UGC NET December 2026 registration closes October 28

Applications for UGC NET December 2026 close on October 28, 2026, at 11.50 pm, leaving candidates in the final days of the registration window. The National Testing Agency (NTA) opened the window on October 8, 2026.

UGC NET December 2026 is the December cycle of the test that decides eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), assistant professor posts and PhD admission. Candidates who miss the October 28 deadline can still apply with a late fee until October 31, 2026.

UGC NET December 2026 dates

The updated schedule for UGC NET December 2026 sets the late fee window from October 29 to October 31, 2026, with a uniform late fee of 500 rupees. The correction window runs from November 2 to November 4, 2026. City intimation slips will be released on November 23, 2026, and admit cards will be available from December 7, 2026.

Exams for UGC NET December 2026 are scheduled from December 14 to 18 and on December 21, 2026, across subjects. Candidates should check the subject-wise schedule in the bulletin, since papers are spread across several days.

UGC NET December 2026 fees and late window

The fee is 1,150 rupees for General candidates, 600 rupees for General-EWS and OBC Non-Creamy Layer candidates, and 325 rupees for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Third Gender and Persons with Disability candidates. Banks or payment gateways may add their own charges, and UPI is accepted.

Candidates who apply late for UGC NET December 2026 pay the same fee plus 500 rupees. The bulletin advises applicants to apply early, since the portal slows down in the final days and payment queues can cause delays.

Who the UGC NET December 2026 exam is for

The test now gives three outcomes: JRF with assistant professor eligibility and PhD admission; assistant professor eligibility with PhD admission; or PhD only. Final-year master's students can apply provisionally. Holders of four-year bachelor's degrees need 75 per cent marks, with a five per cent relaxation in the rules.

The upper age limit for JRF is 30 years on December 1, 2026. No age bar applies to the second outcome. Candidates should match their name and date of birth across Aadhaar, certificates and the application form before submitting.

Live photo capture is mandatory during the form. Applicants must upload a recent photograph of 10 to 200 KB and a signature of 10 to 50 KB, with 80 per cent of the face visible against a plain white background. Metallic ornaments are barred in the exam hall, while transparent water bottles are permitted.

The bulletin also sets dress rules for exam day. Normal shoes, slippers and low-heel sandals are allowed, while long boots are not. Candidates in cultural or faith attire are asked to report two hours early for screening.

Candidates should also keep their documents ready before starting the form: a government ID, a recent photograph, a clear signature, and category proofs where they apply. Names must be entered exactly as they appear on Aadhaar or passport, and subject and exam city should be chosen carefully, since popular centres fill first.

Eligible candidates can use a scribe, provided by NTA or arranged by themselves. A scribe arranged by the candidate must hold a qualification one level below the candidate, and additional time is at least 20 minutes per exam hour. Candidates facing problems can call 011-40759000 or write to ugcnet@nta.ac.in.