The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the UGC NET December 2025 notification for 85 subjects. This exam is crucial for candidates aiming to secure eligibility for Assistant Professor positions and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.
In this guide, you will find NTA UGC NET 2025 exam details, including official dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, application fee, step-by-step application process, and more, to help you plan your preparation effectively.
Table of Contents
UGC NET December 2025 Notification Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Name | UGC NET December 2025 |
| Subjects Covered | 85 |
| Mode of Exam | Online (CBT) |
| Notification Date | 7th October 2025 |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start | 7th October 2025 |
| Application End | 7th November 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | 10 – 12 November 2025 |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| Exam Date | December 2025/January 2026 |
| Answer Key | To be announced |
| Result | To be announced |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General/ Unreserved | 1150 |
| OBC (NCL)/ EWS | 600 |
| SC/ ST/ PwBD/ Third Gender | 325 |
- Payment via online (Credit/Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI).
- Fee is non-refundable.
Age Limit (as on 1st January 2026)
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Maximum 30 years
- Age relaxation: 5 years for OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwBD / Female
- Assistant Professor: No upper age limit
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- General / EWS: Master’s degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks from a recognised university/ institution.
- OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender: Master’s degree or equivalent with at least 50% marks.
- Final Year Students: Eligible to apply, but must submit proof of qualifying at the time of result declaration.
- Subject Restriction: Candidates can apply only for the subject of their post-graduation.
- Nationality: Only Indian citizens are eligible.
Application Process
- Visit ugcnet.nta.ac.in and click on “Apply for UGC NET December 2025”.
- Register using email and mobile, then log in.
- Complete personal, educational and contact details.
- Upload photo (10–200 kb), signature (4–30 kb), and relevant category/ degree certificates (if applicable) in the required format.
- Pay the exam fee online and submit the form.
- Download/ save the confirmation page for records.
Important Links
| Link Type | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Notification PDF | download PDF |
| Information Bulletin | Check here |
| Official Website | UGC NET official |
How Candidates Are Selected for the UGC NET Exam
The selection for Assistant Professor and JRF is purely based on the marks obtained in the online exam (CBT). Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Written Exam (CBT)
- Paper I: General Teaching & Research Aptitude (50 questions, 100 marks)
- Paper II: Subject-specific questions (100 questions, 200 marks)
- Minimum Qualifying Marks
- General/ EWS/ OBC-NCL: 40% in each paper
- SC/ ST/ PwBD/ Third Gender: 35% in each paper
- Merit List Preparation
- Candidates are ranked based on scores in Paper I + Paper II.
- Separate merit lists are prepared for JRF and Assistant Professor.
- JRF Award
- Top-ranked candidates under the age limit are eligible for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
- Assistant Professor Eligibility
- Candidates meeting the minimum qualifying marks (no age limit) are eligible for lectureship/ assistant professor positions.
Note: There is no interview; selection is entirely exam-based.
UGC NET Exam Pattern
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Papers | Two papers (conducted in a single session) |
| Paper I | Teaching & Research Aptitude – 50 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour |
| Paper II | Subject-specific – 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Languages | English & Hindi (except language-specific subjects) |
| Total Questions & Marks | 150 questions, 300 marks |
| Total Duration | 3 hours (no break) |
UGC NET Syllabus Overview
Paper I – Teaching & Research Aptitude
- Teaching aptitude
- Research aptitude
- Reading comprehension
- Communication
- Reasoning & logical reasoning
- Data interpretation
- Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
- People & environment
- Higher education system
Paper II – Subject-Specific
- Based on post-graduate specialisation
- Detailed syllabus available on the NTA official website
FAQs: NTA UGC NET December 2025
What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2025?
The last date to submit the online application is 7th November 2025. Make sure you complete it well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
Is there any interview for UGC NET?
No, selection is entirely based on the online exam score. JRF and Assistant Professor eligibility is determined from the merit list.
Can I choose any subject for UGC NET?
No, you can apply only for the subject of your post-graduation.
Are final year students eligible for UGC NET?
Yes, final-year Master’s students can apply, but they must submit proof of passing at the time of result declaration.
What is the exam pattern for UGC NET December 2025?
The exam is online (CBT) and objective type.
Paper I: Teaching & Research Aptitude – 50 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour
Paper II: Subject-specific – 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours
Total Duration: 3 hours, no negative marking
Who can apply for UGC NET December 2025?
Master’s degree holders or final-year students can apply. You must have 55% marks for General/EWS and 50% for OBC-NCL/ SC/ ST/ PwBD/ Third Gender.
Conclusion
The NTA UGC NET December 2025 is a golden opportunity for postgraduates aiming for Assistant Professor or JRF positions in Indian universities. Ensure you check eligibility, keep your documents ready, and submit your application before the last date.
For aspirants interested in science research, also check the CSIR UGC NET December 2025 for similar opportunities.
