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UGC NET December 2026 registration is now open. The National Testing Agency has announced the application schedule for candidates who want to appear in the December session of the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test.
The application process began on 8 October 2026, and the regular deadline for submitting the online form is 28 October 2026. Candidates who miss this deadline can use the late application facility available from 29 October to 31 October 2026, subject to the prescribed late fee.
The examination will be conducted from 14 December to 19 December 2026 in Computer Based Test mode for 87 subjects. Aspirants should complete their registration on time and use the remaining preparation period to strengthen their subject knowledge and practise full-length mock tests.
ANSS ACADEMY has prepared this guide to help candidates understand the latest UGC NET December 2026 schedule and plan their next steps.
UGC NET December 2026: Important Information at a Glance
| Details | Latest Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency |
| Notification Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Registration Start Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Late Application Dates | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Subjects Covered | 87 |
| Application Mode | Online |
Registration Deadline: Do Not Miss These Dates
Candidates should distinguish between the regular application deadline and the late application deadline.
The regular registration period closes on 28 October 2026 at 11:50 PM. The examination fee must also be paid by the prescribed deadline.
NTA has provided an additional application period from 29 October to 31 October 2026. Candidates using this facility must pay the applicable late fee. The final deadline for successful fee payment with the late fee is 31 October 2026 at 11:50 PM.
It is better to submit the application well before the last date. This gives candidates sufficient time to review their information and check whether the fee payment and application submission have been completed successfully.
UGC NET December 2026 Complete Schedule
The following schedule will help candidates organise their registration and preparation activities.
| Examination Activity | Date or Status |
|---|---|
| Public Notice Released | 8 October 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 8 October 2026 |
| Regular Application Closes | 28 October 2026 |
| Regular Fee Payment Deadline | 28 October 2026 |
| Late Application Window | 29–31 October 2026 |
| Application Correction | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination City Information | Awaited |
| Admit Card | Awaited |
| Examination | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Recorded Responses and Answer Keys | To be announced |
| Result | To be announced |
The examination city, individual subject dates and shift details will be communicated separately. Candidates should not assume that all subjects will be examined on the same day.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
The application fee depends on the candidate's category. According to the public notice, the fee structure is as follows:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
Applicants should verify their category and payment details before completing the transaction. Keeping a record of the successful payment and application confirmation is advisable.
Who Can Apply for UGC NET December 2026?
Candidates should review the eligibility conditions in the Information Bulletin applicable to the December 2026 session.
Under the latest available June 2026 rules, the general educational qualification requirements were as follows:
General, Unreserved and General-EWS candidates generally needed at least 55% marks in a Master's degree or equivalent qualification.
OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender candidates generally needed at least 50% marks.
Candidates appearing in or awaiting the results of their qualifying Master's degree could apply provisionally, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Candidates with a four-year or eight-semester Bachelor's degree could be eligible under a separate route, subject to the applicable marks and category requirements.
Candidates using the four-year Bachelor's degree route should note that qualifying through this route does not by itself confer eligibility for appointment as an Assistant Professor. The applicable rules distinguish this route from the standard Master's degree route.
UGC NET Age Limit
Under the latest available rules, the maximum age for Junior Research Fellowship was 30 years, subject to the examination-specific cut-off date and applicable relaxations.
There is no upper age limit for applying for Assistant Professor eligibility or Ph.D. admission under the current UGC NET framework.
Since the relevant age cut-off and relaxation conditions can depend on the examination cycle, candidates should confirm these details in the December 2026 Information Bulletin.
What Is the Purpose of UGC NET?
UGC NET is conducted to determine eligibility for academic and research-related opportunities in Indian universities and colleges.
Depending on the candidate's qualification category and examination performance, the test may establish eligibility for:
Junior Research Fellowship and related research opportunities.
Assistant Professor eligibility.
Ph.D. admission under the applicable UGC NET framework.
The examination does not automatically guarantee a job, fellowship award or Ph.D. admission. Candidates must satisfy the relevant eligibility and selection requirements of the institutions or programmes concerned.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern
The current UGC NET examination structure consists of two papers conducted in a single three-hour session.
| Paper | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 150 | 300 |
There is no scheduled break between Paper I and Paper II under the current pattern.
