UGC NET Exam 2026 is a national-level eligibility test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). It determines candidates’ eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor, and PhD admission under applicable UGC-NET categories.
The UGC NET December 2026 notification was released on October 8, 2026, and the online application process has started. Candidates can apply until October 28, 2026, while the correction window will be available from November 2 to November 4, 2026.
UGC-NET Dec 2026 Application form live!
The UGC NET December 2026 exam will be conducted in CBT mode from December 14 to December 19, 2026, for 87 subjects. This article covers the notification, important dates, application form, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, admit card, answer key, result, cutoff, and other important updates.
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UGC NET Notification 2026
The UGC NET Notification 2026 provides complete details about the UGC NET December 2026 Exam, including important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, marking scheme, and the online application process.
For the UGC NET December 2026 session, NTA released the notification on 8 October 2026. The online application process started on the same day, and candidates can apply until 28 October 2026. The correction window will be available from 2 November to 4 November 2026.
Online Application Form for UGC-NET December 2026 examination PDF
The UGC NET December 2026 exam will be conducted in CBT mode from 14 December to 19 December 2026 for 87 subjects. Candidates should check the official notification for detailed eligibility, application requirements, subject-wise exam schedule, and other important instructions.
UGC NET Notification 2026 December Session:– Know Latest Updates
UGC NET Application Form 2026
The UGC NET Application Form 2026 for the December session was released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 8 October 2026, along with the official notification. Eligible candidates can complete the online application process through the official UGC NET website until 28 October 2026.
Candidates should keep the required documents and application details ready before filling out the form. Before submitting the application, aspirants should check the eligibility criteria, application fee, important dates, and instructions provided by NTA.
Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements should complete the UGC NET December 2026 application form before the deadline. Apply now through the official NTA UGC NET portal and avoid waiting until the last date. The UGC NET December 2026 exam will be conducted from 14 December to 19 December 2026 for 87 subjects.
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| Events | UGC NET December 2026 Date |
| Start of online submission of application form | 8 October 2026 |
| Last date for submission of examination fee (through Credit Card/ Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI) | 28 October 2026 |
| Correction in the Particulars in Online Application Form | 2–4 November 2026 |
Check Here – UGC NET English Notes 2026
UGC NET Exam Date 2026 December Session
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the UGC NET Exam Date 2026 for the December session. The examination is scheduled to be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode at various examination centres across India. Candidates can check the UGC NET December 2026 schedule below.
| Event | December 2026 Dates |
| UGC NET Notification Release | 8 October 2026 |
| UGC NET Application Form Start Date | 8 October 2026 |
| UGC NET Last Date to Apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Submission | 28 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Announcement of Exam City | December 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | December 2026 |
| UGC NET Exam Date | 14–19 December 2026 |
| Buffer Dates | 20–21 December 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | To Be Announced |
| Result Declaration | To Be Announced |
Check UGC NET Eligibility Criteria For December Exam 2026
UGC NET Exam Timing 2026 Subject-Wise Schedule
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the detailed subject-wise UGC NET Exam Schedule 2026 for the December session through the official notification in the Second week of December 2026. The UGC NET December 2026 exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode in two shifts each day.
The examination will have a total duration of 3 hours (180 minutes), with no break between Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates must report to the examination centre according to the reporting time mentioned on their admit card.
| Shift | Timing |
| Shift 1 | 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Shift 2 | 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM |
Check UGC NET December Exam 2026 Age Limit
UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET December Exam 2026 to determine Indian nationals’ eligibility for Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. Candidates must meet the following UGC NET eligibility criteria 2026 in order to apply for the exam:
See If You’re Eligible for UGC NET Exam 2026
UGC NET Educational Qualification 2026
Candidates must hold a postgraduate degree in a relevant field from a recognized university in order to be eligible for the UGC NET Exam 2026 December. Depending on the candidate’s category, different percentages of marks are needed. Below is a detailed overview of the UGC NET Exam 2026 educational qualification under the UGC NET eligibility criteria 2026:
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| Criteria | Details |
| Minimum Qualification | Master’s Degree or equivalent from a recognised university/institution |
| Minimum Marks Required | General/Unreserved/General-EWS: 55% aggregate in Master’s degree
OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender: 50% aggregate |
| Subjects Accepted | Humanities (including languages), Social Sciences, Computer Science & Applications, Electronic Science, etc. |
| Candidates in Final Year | Candidates appearing in the final year of their Master’s degree (or waiting for results) can also apply. |
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Foreign Degree Holders
For the UGC NET Exam 2026, candidates with foreign Master’s degrees should have their qualifications approved by the Association of Indian Universities.
