UGC NET December 2026 Overview
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor, appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D., and admission to Ph.D. only in Indian universities and colleges. Candidates qualifying under different categories obtain distinct eligibilities as specified by the governing bodies.
Important Dates & Registration Schedule
Online applications for the UGC NET December 2026 examination begin on 08 October 2026 and conclude on 28 October 2026. Successful transactions of examination fees through credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI are permitted until 28 October 2026. A late submission window with a late fee of Rs. 500/- is available from 29 October 2026 to 31 October 2026. Online application form corrections can be made between 02 November 2026 and 04 November 2026. The examination is scheduled to be held from 14 December 2026 to 19 December 2026.
Application Fee Structure
The examination fee varies according to the category of the candidate. General/Unreserved candidates are required to pay Rs. 1150/-. Gen-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates must pay Rs. 600/-. Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Third Gender, and PwD/PwBD candidates are charged an application fee of Rs. 325/-. Additional service charges and GST levied by banks or payment gateways must be borne by the applicant.
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
Candidates must apply online through the official NTA portal using their own email ID and mobile number. The application process involves online registration via the Meri Pehchaan Single Sign-On platform, filling out the application form, uploading a live photograph along with scanned images of a recent passport-sized photograph, signature, and disability certificate if applicable, and successfully paying the prescribed examination fee. After fee remittance, applicants must download, save, and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Guidelines and Precautions
Applicants must ensure that all entered details are accurate, as changes after the correction window closes will not be entertained. NTA does not accept offline applications or modify candidate particulars under any circumstances. Candidates are required to keep their login credentials secure and regularly monitor the official website for updates regarding exam city intimations, admit card downloads, and result declarations.
Important Dates
| Label | Date |
|---|---|
| Online registration and submission of Application Form starts | 08 October 2026 |
| Last date for online registration and application submission | 28 October 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Last date for successful transaction of Examination fee | 28 October 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Late Submission of online application Form with Late Fee | 29 October 2026 to 31 October 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Last Date of Successful Transaction with Late Fee | 31 October 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Correction in the Particulars of Application Form online only | 02 November 2026 to 04 November 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Dates of Examination | 14 December 2026 to 19 December 2026 |
Eligibility
- Indian nationals
- Candidates meeting post-graduation qualification requirements specified for UGC-NET
Application Fee
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved | Rs. 1150/- |
| Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL | Rs. 600/- |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST) / Third Gender | Rs. 325/- |
| Person with Disability (PwD) / Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | Rs. 325/- |
Selection Process
- Computer Based Test (CBT) consisting of Paper 1 and Paper 2
- Declaration of result based on NTA scores and normalization procedures
How to Apply
- Visit the official NTA UGC-NET website at https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/.
- Register for Online Registration using your own Email ID and Mobile Number through the Meri Pehchaan Single Sign-On platform.
- Fill in the Online Application Form and note down the system-generated Application Number.
- Upload a live photograph, scanned photograph (10kb-200kb), signature (10kb-50kb), and UDID or disability certificate (50kb-300kb) in PDF format if applicable.
- Pay the application fee using SBI, Canara, UBI, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI.
- Download, save, and print the Confirmation Page after successful fee payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official website to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
Candidates can apply through the official NTA website at https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/.
What are the start and end dates for online registration of UGC NET December 2026?
Online registration begins on 08 October 2026 and ends on 28 October 2026 up to 11:50 P.M.
What is the examination fee for General/Unreserved candidates in UGC NET December 2026?
The application fee for General/Unreserved candidates is Rs. 1150/-.
When is the UGC NET December 2026 examination scheduled to be held?
The examination is scheduled from 14 December 2026 to 19 December 2026.
What is the duration of the UGC NET December 2026 examination?
The duration of the examination is 180 minutes (03 hours) with no break between Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Official Links
Details are compiled from official notices. Always confirm eligibility, dates and fees on the official website before applying. Jankari Portal never charges any fee.