The National Testing Agency has opened the registration process for the Joint CSIR UGC NET December 2026 examination. Candidates who meet the prescribed eligibility requirements can now apply online through the official CSIR UGC NET website. The registration process began on October 7, 2026, and the regular application window will remain open until November 5, 2026, up to 11:50 pm.
The Joint CSIR UGC NET examination is conducted to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor, as well as eligibility for Assistant Professor and admission to PhD programmes or admission to PhD programmes only, depending on the category for which a candidate qualifies. The examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency on behalf of the relevant authorities.
For the December 2026 session, the examination will be held on December 19, 22 and 27. The test will be conducted in Computer Based Test mode at examination centres. Candidates should note that the examination dates cover different subjects and shifts, and the specific schedule applicable to individual candidates will be communicated through the official examination process.
The examination will be conducted in two shifts. The first shift is scheduled from 9 am to 12 noon, while the second shift will be held from 3 pm to 6 pm. The total examination duration is three hours. The question paper will be available in English and Hindi. Candidates are advised to carefully read the official information bulletin before completing the application because eligibility conditions, examination pattern and other instructions are governed by the official notification.
The December 2026 CSIR UGC NET examination will cover five subject areas. These are Chemical Sciences, Earth Atmospheric Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. Candidates should select the appropriate subject while completing their application based on their academic qualifications and the requirements specified in the official notification.
Candidates applying for the examination should first visit the official CSIR UGC NET website and complete the registration process. After creating their registration details, applicants need to log in and enter the required personal, academic and examination related information. They must also upload the documents requested in the application form and complete the prescribed fee payment process.
Candidates should check every detail before submitting the application. Information such as the candidate name, date of birth, academic details, category and examination related choices should be entered carefully. Any discrepancy could create difficulties during later stages of the examination process.
The regular application and fee payment deadline is November 5, 2026, up to 11:50 pm. Candidates who are unable to complete the application within the regular window will have an additional opportunity through the late application facility. According to the announced schedule, late applications can be submitted from November 6 to November 9 with the prescribed late fee of Rs 500.
The application correction window is scheduled to open on November 10 and close on November 12, 2026. Candidates who need to make permitted corrections should use the official correction facility during the specified period. The exact fields that can be modified will be governed by the instructions issued by the examination authority.
The examination city information and admit card release dates have not been announced in the available schedule and will be communicated separately by the National Testing Agency. Similarly, information relating to the recorded responses, provisional answer key and result will be announced through the official examination website at the appropriate stage. Candidates should therefore avoid relying on unofficial dates circulating on social media or other platforms.
The CSIR UGC NET is an important national level examination for candidates seeking opportunities in research and higher education. The Junior Research Fellowship route provides an opportunity for eligible candidates to pursue research, while the examination also plays a role in determining eligibility for teaching and PhD related pathways.
Candidates preparing for the December examination should use the remaining preparation period to revise their selected subject and become familiar with the examination format. Since the examination is conducted in computer based mode, candidates should also ensure that they understand the basic process of appearing for a computer based test.
The official website remains the primary source for application related announcements. The CSIR UGC NET portal currently lists the notice inviting online applications for the December 2026 examination among its public notices. The National Testing Agency has also listed the December 2026 application notice on its notice board archive.
Applicants should retain a copy of the completed application form and confirmation page after successful submission. They should also keep proof of fee payment and other relevant application records until the completion of the examination process.
The application fee varies according to the candidate category. Recent reports based on the notification state that the fee is Rs 1,150 for the General category, Rs 600 for General EWS and OBC NCL candidates, and Rs 325 for SC, ST, PwD, PwBD and Third Gender candidates. A late fee of Rs 500 applies during the late submission window. Candidates should verify the applicable fee and payment instructions in the official information bulletin before making payment.
The December 2026 examination is therefore an important upcoming academic examination for candidates planning careers in research, teaching and doctoral studies. With registration already underway, eligible applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their forms. Completing the process early can give candidates sufficient time to check their application details and address any permitted corrections during the correction window.
Candidates are advised to regularly monitor the official CSIR UGC NET website and the National Testing Agency website for further announcements. Updates concerning examination cities, admit cards, answer keys and results will be issued separately.
