The UGC NET Notification 2026 for the December session was released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 8 October 2026. The notification provides important information about the examination schedule, eligibility criteria, application process, examination fee, exam pattern, syllabus and other instructions for candidates seeking eligibility for Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and PhD admission.
The NTA has also released an updated Information Bulletin and a corrigendum to provide revised examination-related details. Additionally, the last date to submit the UGC NET December 2026 application form has been extended to 31 October 2026.
Join UGC NET Online Course – Click Here
According to the revised schedule, the UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted from 14 December to 18 December and on 21 December 2026. Candidates planning to appear for the examination should check the latest notification and Information Bulletin before completing their registration.
In this article, candidates can find all the important details about the UGC NET Notification 2026, including the revised application schedule, examination dates, eligibility requirements, exam pattern and steps to download the official notification PDF.
UGC NET December Notification 2026 Out @ugcnet.nta.ac.in, Apply Online Link Active
UGC NET December Exam 2026 New Notification Out: 28 BIG Changes in Official Notification
UGC NET December 2026 Latest Update: Application Deadline Extended
The National Testing Agency has extended the last date for submitting the online application form for the UGC NET December 2026 examination.
As per the public notice dated 27 October 2026, candidates have been given additional time to complete their registration and examination fee payment until 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date Out @nta.ac.in: Check Complete Schedule
Candidates who have not completed their application process should visit the official UGC NET website and complete the required formalities before the revised deadline.
Revised application schedule:
| Activity | Revised date |
|---|---|
| Last date to submit application form | 31 October 2026 |
| Last date for examination fee payment | 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Application correction window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Late fee information | Check the latest NTA notice and payment portal |
Important: The 16 October Information Bulletin mentions a ₹500 additional late fee for applications submitted from 29 to 31 October. Candidates should verify the applicable fee and payment instructions in the latest extension notice and on the official application portal.
UGC NET Notification 2026: Overview
The UGC NET December 2026 examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency to determine the eligibility of candidates for JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD admission in Indian universities and colleges.
Candidates can refer to the following table for an overview of the examination.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Examination Level | National Level |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Notification Release Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 8 October 2026 |
| Revised Application Deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 14–18 and 21 December 2026 |
| Examination Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Total Papers | Paper 1 and Paper 2 |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET Exam Date 2026: December Session
The National Testing Agency has announced the revised examination schedule for UGC NET December 2026.
As per the updated Information Bulletin, the examination will be conducted over six days: 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 December 2026.
Click Here – UGC NET Exam 2026 Exam Date for December exam
Candidates should note that 19 and 20 December are not included in the revised UGC NET examination schedule. The subject-wise examination date, shift and reporting time will be mentioned on the respective admit cards.
The examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
UGC NET Notification 2026: Important Dates
Candidates preparing for the December session should keep track of all the important dates mentioned in the official notification and subsequent notices.
Click Here – Check UGC NET Notification 2026 December Session Important Dates
| Events | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| UGC NET Notification Release | 8 October 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 8 October 2026 |
| Original Application Deadline | 28 October 2026 |
| Extended Application Deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Application Fee Payment Deadline | 31 October 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Application Correction Window | 2–4 November 2026 |
| Examination City Intimation Slip | 23 November 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | 7 December 2026 |
| UGC NET December Examination | 14–18 and 21 December 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key | To be announced |
| UGC NET Result | To be announced |
Note: Candidates should regularly visit the official NTA website for any further changes to the examination schedule.
UGC NET Notification 2026 PDF Download
The UGC NET December 2026 Notification PDF and Information Bulletin are available on the official NTA UGC NET website.
Candidates can download the official notification to check the examination guidelines, eligibility criteria, application procedure, syllabus, examination pattern and other important details.
Follow these steps to download the UGC NET Notification 2026 PDF:
- Visit the official website at https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/.
- Navigate to the Public Notices or Information Bulletin section.
- Find the notification titled “Information Bulletin of UGC-NET December 2026“.
