CBSE UGC NET 2026 — At a Glance
About CBSE UGC NET 2026
UGC NET 2026 is a national-level eligibility test conducted by NTA on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to determine eligibility for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges
Main Overview
National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release UGC NET June 2026 Admit Card soon on its official website, ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Candidates appearing for the June session exam will be able to download their hall tickets using their application number, date of birth, and security pin. UGC NET June 2026 exam is scheduled to be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from June 22 to June 30, 2026, across various exam centres nationwide. Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card to the exam centre, as entry will not be permitted without it.
Download UGC NET June 2026 Admit Card (Link Active Soon)
What is UGC NET Exam?
University Grant Commission - National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a national-level eligibility test for the post of Junior Research Fellowship, Assistant Professor and for admission in PhD in any Indian University/College conducted by National Testing Agency. The Exam is conducted twice a year, mainly in June and December. The number of attempts is not limited. For more updates, check the NTA UGC NET notification.
The following categories determine candidate eligibility for Indian universities and colleges:
Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD
Admission to PhD only
UGC NET June 2026 Highlights
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Conducting Body | NTA (National Testing Agency) |
Exam Name | UGC NET |
Exam Mode | Online (Computer-based Test) |
Official Website | ugcnet.nta.ac.in |
Exam Medium | English/Hindi |
UGC Helpline Number | 011-69227700011-40759000 |
UGC NET 2026 Exam Dates
Check the table below for UGC NET June 2026 exam dates and other important dates:
Event | Date |
|---|---|
UGC NET June 2026 Notification Release Date | April 29, 2026 |
UGC NET June 2026 Online Application Starts | April 29, 2026 |
UGC NET June 2026 Online Application Last Date | May 23, 2026 (upto 11:50 PM) |
UGC NET June 2026 Last Date for Fee Payment | May 23, 2026 (upto 11:50 PM) |
UGC NET June 2026 Correction Window | May 25, 2026 to May 27, 2026 (upto 11:50 PM) |
UGC NET June 2026 City Intimation Slip | June 2026 |
UGC NET June 2026 Admit Card Release Date | June 2026 |
UGC NET June 2026 Exam Date | June 22, 2026 to June 30, 2026 |
UGC NET June 2026 Answer Key Release Date | To be announced soon |
UGC NET June 2026 Result Declaration | To be announced soon |
CBSE UGC NET Exam Date
CBSE UGC NET Exam Events | CBSE UGC NET Exam Dates |
|---|---|
Jun 22, 2026 - Jul 30, 2026 |
UGC NET 2026 Notification
UGC NET Notification 2026 June has been released on the official website of UGC NET. It contains full information regarding the exam, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, application process and fee details, along with important instructions for the candidates.
UGC NET 2026 Eligibility
UGC NET Eligibility 2026 will be decided upon the parameters like nationality, age and educational qualifications of the candidates. Eligible candidates can submit their application by registering themselves through the official website of UGC NET.
UGC NET 2026 Educational Qualification
The following are the educational qualifications that are required for UGC NET exam 2026:
(i) A master’s degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognised university/institution is required.
General / EWS candidates: minimum 55% aggregate marks.
OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender candidates: minimum 50% aggregate marks.
(ii) Final-year Master’s students (whose results are awaited) can also apply; their eligibility will be considered provisionally once results are declared.
(iii) Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor’s/8-semester degree (UG) with at least 75% marks may also be eligible for JRF and PhD admission (but not for Assistant Professor).
UGC NET 2026 Age Limit
There is no Age limit for the eligibility of Assistant Professor and admission to PhD. However, there is an upper age limit for the candidates appearing for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) as shown below:
Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
Unreserved | 30 |
OBC-NCL | 35 |
SC/ST | 35 |
Third Gender | 35 |
PwD | 35 |
Women | 35 |
Candidates holding an LLM Degree | 33 |
Ex-Servicemen (subject to the length of service) | 35 |
Prior Research experience (Limited to the period spent on research) | Up to 35 |
UGC NET 2026 Nationality Criteria
Candidates belonging to Indian Nationality are eligible to apply for UGC NET 2026. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are also eligible to apply.
UGC NET 2026 Exemption (Eligibility for Assistant Professor)
As per the previous years' guidelines, candidates with the following qualifications are eligible to enrol for the role of Assistant Professor in any Indian University/College without UGC NET:
Candidates who have qualified SET Exam before 01 June 2002.
