CSIR UGC NET Dec 2026: registration needs a live photo this time, apply by Nov 5

By TUF News Desk · Published 17 October 2026 · 4 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

Your camera has become part of the application form. Registration for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination is open until November 5, and this cycle the portal captures a live photograph of the candidate through a webcam or a mobile device before the form is complete.

The live capture sits alongside the usual uploads. Candidates still have to upload a recent colour passport-size photograph, 10 to 200 KB, with a white background, roughly 80 per cent of the face visible and the ears showing, plus a scanned signature of 10 to 50 KB. The live photograph is an extra identity check on top of those.

What the live-photo rule asks you to do

Allow camera access when the portal prompts for it. The photograph is taken during the application itself, so the setup matters: a light-coloured background, enough light on the face, and no mask or face covering. According to the reported registration guidance, the portal accepts capture from a webcam on the computer being used or from a mobile device, which helps applicants who do not have a camera on their laptop.

A dim room or a busy background means starting over, so sort out the lighting before you begin rather than after the portal rejects the frame.

Documents to keep ready

• Recent colour passport photograph, JPG, 10 to 200 KB
• Scanned signature, JPG, 10 to 50 KB
• Category certificate where applicable (PDF, 50 to 300 KB)
• UDID or disability certificate where applicable (PDF, 50 to 300 KB)

Keep these files on the same device you apply from, because the form asks for them in sequence. Our admission documents checklist covers the naming mismatches and size errors that most often get forms rejected.

Deadlines, fees and how to apply

The application fee is Rs 1,150 for General candidates, Rs 600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL, and Rs 325 for SC, ST, PwD and third gender candidates. The late window adds Rs 500 to whichever fee applies.

Registration runs only through the official CSIR-UGC NET portal, and sign-in this cycle uses the government’s Meri Pehchaan single sign-on. Each candidate may submit only one form, so double-check every entry before paying.

The examination is the national route to the Junior Research Fellowship, assistant professor eligibility and PhD admission in the sciences, the fellowship that funds full-time doctoral research at institutions such as IIT Bombay. It is a three-hour computer-based test, held in two shifts, 9 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 6 pm, on each of the three exam days. With the late window charging an extra Rs 500 for the same form, applying before November 5 saves money and avoids the usual last-day server slowdown.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date to apply for CSIR UGC NET December 2026?

November 5, 2026, up to 11:50 pm. Candidates who miss it can apply between November 6 and 9 by paying an additional Rs 500.

Is a live photograph really required for the CSIR NET application?

Yes. The registration portal now captures a live photograph through a webcam or mobile device during form filling. The scanned photograph upload is still required in addition to it.

What are the photograph and signature size limits?

Photograph: 10 to 200 KB in JPG format. Signature: 10 to 50 KB in JPG format. For the live capture, keep a light background, about 80 per cent of the face visible, the ears showing, and no mask.

What is the CSIR UGC NET December 2026 application fee?

Rs 1,150 for General, Rs 600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL, and Rs 325 for SC, ST, PwD and third gender candidates. An extra Rs 500 applies in the late application window.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: CareerIndia, SarkariSewa, The New Indian Express