UGC-NET December 2026: Applications Open Till 28 October, Exam From 14 December

The National Testing Agency has opened online registration for the UGC-NET December 2026 examination, with applications accepted from 8 to 28 October, according to the information bulletin issued for the University Grants Commission and a report by the education portal Testbook. The test decides eligibility for Assistant Professor posts, Junior Research Fellowship and PhD admission in Indian universities and colleges.

The bulletin lists the fee payment deadline as 28 October, up to 11:50 pm, with late applications accepted from 29 to 31 October on payment of a ₹500 late fee. A correction window will run from 2 to 4 November. The examination will be held in computer-based mode from 14 to 19 December, with buffer dates on 20 and 21 December. Testbook describes the dates as tentative. Other dates will be announced later.

The application fee is ₹1,150 for general candidates, ₹600 for general-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates, and ₹325 for SC, ST, third gender and persons with disabilities, plus bank charges and GST. The test is a single session of 180 minutes with no break between papers. Paper I has 50 multiple-choice questions carrying 100 marks and covers teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension and general awareness. Paper II has 100 questions carrying 200 marks on the candidate's chosen subject. Each correct answer earns two marks, there is no negative marking, and the question papers are in English and Hindi except for language subjects.

Candidates need a master's degree or equivalent with at least 55 per cent marks for general, unreserved and EWS categories, and 50 per cent for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, persons with disabilities and third gender candidates. Students in the final year of a master's programme, or awaiting results, may apply provisionally but must meet the required percentage within the stated deadlines. Holders of a four-year bachelor's degree are eligible for JRF and PhD admission but not for appointment as Assistant Professor. The upper age limit for JRF is 30 years as of 1 December 2026, with relaxations of up to five years for specified categories, while there is no age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD admission.

The bulletin also describes several procedural features. Candidates can register using Meri Pehchaan, the government's national single sign-on platform. A fee of ₹200 per answer key challenged is charged and is not refundable. Candidates' recorded responses will be displayed before results are declared. The NTA plans to provide scorecards through UMANG and DigiLocker in later phases, with details to follow.

Testbook's report does not compare the current criteria with earlier cycles, so this article does not identify what has changed. Applicants should rely on the official NTA website and the full bulletin for the final rules.