Candidates who have passed UGC/CSIR/JRF Exam before 1989.
Candidates must check UGC NET Eligibility 2026 to know more about it.
UGC NET 2026 Application Process
UGC NET Application Process 2026 has begun from April 29 to May 20, 2026, on the official website of UGC NET. Candidates can follow the instructions given below to fill their UGC NET Application Form 2026:
Step 1: Visit the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in and click on the UGC NET 2026 Application link.
Step 2: Tick the declaration checkbox and register using your basic details. Use your own email ID and mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
Step 3: Generate and enter the OTP. Note down the Application Number and Password displayed after successful registration.
Step 4: Log in and fill in personal details such as name, parents’ names, DOB, gender, and ID number.
Step 5: Enter contact details, category, academic qualifications, subject details, and select preferred exam cities.
Step 6: Upload a photograph (10-200 kb) and a signature (4-30 kb) along with other required documents in the prescribed format.
Step 7: Preview the form, pay the application fee using a card, net banking, or UPI, and download the confirmation page.
UGC NET Application Fee
UGC NET Fee can be paid by online mode of payments only. The following are the Application Fee structures for various categories:
Category | Fee |
|---|---|
General | Rs 1150 |
General-EWS/ OBC-NCL | Rs 600 |
SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender | Rs 325 |
In case of a cancelled payment, a refund will be granted to your bank account within 15 days.
Note: Do not refresh or go back while the payment is processed. It may lead to cancellations.
UGC NET 2026 Admit Card
UGC NET Admit Card for June 2026 will be available a few days before the exam date. Candidates can download their UGC NET June 2026 Admit Card through the official website of UGC NET by following the given instructions:
Step 1: Go to the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in
Step 2: Click on ‘UGC NET 2026 June Admit Card’ in the ‘Latest News’ section.
Step 3: Enter the required credentials.
Step 4: Click on the ‘Submit’ button to view your Admit card.
Step 5: Download the pdf of your Admit card.
Carry a hard copy of your Admit card to your Exam Centre on the exam day.
UGC NET 2026 Syllabus
UGC NET 2026 Exam will be, as per the previous pattern, divided into two parts, called Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 focuses on the general ability and knowledge of the candidates, whereas Paper 2 requires a deep understanding of the particular subject opt by the candidate.
UGC NET Paper 1 Syllabus
It is a General Ability Test, and is common for all candidates. It has the following subject matter-
Teaching aptitude
Research aptitude
Comprehension
Communication
Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude
Logical Reasoning
Data Interpretation
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
People, Development and Environment
Higher Education System
UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus
It consists of subject-specific matter and can be chosen by candidates according to their subject-specific eligibility. Each subject has a Unique Code. The following are the Unique Subject Codes and Subject details of some widely chosen subjects:
Subject Code | Subject | Topics |
|---|---|---|
30 | English | Drama, Poetry, Literary criticism, English in India, Fiction and non-fiction, Literary aries, cultural studies, research methods |
08 | Commerce | Business Environment and International Business, Accounting and Auditing, Business Economics, Business Finance, Business Statistics, Business Management and HR Management, Banking and Financial Institutions, Marketing Management, Legal Aspects of Business, Income-tax and Corporate Tax Planning. |
09 | Education | Educational Studies, History, Politics and Economics of Education, Learner and Learning Process, Teacher Education, Curriculum Studies, Research, Pedagogy, Andragogy and Assessment, Technology in/ for Education, Educational Management, Administration and Leadership, Inclusive Education |
04 | Psychology | Emergence of Psychology, Research Methodology and Statistics, Psychological testing, Biological basis of behaviour, Attention, Perception, Learning, Memory and Forgetting, Thinking, Intelligence and Creativity, Personality, Motivation, Emotion, Stress and Coping, Social Psychology, Human Development and Interventions, Emerging Areas |
Check the Detailed UGC NET 2026 Syllabus here.
UGC NET 2026 Exam Pattern
UGC NET 2026 exam will consist of two Papers, and both papers will be objective-type, multiple-choice questions. There will be no break between the Papers.
Paper | Types of Questions | Marks | No. of Questions | Total Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | General Ability Test: Common for all candidates. General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Qualitative Aptitude, Comprehension, General Knowledge, and Computer basics. | 100 | 50 | 03 hours (180 minutes) without any break.All the questions are compulsory. |
2 | Subject Specific Test to check the domains of knowledge. | 200 | 100 |
Note: There will be no negative markings in UGC NET 2026.
