UGC NET December 2025 is the next up coming cycle of the National Eligibility Test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for determining eligibilities for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor positions as well as Ph.D. admissions in Indian universities. This exam is conducted in two cycles each year-in June and December. The last cycle in June 2025 was held between 25th-29th June and its result was declared on 22nd July 2025, along with the cut-off marks, and final answer key. Now candidates preparing for the December 2025 cycle can also expect an official notification, which will probably be released in December 2025, about the upcoming exam, and which is currently tentatively planned for January 2026. This article offers the complete detail of the UGC NET December 2025 exam regarding age limit, qualification criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and more for your effective preparation.
-> The UGC NET exam is conducted bi-annually – in June and December cycles.
-> The UGC NET December 2025 Notification is expected to be released in December 2025, with the exam likely to be held in January 2026.
-> The UGC NET June 2025 Result has been released on the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in on 22nd July 2025.
-> The UGC NET exam takes place for 85 subjects, to determine the eligibility for 'Junior Research Fellowship’ and ‘Assistant Professor’ posts, as well as for PhD. admissions.
-> The exam comprises two papers - Paper I and Paper II. Paper I consists of 50 questions and Paper II consists of 100 questions.
-> The candidates who are preparing for the exam can check the UGC NET Previous Year Papers and UGC NET Test Series to boost their preparations.
UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) is an India level examination that tests eligibility for Assistant Professorship, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), and admission to Ph.D.s in Indian universities and colleges. The examination is organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of UGC. The June 2025 session saw the examination being conducted from 25th June to 29th June 2025 while the UGC NET 2025 result along with the final answer key and cut-off was declared on 21st July 2025 at ugcnet. nta.ac.in official website.
The UGC NET December 2025 exam is likely to be conducted in January 2026 as per the regulational biannual continuance. The application form for the December cycle is expected to be released in September 2025. This cycle will carry on with all the same assessment and eligibility criteria as it was before. Hence aspirants need to prepare themselves for the test as well as remain up to date with what is happening on the official portal.
What is UGC NET?
UGC NET is an exam that qualifies candidates for:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) – to pursue research with financial aid
- Assistant Professor roles – to teach in universities/colleges
- PhD Admission Eligibility – 70% weightage given to NET score, 30% to university interview
Who conducts it?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the exam for 85+ subjects twice a year—in June and December.
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UGC NET Notification 2025 PDF
The UGC NET December 2025 Notification is expected to be released in December 2025 on the official website – ugcnet.nta.ac.in. As per the standard biannual exam cycle followed by NTA, the notification usually comes out about a month before the exam. Since the exam is likely to be held in January 2026, candidates can expect the notification very soon, possibly in the first or second week of December 2025.
Once released, the notification PDF will contain:
- Application form dates
- Eligibility criteria
- Subject list and codes
- Reservation policies
- Updated exam pattern and syllabus (if revised)
- Instructions for online application
The official PDF will be downloadable here:
UGC NET June 2025 Notification PDF Download Link
Candidates are advised to keep an eye on the NTA portal and regularly check updates to avoid missing the application window. Candidates can refer the UGC NET 2025 June notification for reference
UGC NET Exam 2025: Overview
The UGC National Eligibility Test is a national-level eligibility test for JRF and Assistant Professor posts offered by higher education institutes across the country. As NTA released the NET 2025 Notification on 16th April, Postgraduates who wish to appear for the same can check the important dates and highlights of the National Eligibility Test 2025 in this article.
