UGC NET December 2026: Application Deadline Approaches with Over 5.5 Lakh Registrations

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is approaching the final deadline for the UGC NET December 2026 application process. As the window for submissions nears its close on October 28, 2026, official data indicates that more than 5.50 lakh candidates have already registered for the examination since the process commenced on October 8.

Prospective candidates who have initiated their registration or uploaded necessary documentation are urged to finalize their applications promptly. The NTA has emphasized that any application remains incomplete until the mandatory fee payment is successfully processed. To avoid last-minute technical issues, applicants are advised to complete their submissions well before the 11:50 pm deadline on October 28.

Key Dates and Examination Schedule

Following the initial application deadline, the NTA has provided a window for late submissions. Candidates who miss the primary deadline may still apply between October 29 and October 31, 2026, though this will incur a late fee of INR 500. Subsequently, a correction window will be available from November 2 to November 4, 2026, allowing candidates to rectify any errors in their submitted forms.

The examination schedule, which was revised via a corrigendum on October 16, is now set to take place between December 14 and December 18, with additional sessions scheduled for December 21, 2026. Further logistical details will follow, with exam city intimation slips expected on November 23, followed by the release of admit cards starting December 7, 2026.

Application Fees and Exam Purpose

The application fees for the UGC NET December 2026 session are structured according to candidate categories. General or unreserved candidates are required to pay INR 1150, while those under the General-EWS or OBC-NCL categories must pay INR 600. For candidates belonging to the SC, ST, PwBD, or Third Gender categories, the application fee is set at INR 325.

The UGC NET is conducted by the NTA twice annually to determine eligibility for Assistant Professor positions and the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), as well as for admission into various PhD programmes across the country. Candidates are encouraged to monitor official NTA communications for any further updates regarding the examination process.