UGC NET December 2026 – Apply Online for JRF, Assistant Professor, Ph.D. Admission

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the UGC NET December 2026 Examination for candidates aspiring to qualify for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and admission to Ph.D. programmes at Indian universities and colleges.

The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a national-level examination conducted to determine candidates' eligibility for three purposes: the award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor, appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D. programmes, and admission to Ph.D. programmes only.

According to the information provided, NTA will conduct the December 2026 examination in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for 87 subjects on 14–18 and 21 December 2026. Interested candidates should review the eligibility criteria, educational qualifications, application fee, important dates and application procedure before applying.

NTA UGC NET December 2026

Eligibility Criteria for NTA UGC NET December 2026

Candidates planning to appear for UGC NET December 2026 must satisfy the prescribed age limit and educational qualification requirements. The eligibility conditions may vary depending on whether a candidate is applying for JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility or Ph.D. admission.

1. Age Limit

Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)

According to the supplied details, the maximum age limit for JRF applicants is 30 years as of 1 December 2026. Eligible candidates belonging to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and third-gender categories, as well as women applicants, may receive age relaxation of up to five years, subject to the applicable rules.

Assistant Professor

There is no upper age limit for candidates seeking UGC NET qualification for Assistant Professor eligibility.

Ph.D. Admission

There is no upper age limit for candidates appearing for UGC NET for Ph.D. admission, according to the supplied information.

Candidates should consult the official information bulletin to confirm the applicable age calculation date and relaxation provisions.

2. Educational Qualification

A. Candidates with a Master's Degree

Candidates belonging to the General, General-EWS and other unreserved categories must have obtained at least 55% marks in their Master's degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized university or institution.

Candidates belonging to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and third-gender categories must have secured at least 50% marks, subject to the eligibility conditions specified in the official notification.

Eligible postgraduate disciplines include Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, Computer Science and Applications, Electronic Science and other subjects notified for the examination.

B. Candidates Awaiting Master's Degree Results

Candidates currently pursuing a Master's degree, appearing in their final-year examinations or awaiting their qualifying examination results may also apply, subject to the conditions prescribed by NTA.

Such candidates must complete the required qualification within the period specified in the official notification to retain their eligibility.

C. Candidates with a Four-Year Bachelor's Degree

Candidates who have completed a four-year or eight-semester bachelor's degree programme must have obtained at least 75% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade, wherever the grading system is followed.

Eligible candidates belonging to specified reserved categories may receive the prescribed relaxation in marks under the applicable regulations.

Candidates qualifying through a four-year undergraduate degree may be eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission. However, qualification through this route does not make them eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor under the applicable UGC NET provision.

D. Final-Year Students of Four-Year Bachelor's Programmes

Candidates studying in the final semester or final year of a four-year bachelor's degree programme may also apply, subject to the conditions stated in the official notification.

Their eligibility for JRF or Ph.D. admission will depend on fulfilling the required educational qualifications and applicable UGC regulations within the prescribed period.

E. Subject Selection for Four-Year Bachelor's Degree Holders

Candidates holding a four-year bachelor's degree may choose a UGC NET subject in which they intend to pursue a Ph.D., irrespective of the discipline of their undergraduate degree, subject to the applicable examination rules.

For complete information about subject eligibility, qualifying marks, relaxation provisions and other requirements, candidates should refer to the official UGC NET December 2026 information bulletin.

Application Fee for NTA UGC NET December 2026

Candidates must pay the prescribed examination fee according to their category when submitting the online application. The category-wise fees provided in the supplied information are listed below.

Applicants should verify the applicable fee in the official information bulletin before making payment. Additional processing charges or taxes may apply, where applicable.

How to Apply for NTA UGC NET December 2026?

Eligible candidates can apply online through the official UGC NET portal by completing the registration and application process within the prescribed deadline.

Follow the steps below to submit your application:

1. Visit the official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/.

2. Find and open the application link for UGC NET December 2026.

3. Register using the required personal details and contact information.

4. Complete the application form with your educational qualifications and examination preferences.

5. Upload your photograph, signature and other required documents in the specified format.

6. Pay the examination fee according to your category.

7. Carefully review the information entered in the application form.

8. Submit the completed application and download the confirmation page.

9. Save a copy of the application form and payment receipt for future reference.

Candidates should ensure that all details are correct before final submission to avoid problems during subsequent stages of the examination.

Important Dates for NTA UGC NET December 2026

Candidates should keep track of the application deadline and examination schedule to avoid missing important events.

The dates above are based on the information supplied for this article. Candidates should check the official NTA website for confirmation and any subsequent changes.

Important WebLinks for Application

Candidates can use the official website to access the application portal, information bulletin, admit card and examination-related announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is UGC NET December 2026?

UGC NET December 2026 is a national-level eligibility examination conducted by NTA for candidates seeking JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility or admission to Ph.D. programmes, according to the relevant eligibility category.

2. What is the examination mode for UGC NET December 2026?

The examination is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.

3. What is the duration of the UGC NET examination?

According to the supplied information, the examination duration is 180 minutes, or three hours.

4. What is the minimum Master's degree percentage required for UGC NET?

The stated minimum is 55% for General and other unreserved candidates and 50% for specified eligible reserved categories, subject to the official eligibility rules.

5. Is there an upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility?

No. There is no upper age limit for candidates seeking UGC NET qualification for Assistant Professor eligibility.

6. Where can I apply for UGC NET December 2026?

Candidates should visit the official website at https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ and follow the application instructions published by NTA.