Paper I: General Paper
Paper I is common to candidates across subjects. It tests general academic and research-related aptitude.
The ten major syllabus units are:
Teaching Aptitude
Research Aptitude
Comprehension
Communication
Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude
Logical Reasoning
Data Interpretation
Information and Communication Technology
People, Development and Environment
Higher Education System
Candidates should cover each unit and regularly solve questions to improve their understanding and speed.
Paper II: Subject Knowledge
Paper II evaluates the candidate's knowledge of the subject selected during registration.
Because this paper carries 200 marks, candidates should devote sufficient study time to their subject-specific syllabus. Preparation should include conceptual understanding, previous-year questions, regular revision and practice tests.
UGC NET Marking Scheme
Under the current examination pattern, every question carries two marks.
Correct answer: 2 marks.
Incorrect answer: No negative marks.
Unanswered question: No marks.
The absence of negative marking allows candidates to develop a suitable attempt strategy. However, they should still prioritise accuracy, conceptual clarity and effective time management.
How to Prepare for UGC NET December 2026 in the Available Time
With the examination scheduled for 14–19 December 2026, candidates should now focus on a practical preparation plan rather than postponing their studies.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Preparation
Check how much of Paper I and Paper II you have already completed. Identify the units where your knowledge is strong and those that require additional work.
Step 2: Prepare a Weekly Study Schedule
Divide the remaining syllabus into weekly targets. Allocate time for new topics, revision and practice questions. Candidates who have already completed most of the syllabus should focus more on revision and mock-test analysis.
Step 3: Practise Previous-Year Questions
Previous-year questions help aspirants become familiar with the style of questions and identify concepts that require deeper understanding.
Step 4: Attempt Full-Length Mock Tests
Practise completing all 150 questions within the three-hour examination duration. This helps develop a realistic time-management strategy.
Step 5: Analyse Your Mistakes
After every test, review incorrect answers and questions that took too long to solve. Revisit the relevant concepts and attempt similar questions again.
Step 6: Revise Paper I and Paper II Together
Do not leave Paper I until the end of preparation. Regular practice of the general paper alongside the selected subject can help candidates maintain balanced preparation across both papers.
Prepare for UGC NET December 2026 with ANSS ACADEMY
ANSS ACADEMY offers preparation resources for UGC NET and SET candidates, including Paper 1 mock tests, subject-wise test series, topic-based practice and study materials.
Candidates can choose resources according to their subject, preparation stage and learning requirements.
A useful preparation routine combines structured study, previous-year questions, mock tests and regular revision. Analysing performance after each practice test can help candidates identify weak areas and make better use of their remaining study time.
Candidates are encouraged to review available demo material before selecting study notes or test series.
Frequently Asked Questions About UGC NET December 2026
Is UGC NET December 2026 registration open?
Yes. The registration process began on 8 October 2026.
What is the last date to submit the UGC NET application form?
The regular deadline is 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
Is late registration available?
Yes. The announced late application window is 29–31 October 2026, with the applicable late fee.
When will the UGC NET December 2026 examination take place?
The examination is scheduled from 14 December to 19 December 2026.
How many subjects are included in the December 2026 examination?
According to the public notice, the examination will cover 87 subjects.
What is the total mark of UGC NET?
Under the current examination pattern, Paper I carries 100 marks and Paper II carries 200 marks, making a total of 300 marks.
Is there negative marking?
No. There is no negative marking under the current examination pattern.
When will the application correction window open?
The correction window is scheduled for 2–4 November 2026.
When will the admit card be available?
The admit card release date has not been announced in the public notice dated 8 October 2026. Candidates should wait for a further announcement.
Where can candidates find the detailed syllabus?
Candidates should refer to the latest applicable UGC NET syllabus for their selected subject and Paper I.
Final Update: UGC NET December 2026
The UGC NET December 2026 application process has begun, and candidates should complete their registration before the regular deadline of 28 October 2026.
The examination will take place from 14 December to 19 December 2026. The late application window is scheduled for 29–31 October, while the correction window is scheduled for 2–4 November 2026.
Candidates should verify their eligibility, select the correct subject, complete payment carefully and prepare systematically for both papers.
Your preparation should not stop at registration. Use the available time wisely, practise consistently and work towards your UGC NET goal with ANSS ACADEMY.
