The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official notification for NTA UGC NET December 2025, inviting applications from eligible candidates for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), eligibility for Assistant Professor, and admission to Ph.D. programs. This national-level examination is a gateway for candidates aspiring to pursue research and teaching careers in Indian universities and colleges. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can read this detailed guide and apply online.

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About NTA UGC NET Exam

The UGC NET exam is conducted to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for:

Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor
Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D. programs
Admission to Ph.D. only

The test is highly recognized across the country and serves as a benchmark for academic excellence in higher education.

NTA UGC NET December 2025 – Exam Details

Exam Name: NTA UGC NET December 2025
Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Level: National
Mode of Examination: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Duration: 180 minutes
Exam Dates: 31st December 2025 to 7th January 2026
Assam Exam Centres: Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, and Tezpur
Official Website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
Helpline: 011-40759000 | 011-69227700 | [email protected]

Eligibility Criteria for NTA UGC NET December 2025

Age Limit:

JRF: Maximum 30 years as on 01st December 2025. Age relaxation of up to 5 years is provided for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender candidates, and women applicants.
Assistant Professor: No upper age limit.
Admission to Ph.D.: No upper age limit.

Educational Qualification:

General/Unreserved/EWS Candidates: Must have secured at least 55% marks in Master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university.
OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender Candidates: Minimum 50% marks in Master’s degree or equivalent.
Candidates pursuing their Master’s degree or awaiting results can also apply.
Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester undergraduate program must have a minimum of 75% marks or equivalent grade.
Candidates qualifying based on a 4-year bachelor’s degree are eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission but not for Assistant Professor eligibility.
Candidates in their last semester/year of a 4-year program may apply provisionally, subject to completion requirements as per UGC 2022 Ph.D. regulations.

Application Fee

Category	Fee (INR)
General	1150/-
EWS/OBC-NCL	600/-
SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender	325/-

How to Apply for NTA UGC NET December 2025

Candidates can apply online only via the official NTA UGC NET portal. Follow these steps:

Visit the official NTA UGC NET website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
Click on the “Online Application Form” for December 2025.
Complete registration with valid details.
Fill in all personal, educational, and communication details.
Upload scanned documents, photographs, and signature.
Pay the application fee as per category.
Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.

Important Dates

Starting Date of Online Application: 7th October 2025
Last Date of Online Application: 7th November 2025
Download of Admit Card: To be intimated on the official website
Exam Dates: 31st December 2025 to 7th January 2026

Candidates are advised to check the official NTA website regularly for updates regarding admit cards, examination schedules, and results.

Key Points About Official Website

Official portal: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
Only applications submitted through this portal are accepted.
Regular updates, notifications, and corrections are posted on the official website.
Admit cards, results, and other essential communications are available exclusively on the portal.

FAQs – NTA UGC NET December 2025

Q1. What is the starting date to apply for NTA UGC NET December 2025?
A1. Online application begins on 7th October 2025.

Q2. What is the last date to submit the online application?
A2. The last date to apply online is 7th November 2025.

Q3. When will the NTA UGC NET 2025 exam be conducted?
A3. The exam will be held from 31st December 2025 to 7th January 2026.

Q4. Is there an age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility?
A4. No, there is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility.

Q5. What is the minimum educational qualification for JRF?
A5. Candidates must have a Master’s degree with minimum required marks, or be in the final year of their Master’s program.

Q6. Can candidates awaiting their Master’s results apply?
A6. Yes, candidates awaiting results or in the final semester are eligible to apply.

Q7. What is the application fee for SC/ST/PwD candidates?
A7. SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates need to pay Rs. 325/- only.

Q8. How can candidates download the admit card?
A8. Admit cards will be available for download on the official NTA portal once released.

Q9. Are international candidates eligible for UGC NET?
A9. No, this exam is only for Indian nationals.

Q10. Where can I find the official notification and brochure?
A10. Candidates can download it from the official portal: ugcnet.nta.nic.in