- Click on the relevant notification link.
- The official PDF will open on your screen.
- Download the PDF and save it for future reference.
Candidates should refer to the updated Information Bulletin dated 16 October 2026, along with subsequent corrigenda and public notices.
Official links:
- UGC NET Official Website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
- Information Bulletin: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/information-bulletin/
- Public Notices: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/document-category/public-notices-2026/
UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates interested in appearing for the UGC NET December 2026 examination must fulfil the eligibility requirements prescribed by the NTA.
The eligibility criteria primarily include educational qualifications and age limits for different categories of candidates.
Educational Qualification
- General/Unreserved and General-EWS candidates must have secured at least 55% marks in their Master’s degree or equivalent examination.
- Candidates belonging to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender categories must have secured at least 50% marks.
UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Check Age Limit, Educational Qualification & Reservation
- Candidates pursuing their Master’s degree or awaiting their final-year results can also apply provisionally, subject to the conditions specified in the Information Bulletin.
- Candidates who have completed a four-year or eight-semester bachelor’s degree must fulfil the prescribed minimum 75% marks requirement, with applicable relaxations for eligible categories.
UGC NET Courses 2026: Get Best Courses for JRF, Assistant Professorship for December Session
Candidates should generally select the NET subject corresponding to their postgraduate subject. If their postgraduate subject is not available in the NET subject list, they may select a related subject as permitted by NTA.
Age Limit
The age criteria differ depending on whether candidates are applying for JRF or Assistant Professor eligibility.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): The maximum age limit is 30 years, subject to applicable relaxations.
- Assistant Professor: There is no upper age limit.
UGC NET Age Limit 2026: Check Assistant Professor and JRF Category-Wise Age Relaxation
- PhD Admission: Candidates should meet the applicable educational and examination requirements.
Candidates should consult the updated Information Bulletin for category-wise age relaxations and the prescribed date for calculating age eligibility.
UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026
The UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test mode. The examination consists of two papers, namely Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Both papers contain objective-type multiple-choice questions and are conducted in a single three-hour session without a break.
| Particulars | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | General Teaching and Research Aptitude | Subject-Specific |
| Total Questions | 50 | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 200 |
| Marks per Question | 2 | 2 |
Overall examination pattern:
- Total Questions: 150
- Total Marks: 300
- Examination Duration: 180 minutes
- Question Type: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Correct Answer: +2 marks
- Incorrect Answer: 0 marks
- Unanswered Question: 0 marks
- Negative Marking: No
Paper 1 assesses teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, reading comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness. Paper 2 evaluates the candidate’s knowledge of the subject selected during registration.
UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
The examination fee for UGC NET December 2026 varies according to the candidate’s category.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS/OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC/ST/Third Gender | ₹325 |
| PwD/PwBD | ₹325 |
Applicable processing charges and GST may be additional. Candidates should check the payment portal for the final payable amount and any applicable late fee.
What to Do After the UGC NET Notification 2026 Is Released?
After checking the UGC NET Notification 2026, candidates should complete the necessary registration formalities and start preparing for the examination.
The following steps can help candidates plan their next actions.
Step 1: Read the Official Notification
Download the latest UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin and carefully review the eligibility requirements, application dates, examination pattern and instructions.
UGC NET Selection Procedure 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Process
Step 2: Check Eligibility and Arrange Documents
Verify your educational qualifications, category details and age eligibility. Keep your photograph, signature and other required certificates ready.
Step 3: Complete the Application Process
Visit the official NTA website, register using your email ID and mobile number, complete the application form and pay the applicable examination fee.
Step 4: Start Your UGC NET Preparation
Download the latest Paper 1 and Paper 2 syllabus. Prepare a study timetable, refer to recommended books and practise previous-year question papers and mock tests.
Step 5: Use the Application Correction Window
If corrections are required in your application form, use the correction facility between 2 and 4 November 2026, subject to the fields permitted by NTA.
