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The UGC NET December 2026 exam will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 December 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. As per the revised information bulletin dated 16 October 2026, the UGC NET December City Intimation Slip is scheduled to be released on 23 November 2026, while the admit card will be available from 7 December 2026.
The examination determines candidates’ eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions and PhD admission across 87 subjects. Candidates can check the revised exam schedule, important dates, exam pattern, marking scheme, syllabus and examination-day guidelines in this article. For the latest announcements, candidates should visit the official website, ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
UGC NET Exam Date 2026 Out
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the revised UGC NET December 2026 examination dates through its updated information bulletin released on 16 October 2026. The examination will take place on 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 December 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
Earlier, the examination was scheduled from 14 to 19 December 2026, with 20 and 21 December reserved as buffer dates. The revised schedule has changed the examination dates, and candidates should follow the updated timetable while preparing for the examination. The examination consists of two papers conducted in a single session without a break. Candidates should also note the city intimation slip and admit card release dates announced by NTA.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam: Overview
The UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted by NTA to determine candidates’ eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions and admission to PhD programmes. The examination is held twice a year in Computer-Based Test mode.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) December 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Purpose | JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD Admission |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Language | English and Hindi (except language papers) |
| Notification Release | 8 October 2026 |
| Revised Notification | 16 October 2026 |
| Exam Dates | 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 December 2026 and 21 December 2026 |
| City Intimation Slip | 23 November 2026 |
| Admit Card Date | 7 December 2026 |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
NTA has announced the important dates for the UGC NET December 2026 examination, including the application period, correction window, city intimation slip and admit card schedule. Candidates should keep track of these dates to avoid missing any examination-related updates.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Intimation of Cities of exam centres | 23 November 2026 |
| Downloading of Admit Card by the Candidate from the NTA Website | 07 December 2026 |
| Dates of Examination | 14 December 2026 to 18 December 2026 and 21 December 2026 |
Changes in UGC NET Examination City Preferences
NTA has clarified the rules for selecting examination cities in the revised information bulletin. Previously, candidates were required to select four preferred examination cities from the options available in the state of their permanent or present address. Under the revised provision, if fewer than four examination cities are available in the relevant state or Union Territory, candidates can select from the available cities displayed on the application portal. Eligible candidates were also allowed to revise their examination city preferences during the application correction window.
Changes in UGC NET Evaluation Rules
NTA has clarified how questions marked for review will be evaluated in the December 2026 examination.
| Particulars | Revised Rule |
|---|---|
| Answered Questions | Evaluated even if marked for review |
| Unanswered Questions | Not evaluated |
| Unattempted Questions | Not evaluated |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
UGC NET Exam Schedule 2026
NTA has fixed dates for the next stages of the December 2026 cycle. The city intimation slip will be released on 23 November 2026, so candidates can check their exam city about three weeks before the exam. The admit card will be available for download from 7 December 2026. The exam will then begin on 14 December and run until 18 December, with the last session on 21 December 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Revised Notification Released | 16 October 2026 |
| City Intimation Slip | 23 November 2026 |
| Admit Card Download | 7 December 2026 |
| Exam Dates | 14 to 18 December 2026 and 21 December 2026 |
UGC NET 2026 Exam Pattern
The UGC NET exam has two papers held back to back, with no interval. Paper I is common to all candidates and tests teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension and awareness of the higher education system. Paper II is based on the subject chosen in the application form. Every question carries 2 marks, and wrong answers do not attract negative marking. Under the revised bulletin, a question that is answered or attempted is evaluated even if it is marked for review.
| Feature | Paper I | Paper II |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Common for all | Subject-specific |
| Number of Questions | 50 | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 200 |
| Duration | 1 Hour | 2 Hours |
| Question Type | MCQs | MCQs |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +2 | +2 |
| Negative Marking | No | No |
UGC NET 2026 Exam Day Guidelines
The revised bulletin changes several exam day rules. Gates close before the exam begins, and late reporting is not allowed. Forceful entry or arguing with centre staff may be treated as unfair means. Candidates should read the points below before leaving for the centre.
| Particulars | Revised Instruction |
|---|---|
| Pen | Provided at the centre; candidates need not bring one |
| Reporting Time | Gates close before the exam begins; no late entry |
| Footwear | Normal shoes, slippers and low-heeled sandals allowed; long boots not allowed |
| Drinking Water | Transparent bottles allowed for all candidates |
| Diabetic Candidates | Sugar tablets and unpacked whole fruits (banana, apple, orange) allowed |
UGC NET December 2026 Registration Update
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has shared the latest UGC NET December 2026 registration statistics as of 31 October 2026. According to the official update, a total of 10,17,544 candidates have registered for the examination, out of which 8,55,405 candidates have successfully paid the application fee. However, 1,62,139 candidates are still required to complete their fee payment or other pending application formalities. With the registration window closing today, 31 October 2026, candidates must complete the application process, including document uploads and fee payment, by 11:50 PM to avoid missing the deadline.
