The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the notification for the CSIR UGC NET December 2026. This prestigious Joint CSIR-UGC Fellowship program awards Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and determines eligibility for lectureships across India. The NTA takes full responsibility for conducting this national-level entrance exam.
Furthermore, the Joint CSIR-UGC NET exam assesses Indian nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowships, appointments as Assistant Professors, and admission to Ph.D. programs in Indian universities, colleges, and research establishments. Eligible candidates can confidently submit their applications online.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Exam Overview
To begin with, here is a quick overview of the CSIR UGC NET December 2026 exam details.
| Exam Name | CSIR UGC NET December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Type | Entrance Exam |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Medium of Examination | Hindi and English |
| Exam Duration | 180 minutes (03 hours) |
Important Dates
Mark these dates on your calendar so you do not miss any deadlines for the examination.
- Online Application Start Date: 07th October 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 05th November 2026
- Application Correction Window: 10th to 12th November 2026
- Examination Dates: 19th, 22nd & 27th December 2026
Eligibility Criteria
Before you apply, make sure you meet the necessary educational and age requirements.
Educational Qualification
Firstly, General, Unreserved, and General-EWS candidates must secure at least 55% marks in their Master’s Degree or an equivalent examination from a recognized university. Meanwhile, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), SC, ST, PwD, and Third gender candidates need at least 50% marks to qualify.
Moreover, candidates currently pursuing a Master’s degree or waiting for their final year results can apply provisionally. However, they must pass their Master’s Degree with the required percentage within two years of the NET result declaration. Conversely, candidates qualifying for “Admission to Ph.D. Only” must complete their degree within one year.
Age Limit
The NTA sets different age limits based on the position you choose:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): You must not exceed 30 years as of December 2026. Authorities provide a relaxation of up to 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third gender categories, and women applicants.
- Assistant Professor: The board imposes no upper age limit for Assistant Professor applicants.
- Admission to Ph.D.: Similarly, there is no upper age limit for Ph.D. admission applicants.
Junior Research Fellowship Stipend
Successful candidates selected for JRF receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 for the first two years. Additionally, the scheme directly reimburses an annual contingent grant of Rs. 20,000 to the fellow. After completing two years, if the candidate registers for a Ph.D., the authority upgrades the fellowship to SRF (NET) and increases the stipend to Rs. 42,000 per month for the third and subsequent years.
Application Fee Details
Applicants must pay the application fee online using net banking, a debit card, a credit card, or UPI.
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General | Rs 1150 |
| General-EWS / OBC (NCL) | Rs 600 |
| SC / ST / PWD / Third Gender | Rs 325 |
How to Apply for CSIR UGC NET December 2026
Follow these simple steps to complete your online application through the official NTA portal:
- Visit the official CSIR NET website.
- Scroll down to the Important Web-Links section and click on the “Online Application Form” link.
- Fill in all your personal and educational details accurately.
- Upload all necessary documents in the required format.
- Make the application fee payment according to your specific category.
- Submit the form and take a printout of the application form for future reference.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for the CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
The final date to submit your online application form is 05th November 2026.
2. What is the application fee for General category candidates?
General category candidates must pay an application fee of Rs 1150.
3. Is there an upper age limit for the Assistant Professor role?
No, the NTA sets no upper age limit for candidates applying for the Assistant Professor position.
4. Will the exam take place in offline mode?
No, the exam takes place exclusively in online mode as a Computer Based Test (CBT).
5. Can final year Master’s degree students apply for this exam?
Yes, candidates in their final year or those waiting for their qualifying results can apply provisionally.
