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The UGC NET December 2026 notification has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to the official public notice dated 8 October 2026, the online application process has started, and the examination is scheduled to be conducted from 14 December to 19 December 2026.
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is an important examination for candidates seeking eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions and Ph.D. admission under the applicable rules.
Candidates planning to appear in the December 2026 session should carefully check the registration deadlines, application fee, correction window and examination schedule. They should also begin preparing according to the prescribed syllabus rather than waiting for further examination announcements.
This article by ANSS ACADEMY covers the latest available information about UGC NET December 2026, along with eligibility guidance, exam pattern, syllabus and preparation strategies.
UGC NET December 2026: Latest Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Agency | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Conducted on Behalf Of | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Notification Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Application Status | Registration Open |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Subjects | 87 |
| Examination Dates | 14 December to 19 December 2026 |
| Regular Application Deadline | 28 October 2026 |
| Late Application Period | 29 October to 31 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 2 November to 4 November 2026 |
| Papers | Paper I and Paper II |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Examination Duration | 3 Hours |
| Negative Marking | No, under the current examination pattern |
The application and examination dates listed above are based on the public notice dated 8 October 2026. Candidates should consult subsequent official announcements for any changes.
UGC NET December 2026 Notification Released
NTA has published the public notice for UGC NET December 2026, announcing the opening of the online registration portal.
The December session examination will be conducted for 87 subjects in Computer Based Test mode. The examination is intended to assess candidates for eligibility under the applicable UGC NET categories.
The notification provides important information about the application period, examination fee, late submission facility, correction window and examination dates.
Candidates should complete the registration process carefully and retain their application confirmation for future reference.
UGC NET December 2026 Apply Online
The online application process began on 8 October 2026. Candidates must complete the application form within the prescribed period.
The important deadlines are:
Regular application deadline: 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
Regular examination fee payment deadline: 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
Late application period: 29 October to 31 October 2026.
Final fee payment deadline with late fee: 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
Candidates should provide accurate personal, academic and contact information during registration. The email address and mobile number entered in the application form should remain accessible because important examination communications may be sent through these registered contact details.
Applicants should also check the confirmation of successful submission and payment after completing the process.
UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
The following table presents the schedule announced in the official public notice.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Published | 8 October 2026 |
| Online Registration Begins | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Submission | 28 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Regular Fee Payment | 28 October 2026 |
| Late Application Window | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Final Payment Deadline With Late Fee | 31 October 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination City Announcement | To be announced |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| UGC NET December 2026 Examination | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Recorded Responses and Answer Keys | To be announced later |
| Result | To be announced |
The public notice does not specify the individual examination date, shift or centre for every subject. Candidates should wait for the detailed examination schedule and their examination-related communications.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date
The UGC NET December 2026 examination will be held from 14 December to 19 December 2026.
NTA will conduct the examination in Computer Based Test mode for the subjects covered by the December session.
Candidates should distinguish between the overall examination period and their individual examination date. The examination may take place on different dates and shifts depending on the subject and examination arrangements.
The examination city information and admit card release date are yet to be announced in the public notice dated 8 October 2026. Applicants should keep checking subsequent announcements for these details.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
According to the notification, the examination fee varies by category.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
Candidates should select the correct category while completing the application form and verify the payment status after making the transaction.
The fee amounts above are taken from the official public notice for the December 2026 session.
UGC NET December 2026 Correction Window
NTA has scheduled the application correction facility from 2 November to 4 November 2026.
Candidates should use this period to review their submitted information and make corrections where permitted.
It is advisable to check the following details before the correction window closes:
Personal information and date of birth.
Academic qualifications.
Category information, where applicable.
Selected examination subject.
Other application details covered by the correction facility.
Not every field is necessarily editable. Candidates should follow the specific instructions issued for the correction window instead of assuming that all information can be changed.
UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The detailed eligibility conditions for the December 2026 session should be checked against the applicable Information Bulletin. Until the relevant bulletin confirms any changes, candidates can use the latest available June 2026 eligibility rules as a reference.
Educational Qualification
Under the latest June 2026 rules, candidates in the General, Unreserved and General-EWS categories generally needed at least 55% marks in a Master's degree or an equivalent examination from a recognised university or institution.
Candidates belonging to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender categories generally needed at least 50% marks, subject to the applicable rules.
Candidates should verify the qualification requirements for their category before applying.
Candidates Appearing in the Final Year of a Master's Degree
Candidates who are pursuing a Master's degree, appearing in their final examination or awaiting their qualifying examination results may be eligible to apply provisionally under the applicable rules.
Such candidates must fulfil the prescribed educational qualification requirements within the time limit specified by the relevant UGC/NTA rules.
Applicants should consult the current examination bulletin to confirm the exact conditions applicable to their situation.
Eligibility Through a Four-Year Bachelor's Degree
Under the latest available rules, candidates with a four-year or eight-semester Bachelor's degree may qualify to apply through the applicable alternative eligibility route.