| Registration Details | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| Total Registrations | 10,17,544 |
| Application Fee Paid | 8,55,405 |
| Confirmation Pages Downloaded | 8,54,520 |
| Total Fee Payments Pending | 1,62,139 |
| Photo & Signature Upload Pending (Fee Also Pending) | 1,28,084 |
| Images Uploaded, Form Submission & Fee Pending | 5,939 |
| Form Submitted, Only Fee Payment Pending | 28,116 |
UGC NET Syllabus of Paper 1 and Paper 2
Paper I tests teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, communication and awareness of the higher education system. Paper II follows the UGC NET syllabus of the subject chosen during application, from 85 subjects in total.
| Unit | Paper 1 – Common for All Candidates |
|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Teaching Aptitude |
| Unit 2 | Research Aptitude |
| Unit 3 | Reading Comprehension |
| Unit 4 | Communication |
| Unit 5 | Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude |
| Unit 6 | Logical Reasoning |
| Unit 7 | Data Interpretation |
| Unit 8 | Information and Communication Technology (ICT) |
| Unit 9 | People, Development, and Environment |
| Unit 10 | Higher Education System: Governance, Polity and Administration |
Paper 2: Subject-specific syllabus based on the subject chosen by the candidate during the application process. There are 85 subjects in total.
UGC NET 2026 Assistant Professor Salary
Assistant Professors who clear NET are placed in Pay Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission. Allowances such as DA and HRA are added to the basic pay, so the Assistant Professor salary comes to roughly ₹90,000 to ₹1.1 lakh a month.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹57,700 (Pay Level 10) |
| Pay Band | ₹57,700 – ₹1,82,400 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | 58% of Basic Pay |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 10% – 30% of Basic Pay |
| Special Allowance | ₹2,500 per month |
| Total Monthly Package | ₹90,000 – ₹1.1 Lakhs (Approx.) |
JRF Fellowship Amount:
| Fellowship Level | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (First 2 Years) | ₹37,000 |
| Senior Research Fellow (Next 3 Years) | ₹42,000 |
UGC NET 2026 Result and Cut-off Criteria
Under the revised notification, the scorecard shows marks along with a Percentile Score. Qualification is decided on aggregate marks of Paper I and Paper II, using normalised marks for subjects held in multiple shifts. The percentile appears on the scorecard but does not set the UGC NET cut-off.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Result Format | Marks along with a Percentile Score |
| Basis of Qualification and Cut-off | Aggregate marks of Paper I and Paper II |
| Multi-Shift Subjects | Normalised marks |
| Role of Percentile Score | Shown on the scorecard, not used for cut-offs |
| Answer Key Challenge Fee | ₹200 per question challenged |
Why is this opportunity important?
Qualifying for the UGC NET is a crucial milestone for candidates aspiring to build a career in academia and research. It not only validates subject expertise at the national level but also unlocks multiple career opportunities in teaching, PhD admissions, and research fellowships across India.
- Qualifying for UGC NET opens doors for PhD admission in Central and State Universities across India, making candidates eligible for research programmes.
- After clearing UGC NET, candidates become eligible to apply for Assistant Professor posts across India, as it serves as a direct eligibility requirement for teaching positions in colleges and universities.
- Candidates who qualify for JRF receive a monthly stipend from the Government of India while pursuing their PhD, providing financial support throughout the research tenure.
- UGC NET is a nationally recognised qualification, enhancing academic credibility and career prospects in higher education and research fields.
- Clearing UGC NET strengthens long-term career opportunities in teaching, research, and higher education administration across reputed institutions.
JRF vs Assistant Professor – which route suits you?
If you are under 30, attempting JRF is strongly recommended. Even if you later pivot to a teaching career, the JRF fellowship provides two years of fully funded PhD research, which strengthens your academic profile far beyond what a simple NET certificate achieves. If you are above 30, focus your preparation on maximising your total score for Assistant Professor eligibility — the cut-off for Geography is typically in the 55–65% range, but varies by year.
UGC NET December 2026 FAQs
What is the UGC NET December 2026 exam date?
The UGC NET December 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted from 14 December to 18 December 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
When did the UGC NET December 2026 application form start?
The online application process for UGC NET December 2026 started on 8 October 2026.
What is the UGC NET December 2026 exam pattern?
The exam consists of two papers with 150 MCQs carrying 300 marks. Paper 1 has 50 questions for 100 marks, while Paper 2 has 100 questions for 200 marks. The total duration is 180 minutes, with no break between the two papers.
Is there negative marking in UGC NET December 2026?
No. The official examination scheme does not prescribe negative marking for the UGC NET December 2026 examination.
What is the difference between the UGC NET City Intimation Slip and Admit Card?
The City Intimation Slip informs candidates about their allotted examination city before the examination. The Admit Card contains the examination-centre address, date, shift and other important details. Candidates must carry the admit card to the examination centre.
Will candidates get a pen at the UGC NET examination centre?
Yes. According to the revised information bulletin, NTA will provide a ball-point pen at the examination centre. Candidates do not need to bring their own pen.
What is the gate-closing time for UGC NET December 2026?
The examination-centre gates will close 30 minutes before the commencement of the examination. Candidates arriving after the specified gate-closing time will not be permitted to enter.
Is the UGC NET December 2026 subject-wise exam schedule released?
The overall examination dates have been announced. Candidates should check the official NTA website for the detailed subject-wise schedule and shift allocation.
What is the official website to check UGC NET December 2026 updates?
The official website is ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Candidates can check the latest notifications, examination schedule, city intimation slip and admit card updates through this portal.
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