PSU & Engineering

UGC NET 2026

UGC NET 2026 exam is scheduled for June & December 2026 cycles with Eligibility Certificate vacancies.

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Mode

Online

Level

Post Graduate

Vacancies

Eligibility Certificate

Fee

₹1150 (General) / ₹600 (OBC-NCL/EWS) / ₹325 (SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender)

Last updated: July 4, 2026

Key dates

December 2025 Cycle Result

Jan 2026 (Expected)

June 2026 Cycle Application Start

Apr 2026 (Expected)

June 2026 Cycle Application Deadline

May 2026 (Expected)

June 2026 Cycle Exam Date

Jun 2026 (Expected)

June 2026 Cycle Result

Aug 2026 (Expected)

Quick Summary

UGC NET 2026 is conducted by NTA twice a year in June and December cycles to determine eligibility for Assistant Professor posts and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) across roughly 85 subjects. The exam is a single-session CBT with Paper 1 (100 marks, general teaching/research aptitude, common to all) and Paper 2 (200 marks, subject-specific), totaling 300 marks with no negative marking. Eligibility requires a Master's degree with 55% marks (50% for reserved categories); final-year candidates can apply provisionally. Results are declared in three categories — JRF + Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor only, or not qualified. The Assistant Professor eligibility certificate is valid for a lifetime, while JRF must generally be availed within about 3 years of qualifying.

Eligibility

Master's degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD/Third Gender candidates)
Candidates in the final year/awaiting result of their Master's degree can also apply provisionally
No upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility
Age limit of below 30 years for JRF, with standard relaxation for reserved categories

Syllabus

Paper 1 (common to all candidates): Teaching and Research Aptitude
Paper 1: Reading Comprehension, Communication, Reasoning (including Mathematical)
Paper 1: Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Paper 1: People and Environment, Higher Education System and Governance
Paper 2: Subject-specific paper based on the candidate's post-graduation discipline, chosen from around 85 subjects

Exam Pattern

Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, single session of 3 hours
Paper 1: 50 questions worth 100 marks (compulsory for all candidates)
Paper 2: 100 questions worth 200 marks (subject-specific, chosen at the time of application)
Total 150 questions for 300 marks, no break between the two papers
No negative marking for wrong answers in either paper

Exam overview

UGC NET is a national-level eligibility test conducted by the National Testing Agency to determine eligibility for the post of Assistant Professor and for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges, and it is held twice every year in the June and December cycles.

The test consists of two papers held in a single CBT session covering nearly 85 subjects, and based on the candidate's score and percentile, NTA declares results in three categories — qualified for JRF and Assistant Professor, qualified for Assistant Professor only, or not qualified.

Preparation tip

Start with the syllabus topics listed above, then practice timed mock tests and revise previous year questions weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between JRF and Assistant Professor eligibility in UGC NET?▼

JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) qualification allows candidates to pursue a Ph.D. with a monthly fellowship stipend from UGC in addition to being eligible for Assistant Professor posts, and it is awarded only to top-ranking candidates within the notified JRF quota. Assistant Professor-only qualification makes a candidate eligible to apply for teaching posts in colleges and universities but does not carry any fellowship benefit.

Is there negative marking in UGC NET?▼

No, there is no negative marking in UGC NET for either Paper 1 or Paper 2. Candidates are awarded marks only for correct responses, so wrong answers do not lead to any deduction.

How many times is UGC NET conducted in a year?▼

UGC NET is conducted twice a year by NTA, typically referred to as the June cycle and the December cycle. Occasionally the schedule can shift slightly due to administrative reasons, but the exam generally follows this bi-annual pattern.

What is the validity of UGC NET certificate?▼

The Assistant Professor eligibility certificate is valid for a lifetime as per current UGC norms. JRF qualification, however, must be availed within a fixed period (generally around 3 years, with permissible extensions in certain cases such as maternity leave or medical grounds) from the date of declaration of result.

What is the eligibility criteria for UGC NET 2026?▼

Candidates need a Master's degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD/Third Gender candidates). Candidates in their final year or awaiting their Master's result can also apply provisionally, subject to completing the degree within the specified timeline.

How many subjects are covered in UGC NET?▼

UGC NET is conducted across approximately 85 subjects spanning humanities, social sciences, sciences, commerce, languages, and various other disciplines. Candidates choose their Paper 2 subject based on their post-graduation specialization at the time of filling the application form.

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