UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date, Check NTA Schedule & Hall Ticket Details

UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the detailed notification and schedule for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2026 cycle. According to the official announcement, the UGC NET December 2026 exam dates span from December 14 to December 19, 2026. The nationwide examination will be held across multiple shifts in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode across 87 subjects. The online application window is currently active on the official NTA portal at ugcnet.nta.ac.in, allowing eligible candidates to register until October 28, 2026.

Securing a valid score in this national-level test opens three major academic pathways: qualifying for a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), establishing eligibility for Assistant Professor recruitment in Indian universities, and gaining admission to Ph.D. programs under the latest University Grants Commission guidelines.

UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date Out

National Testing Agency has officially confirmed the schedule for the UGC NET December 2026 examination on behalf of the University Grants Commission. The UGC NET December 2026 exam dates span multiple days from 14 December 2026 to 19 December 2026. 

The UGC NET December 2026 official notification PDF was released on October 8, 2026, initiating the online registration process simultaneously. 

UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date Overview

The National Testing Agency publishes the comprehensive timeline for the December cycle directly on its official web portal. The exam timetable ensures candidates can plan their revision and travel logistics across examination cities well in advance.

Here is the complete schedule for the upcoming recruitment and eligibility exam:

Join UGC NET Online Coaching – Enroll Now!

UGC NET December 2026 Exam Schedule & Pattern

The NTA conducts the test in a single 3-hour continuous session (180 minutes) without any break between Paper 1 and Paper 2. The detailed subject-wise and shift-wise date sheet will be published separately on ugcnet.nta.nic.in.

Examination Shift Timings

• Shift 1 (Morning Shift): 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM (IST)

• Shift 2 (Afternoon Shift): 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM (IST)

Paper Structure & Marking Scheme

• Paper I (General Paper): 50 Questions | 100 Marks (Focuses on Teaching & Research Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Ability, and General Awareness).

• Paper II (Selected Domain Subject): 100 Questions | 200 Marks (Focuses on specialized postgraduate domain knowledge out of 87 subjects).

• Total Weightage: 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for 300 Marks.

• Marking Scheme: +2 marks for every correct response. No negative marking for incorrect or unanswered questions.

How to Check UGC NET 2026 December Exam Date?

Candidates can verify the official test dates and subject-wise schedule directly through the NTA portal by following these steps:

UGC NET December 2026 Admit Card

The NTA will release the UGC NET December 2026 Admit Card online approximately 3 to 4 days before the commencement of the exam. Prior to hall ticket generation, the NTA will issue the Advance Exam City Intimation Slip to inform candidates about their allotted test city.

Steps to Download the Hall Ticket:

1. Go to the official web portal:ugcnet.nta.nic.in.

2. Click on the link titled "Download UGC NET December 2026 Admit Card".

3. Enter your Application Number, Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY), and Security PIN.

4. Submit the details to display your admit card on screen.

5. Download the PDF and take 2-3 clear printouts on A4-sized paper for examination day.

Also Check: Documents Required to Fill UGC NET December 2026 Application Form

UGC NET December 2026 Important Instructions

Candidates appearing for the competitive test must strictly adhere to the examination rules specified by the NTA:

• Mandatory Documents: Candidates must bring a printed copy of the Admit Card (with filled Self-Declaration/Undertaking), one original government photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Driving License), and one passport-size photograph identical to the uploaded image.

• Reporting Time: Report to the test center at least 90 minutes before the scheduled exam start time (by 07:30 AM for Shift 1 and 01:30 PM for Shift 2) to complete biometric identification and document verification.

• Prohibited Items: Electronic gadgets (mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, calculators), study material, loose paper sheets, bags, and opaque water bottles are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall.

• Stationery & Rough Sheets: Rough sheets and pens will be provided inside the computer lab. Candidates must write their name and roll number at the top of each rough sheet and drop them in the designated box before exiting.

Join UGC NET Online Coaching – Enroll Now!