UGC NET 2026: Application Form, Dates, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips

The UGC NET 2026 Exam is scheduled for the second week of June 2026. This exam, known as the University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test, is a standardized assessment in India. Its primary purpose is to evaluate eligibility for roles such as Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship & Assistant Professor. Candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before proceeding to fill out the application form, which is only available online.

The UGC NET exam, overseen by the National Testing Agency (NTA) at the national level, is conducted twice a year in June and December 2026 to select candidates. Eligible applicants must possess a master’s degree with the specified qualifying marks to apply for the UGC NET exam.

For comprehensive details regarding UGC NET 2026, including application procedures, exam dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and more, individuals can refer to the complete article.

UGC NET 2026 Highlights

The UGC NET 2026 highlights showcase the key features of the upcoming examination, emphasising its significance and prominent aspects.

UGC NET 2026 Exam Dates

Here are the important dates for the UGC NET 2026 exam.

UGC NET 2026 Application Form

The UGC NET 2026 Registration process will soon commence online, offering no offline alternatives. Applicants can anticipate the application window to open by the final week of December 2024. Candidates must review the eligibility criteria thoroughly before initiating the application process. Additionally, careful adherence to the provided instructions on the application portal is recommended to ensure accurate submission.

• UGC NET 2026 registration will be exclusively conducted online; no offline method will be available.
• Candidates can begin filling out the application form in the last week of December 2024.
• Fulfilment of eligibility criteria is essential before proceeding with the application.
• Before filling out the form, candidates should carefully read and understand the provided instructions.
• Details such as personal, academic, and category information, as well as preferred exam city, must be accurately submitted.
• Alongside the details, candidates need to upload documents like a coloured or black & white photograph and signature.
• Corrections in the form can be made during February 2026 if needed.
• The application deadline is the last week of January 2026.
• After submission, candidates should retain a hard copy of the form for future reference.
• Adhering to these steps ensures a smooth application process for UGC NET 2026.

UGC NET 2026 Application Fee

Candidates will exclusively utilise the online mode for form submission, as offline methods won’t be accessible. The application process will facilitate payment through various online modes such as debit cards, credit cards, net banking, or other online payment gateways. Once the fee is submitted for UGC NET 2026, it will be non-refundable under any circumstances.

How to Fill UGC NET 2026 Application Form?

Preparing to apply for the UGC NET 2026? Here’s a concise guide on navigating the application process seamlessly.

• Visit the Official Website: Access the online portal provided above in the instructions.
• Navigate to Registration: On the homepage, locate and click on the “UGC NET 2026 Registration” link.
• Registration Details: Enter your email ID and mobile number to initiate the registration process.
• Application Number and Login: Upon successful registration, the system will generate an application number along with login credentials.
• Form Filling: Proceed to fill out the application form with essential details such as educational qualifications, contact information, and address.
• Document Upload: Upload necessary documents, including photographs, signatures, and category certificates, adhering to specified formats.
• Application Fee Submission: Submit the application fee using the provided payment method.
• Verification: Review and verify all entered details before final submission to ensure accuracy.
• Submission and Print Out: Submit the completed form and obtain a printout for future reference and use.

UGC NET 2026 Application Correction

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will offer the UGC NET 2026 application correction window starting from the first week of February 2026. Eligible candidates who have already registered will have the opportunity to rectify any errors in their application form using their login credentials. Essential details such as application number and date of birth will be necessary for accessing the correction portal.

It’s important to note that once the correction window closes, no further requests for changes in the application form will be accommodated. This correction facility will only be available for a limited period and exclusively through online mode, with no alternative methods provided.

UGC NET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The UGC NET 2026 eligibility criteria outline the requirements for candidates aspiring to qualify for Assistant Professorship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). To be eligible, candidates must meet certain academic qualifications, secure minimum marks, adhere to age limits, and may include those in the final year of their studies.

• Qualification: Candidates must hold a master’s degree or its equivalent from any recognized university or college.
• Marks: Applicants should have secured at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PWD/OC-NCL/Third Gender) in their qualifying examination to be eligible for the exam.
• Age Limit: For JRF, candidates should not exceed 30 years of age as of the first day of the month. Reserved category candidates are eligible for a 5-year age relaxation. There is no age limit for Assistant Professor applicants.
• Appearing Candidates: Final-year appearing candidates or those awaiting their results are also eligible to apply.

UGC NET 2026 Exam Pattern

UGC NET 2026 Exam Pattern delineates the structure of the exam, comprising Paper I and Paper II. It aims to assess candidates’ eligibility for the role of Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship & Assistant Professor. The exam evaluates candidates on their proficiency in various subjects through a comprehensive question format.

• Exam Mode: UGC NET 2026 will be conducted in online CBT (computer-based mode).
• Duration: Candidates will have a total of 3 hours to complete the exam.
• Papers: The exam will consist of two papers, Paper 1 and Paper II.
• Question Type: Questions in the exam will be of objective type, Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) only.
• Total Marks: The exam will carry a total of 300 marks.
• Language: The exam will be conducted in both Hindi and English languages.
• Number of Questions: There will be a total of 150 questions in the paper.
• Marking Scheme: Candidates will be awarded 2 marks for every correct response.
• Negative Marking: There will be no negative marking for wrong answers.

