UGC NET December 2026 exam rules revised, NTA releases updated information brochure

The NTA has released an updated bulletin revising rules for UGC NET December 2026. Candidates must review changes covering city preferences, centre entry, evaluation and footwear.The updated bulletin is available on the official UGC NET website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released an updated Information Bulletin for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2026 session. The updated UGC NET 2026 December information bulletin introduces revisions and clarifications to several examination-related provisions.The updated bulletin is available on the official UGC NET website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The changes cover examination city preferences, evaluation of questions marked for review, entry deadlines at examination centres, footwear guidelines and other instructions for candidates.UGC NET DECEMBER 2026: WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE UPDATED BULLETIN?The revised document contains changes to provisions included in the original bulletin issued on October 8, 2026. Candidates should review the updated guidelines before appearing for the examination.ParticularsEarlier bulletin (October 8)Updated bulletin (October 16)Evaluation of questionsThe original instructions stated that questions marked for review without a saved answer would not be evaluated.Answered questions marked for review will be evaluated if the response has been saved. Unanswered questions will not be evaluated.Examination city preferencesCandidates were required to select four examination cities within the state of their permanent or present address.If fewer than four cities are available in the relevant state or Union Territory, candidates may select from the available options. Eligible candidates may revise their preferences during the correction window.Gate closing timeThe earlier bulletin specified that candidates arriving after the gate closing time would not be permitted to enter.The updated instructions explicitly state that examination centre gates will close 30 minutes before the examination begins.Footwear guidelinesThe earlier dress-code provision permitted slippers and low-heeled sandals and prohibited heavy shoes.Normal shoes, slippers and low-heeled sandals are permitted; long boots are not allowed.Own-scribe undertakingThe undertaking for candidates using their own scribe was listed under Annexure IX.The undertaking is now listed under Annexure VII.UGC NET DECEMBER 2026: REVISED EXAMINATION SCHEDULEAccording to the updated bulletin, the examination will be conducted on December 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21, 2026. The test will be held in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. The application window opened on October 8 and will close on October 28, 2026. Candidates who require additional time may submit their applications with the prescribed late fee within the specified deadline.UGC NET DECEMBER 2026 DATESEventDateOnline application processOctober 8–28, 2026Application submission with late feeOctober 29–31, 2026Application correction windowNovember 2–4, 2026Examination city intimation slipNovember 23, 2026Admit card availabilityDecember 7, 2026UGC NET December 2026 examinationDecember 14–18 and December 21, 2026UGC NET DECEMBER 2026: EXAMINATION PATTERNThe NTA will conduct the examination in CBT mode. The question paper will comprise two sections, Paper 1 and Paper 2, both containing objective-type multiple-choice questions. The examination will have a total duration of three hours, with no break between the two papers. Candidates should check the instructions provided in the updated bulletin and their admit cards before the examination.UGC NET DECEMBER 2026: APPLICATION FEEThe category-wise examination fee specified by NTA is listed below. Applicable payment gateway charges and GST may be payable separately.CategoryExamination feeGeneral/UnreservedRs 1,150General-EWS/OBC-NCLRs 600SC/ST/Third GenderRs 325PwD/PwBDRs 325Candidates submitting applications during the late-fee period must pay an additional Rs 500 over and above the applicable examination fee.Candidates are advised to rely on official NTA notices for any further changes to the examination schedule, application process or examination guidelines.The UGC NET is conducted to determine eligibility for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to PhD programmes, according to the applicable qualification categories.- Ends