CSIR UGC NET December 2026: Application Deadline Approaching Soon

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to conclude the primary registration period for the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (CSIR UGC NET) December 2026 cycle on November 5. Prospective candidates who intend to appear for this national-level examination are advised to complete their online application forms through the official website, csirnet.nta.nic.in, before the deadline expires at 11:50 PM.

For those who are unable to submit their applications by the initial cutoff, the NTA has provided a secondary window. Candidates may still register between November 6 and November 9, 2026, though this late submission will incur an additional fee of INR 500. Following the conclusion of the registration process, a correction window will be opened from November 10 to November 12, 2026, allowing applicants to rectify any errors in their submitted forms.

Examination Schedule and Fee Structure

The CSIR UGC NET December 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format across three days: December 19, 22, and 27, 2026. The test will be held in two daily shifts, with the morning session running from 9 AM to 12 noon and the afternoon session from 3 PM to 6 PM. The examination covers five distinct subject areas: Chemical Sciences; Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences; Life Sciences and Biotechnology; Mathematical Sciences; and Physical Sciences.

To finalise their registration, candidates must pay the prescribed examination fee, which is determined by their category. The standard application fee is INR 1150 for General category candidates, INR 600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates, and INR 325 for candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwD, or Third Gender categories. Applicants are encouraged to consult the official information bulletin for detailed payment instructions and category-specific requirements before finalizing their submission.

Key Updates for the December 2026 Cycle

A significant change has been implemented for the upcoming examination cycle regarding the Life Sciences subject. The Biotechnology Eligibility Test (DBT-BET), previously managed by the Department of Biotechnology, has been merged with the CSIR UGC NET Life Sciences examination. Consequently, this subject will now be administered under the combined title of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (LS & BT).

Candidates are reminded that the final date for standard fee payment is November 5, 2026, coinciding with the initial registration deadline. Those opting to register during the late-fee window must ensure their payment is completed by November 9, 2026. All applicants should monitor the official NTA portal regularly for further updates regarding admit card releases and specific exam day guidelines.