Can final-year Master's students apply?

Yes. Students appearing in their final year of a postgraduate programme can apply provisionally. Eligibility is confirmed once results are declared and they meet the minimum marks criteria.

Is there negative marking in UGC NET 2026?

No. Candidates receive +2 marks for each correct answer and 0 for wrong or unattempted questions.

What is the age limit for JRF?

The upper age limit for JRF is 30 years. Relaxation of up to 5 years applies for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender, and Women candidates. There is no age cap for the Assistant Professor route.

How many subjects are offered?

UGC NET 2026 covers 87 subjects across disciplines. The subject list has been revised this cycle — check the official notification PDF before selecting your subject code.

Who releases the UGC NET notification?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) releases the notification and conducts the examination on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

What is UGC NET 2026?

The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a prestigious national-level examination in India conducted to check the eligibility of candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and PhD admissions in universities and colleges across the country. It is one of the most competitive exams. UGC NET is conducted across 85+ subjects, covering a wide range of academic disciplines. UGC NET also serves as a gateway for several government-funded fellowships offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Minority Affairs National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes (NFOBC) Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students (MANF)

What is the age limit for UGC NET 2026?

For JRF, the upper age limit is 30 years with relaxation for reserved categories. There is no upper age limit for the Assistant Professor post.

What is the minimum qualification required for UGC NET 2026?

Candidates must hold a Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) from a UGC-recognized university.

UGC NET Notification 2026 Out, Download Official PDF, Apply Online Starts

Table of Contents

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the UGC NET December 2026 Notification along with the official Information Bulletin for the December cycle. As per the notice, the UGC NET December 2026 application process has started from 8 October 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their application forms online through the official UGC NET website.

The examination is scheduled to be conducted from 14 December to 19 December 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. Candidates can check the complete details regarding important dates, eligibility, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, fee structure, and other instructions in the official notification.

Get UGC NET Dec 2026 Free Study Material

UGC NET December 2026 Notification

UGC NET December 2026 Notification has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the online application process has started from 8 October 2026. Candidates can submit their applications through the official UGC NET website till 28 October 2026, while the examination will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode from 14 to 19 December 2026.

The UGC NET December 2026 exam will consist of two papers with a total of 150 questions for 300 marks, to be completed in 180 minutes without any break, and there will be no negative marking. Candidates can apply for JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD admission-related eligibility as per the prescribed criteria.

UGC NET 2026 Notification: Overview

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the official notification of the UGC NET December cycle. The exam is conducted entirely in online mode. Keep all your documents ready so that you can apply quickly:

Parameter	Details
Exam Name	UGC National Eligibility Test (NET)
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Purpose	JRF, Assistant Professor, PhD Admission
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Exam Language	English and Hindi
Total Subjects	87
Notification Release	8 October 2026
Official Notification	Detailed Notice Download PDF Short Notice PDF
Official Website	ugcnet.nta.nic.in

UGC NET 2026: Important Dates

Candidates appearing for UGC NET December 2026 should keep track of all the important dates, including the application deadline, late fee window, application correction period and examination dates. As per the official notification, the UGC NET December 2026 application process has started on 8 October 2026, and candidates can submit their applications till 28 October 2026. The exam is scheduled to be conducted from 14 to 19 December 2026.

Event	Date
UGC NET December 2026 Application Starts	8 October 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	28 October 2026
Last Date for Fee Payment	28 October 2026
Application with Late Fee	29 to 31 October 2026
Application Correction Window	2 to 4 November 2026
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date	14 to 19 December 2026

UGC NET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

A master’s degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognised university or institution is the minimum eligibility criterion to apply for the UGC NET December Exam 2026. Final-year Master’s students whose results are awaited can also apply; their eligibility is considered provisionally once results are declared.

Category	Minimum Marks Required in Master’s Degree
General / EWS	55% aggregate marks
OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender	50% aggregate marks

Age Limit For JRF and Assistant Professor

Age Limit for UGC NET JRF and Assistant Professor has different criteria. Age relaxation is applied strictly as per the Government of India rules, and supporting documents must be submitted at the time of application.

Post	Age Limit
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Maximum 30 Years
Assistant Professor	No Upper Age Limit

Age Relaxation

Category	Relaxation
OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender / Women	Up to 5 Years

UGC NET December 2026 Application Form

The UGC NET Application Process 2026 link has been activated on the official website of UGC NET. Candidates are advised to go through the UGC NET December 2026 eligibility criteria before filling the form. Below is the UGC NET Apply Link 2026:

How to Apply for the UGC NET Online Application Form?

Candidates must upload all necessary documents, including a passport-size photograph, qualification certificates, and their signature. The application fee payment is made online through methods like UPI, net banking, or credit or debit cards. Candidates can follow these simple steps for the UGC NET 2026 Application Form 2026:

Go to the official website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
Click on the UGC NET December 2026 Application Form link
Register using basic personal details such as name, email ID, and mobile number
Log in with the generated credentials and fill in the complete application form
Upload photograph (10-200 KB, JPEG) and signature (10–50 KB, JPEG)
Upload required documents like the degree certificate and the category certificate (if applicable)
Pay the application fee online through UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit Card
Submit the form and save the confirmation page for future reference

UGC NET 2026 Exam Application Fee

Category	Application Fee
General (Unreserved)	₹1,150
General-EWS / OBC-NCL	₹600
SC / ST / PwD / Transgender	₹325

UGC NET 2026 Exam Pattern

The UGC NET December Exam 2026 will be held in online mode as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). NET comprises two papers: Paper I and Paper II, without any interval between them. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. Below is the UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026:

Feature	Paper 1	Paper 2
Type	Common for All	Subject-Specific
Number of Questions	50	100
Total Marks	100	200
Duration	1 Hour	2 Hours
Question Type	MCQs	MCQs
Negative Marking	No	No
Marks per Correct Answer	+2	+2

UGC NET Syllabus of Paper 1 and Paper 2

The UGC NET Syllabus consists of Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 of UGC NET 2026 is common for all candidates, testing teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, communication, and others. Paper 2 focuses on subjects chosen by the candidate. There are 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

NET-qualified Assistant Professors receive a handsome salary under the 7th Pay Commission (Level 10). With additional allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other benefits:

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

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 19 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. Candidates can submit the application form till 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.

What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?

The last date to submit the UGC NET December 2026 application form and pay the examination fee is 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.

Is there a late fee for UGC NET December 2026?

Yes. Candidates can submit the application form with a late fee of ₹500 from 29 October to 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.

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.