UGC-NET June 2026: Exam Dates, Pattern, Eligibility, Apply Now

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the Information Bulletin for the University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) June 2026. This is a crucial examination for Indian nationals aspiring for the ‘award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor’, ‘appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.’, or ‘admission to Ph.D. only’ in Indian universities and colleges. Candidates are invited to apply online for this Computer Based Test (CBT) scheduled from June 22 to June 30, 2026.

Quick Overview

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Important Dates

Application Fee

Candidates must pay the examination fee through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. Applicable service/processing charges & GST will be extra.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• General/Unreserved/General-EWS: At least 55% marks (without rounding off) in Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from UGC-recognized universities/institutions.
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/SC/ST/PwD/PwBD/Third gender: At least 50% marks (without rounding off) in Master’s degree or equivalent examination.
• Candidates pursuing their Master’s degree or equivalent course, or those who have appeared for their qualifying Master’s degree (final year) examination and whose result is still awaited, may apply provisionally. They must complete their Master’s degree with the required percentage within two years from the NET result date (one year for ‘Admission to Ph.D. Only’ qualifiers).
• Ph.D. degree holders whose Master’s level examination was completed by 19 September 1991 are eligible for a 5% relaxation in aggregate marks (i.e., from 55% to 50%) for appearing in NET.
• Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme must have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade. A relaxation of 5% marks is allowed for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, EWS and other categories. These candidates are eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission only, NOT for Assistant Professor.
• Candidates should appear in their Post-Graduation subject or a related subject if their PG subject is not in the NET list.

Age Limit and Relaxation (as on 01.06.2026)

Reservation Policy

The Government of India’s reservation policy applies to UGC-NET for Central Universities and Institutions deemed to be Universities:

• Scheduled Caste (SC): 15% of seats
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5% of seats
• Other Backward Classes (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer (NCL): 27% of seats (as per Central List)
• General-Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 10% of seats
• Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) (40% or more disability): 5% of seats within the respective categories.

How to Apply

Candidates must apply online through the NTA UGC-NET website. Multiple application forms for the same subject will lead to rejection. Follow these steps:

1. Online Registration: Visit ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Register using your valid Email ID and Mobile Number. Note down the system-generated Application Number.
2. Fill Application Form: Complete the online application form with personal, educational, and communication details.
3. Upload Documents:
   • Live Photograph: A recent photograph (10Kb-200Kb) in colour or black & white, with 80% face (without mask) visible, including ears against a white background.
   • Scanned Signature: Full signature in running handwriting (4Kb-30Kb) on white paper with blue/black ink. Full name in capital letters will not be accepted.
   • PwD/PwBD Disability Certificate/UDID: If applicable, upload with both sides in a single PDF (50Kb-300Kb).
4. Pay Application Fee: Pay the prescribed fee through SBI/CANARA/ICICI/HDFC Bank/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI. Keep proof of fee paid.
5. Download Confirmation Page: After successful payment, download, save, and print the Confirmation Page for future reference.

Note: The application form registration is enabled through the MeriPehchaan-National Single Sign-On (NSSO) platform for convenience. Ensure all details are correct as NTA will not entertain changes after the correction period.

Examination Scheme

Mode of Examination

• The UGC-NET June 2026 will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode only.

Pattern of Examination

The test paper consists of two sections, both with objective-type, multiple-choice questions. There will be no break between the papers.

Marking Scheme

• Each question carries 02 (two) marks.
• For each correct response, candidates will get 02 (two) marks.
• There is NO negative marking for incorrect responses.
• No marks will be given for un-answered/un-attempted/marked for Review questions.

Subject and Syllabus of Test

The list of UGC-NET subjects and their codes are provided in Appendix-II of the Information Bulletin. Candidates can download the detailed syllabus for all NET subjects from the UGC website: https://www.ugcnetonline.in/syllabus-new.php. NTA will not provide a hard copy of the syllabus.

Medium of Question Paper

• The medium of the Question Paper will be English & Hindi only, except for language papers.
• Candidates must carefully choose the medium of the Question Paper while filling the Application Form, as it cannot be changed later.
• In case of any ambiguity in translation, the English version of the question shall be treated as final.

Admit Card

The Admit Card for UGC-NET June 2026 will be issued provisionally to eligible candidates and will be available for download from the NTA website by June 15, 2026. Candidates will not receive admit cards by post or email.

How to Download Admit Card

1. Visit the official NTA UGC-NET website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
2. Look for the ‘UGC-NET June 2026 Admit Card Download’ link.
3. Click on the link and enter your Application Number and Date of Birth/Password.
4. Download and print your Admit Card.

Candidates are advised to read the instructions on the Admit Card carefully and verify all details. In case of any discrepancy in particulars, photograph, or signatures, contact the NTA Help Line immediately (09:30 am to 5:30 pm) or email ugcnet@nta.ac.in.

Documents Required on Exam Day

Candidates must carry the following documents to the examination centre:

• Printed copy of Admit Card: Downloaded from the NTA website.
• One passport size photograph: The same as uploaded on the Online Application Form, to be pasted on the Attendance Sheet at the centre.
• Original valid Photo ID proof: Any one of the following (must be original, valid, and non-expired) – PAN card, Driving License, Passport, Aadhaar Card (with photograph). Ensure the name on the ID matches the name on the Admit Card.
• PwD/PwBD certificate issued by the Competent Authority (if claiming relaxation).

