CSIR UGC-NET December 2026: Apply Online, Exam 19-27 Dec

About This Exam

The National Testing Agency, called NTA, issued a notice on 07 October 2026. It invites online applications for the Joint CSIR UGC-NET December 2026 exam.

This exam decides who gets a Junior Research Fellowship, who can become an Assistant Professor, and who can join a Ph.D. program in Indian universities and colleges.

Negative Marking

Negative marking is different for each subject. Here is the breakdown given in the notice.

• Chemical Sciences: 25% negative marking in Parts A, B and C.
• Life Sciences: 25% negative marking in Parts A, B and C.
• Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences: 25% negative marking in Parts A and B, and 33% in Part C.
• Mathematical Sciences: 25% negative marking in Parts A and B, and no negative marking in Part C.
• Physical Sciences: 25% negative marking in Parts A, B and C.

How to Apply

1. Read the Information Bulletin carefully and keep your documents ready before you start.
2. Step 1: Register using your own email ID and mobile number. Note down your Application Number.
3. Step 2: Fill the Online Application Form. Upload your photograph, signature, Result Awaited Attestation Form (if needed), category certificate (if needed), and PwD/PwBD certificate (if needed).
4. Step 3: Pay the fee through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. Keep proof of payment.
5. Download and keep a printout of the Confirmation Page after payment. You do not need to send this to NTA.

Documents Required

• Board or University certificate showing your name, mother's name, father's name, and date of birth.
• An ID proof: Passport, Ration Card, Aadhaar Card, DigiLocker, Voter ID, APAR ID, or other government ID.
• Qualifying degree certificate or your last semester marksheet.
• Category certificate, if you belong to a reserved category.
• Result Awaited Certificate, if you are still waiting for your final result.
• EWS (Economically Weaker Section) certificate, if applicable.
• PwD/PwBD (Person with Disability) certificate, if applicable.
• Scanned photograph in JPG/JPEG format, between 10 kb and 200 kb.
• Scanned signature in running hand, JPG/JPEG format, between 10 kb and 50 kb.

Important Instructions to Remember

• You can only apply online. Do not send any document to NTA by post, fax, hand, or email.
• If you submit more than one form for the same course, only your first form counts. The rest get rejected.
• Your photo must show 80% of your face, with no cap, goggles, or mask.
• Your signature must be your full signature in running hand, not a typed name.
• Use only one email and one mobile number for your application. You cannot change these later.
• No fee refund is given once you pay, so double-check before you pay.

In Detail

Important Dates

Here are all the dates given in the notice. Some dates, like admit card and result, will come later on the NTA website.

If you qualify and get a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), you get Rs. 37,000 per month for the first two years.

You also get an annual contingent grant of Rs. 20,000.

From the third year onwards, if your work is rated satisfactory, you move up to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) with Rs. 42,000 per month.

Every date National Testing Agency printed for CSIR UGC-NET December 2026, exactly as the notification states it. A date the notice gave as a range or a month is shown in its own words rather than pinned to a day it never named.

Application Fee

The notice only gives a fee amount for late submission. No regular fee amount is mentioned in this notice.

Application fee for CSIR UGC-NET December 2026 by category, as printed in the official notification. Pay it before the last date — an application whose fee has not reached the board is not a submitted application.

Eligibility

The maximum age limit is 30 years. Your age is counted as on 01 July 2026.

Age Relaxation

• OBC-NCL (OBC Non-Creamy Layer), SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, Third Gender, and Women candidates get 5 years relaxation.
• Candidates with research experience get 5 years relaxation.
• Candidates from the armed forces get 5 years relaxation.

General, Unreserved, and General-EWS (Economically Weaker Section) candidates need at least 55% marks in a Master's degree or an equivalent exam.

OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, and Third Gender candidates need at least 50% marks.

Age Limit

The upper age limit is 30 years as on 01 Jul 2026.

Age Relaxation

Educational Qualification

General/Unreserved/General-EWS candidates require at least 55% marks in a Master's degree or equivalent examination; OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/PwBD/Third Gender candidates require at least 50%. Candidates pursuing or awaiting the final result of a Master's degree or equivalent examination may also apply provisionally.

Information about Eligibility Criteria is contained in the Information Bulletin hosted on the NTA website https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/

Exam Pattern

The exam has three parts. It runs for 180 minutes, which is 3 hours. There are 5 subjects to choose from.

Selection Process

There is only one stage for this exam.

• Computer Based Test (CBT)

1. Computer Based Test (CBT)

Syllabus

Each subject has its own set of topics. Part A is common for everyone.

Key Numbers

Related recruitments

Frequently Asked Questions