UGC NET December 2026 Application Form Out: Know 5 Major Changes, Important Dates & Documents Required

UGC NET December 2026 Application Form: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official notification and activated the online application form for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2026 session. The application process started on 8 October 2026, and eligible candidates can apply online through the official website.

According to the official NTA public notice dated 8 October 2026, the UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for 87 subjects from 14 December to 19 December 2026.

Candidates seeking Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor eligibility, or PhD admission under the applicable rules should complete their applications within the prescribed deadline.

In this article, we cover the complete UGC NET December 2026 application schedule, direct application link, application fees, step-by-step form-filling process, documents required, five important changes and points to remember, eligibility criteria, and frequently asked questions.

Official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/

Official notification: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/document-category/public-notices-2026/

Official information bulletin:  Information Bulletin of UGC-NET December 2026 – Download Here 

UGC NET December 2026: Important Dates

The NTA has announced the important dates for the December 2026 examination. Candidates should note the registration deadline, late-fee period, correction window, and examination schedule carefully.

Note: These dates are based on the NTA public notice and information bulletin dated 8 October 2026. NTA states that the announced dates are tentative and may change. Candidates should check the official website for subsequent notices.

UGC NET December 2026 Application Form: Overview

UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee

NTA has announced the following examination fees for the December 2026 session.

Applicable service charges and GST on payment-related charges may be payable separately.

Candidates submitting their applications during the late-fee window must pay the additional late fee of ₹500 along with the applicable examination fee.

Important: The late-fee facility is scheduled for 29–31 October 2026. Candidates should preferably complete registration and payment before 28 October to avoid additional charges or last-minute technical issues.

UGC NET December 2026 Apply Online: Direct Link

Candidates can access the application portal and official information using the links below.

• Apply online: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
• Official December 2026 notification: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/document-category/public-notices-2026/
• Download information bulletin: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/information-bulletin/
• NTA official website: https://nta.ac.in/

The application process is online only. Candidates should read the information bulletin before submitting the form and ensure that their application details are correct.

How to Fill the UGC NET December 2026 Application Form Step by Step

Candidates can follow the steps below to complete their applications.

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Open https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ and select the link for the UGC NET December 2026 application form.

Read the official information bulletin carefully before starting registration. Confirm that you are applying for the December 2026 session.

Step 2: Register Through the Online Portal

Complete the registration process using your own active email address and mobile number.

The December 2026 application process has been enabled through the Meri Pehchaan single sign-on service. Follow the instructions displayed on the registration portal to create or access your account.

Keep your login information secure and note your application number.

Step 3: Fill in the Application Form

Enter the required personal, educational, and contact details, including:

• Full name and date of birth
• Mobile number and email address
• Category and applicable reservation details
• Educational qualifications
• Postgraduate subject and examination subject
• Examination city preferences
• Other details requested by NTA

Check the information carefully before proceeding. Inaccurate personal or educational details may create problems during verification.

Step 4: Upload the Photograph and Signature

Candidates must upload the required images in accordance with the December 2026 information bulletin.

The official bulletin specifies the following image requirements:

• Recent photograph: 10 KB to 200 KB.
• Scanned signature: 10 KB to 50 KB.
• Live photograph: Required during the application process.
• Disability/UDID certificate, where applicable: PDF format, 50 KB to 300 KB.

The recent photograph must be in colour or black and white, with approximately 80% of the face visible, including the ears, without a mask, against a white background.

Candidates must also capture a live photograph with appropriate lighting and a light-coloured background. If the device being used does not have a webcam, the bulletin provides instructions for using a QR code and another device.

Always refer to the official bulletin for the complete specifications before uploading files.

Step 5: Select the Examination Subject and Cities

Choose the appropriate UGC NET subject based on the official subject list and your educational qualifications.

Enter your examination-city preferences according to the options available on the portal.

Review these choices before final submission because changes after the correction period may not be accepted.

Step 6: Pay the Examination Fee

Pay the applicable fee using an available payment method, such as credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.

Check the transaction status after payment. If the payment is unsuccessful, follow the official instructions to resolve the issue.

Step 7: Download the Confirmation Page

After successful payment and completion of the application, download the confirmation page.

Keep a copy of your confirmation page, application number, and payment receipt for future reference.

The application is not considered successfully completed merely because registration details have been entered. Successful fee payment and completion of the required application steps are essential.

Documents Required for UGC NET December 2026

Candidates should prepare the following documents and details before beginning registration.

1. Recent Photograph

Prepare a recent photograph in the prescribed file size and format. Ensure that the face is clearly visible and that the image meets NTA’s requirements.

2. Live Photograph

Keep a device with a working camera or webcam available to complete the live-photograph step. If your device does not support a webcam, follow the QR-code instructions on the portal.

3. Scanned Signature

Upload a clear scanned signature within the prescribed file-size range of 10 KB to 50 KB.

