Information Bulletin UGC-NET December 2026 Examination has been released. Online registration and submission of Application Form is open from 08 October 2026 to 28 October 2026. The test determines eligibility for the award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges. The UGC-NET December 2026 will be conducted in Computer Based Test mode as per the time schedule specified in the Information at a glance.
Key Details
| Parameter | Official Notification Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Parent Organisation | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Name of Examination | UGC-NET December 2026 Examination |
| Eligible Designations | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor |
| Application Mode | Online only via https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| Online Registration Period | 08 October 2026 to 28 October 2026 |
| CBT Examination Dates | 14 December 2026 to 19 December 2026 |
| Helpline Contact | 011-40759000 |
Important Dates and Exam Schedule
The Important Information and Dates at a Glance describes the dates, fee details and application procedure. Online registration and submission of Application Form can be made up to 28 October 2026 up to 11:50 P.M. The last date for successful transaction of Examination fee is 28 October 2026 up to 11:50 P.M. Late submission of online application Form with Late Fee of Rs. 500 is allowed from 29 October 2026 to 31 October 2026. The last date of successful transaction with late fee is 31 October 2026 up to 11:50 P.M. Correction in the Particulars of Application Form online only is scheduled from 02 November 2026 to 04 November 2026. The Dates of Examination are scheduled from 14 December 2026 to 19 December 2026.
| Event Description | Official Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online Registration & Form Submission | 08 October 2026 to 28 October 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Last Date for Examination Fee Transaction | 28 October 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Late Submission with Late Fee of Rs 500 | 29 October 2026 to 31 October 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment with Late Fee | 31 October 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| Correction in Particulars of Application Form | 02 November 2026 to 04 November 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.) |
| CBT Examination Dates | 14 December 2026 to 19 December 2026 |
| Total Duration of Examination | 180 minutes (03 hours) without break |
Eligibility Criteria and Qualifications
General/Unreserved/General-EWS candidates who have secured at least 55% marks without rounding off in Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognized by UGC are eligible for this Test. The Other Backward Classes belonging to Non-Creamy Layer, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Persons with Disability, and Third gender category candidates who have secured at least 50% marks without rounding off in Master’s degree or equivalent examination are eligible. Candidates who are pursuing their Master’s degree or equivalent course or candidates who have appeared for their qualifying Master’s degree final year examination and whose result is still awaited may also apply for this test. Such candidates will be admitted provisionally and shall be considered eligible for award of JRF or eligibility for Assistant Professor only after they have passed their Master’s Degree or equivalent examination with required percentage. Such candidates must complete their Master’s degree or equivalent examination within two years from the date of NET result with required percentage of marks, failing which they shall be treated as disqualified. Those candidates who qualify for Admission to Ph.D. Only must complete their Master’s degree or equivalent examination within one year from the date of NET result with required percentage of marks.
The candidates having passed a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed. A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer, Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section and other categories of candidates. The candidates qualifying in the NET, based on a four-year undergraduate degree, will be eligible for the award of the Junior Research Fellowship and for admission to the Ph.D. The candidates qualifying in the NET, based on a four-year undergraduate degree, will not be eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor. The Ph.D. degree holders whose Master’s level examination have been completed by 19 September 1991 shall be eligible for a relaxation of 5% in aggregate marks from 55% to 50% for appearing in NET.
| Category / Academic Stream | Minimum Prescribed Qualification |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved / Gen-EWS (Master's Degree) | Minimum 55% marks (without rounding off) in Master's or equivalent |
| OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | Minimum 50% marks (without rounding off) in Master's or equivalent |
| Four-Year Undergraduate Degree (FYUP) | Minimum 75% marks in aggregate (70% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD/EWS) |
| FYUP Eligibility Outcome | Eligible for JRF and PhD admission; Not eligible for Assistant Professor |
| Master's Result Awaited / Pursuing | Must pass Master's degree within 2 years (1 year for PhD Only) |
| Ph.D. Degree Holders (Master's pre-19 Sept 1991) | Relaxation of 5% marks (from 55% to 50%) |
Age Limit and Relaxation Rules
For Junior Research Fellowship, age limit is not more than 30 years as on 01st day of the month in which the examination is concluded i.e. 01.12.2026. A relaxation of up to 5 years is provided to the candidates belonging to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, Third gender categories and to women applicants. Relaxation will also be provided to the candidates with research experience, limited to the period spent on research, subject to a maximum of 5 years. Three years’ relaxation in age will be permissible to the candidates with L.L.M. degree. Relaxation is provided to candidates who have served in the armed forces subject to the length of service in the armed forces up to 01.12.2026. Total age relaxation on the above grounds shall not exceed five years under any circumstances. There is no upper age limit in applying for UGC-NET for Assistant Professor. There is no upper age limit in applying for UGC-NET for Admission to PhD.