The June 2026 rules specified a minimum of 75% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade, with a 5% relaxation for specified categories.
Candidates qualifying on the basis of a four-year Bachelor's degree may be considered for JRF and Ph.D. admission under the applicable rules. However, this qualification route does not by itself make a candidate eligible for appointment as an Assistant Professor.
The relevant eligibility conditions should be checked in the Information Bulletin applicable to the December 2026 examination.
UGC NET December 2026 Age Limit
The age limit depends on the eligibility category for which the candidate applies.
Maximum Age for Junior Research Fellowship
Under the latest June 2026 rules, the maximum age limit for JRF was 30 years, calculated according to the prescribed cut-off date for that examination cycle.
Applicable age relaxations may be available for specified categories and circumstances, including certain reserved categories, women candidates and candidates with qualifying research experience or other eligible conditions.
The final age cut-off date and relaxation provisions for December 2026 should be verified from the relevant Information Bulletin.
Age Limit for Assistant Professor
Under the current UGC NET framework, there is no upper age limit for applying for Assistant Professor eligibility.
Age Limit for Ph.D. Admission
There is also no upper age limit for applying for UGC NET for Ph.D. admission under the current framework.
Candidates should not rely solely on the previous session's age cut-off date when determining eligibility for December 2026.
What Is UGC NET Used For?
UGC NET determines eligibility under three broad categories.
Category 1: JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission
This category covers candidates qualifying for Junior Research Fellowship, Assistant Professor eligibility and Ph.D. admission under the applicable rules.
Category 2: Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission
Candidates qualifying under this category may be considered for Assistant Professor eligibility and Ph.D. admission, but not for JRF.
Category 3: Ph.D. admission only
This category applies to candidates qualifying for Ph.D. admission through the relevant NET framework, without JRF eligibility or Assistant Professor eligibility under that category.
Under the current framework, NET marks carry 70% weightage and the university or higher educational institution interview or viva-voce carries 30% weightage for Ph.D. admission under Categories 2 and 3, subject to the applicable rules.
Candidates should review the relevant UGC guidelines to understand how their qualification category applies to their intended academic pathway.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern
Unless a subsequent official notice changes the existing structure, candidates can prepare according to the current two-paper examination pattern.
| Paper | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 150 | 300 |
The total examination duration is 180 minutes (3 hours), with no break between Paper I and Paper II under the current pattern.
Paper I: General Paper
Paper I is common to all candidates. It assesses teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension and other general academic skills.
The major areas include:
Teaching Aptitude
Research Aptitude
Reading Comprehension
Communication
Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude
Logical Reasoning
Data Interpretation
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
People, Development and Environment
Higher Education System
Candidates should cover all ten units and practise questions regularly.
Paper II: Subject-Specific Paper
Paper II tests the candidate's knowledge of the subject selected during the application process.
Candidates should follow the prescribed syllabus for their chosen subject and divide the syllabus into units for systematic preparation.
Since Paper II carries 200 marks, consistent subject-specific study is essential for candidates aiming for a strong overall performance.
UGC NET Marking Scheme
Under the current examination pattern, each question carries two marks.
| Response | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +2 |
| Incorrect Answer | 0 |
| Unanswered Question | 0 |
There is no negative marking for incorrect answers under the current pattern.
Candidates should nevertheless focus on conceptual clarity and careful reading rather than relying entirely on guesswork. Practising under timed conditions can help them improve accuracy and complete both papers within the available time.
UGC NET December 2026 Syllabus
The examination syllabus is divided into Paper I and Paper II.
Paper I Syllabus
Paper I covers ten broad units relating to teaching aptitude, research aptitude, communication, comprehension, reasoning, data interpretation, ICT, environment and higher education.
Candidates should prepare each unit systematically and revise important concepts throughout their preparation.
Paper II Syllabus
Paper II is based on the subject selected by the candidate. The syllabus differs according to the subject and includes subject-specific concepts, theories, methods and other prescribed areas.
Candidates should use the latest available official syllabus for their selected subject. They do not need to wait for the admit card or examination city announcement to begin syllabus-based preparation.
UGC NET December 2026 Admit Card
The admit card for the December 2026 examination has not been announced in the public notice dated 8 October 2026.
The examination process generally includes the following stages:
Application submission → Correction window → Examination city information → Admit card → Examination
The admit card provides important examination information, including the date, shift and examination centre assigned to the candidate.
After the admit card becomes available, candidates should check all the details carefully and follow the instructions printed on it.
Documents and Information to Prepare Before Applying
Candidates should keep their basic information and required documents ready to make the registration process easier.
Depending on the application requirements, these may include:
Personal and date-of-birth details.
Government identification information.
Master's degree and marks information.
Category certificate, where applicable.
EWS certificate, where applicable.
PwD/PwBD certificate, where applicable.
Photograph and signature.
Active email address and mobile number.
Selected UGC NET subject.
Postgraduate subject and course details.
