• The interested candidates may apply through the official portal ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
  
• The application period is between 7 October and 7 November 2025.

This is a test that is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the UGC umbrella, to help establish eligibility in the area of admission into a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor, and in some cases, PhD admissions.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to apply to UGC NET December 2025, the candidates have to satisfy:

• Educational Qualification: Master degree (or equivalent) in an approved university or academic centre.
  
• Minimum Percentage:
    • General / Unreserved / EWS: at least 55% aggregate in Master’s.
    • Reserved categories (SC / ST / PwD / OBC-NCL / Third Gender): 50% can be available.
  
  
• Age Limit for JRF: 30 years (in general category) There are relaxed (reserve) category relaxations.
  
• For Assistant Professor eligibility: No age limit.
  
• Applicants in their final years of their Master's degree are also eligible to apply (so long as they satisfy requirements of their degrees in the future).
  
  

Make sure that you review the official notification PDF regarding subject-specific requirements, special conditions and criteria of reserved category.

How to Register – Step by Step

1. Visit the official website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
   
2. Download the Notification / Information Bulletin PDF and read all instructions.
   
3. Click on the “Apply Online / Registration” link for the December 2025 session.
   
4. Create an account with some basic information: name, email, mobile, generate a username and password.
   
5. Fill application form: Select subject, category, educational qualifications, etc.
   
6. Upload documents: picture, signature, degree certificates, category certificate (in case).
   
7. Pay fee of application as per your category. (SC/ST rates General, OBC etc.) will be cited in the notification.
   
8. Send the form and print / save PDF of confirmation to use in the future.
   

Once the form has been submitted, a correction window might appear so that to rectify small mistakes (within the given time frame).

Application Fees

The application fee is category based. Historical and more recent - are

• General / Unreserved: ₹1,150
  
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), EWS: ~ ₹600
  
• SC / ST / PwD / Transgender: ~ ₹325 (or less)
  
  

Note: These are approximated fees depending on the last few cycles and news reports. The actual fee of December 2025 can always be found in the official notification.

Exam Pattern & Structure

The UGC NET exam in December 2025 will have a two-paper format, i.e., Paper 1 and Paper 2.

• Total marks: 300 marks (100 + 200)
• Marking scheme: +2 marks on every correct response; no deduction on incorrect responses.
  
• The two articles are both objective type (multiple choice questions).
  
• Paper 2 varies depending on your preferred subject (out of 85+ subjects).
  

The test is most commonly a computer based test (CBT).

Important Dates & Timelines

• Registration Start: 7 October 2025
  
• Last Date to Apply: 7 November 2025
  
• The date of the exams is still to be announced (stated by NTA in the future).
  

Keep on visiting the official site to know the release of the admit card, exam city allocation and the date of result.

Tips to Prepare & Succeed

• Understand Paper 1 syllabus:it includes Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, ICT etc.
  
• Paper 2: Study subject-wise (according to your discipline).
  
• Perform mock tests and previous year papers to become faster and more accurate.
  
• Manage time: should not do difficult questions at the beginning.
  
• Refer to official notification and syllabus PDF as guideline; do not make use of rumors.
  
• Prepare documentation and format pictures to be uploaded.
  

Who Should Apply & When It Makes Sense

The UGC NET exam is ideal for:

• Applicants who are interested in working as Assistant Professors in Indian universities and colleges.
  
• Aspirants wishing to have their PhD / research work funded by means of the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
  
• Students who already have, or will acquire a Master degree in due time.
  
  

Assuming you already have a research or teaching position or do not wish to pursue an academic career, NET can be less important- however, this qualification can often boost your hireability.

Stay with us for more.

FAQs

Q1. When does UGC NET December 2025 registration start and end?
Ans- Registration begins on 7 October 2025 and ends on 7 November 2025. 

Q2. What is the eligibility for UGC NET December 2025?
Ans- It requires you to have a Master degree (or equivalent) with minimum 55 percent (general) / 50 percent (reserved). The final year students can also apply.

Q3. What is the exam pattern for UGC NET 2025?
Ans- Two papers:
• Paper 1: 50 MCQs, 100 marks
• Paper 2: 100 MCQs, 200 marks
The overall time: 3 hours; no negative marking. 

Q4. Is there any age limit for the exam?
Ans- Yes, in the case of JRF it is the upper age limit of 30 years (relaxations). In the case of Assistant Professor, age is not limited. 

Q5. How do I apply and correct mistakes after submission?
Ans- Register through online application at ugcnet.nta.nic.in, complete all the details, attach documents, pay amount, apply. Then a window of correction will be opened with an opportunity to correct certain errors.