# UGC NET December 2026: city slip 23 Nov, admit card 7 Dec, exam dates

> UGC NET December 2026 exams are on 14–18 and 21 December. City intimation slip on 23 November, admit card on 7 December. Fees, eligibility, JRF age limit, pattern and preparation tips.

- URL: https://2search.in/knowledge/articles/oct-26/ugc-net-december-2026
- Genre: Education & exams
- Country: India
- Published: 2026-10-29
- Updated: 2026-11-13
- Publisher: 2search (https://2search.in)

> **Quick answer:** **UGC NET December 2026** exams are on **14–18 and 21 December 2026** in computer-based mode. Applications, fee payment and corrections have **closed** (the correction window ran **2–4 November**). Next, NTA releases the **exam city intimation slip on 23 November** and the **admit card on 7 December 2026**, both on **ugcnet.nta.ac.in**. The fee was **₹1,150** (general), **₹600** (EWS/OBC-NCL) and **₹325** (SC/ST/PwD/third gender).

> **Key takeaways**
> - You need a **Master's degree with 55%** (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/third gender); final-year students can apply.
> - **JRF age limit: 30 years** (with relaxations). There's **no age limit** for Assistant Professor and PhD admission.
> - The exam has **two papers in one 3-hour sitting**: Paper 1 (50 questions) and Paper 2 (100 questions in your subject).
> - **No negative marking** — attempt every question.
> - Results qualify you for **JRF**, **Assistant Professor**, or **PhD admission only**.

## Important dates

| Event | Date |
| --- | --- |
| Application opened | 8 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 28 October 2026 |
| Last date to pay fee (normal) | 28 October 2026 |
| **Late-fee window (₹500 extra)** | **29–31 October 2026** |
| **Correction window** | **2–4 November 2026** |
| **Exam city intimation slip** | **23 November 2026** |
| **Admit card** | **7 December 2026** |
| **Exam dates** | **14–18 and 21 December 2026** |

NTA sometimes extends deadlines — check **ugcnet.nta.ac.in** for the latest notice.

## Application fee

| Category | Fee |
| --- | --- |
| General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
| Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third gender | ₹325 |

## Eligibility

- **Master's degree** (or equivalent) with at least **55%** marks — **50%** for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/third gender — from a recognised university.
- **Final-year** Master's students and those awaiting results can apply, but must complete the degree within two years of the result.
- Students in a **four-year undergraduate degree** with at least 75% (or a 7.5 CGPA equivalent) may also be eligible, as per UGC rules — check the information bulletin.

### Age limit

| Category | JRF | Assistant Professor / PhD |
| --- | --- | --- |
| General | 30 years | No limit |
| OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / third gender / women | Up to 5 years relaxation | No limit |

Research experience and LLM degree holders get additional relaxation as per the bulletin.

## What you can qualify for

1. **JRF + Assistant Professor + PhD admission** — highest scorers; JRF comes with a monthly fellowship.
2. **Assistant Professor + PhD admission**
3. **PhD admission only**

## Exam pattern

| Paper | Questions | Marks | Covers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Paper 1** | 50 | 100 | Teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension, data interpretation, ICT, people and environment, higher education system |
| **Paper 2** | 100 | 200 | Your chosen subject (from 80+ subjects) |
| **Total** | 150 | 300 | **3 hours**, no break between papers |

- **+2** for each correct answer
- **No negative marking**

## City intimation slip and admit card

The application, fee and correction windows have closed. Next:

1. **23 November 2026:** download your **exam city intimation slip** from ugcnet.nta.ac.in with your application number and date of birth. It shows your exam **city and date**, not the centre — use it to book travel.
2. **7 December 2026:** download the **admit card**. It has your centre address, shift and reporting time. Carry a printout and an original photo ID; the city slip alone won't get you in.
3. If your slip or admit card has wrong details or won't download, contact NTA on its helpline **011-40759000** straight away.

## The correction window (closed, 2–4 November)

1. Log in at **ugcnet.nta.ac.in** with your application number and password.
2. Change allowed details — such as name spelling, parents' names, category, subject, exam city choices, photo or signature.
3. If a change raises your fee (for example, category), pay the difference.
4. Submit and download the new confirmation page.

You get **only one chance**, so check every field.

## Preparation tips

- **Paper 1 first:** it's common to all subjects and very scoring. Practise reasoning and data interpretation daily.
- **Previous-year papers:** solve at least 5 years of your subject's papers under time.
- **Mock tests:** at least 10 full 3-hour mocks before December.
- **Syllabus:** download your subject's syllabus from the UGC NET website and tick off units.
- **Last week:** revise short notes, don't start new topics.

## Common mistakes

- **Missing the fee deadline** — the form isn't complete until payment is done.
- **Wrong subject code** — fix it in the correction window.
- **Uploading unclear photos** — the photo must be recent and clear.
- **Ignoring the age limit** for JRF.

## Frequently asked questions

### When is the UGC NET December 2026 exam?

On 14–18 and 21 December 2026, in computer-based mode.

### What is the last date to pay the UGC NET fee?

The normal deadline was 28 October 2026. With a ₹500 late fee, you can pay until 31 October 2026.

### When will the UGC NET December 2026 city slip be released?

On 23 November 2026, on ugcnet.nta.ac.in.

### When will the UGC NET December 2026 admit card come?

On 7 December 2026.

### When was the UGC NET correction window?

From 2 to 4 November 2026. It has closed.

### Is there negative marking in UGC NET?

No. Wrong answers don't lose marks.

### What is the age limit for UGC NET JRF?

30 years, with up to 5 years' relaxation for reserved categories and women. There's no age limit for Assistant Professor.

### Can final-year students apply for UGC NET?

Yes, if they complete their Master's within two years of the NET result.

### How many marks are needed to qualify UGC NET?

General candidates need at least 40% aggregate (35% for reserved categories) to be considered; the final cut-off is set by subject and category.

## Sources

- [NTA — UGC NET official website](https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in/)
- [Testbook — UGC NET December 2026 application form and fees](https://testbook.com/news/ugc-net-december-2026-apply-online/)
- [Shiksha — UGC NET December 2026 application form live](https://www.shiksha.com/news/sarkari-exams-ugc-net-december-2026-application-form-last-date-to-apply-online-live-updates-blogId-245317)
- [Adda247 — UGC NET 2026 notification](https://www.adda247.com/teaching-jobs-exam/ugc-net-notification-2026/)
- [Physics Wallah — UGC NET December 2026 application fee and late fee](https://www.pw.live/ugc-net/exams/ugc-net-december-2026-application-fee)