NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the notification for the CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Examination for determining the eligibility of candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor/Lectureship.
Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official NTA CSIR NET examination portal. The examination will be conducted in five major science subjects: Chemical Science, Earth Sciences, Life Science, Mathematical Science, and Physical Science.
Candidates should read the information brochure carefully to check the eligibility criteria, age limit, application fee, examination schedule, and other important details before submitting their applications.
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Examination | CSIR UGC NET December 2026 |
| Purpose | JRF and Assistant Professor Eligibility |
| Subjects | 5 Science Subjects |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 7 October 2026 |
| Last Date | 9 november 2026 |
| Exam Dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
Important Dates of NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Begins | 7 October 2026 |
| Original Last Date to Apply | 9 November 2026 |
| Original Last Date for Fee Payment | 9 November 2026 |
| Last Date with Late Fee (as initially listed) | 9 November 2026 |
| Correction Window | 10–12 November 2026 |
| Date Extension Notice | 5 November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
| Exam City Intimation | Before Examination |
| Admit Card Release | Before Examination |
Important: NTA has issued a date extension notice dated 5 November 2026. Candidates should refer to the notice for the revised application and fee-payment deadlines. The revised dates are not reproduced in the supplied details, so check the official notice before applying.
Application Fee
Candidates are required to pay the examination fee according to their category.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1,150 |
| EWS/OBC | ₹600 |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹325 |
| Late Fee | ₹500 (additional) |
Payment Mode: Candidates can pay the examination fee online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, or UPI.
Age Limit for NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026
For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
The maximum age limit is 30 years.
Age relaxation will be applicable to eligible reserved categories as per the applicable rules and the official information bulletin.
For Lectureship/Assistant Professor
There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for Lectureship/Assistant Professor eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria for NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026
Candidates must fulfil the prescribed educational qualification requirements to appear for the examination.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess an M.Sc. or equivalent degree with the following minimum marks:
- General/OBC candidates: 55% marks.
- SC/ST/PwD candidates: 50% marks.
Candidates with an Integrated Course, B.E./B.Tech., B.Pharma., or MBBS qualification are also eligible, subject to the conditions mentioned in the official information bulletin.
Subject-wise Details
The CSIR UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted in the following five subjects:
- Chemical Science
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Science
- Life Science
- Mathematical Science
- Physical Science
Candidates should check the official information bulletin for subject-specific eligibility and accepted qualifying degrees.
How to Apply for NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
Interested and eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official NTA CSIR NET examination portal.
Follow the steps below:
- Visit the official NTA CSIR NET website.
- Open the CSIR UGC NET December 2026 online application link.
- Complete the registration process using the required details.
- Fill in the online application form with personal, educational, and contact information.
- Upload the required scanned photograph, signature, and other documents.
- Pay the examination fee according to your category.
- Review all the details carefully before submitting the application.
- Submit the application form and download the confirmation page.
- Take a printout of the submitted application form for future reference.
Candidates are advised to keep their registration details and payment confirmation safe.
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Examination Schedule
The examination is scheduled to be conducted on the following dates:
- 19 December 2026
- 22 December 2026
- 27 December 2026
The examination city intimation slip and admit card will be made available on the official website before the examination.
Important Web Links for NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form | Apply Online |
| Date Extension Notice | Download PDF |
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | CSIR NET Official Website |
FAQs – NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026
1. When did the online application process for CSIR UGC NET December 2026 start?
The online application process started on 7 October 2026.
2. What is the last date to apply for CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
NTA has issued a date extension notice on 5 November 2026. Candidates should check the notice for the revised application deadline.
3. What are the examination dates for CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
The examination is scheduled for 19, 22 and 27 December 2026.
4. What is the maximum age limit for JRF?
The maximum age limit for JRF is 30 years, subject to applicable age relaxation.
5. Is there an age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility?
No. There is no upper age limit for Lectureship/Assistant Professor eligibility.
6. What is the application fee for General category candidates?
The application fee for General category candidates is ₹1,150.
7. Which subjects are included in CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
The examination covers Chemical Science, Earth Sciences, Life Science, Mathematical Science, and Physical Science.
8. Where can candidates download the official notification?
Candidates can download the information bulletin from the official CSIR NET website or through the notification link provided above.