If you are planning to appear for the UGC NET December 2026 exam, the clock is now ticking loudly. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will close the regular registration window on October 28, 2026, at 11:50 PM, and with just days left, lakhs of aspirants have already secured their seats in the queue. The latest registration figures shared by NTA show that the December session is already one of the most crowded in recent cycles, and anyone still waiting should not leave the form to the last evening.
UGC NET is the gateway to Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor posts, and PhD admission in Indian universities and colleges. For many aspirants, this December attempt is the one that decides the next academic year, which is why the final week of registration always sees a rush on the official portal.
Over 2.19 lakh registrations already in
In an update posted on October 22, NTA said it has received 2,18,961 applications so far across the two December examinations. Of these, 1,86,301 candidates have applied for UGC NET December 2026, while 32,660 candidates have registered for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 exam.
The numbers matter for a simple reason. They confirm that the rush is real, and the portal tends to slow down as the deadline approaches. Candidates who apply early avoid the last-minute server load, payment failures, and the stress of uploading documents in a hurry.
UGC NET December 2026: key dates to remember
- Regular registration closes: October 28, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
- Last date for regular fee payment: October 28, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
- Registration with late fee: October 29 to 31, 2026
- Last date to apply with late fee: October 31, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
- Application correction window: November 2 to 4, 2026
- Exam city intimation: November 23, 2026
- Admit card release: December 7, 2026
- Examination dates: December 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21, 2026
The exam will be held in computer-based test mode across 87 subjects. Candidates should check the information bulletin on the official website for the subject-wise schedule before they plan their preparation.
Fees and the late fee window
The application fee for UGC NET December 2026 is Rs 1,150 for General and Unreserved candidates, Rs 600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates, and Rs 325 for SC, ST, Third Gender and PwD candidates. Payment gateway charges and GST apply separately.
Candidates who miss the October 28 deadline still get a short grace window. Between October 29 and 31, they can submit the form by paying an additional late fee of Rs 500 on top of the regular fee. NTA has clarified that an application counts as submitted only after the fee payment goes through successfully, so a half-filled form without payment will not help.
Correction window: your chance to fix mistakes
If you spot an error after submitting the form, do not panic. The correction window opens from November 2 to 4, 2026. This is the window to fix details in the application, but candidates should still fill the form carefully the first time, since not every field can be changed later. Double-check your name spelling, subject choice, category, and uploaded photograph and signature before hitting submit.
How to apply for UGC NET December 2026
- Visit the official website, ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
- Click on the UGC NET December 2026 registration link and register with your basic details.
- Fill the application form carefully and upload the required documents.
- Pay the application fee through card, net banking, or UPI.
- Submit the form, download the confirmation page, and keep a printout safe.
For help, candidates can write to ugcnet@nta.ac.in or call the NTA helplines, 011-40759000 and 011-69227700.
CSIR NET candidates have a longer window
Alongside UGC NET, the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 registration link stays active till November 5, 2026. Candidates applying for the science stream test should still avoid waiting till the final day, since the same last-day rush applies there too.
Who should apply
UGC NET December 2026 decides eligibility for three tracks: award of JRF along with appointment as Assistant Professor, appointment as Assistant Professor plus admission to PhD, and admission to PhD only. Aspirants should pick the track that matches their qualification and career plan, and read the eligibility conditions in the bulletin before applying.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The regular registration window closes on October 28, 2026, at 11:50 PM.
Can I apply after October 28?
Yes, between October 29 and 31, 2026, with an additional late fee of Rs 500.
When will the UGC NET December 2026 exam be held?
The exam is scheduled on December 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21, 2026, in computer-based test mode.
Where do I apply?
On the official website, ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Avoid third-party links that ask for extra charges.
When can I correct mistakes in my form?
The application correction window is open from November 2 to 4, 2026.
The message for aspirants is simple. Four days is enough time to fill the form properly, but it is not enough time to recover from a last-day payment failure. Apply now, save the confirmation page, and then turn your full attention back to preparation.