|
Exam Particulars |
Details |
|
Name of Organization |
|
|
UGC Full Form |
University Grants Commission |
|
Exam Conducting Body |
National Testing Agency |
|
Name of Examination |
UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) |
|
Level of Exam |
National |
|
Exam Frequency |
Twice a Year |
|
Exam Purpose |
Eligibility Test for
|
|
Exam Cycle |
December 2025 |
|
Notification Release Date |
TBA |
|
Start Date to Apply |
TBA |
|
Last Date to Apply |
TBA |
|
Last date for successful transaction of Examination fee |
TBA |
|
Application Correction Window |
TBA |
|
Duration of Examination |
180 minutes (03 hours) No break between Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
|
Timing of Examination |
First Shift: 09.00 am to 12.00 pm |
|
Mode of Exam |
CBT |
|
No. of Papers & Total Marks |
Paper 1: 100 Marks Paper 2: 200 Marks |
|
No. of Questions |
Paper 1: 50 Paper 2: 100 |
|
Marking Scheme |
Correct Answer: +2 Negative Marking for Wrong Answers: None |
|
Language of Exam |
Hidi/ English |
|
Helpdesk |
011-69227700 011-40759000 |
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includedUGC NET Exam Date 2025
The UGC NET December 2025 exam is expected to take place in January 2026, according to the regular biannual pattern usually followed by the NTA. No official schedule is out yet, but it is believed that the National Testing Agency (NTA) will declare the exam dates in December 2025, along with the in-depth notification. Aspirants preparing for this cycle need to go back to their books and keep their essential documents ready, as the exam might take place in the second or third week of January 2026. Keep checking the official website- ugcnet.nta.ac.in for urgent updates.
Tentative UGC NET December 2025 Exam Schedule
|
Event |
Date |
|
Notification Release |
December 2025 (Expected) |
|
Application Form Start Date |
December 2025 (TBA) |
|
Last Date to Apply |
December 2025 (TBA) |
|
Admit Card Release |
January 2026 (TBA) |
|
Exam Date |
TBA (Expected in January 2026) |
|
Provisional Answer Key |
TBA |
|
Final Answer Key & Result |
TBA |
UGC NET Latest Quizzes
Confident about all the subjects and topics for UGC NET? Take a short quiz and quickly get an idea about where you stand. Attempt now!
UGC NETUGC NET Registration Form 2025
The UGC NET 2025 Application Process is expected to begin in September 2025, as per the standard exam schedule followed by the National Testing Agency (NTA).Candidates wishing to be considered for the December session are advised to complete the online application form on the official UGC NET Website once the registration window opens. It is suggested that you keep your academic documents, scanned photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable) ready for the purpose of timely and smooth application processing.
UGC NET 2025 December Registration Timeline (Tentative)
|
Event |
Date |
|
Notification Release |
December 2025 (Expected) |
|
Application Start Date |
September 2025 (Expected) |
|
Application End Date |
TBA |
|
Last Date for Fee Payment |
TBA |
|
Correction Window |
TBA |
Once the registration opens, candidates will be able to fill out the UGC NET 2025 application form online only. Offline applications are not accepted.
Total Registered Candidates for UGC NET June 2025
Official statistics from the National Testing Agency (NTA), as reported by Times Now on 21 July 2025, show that 10,19,751 candidates had registered for the UGC NET examination in June 2025. Participation displayed a good number of female candidates, thus keeping alive the trend of gender diversity in higher education eligibility assessments.
Gender-Wise Registration & Participation
|
Category |
Number of Candidates |
Percentage |
|
Total Registered |
10,19,751 |
100% |
|
Female (Registered) |
5,91,012 |
57.94% |
|
Male (Registered) |
4,28,270 |
42.05% |
|
Third Gender (Registered) |
101 |
0.01% |
Out of these, 7,52,007 candidates appeared for the exam:
|
Category |
Number of Candidates Appeared |
Percentage |
|
Female (Appeared) |
4,47,005 |
59.42% |
|
Male (Appeared) |
3,05,000 |
40.57% |
|
Third Gender (Appeared) |
37 |
0.005% |
These figures highlight a higher turnout of female candidates both in terms of registration and actual participation. Candidates must note that these qualifications are based on the final normalized scores and strict UGC criteria. No requests for re-evaluation or re-checking will be entertained.
Steps to Register for UGC NET 2025 Exam
The UGC NET December 2025 application process will be conducted entirely online through the official NTA website – ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Candidates must complete the registration, fill out the application form, upload necessary documents, and pay the application fee to successfully apply. Below is a step-by-step summary to help you navigate the process with ease:
Step-by-Step UGC NET 2025 Registration (1-Liner Format)
- Step 1: Visit the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in.
