UGC NET December 2026: Changes to UGC NET December 2026 exam dates; know the important rules..
There is an important update for candidates appearing for the University Grants Commission (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET) in December 2026. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised the examination dates and certain rules pertaining to the exam. The examination will now be held from December 14 to 18, and on December 21, 2026. The deadline for submitting online applications is October 28. Pens will be provided to candidates at the examination centers. Additionally, guidelines have been issued regarding the selection of examination cities, the provision of extra time for candidates with disabilities, and the carrying of necessary items by candidates suffering from diabetes.
Application Dates and Examination Schedule
The application process for the UGC NET December 2026 commenced on October 8. Candidates may submit their applications without a late fee until October 28. Subsequently, from October 29 to 31, applications can be submitted with an additional late fee of ₹500. The final date for the payment of the application fee is October 31. A window for correcting any errors in the application form will be available from November 2 to 4. Information regarding the examination city is expected to be released on November 23, while admit cards may be made available starting December 7.
Pens to be Provided at Exam Centers; Changes to City Selection Rules
According to the revised guidelines, candidates are not required to bring their own pens to the examination center; pens will be provided at the venue for use during the exam. At the time of application, candidates may select four examination cities. These cities must be located within the state or union territory corresponding to the candidate's permanent or current address. If sufficient options are not available, an examination center may be allocated in a nearby area.
Facilities for Candidates with Disabilities and Those with Diabetes
Eligible candidates with disabilities may avail themselves of facilities such as a scribe and extra time, in accordance with the prescribed rules. Other eligible candidates may also access these facilities based on a medical certificate. Under the prescribed rules, an additional 20 minutes per hour may be granted. For a three-hour examination, this additional time can amount to a maximum of 60 minutes.
Candidates suffering from diabetes are permitted to carry sugar tablets, whole fruits, and a transparent water bottle, in accordance with the established guidelines. Instructions have also been issued regarding footwear; shoes with low heels are allowed, but long boots or heavy, bulky footwear are not permitted.
Application Fees and Objections to the Answer Key
The application fee for the UGC NET is determined based on the candidate's category:
General Category: ₹1,150
General-EWS and OBC-NCL: ₹600
SC, ST, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and Third Gender: ₹325
A late fee of ₹500 will be charged for applications submitted after the deadline. Once the answer key is released, a fee of ₹200 per question is applicable for raising objections.
Who is eligible to apply?
Candidates belonging to the General and EWS categories must have secured at least 55% marks in their postgraduate degree in the relevant subject. For candidates in the OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender categories, the minimum requirement is 50% marks. Students currently in the final year of their postgraduate program may also apply, subject to meeting the prescribed conditions.
For candidates with a four-year undergraduate degree, a minimum of 75% marks is generally required. Eligible candidates from reserved categories may receive a 5% relaxation, as per the rules. Based on this qualification, candidates may apply for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and PhD admissions; however, a four-year undergraduate degree alone does not confer eligibility for the position of Assistant Professor.
Before submitting an application, candidates should carefully review the official notification for details regarding eligibility, required documentation, and all examination-related instructions.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
