UGC NET December 2026 Registration Open: Essential Steps, Fees, and Exam Dates to Secure Your Seat

UGC NET December 2026 registration is live from October 8. NTA has opened the portal for lakhs seeking Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor eligibility. With tight windows and new portal steps, applicants need verified dates, fees, and mandatory documents ready.

Forms can be filled from October 8 to October 28, 11:50 pm. A late window with a Rs 500 late fee runs October 29 to October 31. Corrections open November 2 to 4. Exams are scheduled December 14 to 19. Use ugcnet.nta.nic.in; helpline 011-40759000/69227700.

UGC NET December 2026 dates and fees

Application fees on the portal are unchanged. General category: Rs 1,150. General‑EWS and Other Backward Classes (Non‑Creamy Layer): Rs 600. Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Persons with Disability and Third Gender: Rs 325. Pay through integrated gateways only and save your Confirmation Page.

UGC NET December 2026 eligibility and age limits

Postgraduate marks required are 55% for General and EWS. For OBC‑NCL, SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender, the requirement is 50%. JRF upper age is 30 years on December 1, 2026, with relaxations. No upper age limit applies for Assistant Professor or PhD admissions.

UGC NET December 2026 documents you must upload

Upload a recent photograph with 80% face on a light background. Photo size 10–200 KB; signature 10–50 KB. Live photograph capture is mandatory this cycle. Carry an original photo ID; Aadhaar, Passport, PAN or College ID work. UDID is auto‑verified; otherwise upload a disability certificate. Indistinct or mismatched uploads can block admit cards.

UGC NET December 2026 how to apply on the portal

Register via Meri Pehchaan single sign‑on using your mobile and email. Choose your subject and four preferred exam cities. Upload the live photo, scanned photo, signature, and category documents. Pay, confirm status, then download the Confirmation Page. Payment issues? Call 011‑40759000 after bank helplines.

UGC NET December 2026 exam pattern and marking

Exam duration is three hours in one sitting without a break. Paper I: 50 questions for 100 marks, on teaching and research aptitude. Paper II: 100 subject questions for 200 marks. All questions are objective; two marks each; no negative marking.

Apply early, well before October 28, to avoid late fees and payment rush. Use the correction window, November 2 to 4, for factual fixes only. Track ugcnet.nta.nic.in for city slips and admit cards. Thoughtful, accurate forms reduce rejections and protect your attempt this December.