| Category / Designation | Permissible Upper Age / Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Maximum 30 years as on 01.12.2026 |
| OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender / Women | Up to 5 years relaxation in upper age limit |
| Armed Forces Personnel | Up to 5 years relaxation based on service duration |
| Candidates with L.L.M. Degree | 3 years relaxation in upper age limit |
| Research Experience | Up to 5 years relaxation based on research period |
| Assistant Professor Eligibility | No upper age limit |
| Admission to PhD Only | No upper age limit |
Reservation Policy and Category Rules
Reservation Policy of the Government of India is applicable to UGC-NET. The benefit of reservation for admission to Central Educational Institutions shall be given only to those classes, castes and tribes which are in the respective Central List published by the Government of India. Other Backward Classes Non-Creamy Layer are as per the Central list of Other Backward Classes available on National Commission for Backward Classes website www.ncbc.nic.in. State list OBC Candidates who are not in OBC-NCL Central List must choose General / Unreserved. Reservation is regulated as per OM No. 20013/01/2018-BC-II dated January 17, 2019, issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Selection Process and CBT Exam Pattern
The Examination shall be conducted in Computer Based Test mode only. The Test paper will consist of two sections, both the sections will consist of objective type, multiple-choice questions. There will be no break between the papers. The questions in Part - I intends to assess the teaching/ research aptitude of the candidate. It will primarily be designed to test reasoning ability, reading comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness of the Candidate. Part I carries 100 marks with 50 questions. Part II carries 200 marks with 100 questions based on the subject selected by the candidate and will assess domain knowledge. Total duration is 03 hours 180 minutes without any break and all the questions are compulsory. Each question carries 02 two marks. For each correct response, the candidate will get 02 two marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect response. The medium of Question Paper shall be in English & Hindi only, except language papers.
| Paper / Section | Subject Coverage & Focus | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Teaching & Research Aptitude, Reasoning, Comprehension, General Awareness | 50 | 100 | 03 Hours (180 mins) combined |
| Paper II | Domain Knowledge based on Subject Selected by Candidate | 100 | 200 | Combined with Paper I (No Break) |
| Total Examination | Objective Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ) | 150 | 300 | 180 minutes continuous |
Ph.D. Admission and Viva-Voce Interview Guidelines
Category-1 determines eligibility for Award of JRF and appointment as Assistant Professor. Category-2 determines Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D. Category-3 determines Admission to Ph.D. only. UGC-NET under category-2 & category-3 can be used as an entrance test for Ph.D. admission in place of entrance tests conducted by the different universities. For candidates qualified under the category-2 and category-3, the marks obtained in the NET will have 70% weightage and 30% weightage will be based on the performance in the interview/viva voce conducted by the University/HEI concerned. The Ph.D. admission will be based on the combined merit of NET marks and the marks obtained in the interview/viva voce. For admission to Ph.D., the marks obtained in the NET by the candidates in category-2 and category-3 will be valid for a period of one year from the date of declaration of the result of UGC-NET. The validity period of the offer will be three years from the date of issue of JRF Award Letter. The number of candidates to be qualified for eligibility for Assistant Professor shall be equal to 6% of the candidates appeared in NET in both the papers.
| Qualifying Category | Official Eligibility Scope | JRF Award | Assistant Professor | PhD Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category-1 | Award of JRF, Assistant Professor, PhD Admission | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Category-2 | Assistant Professor Appointment, PhD Admission | No | Yes | Yes |
| Category-3 | PhD Admission Only | No | No | Yes |
Subject List and UGC NET Syllabus
The List of Subjects and their Codes for UGC-NET December 2026 are given at Annexure - II. Syllabus for all NET Subjects can be downloaded from the UGC website: https://www.ugcnetonline.in/syllabus-new.php. The National Testing Agency will not provide the copy of syllabus to any candidate. Candidates are advised to appear in the subject of their Post-Graduation only. The candidates whose Post Graduation subject is not covered in the list of NET subjects may appear in a related subject. The List includes Women Studies, Yoga, Disaster Management, Ayurveda Biology, Forestry, and Statistics.
