The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the UGC NET December 2025 Notification on 7th October 2025 for 85 subjects. This examination, conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC), determines the eligibility of candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor posts, and Ph.D. admissions in Indian universities and colleges.
Candidates can apply online from 7th October to 7th November 2025 through the official NTA portals — ugcnet.nta.ac.in or nta.ac.in. The UGC NET 2025 December Exam is expected to be held in December 2025 or January 2026, with the subject-wise exam dates to be announced soon.
This national-level eligibility test is one of the most awaited exams for postgraduate students aiming for careers in academia and research.
UGC NET December 2025 – Overview
| Exam Name | UGC NET December 2025 |
| Full Form | University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Level of Exam | National Level |
| Frequency | Twice a year (June & December cycles) |
| Purpose | Eligibility for Assistant Professor, JRF & Ph.D. Admissions |
| Number of Subjects | 85 |
| Notification Release Date | 7th October 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 7th October 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 7th November 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | 10th – 12th November 2025 |
| Exam Date | December 2025 / January 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours (No break between Paper I & II) |
| Official Websites | ugcnet.nta.ac.in / nta.ac.in |
UGC NET December 2025 Notification PDF
The official UGC NET December 2025 Notification PDF has been released by NTA on its official website. It contains detailed information on eligibility criteria, syllabus, application process, important dates, exam pattern, and general instructions.
Candidates should thoroughly read the information bulletin before filling the online form to avoid rejection due to incomplete or incorrect details.
UGC NET December 2025 Important Dates
| Notification Release | 7th October 2025 |
| Application Form Start | 7th October 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 7th November 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | 10th – 12th November 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| Exam Dates | December 2025 / January 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
⏰ Tip: Complete your application well before the last date to avoid last-minute server issues.
About UGC NET Exam 2025
The UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) is one of India’s most prestigious exams for postgraduate students. Conducted by NTA, it certifies candidates for:
- Eligibility for Assistant Professorship in Indian universities and colleges.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for pursuing doctoral research (Ph.D.).
- Admission into Ph.D. programs in recognized institutions.
The exam assesses candidates’ teaching aptitude, subject expertise, and research potential, helping them secure roles in academia or research organizations.
UGC NET December 2025 Exam Structure
The UGC NET exam comprises two papers conducted in a single three-hour session without a break.
| Paper | Subjects Covered | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Teaching & Research Aptitude, Reasoning, Communication, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, People & Environment | 50 | 100 |
| Paper II | Subject-specific (chosen by candidate) | 100 | 200 |
| Total | — | 150 | 300 |
- Duration: 3 hours (single sitting).
- Marking Scheme: Each correct answer = +2 marks; No negative marking.
- Mode: Online CBT (Computer-Based Test).
Candidates must score minimum qualifying marks (40% for General; 35% for reserved categories) in aggregate across both papers.
Eligibility Criteria for UGC NET December 2025
Candidates must ensure they meet all academic and age eligibility requirements before applying.
Educational Qualification:
- Master’s Degree or equivalent in the concerned subject from a recognized university.
- Minimum marks:
- General/Unreserved/EWS: 55%
- OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender: 50%
- Candidates awaiting final year results are eligible provisionally, subject to obtaining qualifying marks later.
Age Limit (as on 1st December 2025):
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) | 30 years |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit |
Age Relaxation:
- OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender: +5 years
- Armed Forces service candidates: +5 years
UGC NET December 2025 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | ₹1150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
💰 Payment Mode: Online only (Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / UPI).
Candidates must download the payment confirmation page after a successful transaction.
UGC NET December 2025 Application Form — Direct Link
The UGC NET 2025 Application Form is available on the official website. Applications can be submitted online until 7th November 2025.
How to Apply for UGC NET 2025 — Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to complete your UGC NET December 2025 registration and application:
- Visit the official NTA website — ugcnet.nta.ac.in.
- On the homepage, click “Apply for UGC NET December 2025”.
- Choose “New Registration” and read the instructions carefully.
- Fill in the basic details (name, contact number, email, etc.) to generate an Application Number and Password.
- Log in using your credentials to access the application form.
- Enter personal, educational, and exam preference details.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature in the correct format.
- Pay the application fee using the preferred online payment method.
- Review all details and click Submit.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Documents Required & Upload Specifications
| Document | Dimensions (cm) | File Size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm | 10 KB – 200 KB | JPG/JPEG |
| Signature | — | 4 KB – 30 KB | JPG/JPEG |
Ensure the uploaded documents are clear and meet NTA specifications to avoid rejection.
UGC NET 2025 Application Correction Window
- Correction Dates: 10th to 12th November 2025
- During this period, candidates can edit details such as category, subject, exam city, and personal data.
- After the correction window closes, no further edits will be allowed under any circumstances.
UGC NET 2025 Exam Date (Subject-wise)
The UGC NET 2025 December session will be conducted for 85 subjects. The subject-wise schedule and shift timings will be released soon on ugcnet.nta.ac.in.
| Paper | Exam Date |
|---|---|
| Paper I (General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude) | To be Announced |
| Paper II (Subject-Specific Paper) | To be Announced |
Stay tuned — the NTA subject-wise timetable will be published shortly before the admit card release.
UGC NET Admit Card, Answer Key & Result
- Admit Card: To be released about a week before the exam.
- Answer Key: Provisional and Final Keys will be published on the NTA portal after the examination.
- Result: To be declared within a few weeks after the final answer key is released.
All updates will be available on the official websites and notified via registered email/SMS.
Career Opportunities After UGC NET 2025
Qualifying UGC NET opens the door to:
- Assistant Professor positions in Indian universities and colleges.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) with UGC-funded financial support.
- Admission into Ph.D. programs across reputed institutes.
- Opportunities in public sector undertakings (PSUs) that consider UGC NET scores.
With the NET certificate, candidates can build a strong career in academia, research, and education policy.
Final Words
The UGC NET December 2025 Exam is a crucial gateway for postgraduate students aspiring for a career in teaching, research, and higher education. The NTA UGC NET 2025 notification for 85 subjects is now live, and the online registration window remains open till 7th November 2025.