UGC NET Exam 2026 Age Limit
The UGC NET Exam 2026 age limit criteria differ for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor eligibility. The table below provides the detailed UGC NET age limit criteria for the UGC NET exam 2026 December session:
| Purpose | Maximum Age |
| JRF | Not more than 30 years |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit |
UGC NET Age Limit 2026 – Check Before You Apply
UGC NET Exam 2026 Relaxation
For candidates in reserved categories, women, and those with relevant qualifications or previous experience, the UGC NET Exam 2026 provides age relaxation. The detailed relaxation criteria for the December 2026 cycle are as follows:
| Category / Criteria | Age Relaxation | Remarks |
| OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender, Women | Up to 5 years | Cumulative, applicable even if the candidate qualifies under multiple categories |
| Candidates with research experience | Up to 5 years | Limited to actual period spent on research, subject to verification |
| Candidates with LLM degree | Up to 3 years | Additional to other applicable relaxations |
| Armed Forces personnel (Ex-servicemen) | Up to 5 years | Applicable based on duration of service in the armed forces |
Understand UGC NET Reservation Policy 2026 in Detail
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026
The UGC NET Exam 2026 consists of two papers—Paper 1 and Paper 2—which are conducted in a single session using a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. Here’s a breakdown of the Paper 1 and Paper 2 exam format for the UGC NET Exam 2026 December session:
| Paper | Subjects Covered | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | General Aptitude (Teaching & Research) | 50 | 100 | 1 hour |
| Paper 2 | Subject-Specific (Postgraduate Specialisation) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Total | Both Papers Combined | 150 | 300 | 3 hours |
Detailed Breakdown of UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026
UGC NET Marking Scheme 2026
The UGC NET Exam 2026 follows a clear and straightforward marking system, and the mode of examination is a Computer-Based Test (Online). Check out the UGC NET Marking Scheme 2026 below:
| Aspect | Details |
| Correct Answer | +2 marks for each correct answer |
| Incorrect Answer | No negative marking for incorrect answers |
| Total Marks | 300 marks (100 for Paper 1, 200 for Paper 2) |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Question Type | Objective (Multiple-Choice Questions) |
| Language | Bilingual (English and Hindi) |
| Session | Single session for both papers |
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UGC NET Exam 2026 Syllabus
The UGC NET Exam 2026 syllabus is divided into two papers. Paper 1 tests general aptitude, while Paper 2 is subject-specific and based on the candidate’s postgraduate specialization. Below is a detailed outline of the UGC NET Exam 2026 Syllabus:
UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus (General Aptitude)
The UGC NET Exam 2026 Paper 1 assesses the candidate’s teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, and general awareness. Check the UGC NET Exam 2026 syllabus for Paper 1 in the table below:
| Unit | Topics |
| Teaching Aptitude | Nature, objectives, and characteristics of teaching; learner characteristics; methods of teaching; evaluation systems. |
| Research Aptitude | Research meaning, characteristics, and types; steps of research; methods of research; research ethics; thesis and article writing. |
| Reading Comprehension | A passage to assess analytical and interpretative skills. |
| Communication | Communication types, barriers, and effective classroom communication. |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Number series, coding-decoding, and logical sequences. |
| Logical Reasoning | Venn diagrams, syllogisms, and verbal reasoning. |
| Data Interpretation | Interpretation and analysis of data in tabular, graphical, or chart format. |
| Information & Communication Technology (ICT) | Basics of computers, the internet, e-learning, ICT tools, and governance. |
| People, Development, and Environment | Environmental issues, sustainable development, policies, and initiatives. |
| Higher Education System | Policies, governance, administration, history, and the role of higher education in India. |
Complete UGC NET Syllabus 2026
UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus (Subject-Specific)
The UGC NET exam 2026 Paper 2 is based on the subject chosen by the candidate. It includes detailed topics related to their postgraduate study. Here are some examples of popular UGC NET Exam 2026 subjects:
| S.No. | Subjects | Key Topics |
| 1 | UGC NET Economics Syllabus | Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics, International Economics, Econometrics, Business Economics |