- Step 2: Click on “Apply for UGC NET December 2025” and select “New Registration.”
- Step 3: Fill in basic details to generate your Application Number and Password.
- Step 4: Log in using your credentials to access the application form.
- Step 5: Enter personal, academic, and exam preference details.
- Step 6: Upload your recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature.
- Step 7: Pay the application fee through Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
- Step 8: Download and save the confirmation page and application summary.
UGC NET Application Fee
It is extremely important for all candidates planning to apply for the UGC NET December 2025 examination to be aware of the application fee structure. The fee payment is a mandatory step in the online application process, and without successful payment, the application will not be considered valid. The fee varies depending on the candidate’s category. Below is the category-wise application fee expected for the December 2025 cycle (as per the June 2025 structure, subject to confirmation in the official notification):
UGC NET December 2025 Application Fee Structure
|
Category |
Application Fee (INR) (As per June Cycle) |
|
UR (General) |
₹1150 |
|
General-EWS / OBC-NCL |
₹600 |
|
SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender |
₹325 |
Note: Candidates must pay the fee through online payment methods (Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI). No offline or cash payments are accepted. The final fee structure will be confirmed in the official UGC NET December 2025 notification, expected to be released in December 2025.
UGC NET Posts 2025
The UGC NET December 2025 examination offers candidates the opportunity to qualify for two prestigious academic and research roles in Indian higher education institutions — Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor. Based on their performance in the exam, candidates may become eligible for funded research programs (Ph.D.), teaching positions in colleges and universities, or both.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- Purpose: For full-time Ph.D. and research
- Benefits: ₹37,000/month (1st 2 years), ₹42,000/month (from 3rd year), HRA, UGC funding
- Age Limit: Max 30 years (Relaxation: 5 years for OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Women/Third Gender)
- Assistant Professor
- Purpose: For teaching roles in colleges/universities
- Benefits: Eligible for permanent/contractual jobs, academic promotions, Ph.D. optional
- Age Limit: No age limit
Quick Comparison Table
|
Post |
Age Limit |
Key Benefits |
|
JRF |
Max 30 yrs (with relaxation) |
Monthly stipend, HRA, Ph.D. admission support, UGC-funded |
|
Assistant Professor |
No limit |
Eligible for teaching positions, UGC promotions, flexible career path |
UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025
Before applying for UGC NET December 2025, candidates must ensure they meet the minimum eligibility conditions as specified by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC NET Eligibility Criteria is explained down below:-
Educational Qualification:
|
Criteria |
Details |
|
Postgraduate Qualification |
A Master’s degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognized university is mandatory |
|
Minimum Marks (General Category) |
55% aggregate in postgraduation |
|
Minimum Marks (Reserved Categories) |
50% aggregate for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Third Gender candidates |
|
Final Year Students |
Eligible to apply but must complete PG within 2 years of result |
|
4-Year UG Degree Holders |
Eligible for JRF & Ph.D. if they have 75% aggregate marks (New provision under NEP 2020) |
Note: Candidates holding a professional degree (e.g., MBA, M.Tech, M.Com, etc.) are also eligible, provided the degree is from a recognized institution.
UGC NET 2025 Syllabus
Candidates must be aware of the UGC National Eligibility Test Syllabus in order to prepare effectively for the exam. Details of the same are as follows: NET Paper 1 Syllabus
The important topics under NET Paper 1 Syllabus is discussed below-
- 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.
The NET Paper 2 Syllabus includes topics from the subject opted by the applicants.Subject chosen during application (e.g., Commerce, History, Geography, Political Science). There are 85 subjects in total. Ayurveda Biology was introduced as a new subject in 2025.
