The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the Information Bulletin for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Examination. Whether your goal is securing a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), qualifying for an Assistant Professorship, or gaining admission into a Ph.D. program, here is everything you need to know in simple, practical terms.
Key Dates to Remember
- Online Registration Window: October 7, 2026 – November 5, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM)
- Late Application Window (with ₹500 late fee): November 6, 2026 – November 9, 2026
- Online Correction Facility: November 10, 2026 – November 12, 2026
- Examination Dates: December 19, 22, and 27, 2026
- Exam Timings:
Application Fees
| Category | Standard Fee | Late Submission Fee |
| General | ₹1,150 | Standard Fee + ₹500 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 | Standard Fee + ₹500 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹325 | Standard Fee + ₹500 |
Payments can be completed online via UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
Eligibility Criteria at a Glance
Educational Qualifications:- Master’s Degree holders: At least 55% marks (General/EWS) or 50% marks (OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender). Candidates currently enrolled in their final year or awaiting results may also apply provisionally.
- 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree holders: Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester bachelor's degree must secure at least 75% marks in aggregate (relaxation of 5% applies for reserved categories). They are eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission only (not for Assistant Professor).
Age Limits (as of December 1, 2026):
- JRF: Maximum 30 years. Up to a 5-year relaxation is available for women applicants, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, Third Gender, candidates with specific research experience, and armed forces personnel.
- Assistant Professor & Ph.D. Only: No upper age limit.
What Can You Qualify For?
The examination establishes eligibility across three distinct categories:
- Category 1 (JRF & Assistant Professor): Qualifies you for the Junior Research Fellowship, appointment as an Assistant Professor, and Ph.D. admission. JRF awardees receive a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 for the first two years (upgraded to ₹42,000 upon promotion to SRF) plus an annual contingent grant of ₹20,000.
- Category 2 (Assistant Professor & Ph.D.): Qualifies you for an Assistant Professorship and Ph.D. admissions (no fellowship).
- Category 3 (Ph.D. Admission Only): Enables direct entry into Ph.D. programs where the NET score holds a 70% weightage (the remaining 30% depends on the university interview).
Examination Pattern & Subjects
The test is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and consists of a single 3-hour paper divided into three parts:
- Part A (General Aptitude): Logical reasoning, graphical analysis, numerical ability, and series puzzles common across all subjects.
- Part B: Subject-specific core questions covering the prescribed syllabus.
- Part C: Higher-order analytical and concept-application questions.
Test Subjects:
- Chemical Sciences (701)
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Sciences (702)
- Life Sciences & Bio-Technology (LS-BT) (703)
- Mathematical Sciences (704)
- Physical Sciences (705)
Documents and Details Required for Registration
Before beginning your online form on the
- DigiLocker / MeriPehchaan Access: Registration can be streamlined through the MeriPehchaan Single Sign-On (NSSO) system using Aadhaar, PAN, or DigiLocker verification.
- Live Photograph & Scanned Passport Photo: Light background, 80% face coverage with visible ears (10 KB – 200 KB, JPG/JPEG).
- Scanned Signature: Clear, legible signature on white paper (10 KB – 50 KB, JPG/JPEG).
- Certificates (where applicable): Category, PwD/UDID, or Result Awaited Attestation Forms in PDF format (50 KB – 300 KB).
Make sure to double-check all details and personal information carefully prior to final fee submission.
Important Web Links
| Online Application Form | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Information Brochure | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
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