UGC NET December 2026: 13 days left to apply, registration closes October 28
By TUF News Desk · Published 15 October 2026 · 3 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
The UGC NET December 2026 application window is down to its last 13 days. The National Testing Agency opened registrations on October 8 and will close the form, along with fee payment, on October 28 at 11:50 PM. The test qualifies candidates for Junior Research Fellowship, assistant professorship, and PhD admission across Indian universities. JRF is the funded research route, assistant professorship eligibility is the minimum qualification for teaching posts, and the PhD track opens doctoral admission. Most candidates apply under all three categories in one form.
Registration happens only on the official NTA UGC NET portal. Each candidate can submit one application, and no offline forms will be accepted.
The fee you pay depends on your category
General and unreserved candidates pay Rs 1,150. EWS and OBC-NCL candidates pay Rs 600. SC, ST, PwD and third-gender candidates pay Rs 325. Fees can be paid by debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI.
Candidates who miss the October 28 cutoff get one fallback. Applications will be accepted from October 29 to 31 with an additional late fee of Rs 500. After that, the window shuts for good.
Corrections and exam dates
The application correction window runs from November 2 to 4, up to 11:50 PM. That is the only chance to fix errors in the submitted form, since NTA has said no changes will be allowed after final submission.
The December session exams are scheduled from December 14 to 19, 2026. That leaves about seven weeks between the registration deadline and the first paper. NTA has not yet announced the exam city intimation or admit card release dates. Both are expected closer to the exam.
Who can apply
Candidates need a master’s degree in the concerned subject with at least 55% marks. The minimum is 50% for candidates from reserved categories. Those in the final year of their postgraduate programme can also apply. Our admission documents checklist covers the documents you will need before you start the form, because the last evening of a deadline is the worst time to hunt for a scanned certificate.
If you clear the test with JRF, the fellowship pays for your doctoral work, so it is worth reading our scholarships for Indian university students guide before you pick where to apply for a PhD. And if you are choosing a university for that doctorate, our NIRF rankings explainer shows how to read the national rankings for what actually matters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
October 28, 2026, up to 11:50 PM. Candidates who miss it can apply from October 29 to 31 with an additional Rs 500 late fee.
What is the application fee for UGC NET December 2026?
Rs 1,150 for General candidates, Rs 600 for EWS and OBC-NCL, and Rs 325 for SC, ST, PwD and third-gender candidates.
When will the UGC NET December 2026 exam be held?
From December 14 to 19, 2026. The admit card and exam city details will be announced closer to the exam.
Where do I apply for UGC NET December 2026?
On the official NTA portal. Applications are accepted online only.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
October 28, 2026, up to 11:50 PM. Candidates who miss it can apply from October 29 to 31 with an additional Rs 500 late fee.
What is the application fee for UGC NET December 2026?
Rs 1,150 for General candidates, Rs 600 for EWS and OBC-NCL, and Rs 325 for SC, ST, PwD and third-gender candidates.
When will the UGC NET December 2026 exam be held?
From December 14 to 19, 2026. The admit card and exam city details will be announced closer to the exam.
Where do I apply for UGC NET December 2026?
On the official NTA portal at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Applications are accepted online only.
Sources: The Times of India, Times Now