| 2 | UGC NET Political Science Syllabus | Political Theory, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Indian Government and Politics, Political Institutions |
| 3 | UGC NET Philosophy Syllabus | Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, Metaphysics |
| 4 | UGC NET Psychology Syllabus | Behavioural Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Research Methods |
| 5 | UGC NET Sociology Syllabus | Sociological Theories, Social Change, Indian Society, Social Stratification, Research Methods |
| 6 | UGC NET History Syllabus | Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, World History, National Movements, Colonial Economy |
| 7 | UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus | Cultural Anthropology, Physical Anthropology, Archaeology, Social Anthropology |
| 8 | UGC NET Commerce Syllabus | Business Environment, Financial Management, Marketing, Accounting, Auditing, Strategic Management |
| 9 | UGC NET Education Syllabus | Educational Psychology, Curriculum Development, Educational Technology, Teacher Education |
| 10 | UGC NET Social Work Syllabus | Social Case Work, Community Development, Social Policy |
| 11 | UGC NET Defence and Strategic Studies Syllabus | Military History, Security Studies, Strategic Thought |
| 12 | UGC NET Home Science Syllabus | Nutrition, Human Development, Resource Management |
| 13 | UGC NET Public Administration Syllabus | Administrative Theory, Indian Administration, Public Policy, Governance, Decentralization |
| 14 | UGC NET Population Studies Syllabus | Demography, Fertility, Mortality, Population Policies |
| 15 | UGC NET Music Syllabus | Theory, History of Music, Instruments, Ragas |
| 16 | UGC NET Management Syllabus | Organisational Behaviour, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Human Resource Management |
| 17 | UGC NET Maithili Syllabus | Literature History, Poetry, Prose, Grammar, Criticism |
| 18 | UGC NET Bengali Syllabus | Literary History, Poetry, Drama, Grammar |
| 19 | UGC NET Hindi Syllabus | Bhakti & Modern Literature, Grammar, Linguistics |
| 20 | UGC NET Kannada Syllabus | Literary Movements, Poetry, Grammar |
| 21 | UGC NET Malayalam Syllabus | Classical & Modern Literature, Grammar |
| 22 | UGC NET Oriya Syllabus | Poetry, Drama, Literary History |
| 23 | UGC NET Punjabi Syllabus | Literature, Grammar, Folk Traditions |
| 24 | UGC NET Sanskrit Syllabus | Vedas, Grammar, Literature, Philosophy |
| 25 | UGC NET Tamil Syllabus | Sangam Literature, Grammar, Literary Criticism |
| 26 | UGC NET Telugu Syllabus | Classical Literature, Grammar |
| 27 | UGC NET Urdu Syllabus | Poetry, Prose, Literary Movements |
| 28 | UGC NET Arabic Syllabus | Classical Texts, Grammar, Translation |
| 29 | UGC NET English Syllabus | Literary Movements, Major Authors (Shakespeare, Chaucer), Literary Criticism, Indian English Literature |
| 30 | UGC NET Linguistics Syllabus | Phonetics, Syntax, Semantics, Sociolinguistics, Psycholinguistics |
| 31 | UGC NET Chinese Syllabus | Language Structure, Literature, Translation |
| 32 | UGC NET Dogri Syllabus | Literature, Grammar, History |
| 33 | UGC NET Nepali Syllabus | Poetry, Prose, Grammar |
| 34 | UGC NET Manipuri Syllabus | Literature, Culture |
| 35 | UGC NET Assamese Syllabus | Literary History, Grammar |
| 36 | UGC NET Gujarati Syllabus | Literature, Grammar |
| 37 | UGC NET Marathi Syllabus | Bhakti Literature, Modern Literature |
| 38 | UGC NET French Syllabus | Grammar, Literature, Translation |
| 39 | UGC NET Spanish Syllabus | Language Skills, Literature |
| 40 | UGC NET Russian Syllabus | Grammar, Literature |
| 41 | UGC NET Persian Syllabus | Classical Literature, Grammar |
| 42 | UGC NET Rajasthani Syllabus | Folk & Literary Traditions |
| 43 | UGC NET German Syllabus | Grammar, Literature |
| 44 | UGC NET Japanese Syllabus | Language, Culture, Translation |
| 45 | UGC NET Adult Education Syllabus | Lifelong Learning, Policies, Andragogy, Community Development, Evaluation, Assessment |
| 46 | UGC NET Physical Education Syllabus | Sports Psychology, Physiology, Training Methods, Health Education, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Nutrition |
| 47 | UGC NET Arab Culture and Islamic Studies Syllabus | Islamic History, Culture, Theology |
| 48 | UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus | Art, Architecture, Heritage |
| 49 | UGC NET Labour Welfare/Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/Labour And Social Welfare/Human Resource Management Syllabus | Industrial Relations, Labour Laws, HRM |
| 50 | UGC NET Law Syllabus | Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, International Law, Human Rights, Legal Theory |
| 51 | UGC NET Library And Information Science Syllabus | Information Sources, Cataloguing, Classification, Information Retrieval, Digital Libraries |
| 52 | UGC NET Buddhist, Jaina, Gandhian, And Peace Studies Syllabus | Philosophy, Ethics, Peace Studies, Buddhism, Jainism |
