UGC NET

UGC NET 2026

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test

UGC NET determines eligibility for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. Conducted by NTA in 83 subjects. Two papers in a single session.

Official Website

Age Limit

No upper age limit for eligibility for Assistant Professor. JRF: maximum 30 years (relaxation: SC/ST/OBC/PwD +5).

Fee

₹1150

Salary Range

₹57,700 - ₹1,82,400

UGC NET June 2026 Starts (Expected) in
64days
:
14hrs
:
49min

Pay Level

Pay Level 10 (Assistant Professor)

Salary Range (Monthly)

₹57,700 - ₹1,82,400

Key Posts

Assistant Professor in universities/colleges; Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for PhD research

National-level eligibility test for Assistant Professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian Universities and CollegesAssistant Professor (Lecturership) eligibility & Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor eligibilityNot a recruitment exam — it is an eligibility test. Candidates become eligible to apply for Assistant Professor / JRF positions across India.

Pay Levels & Salary

Pay LevelMonthly Range
JRF Fellowship₹37,000/month (1st & 2nd year) → ₹42,000/month (3rd year onwards as SRF)
Level 10 (Assistant Professor)₹₹57,700 - ₹₹1,82,400

Application Fee

₹1150

General/OBC

Free

SC/ST/Women

Free

PwBD/ESM

Tie-Breaking Rules

  1. Higher marks in Paper-II (subject-specific)
  2. Higher marks in Paper-I
  3. Older candidate placed higher
Start Free Mock Test

Eligibility

Educational Qualification

Master's degree with minimum 55% (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender) from a recognized university.

Age Limit

No upper age limit for eligibility for Assistant Professor. JRF: maximum 30 years (relaxation: SC/ST/OBC/PwD +5).

Age Relaxation by Category

CategoryRelaxation
GeneralNo relaxation
SC/ST+5 years
OBC (NCL)+3 years
PwD+10 years
Ex-Servicemen+5 years

Application Fee

CategoryFee
General / OBC / EWS (Male)₹1150
SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen₹600

Exam Pattern

Paper 1 (General)

50 Questions60 minsTotal Marks: 100
SectionQuestionsMax MarksDuration
Teaching & Research Aptitude5010060 min

Paper 2 (Subject)

100 Questions120 minsTotal Marks: 200
SectionQuestionsMax MarksDuration
Subject Paper100200120 min

Syllabus

  • Teaching Aptitude
  • Research Aptitude
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Communication
  • Reasoning (Mathematical & Logical)
  • Data Interpretation
  • Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
  • People, Development & Environment
  • Higher Education System

Posts & Pay Levels

Vacancies

NaN

Tentative Total

Nationality & Citizenship

  • ✓No specific nationality restriction — open to all who meet educational qualifications

Educational Qualification

Age Limits & Relaxation

Age Bands

Age BandDOB Not Earlier ThanDOB Not Later Than
No age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility
Up to 30 years for JRF

Age Relaxation by Category

CategoryRelaxation
SC/ST5 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)3 years
PwBD (Unreserved/EWS)10 years
PwBD (OBC)13 years
PwBD (SC/ST)15 years
Ex-Servicemen3 years after deduction of military service from actual age (or as per rules)
Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated and not remarriedUp to 35 years (UR), 38 (OBC), 40 (SC/ST)

Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Rules

Sons/Daughters/DependentsNot eligible
Non-Graduate ESM for Group BNot eligible

Category Certificate Rules

EWS CertificateEWS certificate as per government norms
OBC Creamy LayerOBC candidates must not belong to creamy layer for availing relaxation in qualifying marks

⚠ Candidature cancelled and possible debarment

How to Apply

Apply viaOnline at https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in

Photo Rules

  • • Recent passport size photograph (10KB-200KB, JPG/JPEG)
  • • Signature scan (4KB-30KB, JPG/JPEG)
  • • Photo must be in white background

Application Fee

₹1150

General

₹undefined

Women

₹325

SC/ST

₹325

PwBD

₹undefined

ESM

Payment: Online — Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, Paytm

Non-refundable

Correction Window

Opens

Closes

₹

1st Correction

₹

2nd Correction

Max corrections allowed. Latest corrected application treated as valid.