Step 6: Download the Examination City Slip and Admit Card
Check the examination city intimation slip scheduled for 23 November 2026. Download your admit card from 7 December 2026, as scheduled in the Information Bulletin.
Step 7: Appear for the Examination
Carry your printed admit card, required self-declaration and valid photo identity proof to the examination centre. Follow all instructions mentioned by NTA.
How to Apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The UGC NET December 2026 application process is conducted entirely online through the official NTA website.
Candidates can follow the steps below to complete their registration:
- Visit the Official Website: Open https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/.
- Complete Registration: Click on the new registration option and provide the required personal and contact details.
- Fill Out the Application Form: Enter your educational qualifications, examination subject, category and other relevant information.
- Upload Required Documents: Upload your live photograph and the scanned documents required by NTA, including your photograph and signature.
- Pay the Examination Fee: Make the payment through the available online payment options.
- Review and Submit: Check all the information carefully before submitting the application form.
- Download the Confirmation Page: After successful payment, download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates should ensure that their application form is successfully submitted and the fee payment status is confirmed.
UGC NET December 2026 Syllabus
The UGC NET examination consists of two papers, and candidates must prepare for both to achieve a good score.
UGC NET Syllabus 2026: Latest Paper 1 & Paper 2 Subject-Wise PDF
Paper 1 Syllabus
Paper 1 is common for all candidates and evaluates general teaching and research aptitude.
UGC NET Paper 1 Unit-Wise Syllabus : Complete Study Material, Notes & Preparation Guide
The major units include:
|
S.No. |
UGC NET Paper 1 Units |
Important Topics to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Teaching concepts, objectives, characteristics, learner characteristics, teaching methods, teaching aids, evaluation systems and teaching support systems. |
|
|
2 |
Meaning and types of research, research methods, research ethics, research process, thesis writing, referencing, sampling and research design. |
|
|
3 |
Reading comprehension, passage analysis, identifying main ideas, understanding arguments, inference and interpretation of information. |
|
|
4 |
Meaning and types of communication, verbal and non-verbal communication, classroom communication, barriers to communication and effective communication. |
|
|
5 |
Number series, letter series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, fractions, percentages, ratios, averages, profit and loss, time and distance. |
|
|
6 |
Arguments, deductive and inductive reasoning, analogies, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, Indian logic, fallacies and logical relationships. |
|
|
7 |
Tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, data analysis, percentage calculations, averages, ratios and interpretation of numerical information. |
|
|
8 |
UGC NET Paper 1 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Notes |
Computer fundamentals, internet, intranet, email, digital initiatives, ICT terminology, communication technologies and computer applications. |
|
9 |
Sustainable development, environmental protection, pollution, climate change, natural resources, biodiversity, environmental laws and disaster management. |
|
|
10 |
Higher education in India, universities and institutions, governance, policies, value education, professional education, ancient Indian education and educational reforms. |
UGC NET Exam Centres 2026: Check City Wise List, Centre Codes
Paper 2 Syllabus
Paper 2 is based on the subject selected by the candidate during the application process. NTA offers multiple subjects, including Commerce, Management, English, History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Education and Computer Science and Applications.
Candidates should download the subject-wise syllabus from the official UGC NET website and prepare according to the prescribed topics.
Conclusion
The UGC NET Notification 2026 is an important announcement for postgraduate candidates aspiring to qualify for Junior Research Fellowship, Assistant Professor eligibility or PhD admission.
UGC NET Admit Card 2026 Out: Check Download Link, Steps to Download
With the notification released on 8 October 2026 and the application deadline extended to 31 October 2026, candidates should complete their registration within the revised schedule. They should also carefully review the updated Information Bulletin to understand the eligibility requirements, examination pattern, syllabus and other important instructions.
The UGC NET December 2026 examination is scheduled for 14–18 and 21 December 2026. Candidates should begin their preparation with a structured study plan, practise previous-year question papers and take regular mock tests.
For the latest updates regarding the UGC NET December 2026 examination, candidates should regularly check the official NTA website.
