UGC NET December 2026: Correction Window, Exam Dates and Pattern

Featured image: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 (resized).

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has closed applications for UGC NET December 2026, and the one-time correction window is now open. It runs from 2 to 4 November 2026, until 11:50 PM. The exam itself will be held as a computer-based test on 14 to 18 December and 21 December 2026. This guide covers the dates, what you can and cannot change in your form, fees, the exam pattern and what to do next.

UGC NET December 2026: important dates

The city slip and admit card dates are indicative, as reported from the NTA schedule. NTA may change them, so check the official site, ugcnet.nta.nic.in, and the public notices on nta.ac.in.

The correction window: what you can change

NTA’s notice of 2 November says this is a one-time facility. Once you save and submit changes, you cannot edit the form again. Any extra fee due because of a change, such as moving to a category with a higher fee, must be paid online before the window closes.

Fields you can edit

• Date of birth
• Gender
• Category and PwBD status
• Subject
• Exam city preferences
• Any one of these: your name, father’s name or mother’s name

Fields you cannot edit

• Mobile number and email address
• Permanent and correspondence address
• Photograph and signature (as per the notice)

To make corrections, log in at ugcnet.nta.nic.in with your application number and password, open the correction link, make your changes, pay any extra fee and download the updated confirmation page. Keep a copy, because you will need your application number for the city slip and admit card.

Should you use the correction window?

Open your confirmation page and check it line by line before 4 November. The most common mistakes are a wrong subject code, a category that does not match your certificate, and a date of birth that differs from your Class 10 record. A category mismatch matters most, because certificates are checked at the JRF and appointment stage, not just on exam day. If your exam city choices no longer work for you, this is also your only chance to change them. NTA allots the final city based on these preferences, and requests made later by email are generally not accepted. If everything is already correct, you do not need to do anything.

Eligibility in brief

In previous sessions, candidates needed a master’s degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and third gender candidates). Final-year master’s students could also apply. Four-year undergraduate degree holders with the required marks have also been allowed under recent rules, subject to conditions. JRF has an upper age limit with category-wise relaxations, while Assistant Professor and PhD admission have no upper age limit. Confirm the exact conditions in the December 2026 bulletin before relying on them.

Application fee

Bank or processing charges and GST, where they apply, are extra.

Exam pattern

UGC NET is a computer-based test with two papers in a single three-hour session, with no break between them. In recent sessions the pattern has been:

• Paper 1: 50 questions, 100 marks. It tests teaching and research aptitude, reasoning, comprehension and general awareness, and is common to all candidates.
• Paper 2: 100 questions, 200 marks, in the subject you chose.
• Every question is multiple choice and carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking.

Check the December 2026 information bulletin for the final pattern, the full subject list and the age limit for JRF.

What UGC NET qualifies you for

Qualifying candidates can be declared eligible in one of three categories:

1. Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor, plus admission to PhD
2. Assistant Professor and admission to PhD
3. Admission to PhD only

NTA has said results will show both marks and percentile scores. Universities use NET scores for PhD admissions, and JRF holders receive a fellowship.

Exam day rules to note now

• Reach the centre early. Gates close 30 minutes before the exam starts.
• Carry the printed admit card and a valid original photo ID.
• A pen will be provided at the centre. Do not bring your own stationery unless the admit card allows it.
• If you answer a question and mark it for review, it will still be evaluated.

A simple six-week preparation plan

With about six weeks left, many candidates find it useful to work in phases:

• Weeks 1 and 2: Finish the Paper 2 syllabus topics you have not covered and make short notes.
• Week 3: Revise Paper 1 units, especially data interpretation, reasoning and teaching aptitude, where practice raises scores fastest.
• Weeks 4 to 6: Take full-length timed mocks on a computer. Practise previous papers released by NTA, then go back to weak areas.

Other exams and deadlines to track

December is busy. If you are also considering engineering postgraduate options, see our guide to the GATE 2027 exam dates. Management aspirants should check the CAT 2026 exam date and admit card details. Students who need funding should note the NSP scholarship last date for 2026, and graduates looking at government jobs can read our RRB NTPC 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is the UGC NET December 2026 exam?

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

Is the UGC NET correction window open?

Yes. It runs from 2 to 4 November 2026, until 11:50 PM. It is a one-time facility.

Can I change my exam city in the correction window?

Yes. Exam city preferences are among the fields you can edit.

Can I change my mobile number or email?

No. NTA does not allow changes to mobile number, email or address.

When will the UGC NET December 2026 admit card be released?

It is expected around 7 December 2026, after the city slip around 23 November. Both dates are tentative.

Is there negative marking in UGC NET?

No. In recent sessions there has been no negative marking.

Featured image: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 (resized).