The National Testing Agency (NTA) has reported that 9,75,505 candidates have paid the application fee for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2026 session. The announcement highlights the large number of candidates preparing to appear for the national-level eligibility examination.
According to the latest update shared by NTA on November 2, the application fee payment figure is subject to bank reconciliation. Therefore, the number represents candidates whose fee payments have been recorded and should not be treated as the final number of candidates who will appear for the examination.
The December 2026 UGC NET examination will be conducted on December 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 across examination centres in the country. The test will be held in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
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UGC NET December 2026 important dates
NTA has announced the schedule for the upcoming examination and related activities. Candidates should keep track of the following dates to avoid missing important updates.
| Examination event | Date |
| Application correction window | November 2 to 4, 2026 |
| Exam city intimation slip | November 23, 2026 |
| Admit card release | December 7, 2026 |
| UGC NET examination | December 14 to 18 and December 21, 2026 |
| Subject-wise examination schedule | To be announced |
The application correction facility is available from November 2 to November 4. Candidates who have already submitted their applications should use the available period to review their details and make permitted changes.
The examination city intimation slip is scheduled to be released on November 23. It will provide advance information about the city allotted for the examination so that candidates can make necessary travel arrangements.
The admit card is scheduled to be released on December 7. Candidates will need to download the hall ticket and carry it to their respective examination centres.
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9.75 lakh candidates complete fee payment
The latest figure released by NTA shows that 9,75,505 candidates have paid the application fee for the December 2026 UGC NET examination.
The agency has specifically clarified that the number is subject to bank reconciliation. This means payment records are subject to verification and the figure may be updated following the reconciliation process.
The number of fee-paying candidates should also be distinguished from the number of candidates who will actually appear for the examination. Some registered candidates may not attend the test for various reasons.
The high application figure reflects the continued interest in UGC NET among postgraduate candidates and those seeking academic and research-related career opportunities in India.
Admit card scheduled for December 7
Candidates appearing for the UGC NET December 2026 examination can expect their admit cards to be released on December 7.
The admit card is an essential document for entering the examination centre. Candidates should download it from the official website once the link becomes active.
After downloading the hall ticket, candidates should carefully verify the details printed on it, including:
- Candidate's name and application number
- Photograph and other personal details
- Examination date and shift
- Reporting time
- Examination centre address
- Important examination-day instructions
Candidates should contact NTA through the official help channels if they notice any discrepancy in their admit card details.
The examination city intimation slip, scheduled for November 23, should not be confused with the admit card. The city slip provides advance information about the allotted examination city, while the admit card contains the details required for entry into the examination centre.
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Application correction window from November 2 to 4
NTA has opened the application correction facility for registered candidates from November 2 to November 4, 2026.
Candidates who have made errors while submitting their applications should visit the official UGC NET portal and check the fields permitted for correction.
The correction facility is intended to help candidates rectify eligible details before the examination process moves to the next stage. However, not every field may be editable, and candidates should carefully read the instructions displayed on the portal before submitting changes.
Applicants are advised to review their corrected information and retain the updated confirmation details for future reference.
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What is the purpose of the UGC NET examination?
The UGC NET examination is conducted to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professors in Indian universities and colleges, and admission to PhD programmes under the applicable categories.
Candidates who qualify for JRF may become eligible for research fellowships subject to the relevant rules and conditions. Those qualifying for Assistant Professor eligibility can apply for teaching positions in higher educational institutions, subject to the institutions' recruitment requirements.
The examination is conducted across multiple subjects, and candidates must follow the prescribed eligibility conditions and subject requirements mentioned in the official information bulletin.
Subject-wise timetable yet to be announced
Although NTA has confirmed the overall examination dates, the detailed subject-wise timetable is yet to be released.
The subject-wise schedule will provide candidates with information about the date and session allotted for their respective subjects. Applicants should regularly check the official website for the announcement.
Candidates should avoid relying on unofficial examination schedules circulating on social media. The final timetable and examination instructions should be verified through NTA notifications.
Where to check UGC NET updates
Candidates can access examination-related announcements, application information, correction facilities, city intimation slips and admit cards through the official UGC NET website.
NTA's main website is also available at
With nearly 9.75 lakh candidates having paid the examination fee, the December 2026 UGC NET session is drawing significant participation. Candidates should complete permitted application corrections, keep their confirmation pages safe and follow the announced schedule for the city intimation slip and admit card.
