UGC NET December 2026: Apply by 28 Oct, Exam from 14 to 19 Dec
National Testing Agency (NTA) for UGC
- Location
- All India (CBT exam centres)
- Last date
- 28 Oct 2026
- Applications open
- 8 Oct 2026
- Qualification
- Master's degree with 55% (50% for OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/PwBD/Third gender), or four-year bachelor's degree with 75%
- Age limit
- JRF: max 30 years on 1 Dec 2026 (relaxation as per bulletin); no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD admission
- Vacancies
- Eligibility test (87 subjects)
- Pay / stipend
- JRF as per UGC norms
- Experience
- Not required
- Application fee
- ₹1,150 General; ₹600 Gen-EWS/OBC-NCL; ₹325 SC/ST/Third gender/PwD/PwBD (+ bank charges & GST). Late fee ₹500 (29–31 Oct)
- Selection
- Computer Based Test, 14–19 Dec 2026
Official Details
Add to calendar
Last updated: 13 Oct 2026
Last updated: 13 Oct 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is taking applications for UGC NET December 2026 until 28 Oct 2026, 11:50 PM. The fee starts at ₹325. The exam runs in computer-based mode from 14 to 19 Dec 2026, in 87 subjects. If you miss the deadline, you can still apply from 29 to 31 Oct with a ₹500 late fee.
What does UGC NET qualify you for?
UGC NET (National Eligibility Test) is the University Grants Commission’s test, conducted by NTA. Depending on your score, you qualify in one of three categories:
| Category | JRF | Assistant Professor | PhD admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | No | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | No | No | Yes |
JRF stands for Junior Research Fellowship.
Key details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | National Testing Agency (NTA), for UGC |
| Subjects / mode | 87 subjects, Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Apply online | 8 to 28 Oct 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Late window (₹500 extra) | 29 to 31 Oct 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Form correction | 2 to 4 Nov 2026 |
| Exam | 14 to 19 Dec 2026 (buffer days 20 and 21 Dec) |
| Official site | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
What is the application fee?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / Third gender | ₹325 |
| PwD / PwBD | ₹325 |
Bank service charges and GST are extra. Late applications (29 to 31 Oct) pay ₹500 on top of the fee.
Who can apply?
- Master’s degree: at least 55% marks (no rounding off) in a master’s degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognised university for General/Unreserved and General-EWS candidates. OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and third gender candidates need 50%.
- Still studying or awaiting results: you can apply if you’re pursuing your master’s or waiting for your final result, but you’re admitted provisionally. You must pass with the required marks within two years of the NET result, or within one year if you qualify only for PhD admission.
- Four-year bachelor’s degree: you can apply with at least 75% aggregate marks (5% relaxation for eligible categories, as per UGC rules). If you qualify this way, you’re eligible for JRF and PhD admission, but not for Assistant Professor. Students in the final year of a four-year degree can apply provisionally.
- PhD holders whose master’s was completed by 19 Sep 1991 get a 5% relaxation (55% to 50%).
Is there an age limit?
| Purpose | Age limit |
|---|---|
| JRF | Not more than 30 years on 1 Dec 2026 |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit |
| PhD admission | No upper age limit |
For JRF, up to 5 years’ relaxation applies to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and third gender candidates, and to women. Research experience, an LLM and armed forces service can also earn relaxation. The total relaxation can’t exceed 5 years.
How do I apply?
- Open ugcnet.nta.nic.in. NTA accepts applications on this site only.
- Register. You can also sign in through the government’s Meri Pehchan single sign-on.
- Fill in your details, then choose your subject and exam cities. NTA advises using Aadhaar verification.
- Upload the documents the form asks for.
- Pay the fee by card, net banking or UPI by 28 Oct.
- Save the confirmation page.
Only one application per candidate is allowed. Check every detail before you submit.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date to apply and pay | 28 Oct 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Late window (₹500 late fee) | 29 to 31 Oct 2026 |
| Correction window | 2 to 4 Nov 2026 |
| Exam city slip / admit card | To be announced |
| Exam | 14 to 19 Dec 2026 |
FAQs
What is the last date for UGC NET December 2026?
28 Oct 2026, 11:50 PM. With a ₹500 late fee, you can apply until 31 Oct.
What is the UGC NET December 2026 fee?
₹1,150 for General, ₹600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL, and ₹325 for SC, ST, third gender and PwD/PwBD candidates. Bank charges and GST are extra.
What is the age limit for JRF?
30 years on 1 Dec 2026, with up to 5 years’ relaxation for eligible categories and for women. There’s no age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD admission.
Can I apply with a four-year bachelor’s degree?
Yes, with at least 75% aggregate marks. You can qualify for JRF and PhD admission but not for Assistant Professor.
When will the admit card come out?
NTA hasn’t announced the date yet. We’ll update this page when it does.
Official links
- Apply and Information Bulletin: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
- NTA public notice (8 Oct 2026): nta.ac.in
- Helpdesk: 011-40759000 / 011-69227700, ugcnet@nta.ac.in
Stay safe: NTA never charges anything beyond the official fee. Apply only on ugcnet.nta.nic.in, and ignore anyone selling a “guaranteed JRF”.
What’s next
- 28 Oct: last date (31 Oct with late fee) · 2 to 4 Nov: corrections
- Exam city slip and admit card: this page will be updated.
Related: PhD admissions open now · Research internships · Government jobs
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