The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the public notice for UGC NET December 2026. According to the notification dated 8 October 2026, the online registration process has started for candidates who wish to appear for the examination. The UGC NET 2026 examination will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode for 87 subjects. The examination determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to Ph.D. programmes. Candidates can submit their application forms online through the official UGC NET website. However, they must complete the registration and pay the examination fee before the deadline.
UGC NET 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Authority | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Notification Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Subjects | 87 |
| Application Start Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Examination Fee | 28 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 2 November to 4 November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14 December to 19 December 2026 |
| Admit Card | To be announced later |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
Important Dates for UGC NET 2026
Candidates should check the following dates carefully to avoid missing any important deadlines.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 8 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 |
| Late Application with Late Fee of ₹500 | 29 October to 31 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment with Late Fee | 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Application Correction Window | 2 November to 4 November 2026 |
| Announcement of Exam City | To be announced later |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced later |
| UGC NET December 2026 Examination | 14 December to 19 December 2026 |
| Display of Recorded Responses and Answer Keys | To be announced later |
Important: Candidates should complete their applications before 28 October 2026. The notification also provides a late application window from 29 October to 31 October 2026, with an additional late fee of ₹500.
UGC NET 2026 Eligibility and Purpose
The UGC NET examination determines eligibility for the following academic and research opportunities:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Candidates can qualify for the fellowship subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
- Assistant Professor: Candidates can qualify for appointment as Assistant Professors in Indian universities and colleges, subject to the applicable recruitment rules.
- Ph.D. Admission: Candidates can qualify for admission to Ph.D. programmes under the applicable UGC NET categories and admission rules.
However, candidates should read the official Information Bulletin carefully before applying. It contains the detailed eligibility conditions, educational qualifications, age limits, subject requirements and other examination rules.
UGC NET 2026 Application Fee
The application fee varies according to the candidate’s category.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
Candidates can pay the examination fee through the available online payment methods, including:
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Net Banking
- UPI
In addition, candidates who submit their applications during the late application period must pay the additional late fee of ₹500, as stated in the notification.
How to Apply Online for UGC NET 2026
Candidates can follow these steps to submit the UGC NET December 2026 application form.
- Visit the official website: Open the official UGC NET website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
- Open the registration link: Find the UGC NET December 2026 registration link on the website.
- Complete registration: Register by providing the required information.
- Fill in the application form: Enter your personal, educational and other required details carefully.
- Check your details: Review the information before submitting the form to avoid mistakes.
- Pay the application fee: Pay the applicable fee using one of the available online payment methods.
- Submit the application: Complete the application process before the deadline.
- Save the confirmation: Download or print the confirmation page and keep it for future reference.
Finally, make sure you follow the instructions provided in the official Information Bulletin. The NTA will not accept application forms submitted through modes other than the prescribed online process.
UGC NET 2026 Application Correction Window
The notification states that the application correction window will remain open from 2 November to 4 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM. Therefore, candidates should review their application forms carefully before submission. If any permitted details need correction, they should use the official correction facility during the specified period. However, candidates should check the Information Bulletin for details about which fields can be edited and the applicable correction rules.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date
According to the public notice, the UGC NET December 2026 examination will take place from 14 December to 19 December 2026. The examination will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode for 87 subjects. Meanwhile, the NTA has not announced the examination city details or admit card release date in this notification. Candidates should regularly visit the official website for further updates.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Candidates must follow these instructions while applying for UGC NET 2026.
- Submit the application form through the official online portal only.
- Submit only one application form per candidate.
- Pay the examination fee before the prescribed deadline.
- Read the official Information Bulletin before completing the application.
- Enter all required details accurately.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application form and payment confirmation.
- Check the official website regularly for examination city information, admit cards and other announcements.
Candidates who do not follow the official instructions may face difficulties with their applications. Therefore, read all guidelines carefully before proceeding.
Important Links for UGC NET 2026
| Follow Instagram | Click Here |
| WhatsApp Group | Click Here |
| Free Resume Builder | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Information Bulletin | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Application Form | Click Here |
| Telegram Channel | Click Here |
| Facebook Group | Click Here |
| Jobs Link | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When does the UGC NET 2026 application process start?
The online application process for UGC NET December 2026 starts on 8 October 2026.
2. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET 2026?
The last date to submit the online application form and pay the examination fee is 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM. A late application window is available from 29 October to 31 October 2026, with an additional late fee of ₹500.
3. What is the UGC NET December 2026 examination date?
The examination will be conducted from 14 December to 19 December 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
4. What is the application fee for UGC NET 2026?
The application fee is ₹1,150 for General/Unreserved candidates, ₹600 for General-EWS/OBC-NCL candidates, and ₹325 for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates.
5. Where can candidates apply for UGC NET 2026?
Candidates can apply online through the official UGC NET website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