Admission Certificate & Exam Day

Admit CardDownload About 3-4 days before exam from NTA website before exam
PrintoutRequired

Accepted Photo IDs

Aadhaar CardPAN CardDriving LicenseVoter's ID CardPassportRation Card with photographE-Aadhaar with photograph

Computer Based Test — UGC NET CBT

150 Questions300 Marks180 min
+2 per correct−0 per wrongSectional timingObjective, Multiple ChoiceEnglish and Hindi (except language-specific subjects)
SectionQuestionsMarksPer Q
Paper-I (General/Teaching Aptitude)501002
Paper-II (Subject-specific)1002002
Total1503002
0

Answer Key Policy

Tentative KeyReleased for candidate review
Challenge Fee₹200 per question
Fee RefundableYes
Final KeyUsed for result calculation

Normalization & Re-evaluation

NormalizationApplied if multiple shifts. Purpose: To ensure fair comparison across different shifts
Re-evaluationNot allowed

Minimum Qualifying Marks

StageUROBC/EWSSC/ST/Others
jrf
assistant Professor

Shortlisting & Merit Rules

Jrf Award

From among those eligible for AP, top-ranking candidates are awarded JRF based on subject-wise vacancies

No Interview

No interview component — purely based on CBT score

Subject Wise Merit

Separate merit list for each of the 82 subjects

Assistant Professor Eligibility

Candidates scoring above category-wise cut-off are declared eligible for Assistant Professor

Scribe & Compensatory Time

Extra Time20 minutes per hour of examination for eligible candidates
Own ScribeAllowed
Opt-inMust opt during application form

Auto-eligible for Scribe

  • ✓PwBD blindness
  • ✓PwBD locomotor disability (both arms affected-BA)
  • ✓PwBD cerebral palsy

Scribe Requirements

  • • Scribe must not be a candidate of the same examination
  • • Scribe qualification must be one step below the qualification prescribed for the post
  • • Scribe cannot assist more than one candidate in the same examination
  • • Candidate must opt for scribe in the application form
  • • Scribe arrangement at own expense if own scribe opted

Additional Rules

  • • Even eligible candidates not availing scribe still get compensatory time
  • • No attendant other than scribe allowed inside examination hall

Document Verification

Required Documents

  1. Matriculation/Secondary Certificate (for DOB proof)
  2. Educational Qualification Certificate(s) as prescribed
  3. Caste/Category Certificate if applicable (in prescribed format)
  4. PwBD Certificate if applicable
  5. EWS Certificate if applicable (valid for relevant financial year)
  6. Ex-Servicemen Certificate/Discharge Certificate if applicable
  7. NOC from present employer if already in Government service
  8. Experience Certificate if applicable
  9. Name change documents if applicable (Gazette notification, marriage certificate etc.)
  10. Two recent passport-size colour photographs
  11. Any other document as specified in the call letter

Tie-Breaking Rules

  1. 1Higher marks in Paper-II (subject-specific)
  2. 2Higher marks in Paper-I
  3. 3Older candidate placed higher

Misconduct & Debarment

Post-exam Analysis Methods

Log analysisPhotograph verificationBiometric verificationCCTV review
OffenseDebarment
Using unfair means of any kind — copying, electronic devices, written material on body/paperPermanent debarment / 3-7 years
Impersonation / procuring impersonation by any person7 years / permanent
Possession of mobile phone, bluetooth devices, wireless devices, spy cameras, electronic gadgets inside exam hall3-5 years
Taking away exam material (rough sheets, question paper) from exam hall1-3 years
Leaving examination venue before completion of due exit procedure1-2 years
Misbehaving, intimidating or threatening exam functionaries2-3 years
Obstructing conduct of examination / instigating others not to take examination3 years
False statements / fabricated documents / suppressing material information1-5 years
Appearing in exam with forged admit card / identity proof3-5 years
Possession of firearms/weapons or threatening exam functionaries with force7 years
Taking snapshots, making videos of question papers or exam material7 years
Sharing exam terminal through remote desktop / LAN / VAN7 years
Attempt to hack or manipulate examination servers / data / systems7-10 years
Candidate acting as scribe in same examination or providing false scribe declaration3-5 years

⚠ Cases may be referred to police or investigating agencies.

Public Disclosure Policy

Disqualification Rule

Candidates found using unfair means or submitting false information at any stage will have their results cancelled and may be debarred from future NTA examinations.

Important Warnings

⚠UGC NET qualifying as Assistant Professor is valid for lifetime — no need to re-appear once qualified.
⚠JRF validity is 3 years from the date of issue of JRF award letter — must join research within this period.
⚠No negative marking — attempt all 150 questions.
⚠Paper-I is common for all subjects — don't neglect it as it carries 100 marks.
⚠Paper-II syllabus is extensive — cover entire PG curriculum of your subject.
⚠UGC NET and CSIR NET are different exams — UGC NET covers Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, etc. CSIR NET covers Science subjects.
⚠Ph.D. holders from UGC-recognized universities (who completed course work as per 2009 regulations) are exempt from NET for Assistant Professor.
⚠SET/SLET is valid only in the respective state — NET is valid across India.

2025 Cycle — Complete Timeline

Year2025
Notification2025-10-01
Registration Start2025-10-01
Registration End2025-10-31

⚠ All dates are tentative and subject to change.

Previous Year Cut-Offs

No cut-off data available yet.

Important Dates — 2026

EventDateStatus
UGC NET June 2026 Starts (Expected)(Tentative)25 Jun 2026Upcoming
UGC NET June 2026 Ends (Expected)(Tentative)29 Jun 2026Upcoming