The National Testing Agency (NTA) will hold the UGC NET December 2026 exam on 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 December 2026 in computer-based test (CBT) mode, according to the corrigendum to the information bulletin. As per the same schedule, the exam city intimation slip is due on 23 November 2026 and the admit card on 7 December 2026, both on ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
Right now the application correction window is open. Candidates who registered can edit selected details until 11:50 pm on 4 November 2026. The admit card is not out yet; it will carry your exact exam date, shift, reporting time and centre.
UGC NET December 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application | 8 October to 31 October 2026 (extended) |
| Last date for fee payment | 1 November 2026, 11:50 pm (extended, only for submitted forms) |
| Correction window | 2 November to 4 November 2026, 11:50 pm |
| Exam city intimation slip | 23 November 2026 (as per bulletin) |
| Admit card | 7 December 2026 (as per bulletin) |
| Exam dates | 14 to 18 December and 21 December 2026 |
| Provisional answer key and responses | To be announced |
NTA’s original opening notice of 8 October had listed the exam as 14 to 19 December 2026. The corrigendum to the information bulletin revised this to 14 to 18 December and 21 December, a total of six exam days.
Correction Window: What You Can and Cannot Change
NTA’s notice dated 2 November 2026 lists the fields that can be edited. Corrections can be submitted only once, after which the form is frozen, so check everything before you submit.
| Can be corrected | Cannot be corrected |
|---|---|
| Exam city preferences (based on permanent and present address) | Mobile number and email address |
| Date of birth, gender, category, subject | Permanent and present address |
| Sub-category or PwBD status (if not verified through UDID) | Photograph and signature |
| Any one of: candidate’s name, father’s name or mother’s name | — |
If a correction leads to a higher fee, the difference has to be paid online by card, net banking or UPI. Fees already paid will not be refunded if the change lowers the fee.
Exam City Slip vs Admit Card
These are two separate documents. The city intimation slip only tells you the city where your centre is located, so you can plan travel early. It is not an admit card and will not get you into the exam hall. The admit card, due on 7 December, will have the full centre address, date, shift and reporting time.
How to Download the UGC NET Admit Card December 2026
- Visit the official website, ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
- Click the link for the UGC NET December 2026 admit card once it is activated.
- Log in with your application number and date of birth (or password, as specified on the login page) and enter the security pin.
- Your admit card will open on screen. Check every detail.
- Download it and take a clear A4 printout. Fill in and sign the self-declaration (undertaking) on the admit card as instructed.
If you cannot download the admit card, contact the NTA helpline on 011-40759000 or 011-69227700, or write to [email protected].
Details Printed on the Admit Card
- Candidate’s name, application number and roll number
- Photograph and signature
- Subject and subject code
- Exam date and shift
- Reporting time and gate closing time
- Full address of the examination centre
- Instructions for exam day
What to Do Before the Admit Card Arrives
- Finish any corrections before 4 November; the form cannot be edited after that.
- Keep your application number and password noted somewhere safe.
- Download the city slip on 23 November and book travel early if your city is far away.
- Use the remaining weeks for full-length mock tests, timed at 180 minutes, to practise both papers in one sitting.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern
The exam has two papers taken together in a single three-hour sitting with no break in between. Paper I is common to all candidates; Paper II is based on the subject you chose from the 87 subjects on offer.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 | Teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension, general awareness |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 | Subject chosen by the candidate |
| Total | 150 | 300 | Duration: 180 minutes |
- Every question carries 2 marks.
- There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
- All questions are compulsory.
- Shift timings have not been announced yet and will appear on the admit card.
Exam Day Rules
The information bulletin asks candidates to reach the centre at least two hours before the exam begins. Gates close 30 minutes before the start, and latecomers will not be allowed in. Carry the following:
- Printed admit card with the self-declaration filled in
- One passport-size photograph, the same as the one uploaded in the form
- An original, valid photo ID such as Aadhaar with photo, PAN card, passport or driving licence
- UDID or disability certificate, if applicable
After the Exam: Answer Key and Normalisation
NTA will publish the recorded responses and provisional answer key on the website after the exam; dates are yet to be announced. Candidates can challenge answers by paying a non-refundable fee of Rs 200 per question challenged.
Because the exam runs across several shifts, NTA normalises scores. Subjects held in more than one shift are normalised using the equi-percentile method; single-shift subjects use a percentile calculation. Results decide eligibility in three categories: JRF with Assistant Professor and PhD admission; Assistant Professor and PhD admission; or PhD admission only.
Also preparing for a state eligibility test? See our update on the Rajasthan SET result 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the UGC NET December 2026 admit card be released?
According to the information bulletin schedule, on 7 December 2026 at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
What are the UGC NET December 2026 exam dates?
14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 December 2026.
Is there negative marking in UGC NET?
No. Each correct answer earns 2 marks and there is no deduction for wrong answers.
Official Links: UGC NET December 2026 Admit Card
| What it is | Official link |
|---|---|
| UGC NET official website (admit card, city slip) | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
| Information bulletin with corrigendum (PDF) | Download bulletin |
| Correction window notice, 2 November 2026 (PDF) | Download notice |
| National Testing Agency | nta.ac.in |
