UGC NET December 2026 Registration Deadline Extended to October 31: Revised Exam Dates & Direct Apply Link

In a major relief to thousands of prospective candidates, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially extended the registration deadline for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2026. Candidates who have not yet submitted their online application forms can now apply up to October 31, 2026 (11:50 PM) without paying any late fee.

What Does the Official NTA Notice Say?

According to the official circular signed by NTA:

“In interest of candidates, it has been decided to extend the last date for submission of the Online Application Form for UGC-NET December 2026 Examination up to 31 October 2026 (11:50 PM) without any late fee to facilitate candidates who have not yet completed their application process.”

You can read and verify the Official NTA Extension Notification PDF here.

UGC NET December 2026: Updated Examination Schedule

Below is the complete revised schedule for the December 2026 examination cycle:

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for UGC NET December 2026

Avoid last-minute server congestion by completing your form using these official steps:

1. Visit Official Website: Go to ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
2. Register: Click on "UGC NET December 2026 Registration / Application" and register with your email ID and mobile number to generate application credentials.
3. Fill Application Form: Log in using your Application Number and Password. Enter personal details, choice of 4 exam cities, and educational qualifications (Master's Degree status).
4. Upload Scanned Documents: Upload your recent passport-sized photograph (white background) and signature as per NTA size specifications.
5. Pay Examination Fee: Complete the online payment via UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit Cards before October 31 (11:50 PM).
6. Download Confirmation Page: Download and print 2 copies of the Confirmation Page. (Note: Your application is incomplete without the confirmation page).

UGC NET 2026: Scope & 3 Eligibility Categories

Candidates qualifying UGC NET are eligible for three distinct categories depending on their merit cutoff:

• Category 1: Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor.
• Category 2: Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD.
• Category 3: Direct admission to PhD programmes only (without JRF/Lectureship).