NTA UGC NET December 2026 Online Form
If you are aiming to teach in a college or university, or want a Junior Research Fellowship to fund a PhD, UGC NET is the exam that opens that door. The National Testing Agency conducts it on behalf of the University Grants Commission, and the December 2026 cycle covers 87 subjects, from Commerce and Computer Science to languages such as Bengali, Maithili and Pali. This is an eligibility test, not a recruitment drive with a fixed number of vacancies. The online form opened on 8 October 2026 and the exam is scheduled for 14 to 19 December 2026. The deadline needs your attention right now, because the dates in the notice do not all line up and a Date Extended Notice has also been issued.
Vacancy Details
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UGC NET / JRF December 2026 (87 subjects) | — |
Eligibility
You should have passed, or be appearing in, a Master's degree in the subject you choose, with at least 55% marks. Candidates holding a 4-year bachelor's degree are also eligible to apply. Pick your subject carefully: it should match your postgraduate discipline, so compare your degree with the official subject list of 87 subjects before you start the form. Keep your marksheets ready, and if you are in your final year, keep proof of your current enrolment. Any relaxation in the 55% requirement for reserved categories is not stated in the summary, so read the information brochure to see whether it applies to you.
The age rule depends on what you are applying for. For JRF, the maximum age is 30 years as on 1 December 2026. For NET alone, meaning eligibility for Assistant Professor, there is no upper age limit at all. No minimum age is mentioned. If you are close to 30, check whether any category-based relaxation for JRF is given in the information brochure, since the summary does not list it.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start | 8 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 31 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 2-4 November 2026 |
| Exam Date | 14-19 December 2026 |
| Exam City / Admit Card | Before Exam |
Application Fee
| General | ₹1150 |
| EWS / OBC | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PH | ₹325 |
Salary / Pay
Since UGC NET is an eligibility exam, the notification summary does not give a salary or pay scale, and it does not state the JRF fellowship amount either. For fellowship details, refer to the official information brochure on ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
Selection Process
The summary does not describe the paper pattern or how NET and JRF results are decided. It confirms only that the exam runs from 14 to 19 December 2026 and that your exam city and Admit Card will be released before the exam. The detailed scheme, syllabus and qualifying criteria are in the information brochure, which you should read once fully before your preparation plan is final.
How to Apply
The important-dates table lists 28 October 2026 as the last date to apply and 31 October 2026 as the last date to pay the fee, while another part of the notice says applications run until 31 October. A Date Extended Notice has also been released, so open it on ugcnet.nta.nic.in and go by the date it gives. The fee is ₹1150 for General, ₹600 for EWS and OBC, and ₹325 for SC, ST and PH candidates, paid online by debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI. EWS candidates pay ₹600, not the General fee. Keep a scanned photograph, signature, ID proof and your degree details ready. A correction window is open from 2 to 4 November 2026 if you need to fix a mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for UGC NET December 2026?
Candidates who have passed or are appearing in a Master's degree in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks, and 4-year bachelor's degree holders.
Is there an age limit?
Only for JRF, where the maximum age is 30 years as on 1 December 2026. There is no upper age limit for NET.
What is the application fee?
₹1150 for General, ₹600 for EWS and OBC, and ₹325 for SC, ST and PH candidates.
What is the last date to apply?
The dates table shows 28 October 2026, with fee payment till 31 October 2026. A Date Extended Notice has been issued, so confirm the final date on ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
When is the exam?
The exam is scheduled from 14 to 19 December 2026. The exam city slip and Admit Card will come out before the exam.