Marking Scheme:

UGC NET 2026 Syllabus

The UGC NET 2026 syllabus is crucial for aspirants, as it delineates the topics and subjects covered in the examination. The syllabus, released separately for each subject by the authority, requires candidates to prepare diligently subject-wise.

An addition to the syllabus in recent years is the subject “Indian Knowledge System,” enriching the breadth of topics covered. With distinct syllabi for Paper I and Paper II, candidates can expect questions from various domains such as Teaching & Research Aptitude, English, Law, and Commerce, among others. Aspirants can access the detailed syllabus in both Hindi and English languages, facilitating comprehensive preparation for the exam.

UGC NET 2026 Preparation Tips

Preparing for the UGC NET exam requires strategic planning and diligent effort. Here are ten tips to help you excel in your preparation:

1. Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the UGC NET syllabus for your chosen subject, covering both Paper I and Paper II topics.
2. Create a Study Schedule: Develop a well-structured study plan that allocates sufficient time for each topic while considering your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve previous year’s question papers to understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and time management.
4. Refer to Standard Books: Utilize recommended textbooks and study materials to build a strong conceptual foundation in your subject area.
5. Take Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to assess your progress, identify areas for improvement, and enhance your time management skills.
6. Focus on Paper I: Allocate ample time to prepare for Paper I, which covers general aptitude, reasoning, teaching, and research aptitude.
7. Emphasize Paper II Topics: Prioritize topics specific to your subject area covered in Paper II, ensuring comprehensive coverage and understanding.
8. Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Stay informed about current events, developments, and trends related to your subject and general awareness topics.

UGC NET 2026 Books

Here are some recommended books for UGC NET 2026 preparation, covering various subjects and authored by experts in their respective fields.

UGC NET 2026 Exam Centre

The UGC NET 2026 exam will be conducted across various states and union territories of India. Candidates can choose their preferred exam centre during the application process. The exam centres include major cities and towns in states such as Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and others.

UGC NET 2026 Exam City Slip

The UGC NET 2026 Exam City Slip will be available for download in the first week of June 2026, exclusively on the official website. To access it, candidates must use their application number and date of birth for login.

This slip serves as an early notification to candidates about their assigned exam cities, facilitating timely preparation before the release of the admit card. It’s recommended to keep a printed copy of the UGC NET 2026 Exam City Slip for future reference and convenience.

UGC NET 2026 Admit Card

The UGC NET 2026 Admit Card is scheduled for release in the first week of June 2026, accessible exclusively through online mode via the NTA website. No offline method will be available for obtaining the admit card.

Candidates must ensure they carry a printed copy of the admit card to their designated exam centre, as specified in the document, on the allocated date and time. Any deviation from this schedule outlined in the UGC NET 2026 Admit Card will not be permitted. For any issues related to admit card retrieval, candidates can contact the NTA helpline during specified hours or reach out to the authority via email for assistance.

UGC NET 2026 Answer Key

NTA is set to release the provisional answer key for UGC NET 2026 in the fourth week of June 2026, accessible via the website with the provided login credentials. Candidates encountering discrepancies in the answer key have the option to challenge it.

Challengers must remit a non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 200/- online and substantiate their challenge with appropriate justification or evidence. This challenge window will be time-bound, and submissions will be evaluated before the final answer key is published.

The result declaration by the authority will be contingent upon the final answer key, disseminated through online mode following the resolution of challenges.

UGC NET 2026 Result

The UGC NET 2026 result will be declared by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in July 2026. Candidates can access their results through the official website using their application number and date of birth. The result will be based on the final answer key.

There will be no provision for rechecking or re-evaluation of the result. After downloading the result, candidates should carefully review the details. If any discrepancy is found, they must contact the officials for necessary corrections.

UGC NET 2026 Cut-Off

There will be various factors that determine how to prepare for the UGC NET 2026 cut-off. It will be available through online mode only. After releasing the result, the cut-off will be published on the website. 

To be eligible for admission, it will be mandatory for the candidates to obtain the minimum cut-off marks. For all the categories, it will be prepared separately by the authority. Candidates will be able to check the cut-off list in PDF format. Those candidates who will secure the equal cut-off or more than that will be qualified for the further admission procedure.

UGC NET 2026 Selection Procedure

After the declaration of the UGC NET 2026 result, no further rounds will be organized for the selection of the candidates. Based on their performance in the UGC NET exam, the candidates will be selected for Assistant Professor and JRF. 

Those successfully qualified candidates in the exam will be considered for the selection procedure. The top 6% of total candidates will be declared qualified. To be eligible for the post of JRF and Assistant Professor, candidates will have to score minimum marks in both papers.

University Accepting UGC NET 2026 Scores:

Here are some universities that accept UGC NET 2026 scores for their admission processes.

UGC NET 2026 FAQ’s

Sunil Kushwaha

As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.