UGC NET December 2026: NTA Revises Exam Rules, Check Updated Guidelines and Dates

The UGC NET December 2026 exam rules have been revised after the National Testing Agency (NTA) released an updated Information Bulletin on October 16. The changes clarify several examination-related instructions that candidates must review before appearing for the test.

The revised bulletin covers examination city preferences, the evaluation of questions marked for review, entry deadlines at exam centres, footwear guidelines and the undertaking required for candidates using their own scribes. Candidates can access the updated document through the official UGC NET website.

UGC NET December 2026: Key Changes in Exam Rules

The updated bulletin modifies or clarifies provisions included in the original document issued on October 8.

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1. Evaluation of questions: Answered questions marked for review will be evaluated if the responses have been saved. Unanswered questions will not be evaluated.
2. Examination city preferences: Candidates may select from the available cities if fewer than four options exist in their relevant state or Union Territory. Eligible candidates can revise preferences during the correction window.
3. Entry deadlines: Examination centre gates will close 30 minutes before the examination begins. Candidates should plan their arrival accordingly.
4. Footwear guidelines: Normal shoes, slippers and low-heeled sandals are permitted, while long boots are not allowed.
5. Own-scribe undertaking: The undertaking for candidates using their own scribe has been moved from Annexure IX to Annexure VII.

Candidates should read the updated bulletin carefully to avoid confusion over the revised instructions.

UGC NET December 2026: Important Dates

According to the updated schedule, the examination will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode on December 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21, 2026.

UGC NET 2026: Exam Pattern and Application Fee

The examination comprises two objective-type papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, conducted over a total duration of three hours without a break.

The category-wise examination fees specified in the bulletin are:

Candidates applying during the late-fee period must pay an additional ₹500, apart from applicable payment gateway charges and GST.

Why Candidates Should Check the Revised Bulletin

UGC NET determines eligibility for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD programmes, subject to the applicable qualification categories.

Candidates should rely on official NTA announcements for further updates and verify their examination instructions, application details and admit card information before the test.