Download UGC NET 2026 Official Notification PDF

UGC NET Application Form 2026

UGC NET Application Form 2026 can be submitted online only. Candidates must register using their own email ID and mobile number and complete the application, document upload, and fee payment process. Registration is facilitated through the Meri Pehchaan single sign-on platform.

Apply Online UGC NET December 2026 (Link Active)

Steps to Apply for UGC NET December 2026

1. Visit ugcnet.nta.nic.in and open the December 2026 application link.
2. Complete online registration using your own email ID and mobile number.
3. Fill in the application form and note the system-generated application number.
4. Upload the live photograph, recent photograph, signature, and applicable disability or UDID certificate.
5. Select the subject, question paper medium, and four preferred exam cities in order of priority.
6. Pay the application fee through the available payment options and retain the transaction proof.
7. Download and print the confirmation page after successful fee payment.

Candidates should use their own email address and mobile number and retain their application number and confirmation page for future reference. The application is considered complete only after successful payment of the prescribed fee.

UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates

UGC NET December 2026 dates for registration, fee payment, correction, and examination are given below.

The correction window will remain open until November 4, 2026, up to 11:50 PM. Candidates should complete permitted corrections within this period, as requests sent through other modes will not be accepted.

What Is UGC NET 2026?

UGC NET 2026 is a national-level eligibility test conducted by NTA on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). It determines eligibility for three outcomes: JRF and Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor and PhD admission, or PhD admission only.

Candidates qualifying under Category 2 or Category 3 are not eligible for JRF. For PhD admission under these categories, NET marks carry 70% weightage, and the interview or viva voce carries 30% weightage. The NET marks are valid for one year for this purpose, as specified in the Information Bulletin. Admission and recruitment remain subject to the rules of the concerned university, institution, or recruiting authority.

UGC NET Application Fee 2026

UGC NET 2026 December candidates must pay the application fee according to their category.

Applicable service and processing charges, along with GST, are payable separately. The application fee is non-refundable.

Documents Required for UGC NET Application Form 2026

UGC NET 2026 December candidates should keep the following documents ready before filling out the form:

The photograph must be recent, with a light or white background, clearly showing the face and ears, covering about 80% of the image. Both color and black-and-white photos are acceptable; masks are not allowed. Upload the signature in the specified format. Candidates in the disability category must submit the required certificate as a PDF.

Live Photograph and Registration Instructions

UGC NET 2026 December candidates must follow the application portal instructions to capture their live photograph using a webcam or by scanning the QR code with a mobile device. It is essential for candidates to accurately enter their details and ensure consistency with supporting documents. All entries should be reviewed before final submission and payment.

UGC NET Application Correction Window 2026

NTA will open an online correction window from November 2 to November 4, 2026, until 11:50 PM. Candidates must verify their application details and use the correction facility within this period if applicable. All corrections should be made online. Requests for changes after the window closes will not be accepted. Refer to the official correction notice and Information Bulletin for editable fields and conditions.

UGC NET Educational Qualification 2026

UGC NET 2026 candidates must meet the following educational qualification requirements to apply for UGC NET December 2026.

Candidates pursuing a master's degree or awaiting results may apply provisionally if they meet the qualification requirements. Those with a four-year bachelor's degree must meet the minimum marks requirement, with a 5% relaxation for specified categories. They are eligible for JRF and PhD admission, but not for Assistant Professor roles, and can choose a PhD subject regardless of their bachelor's discipline.

UGC NET Age Limit 2026

UGC NET age limit for JRF is 30 years as of December 1, 2026. There is no upper age limit for eligibility for assistant professor or PhD admission.

Research experience from graduation or postgraduate studies is excluded from relaxation. The total relaxation for research experience, LL.M., and armed forces service must not exceed the specified limit.

UGC NET Age Relaxation 2026

UGC NET 2026 age relaxations apply to JRF candidates, subject to the conditions prescribed in the official Information Bulletin.

Candidates claiming age relaxation must satisfy the applicable conditions and provide supporting documents wherever required.

UGC NET Reservation Policy 2026

UGC NET 2026 follows the Government of India reservation policy. For central universities and institutions deemed to be universities, the reservation percentages specified in the Information Bulletin are as follows:

Candidates seeking reservation must fulfill the required conditions and submit valid documents. OBC candidates should verify their inclusion in the Central List; those only on a state list must choose their category as per the bulletin's guidelines. Invalid documents may lead to claim rejection.

UGC NET Scribe and PwD/PwBD Provisions

UGC NET 2026 offers scribe, reader, lab assistant, and compensatory-time support for eligible candidates based on disability criteria.

Candidates needing these services must adhere to the Information Bulletin instructions and submit the necessary documentation. Those bringing their own scribe must fulfill qualification requirements. Compensatory time is granted per NTA rules. Eligibility should be verified against the specified conditions.

UGC NET Exemption for Assistant Professor

UGC NET 2026 remains, along with SET and SLET, the minimum eligibility condition for recruitment of Assistant Professors in universities, colleges, and institutions, and exemptions are governed by UGC regulations notified in the Gazette of India. Candidates who passed the UGC/CSIR JRF examination before 1989 are exempted from NET. Candidates who cleared the UGC-accredited SET held before December 1, 2002 are exempted and can apply anywhere in India. For SET held from December 1, 2002, qualified candidates are eligible only in universities and colleges of the state where they cleared it.

UGC NET Exam Centres and Exam Cities 2026

UGC NET December 2026 will be conducted across 274 cities in 37 states and union territories. Candidates must select four preferred cities, but NTA may allot a different city for administrative reasons; the city intimation date will be announced later.

UGC NET Barred Items and Dress Code 2026

UGC NET 2026 prohibits mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, bags, books, notes, ornaments and other unauthorised items inside the exam hall. Candidates should wear comfortable clothes, slippers or low-heeled sandals. Those wearing customary attire must report at least two hours before the last reporting time.

UGC NET Unfair Means and Punishment 2026

UGC NET 2026 treats impersonation, prohibited items, cheating, unauthorised communication and document manipulation as unfair means. Violations may lead to result cancellation, debarment from public examinations for up to three years and criminal action under applicable laws.

UGC NET Normalization and Percentile Score 2026

UGC NET December 2026 scores may be normalized if the exam is conducted in multiple shifts. The percentile indicates the percentage of candidates in the same session who scored equal to or below a candidate. It is calculated using raw scores and is different from percentage marks. NTA uses percentile scores and applicable subject- and category-wise criteria to determine the final cut-offs.

Steps to Check UGC NET Answer Key?

UGC NET Dec 2026 candidates can access the provisional UGC NET answer key, question paper, and recorded responses through the official website using their login credentials. Follow the steps below to check and download the documents:

1. Visit the official UGC NET website at ugcnet.nta.ac.in
2. Click on the link for UGC NET Dec 2026 Provisional Answer Key.
3. Enter the required login credentials and submit.
4. The provisional answer key, question paper, and recorded responses will appear on the screen.
5. Check your marked responses against the provisional answers.
6. Download or save the answer key and recorded responses for future reference.

What After Qualifying UGC NET 2026?

UGC NET qualification makes candidates eligible for JRF, Assistant Professor and/or PhD admission, depending on their qualifying category. Recruitment and admission are subject to the rules of the concerned institution.

Why Choose UGC NET 2026?

UGC NET provides eligibility pathways for teaching, research and doctoral studies through a single national-level examination.

• Conducted across 87 subjects.
• Offers eligibility for JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD admission.
• No upper age limit for Assistant Professor and PhD admission.
• No negative marking in the exam.