form and save the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates should verify all details before final submission. The NTA notice states that only one application should be submitted by each candidate and warns that incorrect or non-compliant applications may lead to disqualification.
Use only the official website to apply and avoid sharing personal or payment details on unofficial websites.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Before completing the UGC NET December 2026 application, candidates should keep the following instructions in mind.
- Apply only through the official NTA UGC NET website.
- Read the complete Information Bulletin before submitting the application.
- Submit only one application form.
- Provide an email address and mobile number belonging to the candidate or their parents/guardians and ensure that these remain accessible.
- Check all personal and educational details carefully before final submission.
- Use the correction window, if required, subject to the rules and permitted fields.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application form and payment confirmation.
- Check official announcements regularly for examination-city details, admit cards and answer-key updates.
For application-related assistance, the public notice lists the NTA contact numbers 011-40759000 and 011-69227700, and the email address ugcnet@nta.ac.in.
Official Links for UGC NET December 2026
| Description | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | UGC NET Application Portal |
| Official Website | UGC NET – NTA |
| Information Bulletin | Download / View Bulletin |
| Public Notices | NTA UGC NET Notices |
| NTA Main Website | https://www.nta.ac.in/ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When does UGC NET December 2026 registration begin?
Online registration began on 8 October 2026.
2. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The last date for online application submission is 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
3. Is there a late application facility?
Yes. The public notice provides a late application window from 29 to 31 October 2026, with a late fee of ₹500 in addition to the applicable examination fee.
4. When will the UGC NET December 2026 examination take place?
The examination is scheduled for 14–19 December 2026.
5. How many subjects are included in UGC NET December 2026?
The examination will cover 87 subjects.
6. What is the application fee for General category candidates?
The fee for General / Unreserved candidates is ₹1,150, as specified in the public notice.
7. Where can candidates apply for UGC NET December 2026?
Candidates should apply through the official website at https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/.
8. When will the exam city and admit card details be released?
The public notice states that the exam city announcement and admit card dates will be communicated later through the official website.
Final Note
UGC NET December 2026 is an important examination for candidates seeking JRF opportunities, Assistant Professor eligibility or admission to Ph.D. programmes. Applicants should complete their registration before the deadline, verify their eligibility using the official Information Bulletin, and monitor the NTA website for updates.
Disclaimer: This article is prepared for informational purposes using the NTA public notice dated 8 October 2026. Candidates should refer to the latest official notification and Information Bulletin for complete eligibility conditions, application instructions and updates. FreeJobs2all.in is an independent information website and is not affiliated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) or the University Grants Commission (UGC).