Candidates must check UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026 to know the paper-wise exam pattern and marking scheme
UGC NET 2026 Exam Centres
Exam Centres for UGC NET 2026 can be selected by candidates while filling the Application form. Once you have selected your preferred cities, one of them will be mentioned on your Admit card. The seats in a particular venue are limited; it is advisable to fill out UGC NET application form at the earliest. Check the table below for some of UGC NET 2026 Exam Centres:
State/National Territories | Cities |
|---|---|
Delhi (NCT) | New Delhi |
Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Aligarh, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi |
Haryana | Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Karnal, Kurukshetra |
Andhra Pradesh | Anantapur, Guntur, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram |
Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Anand, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara |
Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Silchar |
UGC NET 2026 Answer Key
UGC NET Answer Key 2026 June session will be available on the official website of UGC NET shortly after the commencement of the exams for all the subjects. Check below the steps to get your answer key:
Step 1: Go to the official website of UGC NET ugcnet.nta.ac.in
Step 2: Click on ‘UGC NET Answer Key’ under ‘Latest Announcements’.
Step 3: Log in with your credentials (Application number and Date of Birth)
Step 4: View and download your provisional Answer Key.
UGC NET 2026 Answer Key can be challenged by candidates in case of any discrepancies by paying Rs 200 per question. The conducting body reviews the challenges and publishes the final answer key accordingly.
UGC NET 2026 Result
UGC NET Results for June 2026 will be released after the commencement of the exam and will be available for candidates to download through the official website of UGC NET. Follow the given steps to download your UGC NET Result:
Step 1: Go to the official website of UGC NET ugcnet.nta.ac.in
Step 2: Click on ‘UGC NET Result’ link in ‘Latest Announcements’.
Step 3: Log in with your credentials (Application Number, Date of Birth and fill the Captcha.)
Step 4: View and Download your UGC NET Scorecard.
UGC NET 2026 Result Scorecard is a necessary document for applying to JRF, Assistant Professor, and to take admission into PhD
UGC NET 2026 Cutoff
UGC NET Cutoff 2026 June for all subjects will be released soon with the declaration of the result on the official website. The final Cutoff varies according to the Subjects and categories. Mentioned below are UGC NET Cutoff June 2025 for some subjects:
Subject | JRF | Assistant Professor | PhD Only |
|---|---|---|---|
English | 188 | 166 | 146 |
Commerce | 224 | 194 | 166 |
Political Science | 244 | 218 | 186 |
Education | 206 | 182 | 158 |
(Shown above are the cutoffs based upon the General category; other category Cutoffs vary subject wise and are lower than the General category.)
UGC NET 2026 Preparations
For Paper 1, candidates can refer to PYQ’s and Practice sets. For Paper 2, a deep knowledge of the chosen subject is required. The following are some preparation strategies that can be followed:
Textbooks: Textbooks are the preferred primary source. Candidates can also consider Textbook guides based on different publications as per their subject needs.
Mock Test: Regular practise of the Mock Test can be very helpful in the preparations. Through Mock Tests, candidates can also prepare for time management as well.
Previous Year Questions: Candidates are suggested to revisit the Previous Year Question Bank to understand the pattern and topic-wise question distribution.
E-Learning: Candidates can look out for exam preparation courses on PREPP, etc or can go through several YouTube channels according to their subject and topic requirements.
Articles and Essays: To grasp updated knowledge of their subject, candidates are advised to go through the latest research papers, articles, and essays available online.
Applicants are required to fill in all the data correctly in the Application form, as any misleading information leads to the cancellation of the application. Refund for the Application form fee and Answer Key challenge fee in any case is ineligible.
UGC NET 2026 FAQs
Ques: I change my subject or category after submission of UGC NET application 2026?
Ques: Can candidates with distance/online degrees apply for UGC NET 2026?
Ques: How many attempts are possible for UGC NET JRF 2026?
Ques: Does UGC NET 2026 have negative markings?
Ques: Can candidates from foreign universities apply for UGC NET 2026?
Ques: Where can I get UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers?
Ques: What are the three categories of UGC NET Qualification 2026?
Ques: What is the 99 percentile in UGC NET 2026?
Ques: Are there any UGC NET helpline numbers for queries?
Ques: Can I change my city after submitting my UGC NET form 2026?