Note: If your name has changed due to events like marriage, carry relevant legal documents (Marriage Certificate/Divorce Decree/Legal Name Change Document) for verification.

Exam Day Instructions

• Report to the Examination Centre two hours before the commencement of the examination for frisking and registration.
• The registration desk will close 30 minutes prior to the exam. No candidate will be permitted to enter after this time.
• Take your allotted seat immediately. Changing room/hall or seat on your own will lead to cancellation of candidature.
• Ensure the question paper on the computer matches your opted subject. Report any discrepancy to the Invigilator.
• Candidates are not allowed to carry any prohibited items such as stationery, communication devices, eatable items, ornaments, or any other material relevant or not relevant to the examination.
• Rough work must be done only on the blank sheets provided at the centre and must be handed over to the invigilator at the end of the test.
• No re-test will be held for candidates unable to appear on the scheduled date for any reason.

Answer Key & Objections

The NTA will display the Provisional Answer Key(s) and the Question Paper attempted by candidates on the official website (ugcnet.nta.nic.in) after the examination. The exact dates will be announced later.

Raising Objections

• Candidates can challenge the provisional answer keys by paying an online amount of Rs. 200/- per answer key challenged (non-refundable) as a processing fee.
• Only challenges made with proper justification/evidence within the stipulated time through the prescribed link will be considered.
• After reviewing objections, subject experts will finalize the answer key, and the result will be compiled based on this final key. No grievances regarding answer keys will be entertained after the result declaration.

Result Declaration

The result of UGC-NET June 2026 will be declared on the NTA website (ugcnet.nta.nic.in). Candidates will not be individually intimated about their results. The qualifying criteria decided by UGC will be final and binding.

Criteria for Declaration of Result

1. Assistant Professor: 6% of the candidates who appeared in NET (in both papers) will be qualified for eligibility for Assistant Professor.
2. Reservation Policy: Total slots will be allocated to different categories as per the Government of India’s reservation policy.
3. Minimum Marks: Candidates must appear in both papers and secure at least 40% aggregate marks for General (Unreserved)/General-EWS categories, and at least 35% aggregate marks for reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD/PwBD, Third gender) in both papers combined.
4. Normalization: For multi-shift papers, raw marks will be converted to NTA Score (percentile) for fair comparison. The lowest percentile will be the eligibility cut-off for that category across all shifts.

Note: There will be no re-evaluation or re-checking of results.

Preparation Tips

Effective Study Plan

• Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly go through the detailed syllabus for both Paper I (General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude) and Paper II (Subject-specific).
• Time Management: Allocate dedicated time for each paper and subject. Paper I is crucial as it’s common for all.
• Conceptual Clarity: For Paper I, focus on understanding concepts in teaching aptitude, research aptitude, reasoning, data interpretation, and comprehension. For Paper II, ensure deep knowledge of your chosen subject.
• Practice Regularly: Solve previous year’s question papers and mock tests to understand the exam pattern, time constraints, and types of questions asked.
• Note-Making: Create concise notes for quick revision, especially for theoretical subjects and important facts.
• Revision: Regular revision is key. Dedicate time weekly to revisit topics covered earlier.

Recommended Books

For Paper I (General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude):

For Paper II (Subject Specific): Refer to standard textbooks and reference materials for your Post-Graduation subject. UGC-NET often requires in-depth knowledge beyond basic university curricula.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is UGC-NET?

A1: UGC-NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test) is an exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and Ph.D. admission in Indian universities and colleges.

Q2: Is there negative marking in UGC-NET June 2026?

A2: No, there is no negative marking for incorrect responses in the UGC-NET June 2026 examination.

Q3: Can I apply for UGC-NET if my Master’s degree result is awaited?

A3: Yes, candidates pursuing their Master’s degree or with results awaited can apply provisionally. However, they must complete their Master’s degree with the required marks within two years (one year for Ph.D. only qualifiers) from the NET result date.

Q4: What is the age limit for Assistant Professor in UGC-NET?

A4: There is no upper age limit for applying for UGC-NET for Assistant Professor.

Q5: How can I download the UGC-NET June 2026 Admit Card?

A5: The Admit Card will be available for download on the official NTA UGC-NET website (ugcnet.nta.nic.in) from June 15, 2026. You will need your Application Number and Date of Birth/Password to log in.

Q6: What documents should I carry to the exam center?

A6: You must carry a printed copy of your Admit Card, one passport-size photograph (same as uploaded), and an original valid photo ID proof (PAN Card, Driving License, Passport, Aadhaar Card with photograph).

Q7: How are results declared for multi-shift exams?

A7: For subjects conducted in multiple shifts, NTA uses a Normalization Procedure based on Percentile Score to ensure fairness. Raw marks are converted to NTA Scores (percentiles) for merit list preparation.

Q8: Can I change my exam city after submitting the application?

A8: No, the option for the medium of question paper and choice of exam cities cannot be changed once the application is submitted. Candidates are advised to choose them carefully.