| 53 | UGC NET Comparative Study Of Religions Syllabus | World Religions, Philosophy |
| 54 | UGC NET Mass Communication And Journalism Syllabus | Media Theories, Communication Models, Journalism Ethics, Mass Media Laws |
| 55 | UGC NET Performing Arts – Dance/Drama/Theatre Syllabus | Dance, Drama, Theatre History & Practice |
| 56 | UGC NET Museology & Conservation Syllabus | Museum Management, Conservation |
| 57 | UGC NET Archaeology Syllabus | Excavation Methods, Ancient Cultures, Heritage |
| 58 | UGC NET Criminology Syllabus | Crime Theories, Criminal Justice System |
| 59 | UGC NET Tribal And Regional Language/Literature Syllabus | Tribal Culture, Oral Traditions, History & Development |
| 60 | UGC NET Folk Literature Syllabus | Folklore, Oral Narratives |
| 61 | UGC NET Comparative Literature Syllabus | Literary Theory, Cross-cultural Studies |
| 62 | UGC NET Sanskrit Traditional Subjects | Vedic/Classical Literature, Grammar, Poetics/Sahitya Shastra, Indian Philosophy, Dharma Shastra, Puranas, Linguistics |
| 63 | UGC NET Women Studies Syllabus | Gender Studies, Feminism, Social Issues, Constitutional Rights, Workplace Laws, Health & Reproduction, Education, Policy |
| 64 | UGC NET Visual Art (Including Drawing & Painting/Sculpture Graphics/Applied Art/History Of Art) Syllabus | Drawing, Sculpture, Art History, Printmaking, Applied Arts, Aesthetics, Folk and tribal art |
| 65 | UGC NET Geography Syllabus | Physical Geography, Human Geography, Geographic Techniques, Environmental Geography |
| 66 | UGC NET Social Medicine & Community Health Syllabus | Public Health, Epidemiology, Sanitation, Nutrition, Health Policy, Disease Prevention & Control |
| 67 | UGC NET Forensic Science Syllabus | Crime Scene, Toxicology, Cybercrime, Medicine, Legal Procedures, Evidence Law |
| 68 | UGC NET Pali Syllabus | Buddhist Texts, Grammar, Translation, Development, Buddhism, Commentaries, Chronicles |
| 69 | UGC NET Kashmiri Syllabus | Literature, Grammar, Literary Movements, Cultural Context, Translation, Critical Analysis |
| 70 | UGC NET Konkani Syllabus | Literature, Culture, Folk Traditions, Literary History, Translation and Interpretation |
| 71 | UGC NET Computer Science Syllabus | Algorithms, Data Structures, Computer Networks, Database Management, Software Engineering |
| 72 | UGC NET Electronic Science Syllabus | Circuits, Signals, Electromagnetic Theory, VLSI Design, IC fabrication, CMOS technology |
| 73 | UGC NET Environmental Science Syllabus | Ecology, Environmental Pollution, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Laws |
| 74 | UGC NET Politics Including International Relations/International Studies Including Defence/Strategic Studies, West Asian Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, African Studies, South Asian Studies, Soviet Studies, American Studies Syllabus | Global Politics, Strategic Studies, Political Theory, Western/Indian Political Thought, Indian Government, International Relations |
| 75 | UGC NET Prakrit Syllabus | Language, Literature, Grammar, Script, Phonetics, Translation, Contribution to Indian languages |
| 76 | UGC NET Human Rights and Duties Syllabus | Laws, Policies, Ethics, Fundamental & International Rights, NHRC, NGOs |
| 77 | UGC NET Tourism Administration and Management Syllabus | Principles, Planning, Development, Marketing, Hospitality Management, Sustainable Tourism, Policies |
| 78 | UGC NET Bodo Syllabus | Language, Literature, Grammar, Literary Movements, Translation, Cultural Context |
| 79 | UGC NET Santali Syllabus | Tribal Literature, Grammar, Poetry, Prose, Folk Traditions, Script (Ol Chiki), Cultural and Tribal Studies |
| 80 | UGC NET Yoga Syllabus | Philosophy, Practice, Health, Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation, Stress Management |
| 81 | UGC NET Sindhi Syllabus | Literature, Grammar, Sufi Literature, Criticism, Cultural & Social Background, Translation |
| 82 | UGC NET Hindu Studies Syllabus | Philosophy, Culture, Dharma and Ethics, Rituals, Temples, Traditions, Bhakti Movement |
| 83 | UGC NET Indian Knowledge System Syllabus | Vedas, Cultural Traditions, Practices, Environmental Knowledge Systems, Contributions |
| 84 | UGC NET Disaster Management Syllabus | Risk, Mitigation, Policies, Preparedness, Emergency Response, GIS & Remote Sensing |
| 85 | UGC NET Ayurveda Biology Syllabus | Human Biology, Ayurvedic Concepts, Anatomy, Physiology, Panchakarma |
| 86 | UGC NET Forestry Syllabus | General Forestry, Silviculture, Biodiversity, Forest Resource Management, Climate Change & Environmental Conservation |
| 87 | UGC NET Statistics Syllabus | Probability & Distributions, Real Analysis & Matrix Algebra, Estimation Theory, Testing of Hypotheses, Multivariate Analysis, Indian Statistical System & Research Methodology |
UGC NET Exam Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
