UGC NET
University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test
UGC-NET is conducted by NTA for the University Grants Commission in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across a broad range of subjects. It determines eligibility in three categories: award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) with appointment as Assistant Professor and PhD admission; appointment as Assistant Professor and PhD admission; and PhD admission only. Paper 1 assesses teaching and research aptitude — reasoning, reading comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness; Paper 2 is based on the subject the candidate chooses. For PhD admission under categories 2 and 3, NET marks carry 70% weight and the university's interview 30%, and they count for one year from the result; JRF-qualified candidates are admitted to a PhD through an interview. NTA publishes subject- and category-wise cut-off marks with each result.
Frequency
A June and a December cycle each year (e.g. the December 2025 and June 2026 cycles, each with its own bulletin); the June 2026 exam was held in June–July 2026, with a re-exam for three subjects on 9–10 September 2026 — confirm the next cycle on ugcnet.nta.nic.in
Duration
3 hours (180 minutes) — Paper 1 and Paper 2 in one sitting with no break
Format
Computer-based
Score range
300 — Paper 1: 50 questions (100 marks); Paper 2: 100 questions (200 marks); 2 marks per correct answer, no negative marking
Eligibility
For Indian nationals. A Master's degree or equivalent with at least 55% (50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and third-gender candidates); final-year Master's students may apply provisionally. A four-year bachelor's degree with at least 75% (5% relaxation for eligible categories) qualifies for JRF and PhD admission, but not for Assistant Professor. JRF upper age limit: 30 years as on 1 June 2026, with relaxations; no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD admission. (UGC-NET June 2026 bulletin)
Conducting body
National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC)
Registration fee
UGC-NET June 2026: ₹1,150 General/Unreserved; ₹600 Gen-EWS/OBC-NCL; ₹325 SC/ST/PwD/PwBD/third gender; bank or gateway processing charges and GST extra
Source: National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: UGC-NET — official portal (NTA); NTA — UGC-NET June 2026 Information Bulletin (as on 30.04.2026); NTA — press release: declaration of UGC-NET June 2026 results (28 Aug 2026).
Last verified: 30 September 2026.
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