Also check - UGC NET Certificate Validity
UGC NET Certificate Validity
UGC NET 2025 Exam Pattern
The UGC NET December 2025 exam will be conducted in online mode through a Computer-Based Test (CBT). The exam pattern remains unchanged and consists of two papers conducted in a single 3-hour session. The detailed UGC NET December 2025 Exam Pattern is explained below.
|
Paper |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
Type |
Duration |
|
Paper I |
50 |
100 |
General Aptitude |
3 hours (No break) |
|
Paper II |
100 |
200 |
Subject-Specific |
|
|
Total |
150 |
300 |
MCQs (No negative marking) |
- Both papers are mandatory
- All questions are objective type (MCQs)
- No negative marking
- Language of the exam: Hindi & English
- Candidates can attempt questions in any order within the time limit
Download UGC NET Exam Schedule PDF
UGC NET Mock Test 2025
Taking mock tests is highly recommended for candidates appearing in UGC NET December 2025. It helps simulate the real exam environment and improves speed and accuracy.
Why Take Mock Tests?
- Familiarize with question pattern and difficulty
- Practice time management
- Identify weak areas for improvement
- Reduce exam-day anxiety
Platforms Offering UGC NET Mock Tests:
|
Platform |
Access Type |
Features |
|
NTA Mock Test Portal |
Free |
Official practice interface |
|
Testbook |
Paid/Free |
Full-length & sectional tests |
UGC NET Preparation Tips that will help you strategise your exam preparation.
UGC NET Preparation Tips
UGC NET June 2025 Exam Analysis
Although you will be appearing for the December 2025 cycle, it is important to understand the exam trends of June 2025, as they offer valuable insights for preparation.
Overall Analysis:
|
Subject |
Difficulty |
Key Observations |
|
Paper 1 |
Moderate |
Reasoning, Teaching Aptitude & Data Interpretation dominated |
|
Commerce |
Moderate |
Mix of theoretical and numerical |
|
History |
Moderate |
Chronological and factual questions |
|
Political Science |
Moderate to Difficult |
Theory-heavy with current affairs |
|
Sociology |
Moderate |
Focus on thinkers & Indian society |
Most students reported a balanced paper with no technical glitches.
UGC NET June 2025 Question Papers
Practicing previous year question papers is a proven and effective preparation strategy for any national-level exam, and UGC NET December 2025 is no exception. The UGC NET June 2025 question papers serve as a highly valuable resource for aspirants to understand the exam structure, gauge the difficulty level, and identify scoring topics.
Whether you're preparing for Paper 1 (General Aptitude) or Paper 2 (Subject-specific), solving previous year question papers will help you become exam-ready in a structured and confident manner.
Candidates can download memory-based and official question papers for:
- Practice
- Understanding question trends
- Improving speed & accuracy
Past year question papers are available on ugcnet.nta.ac.in
UGC NET 2025 Hall Ticket
The UGC NET Call Letter is released 3-5 days before the scheduled exam. Candidates can download their call letters only through the NTA UGC NET website. No hard copies are sent to any candidate. The admit card is an important document without which candidates can not enter the exam hall. It contains the exam date, shift, exam centre, and exam day instructions.
UGC NET June 2025 Final Answer Key
The final answer key for the June 2025 session was released on 21st July 2025. This version reflects the resolution of all objections raised by candidates against the provisional key.
UGC NET 2025 Cut Off
The UGC NET Cut Off Marks are also be announced on the NTA UGC NET website, in a few weeks after the exam. The cut-off is released subject-wise. Candidates need to score more than the respective category-wise cut-off for the subject they appeared for. Those who score less than the cut-off will be disqualified
Direct Link to Download UGC NET June 2025 Answer Key
Key Highlights:
- No further challenges are allowed after final release
- Marks calculated on basis of final key
- Candidates awarded +2 marks for dropped/invalid questions, only if attempted
For December 2025, the final answer key will be released after the exam and objection window closes, likely by February 2026.
UGC NET June 2025 Result
The UGC NET June 2025 result was declared on 21st July 2025 on ugcnet.nta.ac.in. A similar timeline can be expected for the December 2025 cycle, i.e., results in February 2026.