The precise document requirements, file formats and upload specifications should be checked in the applicable application instructions.
NTA has also advised candidates to use Aadhaar verification during the application process where applicable. The registration facility is available through the single sign-on arrangement on the service-Meri Pehchaan platform.
How to Prepare for UGC NET December 2026
With the examination scheduled for 14–19 December 2026, candidates should organise their preparation around syllabus coverage, revision and practice.
1. Complete the Syllabus Systematically
Divide Paper I and Paper II into manageable sections. Set realistic weekly targets and prioritise units that require additional attention.
2. Give Sufficient Time to Paper II
Paper II contributes 200 marks out of the total 300 marks. Candidates should maintain a strong focus on their selected subject while continuing to practise Paper I.
3. Practise Previous-Year Questions
Previous-year questions help candidates understand question formats, recurring concepts and the level of detail expected in answers.
4. Take Regular Mock Tests
Begin with topic-wise and unit-wise tests. Gradually move to full-length mock tests containing 150 questions and practise completing the examination within three hours.
5. Analyse Your Performance
After each mock test, identify the topics responsible for incorrect answers. Review the relevant concepts before attempting another test.
6. Revise Consistently
Keep short revision notes for important concepts, definitions, theories and factual information. Regular revision helps candidates retain information and identify gaps in understanding.
7. Follow Official Updates
Keep track of further announcements concerning the examination city, admit card and detailed examination schedule. Avoid relying on unconfirmed dates circulated through unofficial sources.
UGC NET December 2026 Preparation with ANSS ACADEMY
ANSS ACADEMY provides preparation resources for UGC NET and SET aspirants, including General Paper 1 mock tests, subject-specific test series, topic-wise practice and study materials.
Candidates can explore the available resources according to their selected subject and preparation requirements.
For more effective preparation, students should combine structured study with regular practice, previous-year questions and performance analysis. Reviewing available demo material before selecting a course can also help candidates understand the content and decide which resources suit their needs.
A consistent preparation routine is more useful than depending on last-minute study alone.
UGC NET December 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Has the UGC NET December 2026 notification been released?
Yes. NTA issued the public notice for UGC NET December 2026 on 8 October 2026. The notice announced the opening of the online application process and the examination schedule.
2. When did UGC NET December 2026 registration start?
The online application process started on 8 October 2026.
3. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The last date for regular application submission is 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
4. Can candidates apply after 28 October 2026?
NTA has announced a late application period from 29 October to 31 October 2026. Candidates must follow the applicable late-fee requirements and complete payment by 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
5. What is the UGC NET December 2026 examination date?
The examination is scheduled from 14 December to 19 December 2026.
6. What is the application fee for UGC NET December 2026?
The fee is ₹1,150 for General/Unreserved candidates, ₹600 for General-EWS/OBC-NCL candidates and ₹325 for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates, as specified in the public notice.
7. When is the UGC NET December 2026 correction window?
The correction window is scheduled from 2 November to 4 November 2026.
8. How many subjects are included in UGC NET December 2026?
The public notice states that the examination will be conducted for 87 subjects.
9. How many questions are there in UGC NET?
Under the current examination pattern, Paper I contains 50 questions and Paper II contains 100 questions. The total is 150 questions for 300 marks.
10. Is there negative marking in UGC NET?
No. Under the current examination pattern, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
11. When will the UGC NET December 2026 admit card be released?
The admit card release date has not been announced in the public notice dated 8 October 2026. Candidates should wait for a subsequent official announcement.
12. What is the minimum qualification for UGC NET?
Under the latest available June 2026 rules, the general minimum requirement was 55% in a Master's degree for General/Unreserved/General-EWS candidates and 50% for specified categories, including OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender. Candidates should confirm the conditions applicable to December 2026 from the relevant Information Bulletin.
UGC NET December 2026: Current Status
The following is a quick summary of the latest information provided in the public notice dated 8 October 2026.
Notification: Released.
Application Form: Registration open.
Regular Application Deadline: 28 October 2026.
Late Application Window: 29–31 October 2026.
Correction Window: 2–4 November 2026.
Examination Dates: 14–19 December 2026.
Examination Mode: Computer Based Test.
Number of Subjects: 87.
Total Questions: 150 under the current examination pattern.
Total Marks: 300 under the current examination pattern.
Duration: 3 hours under the current examination pattern.
Negative Marking: None under the current examination pattern.
Examination City and Admit Card: Details to be announced separately.
Final Words
The release of the UGC NET December 2026 notification marks an important step for candidates preparing for JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility and Ph.D. admission under the applicable framework.
Candidates should complete their applications within the announced deadlines, verify their details carefully and keep track of subsequent examination updates.
With the examination scheduled for 14–19 December 2026, this is the time to focus on syllabus completion, previous-year questions, regular mock tests and revision.
Prepare early, practise consistently and approach UGC NET December 2026 with a clear study plan.
ANSS ACADEMY wishes all UGC NET aspirants the very best for their preparation.
