UGC-NET December 2026 FAQ: Registration, Schedule, Pattern and Rules

About this notice

NTA has released frequently asked questions for the UGC-NET December 2026 examination covering application deadlines, fees, eligibility criteria, and exam guidelines. The test will be conducted in Computer Based Test mode from 14 to 18 December 2026 and on 21 December 2026. Regular online applications are accepted up to 28 October 2026, with a late submission window open until 31 October 2026.

View the official notice (PDF)

Page written by Disha Stars from the official NTA document. The NTA document is the authority for dates and instructions.

Important Dates

Candidates must adhere to the official schedule for application submission, fee payment, correction, and exam dates.

Application Fee

The examination fee depends on the candidate's category. Applicable payment processing charges and GST are payable in addition to the examination fee.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted purely online via the official portal https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/. No applications, documents, or confirmation pages are accepted by post, email, fax, WhatsApp, or by hand.

• Register on https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ using your own email ID and mobile number.
• Fill out the online application form and capture a live photograph using your device camera.
• Upload the required photograph, signature, and certificates.
• Pay the examination fee through the available online payment gateways.
• Download and save the generated Confirmation Page for future reference (it is not sent by email).

Eligibility Criteria and Age Limits

UGC-NET determines eligibility across three categories: Category 1 (JRF, Assistant Professor, and Ph.D. admission), Category 2 (Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission), and Category 3 (Ph.D. admission only).

• Master's Degree Marks: Minimum 55% marks (without rounding off) for General/Unreserved and General-EWS; minimum 50% marks for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, and Third Gender candidates.
• Final-Year Master's Students: May apply provisionally; must complete the degree with required marks within 2 years from NET result for JRF/Assistant Professor, or within 1 year for Category 3 (Ph.D. only).
• Four-Year Bachelor's Degree: Minimum 75% aggregate marks (or equivalent grade), with a 5% relaxation for eligible categories. Qualifies candidates for JRF and Ph.D. admission only (not for Assistant Professor).
• Age Limit for JRF: Candidates must not be more than 30 years of age as on 01 December 2026. Age relaxations up to a maximum of 5 years apply as per rules.
• Age Limit for Assistant Professor and Ph.D.: There is no upper age limit.

Examination Scheme and Pattern

The examination is conducted entirely in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode for a total duration of 180 minutes (three hours) without a break between papers.

Marking Scheme

Every question is compulsory and carries two marks.

• Correct Answer: 2 marks.
• Incorrect Answer: No negative marking (0 marks deducted).
• Multiple Correct Options: 2 marks awarded to every candidate who chose any one of the correct options.
• All Options Correct: 2 marks awarded to every candidate who attempted the question.
• Dropped or Wrong Question: 2 marks awarded only to candidates who attempted the question.
• Marked for Review: Answers marked for review after selecting an option will be evaluated; questions marked for review without choosing an answer will not be evaluated.
• Language / Medium: Bilingual in English and Hindi (except language papers). The English version prevails in case of any ambiguity.

Reservation Policy and PwD/PwBD Facilities

Reservation is applied according to Government of India rules for central institutions.

• Reservation percentages: SC – 15%, ST – 7.5%, OBC-NCL (Central List only) – 27%, General-EWS – 10%, and PwBD – 5% horizontal reservation.
• Compensatory Time: Eligible candidates receive at least 20 minutes per hour of examination (at least 1 hour of additional time for the 3-hour exam).
• Scribe Facility: Eligible candidates with benchmark disability (40% or more) or less than 40% disability with writing limitations can request a scribe from NTA or bring their own, provided valid medical certificates are submitted.
• Warning: Availing scribe or compensatory time without the required extent of disability will lead to exclusion from evaluation and ranking.

Exam Day Guidelines and Documents

Candidates must reach the exam centre two hours before the test begins. Examination centre gates close strictly 30 minutes before the start of the examination.

• Mandatory documents to carry: Printout of e-Admit Card on A4 paper with completed self-declaration, one passport-size photograph (same as uploaded in the application), one original valid non-expired authorised photo ID, and disability/scribe certificates if applicable.
• Pen: A pen will be provided inside the examination centre; candidates do not need to bring one.
• Water & Food: Transparent water bottles are permitted. Diabetic candidates may carry sugar tablets and unpacked whole fruits (bananas, apples, oranges).
• Barred Items: Watches of all kinds, electronic gadgets, and other prohibited articles are completely banned. NTA provides no storage facility at centres.
• Dress Code: Simple, comfortable clothes with normal shoes, slippers, or low-heeled sandals. Long boots are not permitted. Candidates wearing cultural or customary attire must report early for frisking.

Answer Key, Normalisation and Results

Provisional answer keys and recorded responses will be hosted online prior to declaration of results.

• Answer Key Challenge: Candidates can challenge the provisional key online with supporting evidence by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹200 per question.
• Re-evaluation: No re-checking or re-evaluation of results is permitted.
• Minimum Qualifying Marks: General and General-EWS candidates need at least 40% aggregate marks across both papers; specified reserved categories need at least 35% aggregate marks.
• Assistant Professor Slots: Qualifying slots equal 6% of candidates who appeared in both papers for Master's degree holders.
• Normalisation: Subjects held across multiple shifts will have marks normalised using the equi-percentile method; single-shift subjects use aggregate marks.
• Ph.D. Weightage: For Category 2 and 3 qualifiers, NET marks carry 70% weightage and the university interview/viva voce carries 30% weightage, valid for one year from result declaration.

Helpline

Frequently asked questions

Notice details

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