| Serial No. | UGC NET Subject Name | Subject Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Economics / Rural Economics / Econometrics / Development Studies | 01 |
| 2 | Political Science | 02 |
| 3 | Philosophy | 03 |
| 4 | Psychology | 04 |
| 5 | Sociology | 05 |
| 6 | History | 06 |
| 7 | Anthropology | 07 |
| 8 | Commerce | 08 |
| 9 | Education | 09 |
| 10 | Social Work | 10 |
| 11 | Defence and Strategic Studies | 11 |
| 12 | Home Science | 12 |
| 13 | Public Administration | 14 |
| 14 | Population Studies | 15 |
| 15 | Music | 16 |
| 16 | Management | 17 |
| 17 | Hindi | 20 |
| 18 | English | 30 |
| 19 | Sanskrit | 25 |
| 20 | Computer Science and Applications | 87 |
| 21 | Environmental Sciences | 89 |
| 83 | Yoga | 100 |
| 84 | Disaster Management | 104 |
| 85 | Ayurveda Biology | 105 |
| 86 | Forestry | 106 |
| 87 | Statistics | 107 |
Application Fee and Payment Procedure
Candidates pay fee using the Payment Gateway integrated to the Online Application through Net Banking Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI. For General/Unreserved category, the fee is Rs. 1150. For Gen-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates, the fee is Rs. 600. For Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, and Third Gender candidates, the fee is Rs. 325. For Person with Disability and Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates, the fee is Rs. 325. Applicable service/processing charges & GST over and above the Examination Fee, are to be Paid by the candidate. No request for refund of fee once remitted by the candidate will be entertained by NTA under any circumstances.
| Candidate Category | Prescribed Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | Rs. 1,150/- |
| 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/- |
| Late Fee (for submissions from 29 to 31 October 2026) | Rs 500 additional |
Step-by-Step Procedure: How to Apply Online
Candidate can apply for UGC-NET December 2026 through Online mode only. The Application Form in any other mode will not be accepted. Application form registration has been enabled though the Single Sign-On service-Meri Pehchan of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Step-1: Apply for Online Registration using own Email Id and Mobile No. Step-2: Fill in the Online Application Form and note down the system generated Application Number. Step-3: Pay fee using SBI/CANARA/UBI / Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI and keep proof of fee paid. Download, save and print a copy of Confirmation Page of the Application Form for future reference. The entire application process for UGC-NET December 2026 is online, including uploading of live photographs and scanned images, payment of fees, and printing of confirmation page. Candidates are not required to send/submit any document including confirmation page to NTA through Post/ Fax/WhatsApp/Email/by Hand.
Documents Required for Application
The candidate will have to upload his/her live photograph at the time of filling of the application form and will also have to upload scanned images. A recent photograph file size 10kb-200kb either in colour or black & white with 80% face without mask visible including ears against white background is required. Candidate’s signature file size is between 10kb-50kb. Scanned copy of Disability/UDID certificate should be a pdf between 50 kb to 300 kb clearly legible. For capturing Live Photograph, candidates should switch on their camera or connect their webcam to the device used for filling the Application Form.
| Document / Image Type | File Size Limit | Allowed Format | Technical Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scanned Recent Photograph | 10 KB to 200 KB | JPG / JPEG | Colour or B&W, 80% face visible against white background |
| Candidate Signature | 10 KB to 50 KB | JPG / JPEG | Clearly legible signature on white background |
| Disability / UDID Certificate | 50 KB to 300 KB | Legible certificate issued by competent medical authority | |
| Live Photograph Capture | Webcam / Mobile QR | Digital capture | Proper lighting, light background, 80% face visible |
Points to Check Before Applying
Candidates must ensure that their email address and mobile number to be registered in their online Application Form are their own. Relevant important information communication will be sent by NTA through e-mail on the registered e-mail address and / or through SMS on registered mobile number only. Candidates should approach the NTA Help Line Number: 011-40759000 / 69227700 between 10.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M. or write to NTA at [email protected]. The Confirmation Page of the online Application Form will be generated only after successful payment by the Candidate.
Important Links
| Document / Official Portal | Direct Web Link |
|---|---|
| Official Information Bulletin (PDF) | Download Notification PDF |
| UGC-NET Application Portal | Apply Online |
| National Testing Agency Official Portal | NTA Official Website |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the online application dates for UGC-NET December 2026?
Online registration and submission of Application Form is from 08 October 2026 to 28 October 2026 up to 11:50 P.M.
What is the last date to pay the examination fee?
Successful transaction of Examination fee is permitted up to 28 October 2026 until 11:50 P.M.
What is the fee for General category candidates?
The examination fee for General/Unreserved category candidates is Rs. 1150.
What is the fee for OBC-NCL and Gen-EWS candidates?
The examination fee for Gen-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates is Rs. 600.
What is the fee for SC, ST, and PwD candidates?
The examination fee for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, Third Gender, and PwD candidates is Rs. 325.
What is the upper age limit for Junior Research Fellowship?
Candidates are not more than 30 years as on 01.12.2026 for Junior Research Fellowship.
Is there an age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility?
Candidates applying for Assistant Professor have no upper age limit.
What is the minimum qualifying percentage in Master's degree for General category?
General/Unreserved/General-EWS candidates require at least 55% marks without rounding off in Master’s Degree or equivalent examination.
What is the examination pattern and duration for UGC-NET December 2026?
Part I has 50 questions for 100 marks and Part II has 100 questions for 200 marks for 03 hours 180 minutes without any break.
Is there any negative marking in UGC-NET December 2026?
Incorrect responses carry no negative marking.