4. Identity Details

Keep your accepted identity document and personal details available. NTA advises candidates, where possible, to use Aadhaar verification and ensure their Aadhaar information is up to date.

5. Educational Qualification Details

Keep your postgraduate marksheets, degree details, or qualifying examination information ready to enter the correct academic information.

6. Category Certificate

Candidates claiming applicable category benefits should verify their eligibility and the relevant certificate requirements.

7. Disability or UDID Certificate

PwD/PwBD candidates should prepare the applicable disability or UDID certificate according to the official requirements.

8. Active Email Address and Mobile Number

Use your own active email address and mobile number, as NTA sends important communications through registered contact details.

9. Address and Examination Preferences

Keep your permanent address, correspondence address, PIN code, subject selection, and preferred examination cities ready.

Important: The list above includes documents and information that candidates may need for registration, verification, or uploading. Not every item necessarily requires an upload during the initial application. Follow the official information bulletin for the exact requirements applicable to your category.

UGC NET December 2026: 5 Major Changes and Important Updates

Candidates should pay particular attention to the following five points in the December 2026 application process.

1. Application Window and Official Deadlines

The application process opened on 8 October 2026. The regular application deadline is 28 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.

NTA has also specified a late-fee application window from 29 October to 31 October 2026. Candidates should plan to submit their applications before the regular deadline.

2. Late-Fee Facility of ₹500

Candidates who miss the regular application window can use the announced late-fee period from 29 to 31 October 2026, subject to the official instructions.

The additional late fee is ₹500, over and above the applicable examination fee.

Candidates should not wait for the late-fee period if they can submit their applications earlier.

3. Live Photograph Upload and Image Specifications

The application process requires a live photograph in addition to the prescribed photograph and signature uploads.

Candidates must follow the official requirements for the recent photograph, scanned signature, live-photograph capture, and applicable disability documentation.

This makes it particularly important to prepare the necessary files and a suitable camera-enabled device before registration.

4. Meri Pehchaan Single Sign-On Registration

The December 2026 registration process is enabled through the Meri Pehchaan single sign-on service.

Candidates should follow the authentication and registration instructions displayed on the official portal and use their own active contact details.

5. Correction Window Before the Examination

NTA has scheduled the application correction window for 2 November to 4 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM.

Candidates should carefully check the application form before submission. If a correction is needed, they should consult the official instructions to determine which fields can be edited.

These are five important application-cycle updates and requirements. They should not be interpreted as five entirely new examination policies; the official bulletin remains the final authority.

UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements specified in the official information bulletin.

Educational Qualification

Candidates generally need a qualifying postgraduate degree or must satisfy the conditions applicable to candidates appearing in their qualifying examinations.

The prescribed minimum marks, category-based relaxations, and other qualification requirements must be checked in the official bulletin.

Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)

Candidates seeking JRF must satisfy the applicable educational qualifications, age limit, relaxation provisions, and other conditions specified for the December 2026 session.

Assistant Professor Eligibility

Candidates applying for Assistant Professor eligibility should review the educational requirements and any applicable exemptions under the current rules.

PhD Admission

UGC NET scores may be used for PhD admission under the applicable framework. Candidates should check both the examination rules and the admission requirements of their chosen institution.

Qualifying for UGC NET does not automatically guarantee a fellowship, appointment, or admission.

UGC NET December 2026 Examination Pattern

According to the official information bulletin, the examination is conducted in Computer-Based Test mode and has a total duration of three hours.

The examination includes two papers:

There is no break between Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates should consult the official bulletin for the detailed examination scheme, syllabus, question format, and marking rules.

What Happens After Submitting the Application Form?

After completing registration, candidates should take the following steps:

1. Download the application confirmation page.
2. Keep the payment receipt and application number safe.
3. Check the official website for correction-window instructions.
4. Monitor announcements about the examination city intimation slip.
5. Download the admit card when NTA releases it.
6. Check the examination date, shift, centre, and reporting instructions on the admit card.
7. Continue preparing according to the official UGC NET syllabus.

As of the public notice dated 8 October 2026, the examination city intimation slip and admit card dates have not been announced in the published schedule.

Conclusion

The UGC NET December 2026 application form is available on the official NTA website, and candidates should complete their applications according to the announced schedule.

The regular registration deadline is 28 October 2026, the late-fee application window closes on 31 October 2026, and the correction window is scheduled for 2–4 November 2026. The examination is scheduled for 14–19 December 2026.

Candidates should also note the ₹500 late fee, the live-photograph requirement, the Meri Pehchaan registration facility, and the announced correction window. Preparing the required documents and verifying every application detail can help avoid unnecessary mistakes.

For the latest announcements, examination updates, and official instructions, visit https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ and refer to the December 2026 information bulletin.

Apply online through the official website and complete your application within the prescribed deadline.

Official sources used for this update:

• NTA public notice dated 8 October 2026 
• UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin

UGC NET Dec 2026 Forms, Know 5 Major Changes – FAQs