How to Check Result:
- Visit ugcnet.nta.ac.in
- Click on “Scorecard Download”
- Enter Application No., DOB, and Security PIN
- View/download the result
Qualification Overview (June 2025):
|
Category |
No. of Qualified Candidates |
|
JRF + Assistant Professor |
5,269 |
|
Assistant Professor + Ph.D. Admission |
54,885 |
|
Ph.D. Only |
1,28,179 |
UGC NET June 2025 Cut Off
The UGC NET Cut Off Marks are announced on the NTA UGC NET website. The cut-off is released subject-wise. Candidates need to score more than the respective category-wise cut-off for the subject they appeared for. Those who score less than the cut-off will be disqualified.
Key highlights about the UGC NET June 2025 Exam are:
- The exam comprises two papers - Paper 1 which is common for all candidates, while Paper 2 is a subject-specific test.
- Candidates can choose from 85 subjects from the subject list, based on the subject they have studied at the Master's level.
- Candidates with Master’s degrees or equivalent examinations from universities/ institutions recognised by UGC with a minimum of 55% Marks applied for the Exam.
- There is no upper age limit for the post of Assistant Professor.
- Candidates can choose to appear for the UGC NET exam for either JRF, Assistant Professor, or both posts or for Ph.D admissions.
|
Subject |
JRF + Assistant Professor |
Assistant Professor Only |
|
Commerce |
208 |
194 |
|
Computer Science |
212 |
198 |
|
Political Science |
210 |
194 |
|
English |
206 |
192 |
|
Economics |
210 |
196 |
|
History |
210 |
196 |
|
Management |
210 |
194 |
|
Psychology |
212 |
198 |
Marks are out of 300 (Paper I + II combined).
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|
Subjects |
PDF Link |
|
Download Free UGC NET Paper 1 Important Qs Important PDF Created by UGC NET Experts |
|
|
Grab the Free UGC NET Commerce Important Qs used by UGC NET Students |
|
|
Download Free UGC NET Political Science Important Qs Created by UGC NET Experts |
|
|
Exclusive Free History Important Questions crafted by top mentors |
|
|
Exclusive Free Geography Important Questions crafted by top mentors |
|
|
Download Free UGC NET Education Important Qs Created by UGC NET Experts |
|
|
Exclusive Free Sociology Important Questions crafted by top mentors |
|
|
Download Free UGC NET English Important Qs Created by UGC NET Experts |
|
|
Exclusive Free Economics Important Questions crafted by top mentors |
|
|
Download Free UGC NET Home Science Important Qs Created by UGC NET Experts |
|
|
Exclusive Free Psychology Important Questions crafted by top mentors |
Check complete information related to UGC NET from here!
Direct Link to Apply Online for UGC NET June 2025
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UGC NET Normalization Process
The UGC NET exam is conducted over multiple days and shifts, so raw scores are normalized to ensure fairness across all sessions.
How Normalization Works?
- Scores are calculated using percentile scores (not raw scores)
- The highest score in each shift is taken as the benchmark
- All other scores are adjusted proportionally
Formula Used:
Percentile Score = (Number of candidates who scored equal to or below your score ÷ Total candidates in that shift) × 100
This ensures a level playing field for all aspirants regardless of their shift.
About National Testing Agency (NTA)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Established in 2017, its purpose is to conduct standardized, transparent, and efficient entrance and eligibility exams.
Exams Conducted by NTA:
|
Exam |
Purpose |
|
UGC NET |
Eligibility for Assistant Professor / JRF |
|
NEET (UG) |
Medical admissions |
|
JEE Main |
Engineering admissions |
|
CUET UG/PG |
Central university admissions |
|
CSIR NET |
Science & research fellowships |
Why NTA?
- Uses Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for accuracy
- Maintains transparency and security
- Offers national-level access for millions of aspirants
|
UGC NET Important Questions |
|
Hopefully, this article is informative for all the candidates. The candidates can prepare for various other such examinations through live classes, online test series, mock tests, etc. by downloading the Testbook App..