To be able to prepare comprehensively for the UGC NET Exam 2026, the candidates must analyze the syllabus PDF. The candidates can download the official UGC NET Syllabus 2026 for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 from the link provided below:
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Download UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus PDF & UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus PDF |
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UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers
UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers are original questions that were asked in the previous UGC NET exams. They include UGC NET Paper 1 PYQs (Teaching & Research Aptitude — general for all) as well as UGC NET PYQs for Paper 2 (subject-related). Practising for the UGC NET Exam 2026 with the help of PYQs makes you familiar with patterns and schemes in the exams, key topics, and difficulty levels. To further solidify their preparation for UGC NET Exam 2026 for December cycle, the candidates must analyse the previous sessions’ UGC NET Question Paper PDFs.
Get UGC NET Previous Year Papers PDFs Here
UGC NET Admit Card 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the UGC NET Admit Card 2026, expectedly in the last week of December 2026, for candidates appearing in the December 2026 examination. Candidates can download their hall tickets for the UGC NET Exam 2026 from the official website or from the link provided below using their Application Number and Date of Birth, after the official release.
| UGC NET Admit Card 2026 PDF for December Session – Available Soon |
Find Out UGC NET Admit Card 2026 Release Date Here
UGC NET Answer Key 2026
The UGC NET Answer Key 2026 is an important document released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the examination. For the UGC NET December 2026 session, NTA is expected to first release the provisional answer key, along with the candidates’ recorded responses and question papers. Candidates will be given an opportunity to raise objections against the provisional answer key within the specified period by paying the prescribed fee.
After reviewing the challenges received from candidates, NTA will release the UGC NET Final Answer Key 2026. The final answer key will be prepared after considering the valid objections and will be used for the result and score calculation. The UGC NET December 2026 Answer Key release date has not been announced yet. Candidates should check the official NTA website regularly for updates regarding the provisional answer key, objection window and final answer key.
Learn All About UGC NET Final Answer Key 2026 December Session
UGC NET Result 2026
The UGC NET Result 2026 for the December session will be declared by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on its official website after the completion of the examination and evaluation process. The exact release date for the UGC NET December 2026 Result has not been announced yet.
The result will provide important details such as the candidate’s marks, percentile, qualification status, and eligibility category, including Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor, as applicable. Candidates will be able to check their UGC NET Result 2026 by entering their required login credentials on the official NTA portal.
NTA will announce the UGC NET December 2026 Result Date through an official notice. Candidates should regularly check the official NTA website for the latest updates.
View UGC NET Result 2026 December Release Date
UGC NET Cutoff 2026
The UGC NET Cut Off 2026 for the December session will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the declaration of the UGC NET Result 2026. The cutoff represents the minimum marks required to qualify for the respective UGC NET eligibility categories, including Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
The UGC NET Cut Off 2026 will be released subject-wise and category-wise. The cutoff marks may vary across subjects and categories based on factors such as the number of candidates, examination difficulty level, and candidates’ overall performance. Candidates can check the official UGC NET December 2026 Cut Off on the NTA website after its release. The cutoff will help candidates determine their qualification status for the respective eligibility category.
UGC NET Cutoff 2026 Out Download Subject Wise PDF – Expected & Previous Trends
Conclusion
The UGC NET Exam 2026 is an important opportunity for candidates preparing for JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD admission. The December 2026 exam will be conducted from 14 to 19 December 2026. Candidates should complete the application process on time, follow the latest syllabus, practise PYQs and take regular mock tests. They should also check NTA updates regularly for admit card, answer key, result and cutoff information.
