2.18 lakh have registered for UGC NET, CSIR NET Dec 2026; UGC NET deadline Oct 28

By TUF News Desk · Published 24 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

The counter has crossed 2.18 lakh. The National Testing Agency has published the latest registration figures for the December 2026 editions of the UGC NET and the Joint CSIR-UGC NET, and the numbers show no sign of slowing down.

In a post on X dated October 22, the NTA said 1,86,301 candidates have registered for the UGC NET December 2026 exam. Another 32,660 have applied for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 exam. Combined, that is 2,18,961 registrations so far, and both application windows are still open.

The UGC NET is the qualifying exam for assistant professor posts and for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The Joint CSIR-UGC NET serves the same purpose for science subjects. JRF holders draw a fellowship while doing their PhD, and the qualification opens research funding routes that connect to the scholarships Indian university students compete for each year.

UGC NET: four days left for the regular window

The regular application window for UGC NET December 2026 shuts on October 28 at 11:50 pm. Applications go through the official UGC NET portal.

Anyone who misses that cutoff gets one more chance. A late-fee window runs from October 29 to October 31, with an additional Rs 500 on top of the regular fee, and it closes on October 31 at 11:50 pm. The application counts only after the fee is paid, so a form submitted without payment does not count.

The regular fee is Rs 1,150 for general-category candidates, Rs 600 for EWS and OBC-NCL candidates, and Rs 325 for SC, ST, third gender and PwD candidates.

CSIR NET: the window runs longer

For the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 exam, registrations stay open until November 5. Applications go through the official CSIR NET portal.

Candidates running into trouble can reach the UGC NET helpdesk at ugcnet@nta.ac.in or the CSIR NET helpdesk at csirnet@nta.ac.in. The NTA also lists two helpline numbers: 011-40759000 and 011-69227700.

What comes after registration

Once the windows close, the correction window runs from November 2 to November 4, for candidates who need to fix errors in their submitted forms. The exam city intimation arrives on November 23, admit cards release on December 7, and the exams are scheduled for December 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21, in computer-based test mode.

If you are still deciding, check the form fields before you pay. Names, category and the subject paper are the details that are hardest to change later, and the correction window gives only three days to fix them.

Frequently asked questions

How many candidates have registered for the UGC NET and CSIR NET December 2026 exams?

As of October 22, the NTA reports 1,86,301 registrations for UGC NET December 2026 and 32,660 for Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026. Combined, that is 2,18,961 registrations.

When does UGC NET December 2026 registration close?

Regular applications close on October 28, 2026, at 11:50 pm. A late-fee window with an extra Rs 500 runs from October 29 to October 31, closing at 11:50 pm.

What is the last date for Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 registration?

November 5, 2026. There is no late-fee window announced for the CSIR exam, so candidates should not assume one will appear.

When will the UGC NET December 2026 exams be held?

The exams run on December 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21, 2026, in computer-based mode. Admit cards will be released on December 7, and exam cities will be announced on November 23.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: The Indian Express, India TV, edexlive