Registration Opens for Joint CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Examination

Registration Details

The National Testing Agency has started the online registration process for the Joint CSIR UGC NET December 2026 examination. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official website at csirnet.nta.nic.in. The deadline to apply is November 5, 2026, up to 11:50 pm. Applicants who miss this regular deadline can use a late application window running from November 6 to November 9, 2026, by paying an additional late fee of ₹ 500. The application correction window will open on November 10 and close on November 12, 2026.

Fees and Structure

The application fee is ₹ 1150 for General category candidates, ₹ 600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates, and ₹ 325 for SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, and Third Gender candidates. Candidates can pay the fees using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI, keeping the payment proof for future reference. Bank processing charges and applicable GST are extra. The exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test mode for a duration of 180 minutes across five subjects: Chemical Sciences; Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences; Life Sciences and Biotechnology; Mathematical Sciences; and Physical Sciences. The medium of the question paper will be available in both Hindi and English.

Exam Schedule

The examination is scheduled for December 19, 22, and 27, 2026. It will take place in two shifts nationwide: the first shift runs from 9 am to 12 noon, and the second shift operates from 3 pm to 6 pm. The test consists of three parts featuring objective-type, multiple-choice questions with no breaks between papers. The test determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowship, appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to Ph.D. programmes in Indian universities and colleges.

Context

National level tests like the CSIR UGC NET are held twice a year to screen candidates for research grants and teaching posts in higher education institutions across India. Standardized computer-based testing allows the National Testing Agency to manage large groups of science aspirants efficiently across multiple exam centres.