NTA pushes UGC NET December 2026 application deadline to 31 Oct with no late fee

The National Testing Agency has pushed the online application deadline for the UGC NET December 2026 exam to 31 October 2026, 11:50 pm, and will not charge a late fee. The change was announced in a public notice dated 27 October 2026. The fee‑payment deadline has also been moved to the same date and time. NTA says the extension is meant to give candidates who have not yet finished their registration more time, and urges them to submit early to avoid technical glitches. Applications must be filed through the official portal ugcnet.nta.nic.in, and applicants should keep an eye on nta.ac.in for any further updates. By 25 October, 5,50,048 people had started the registration process, of which 3,73,419 had completed the form and paid the fee. All other conditions listed in the information bulletin and earlier notices remain unchanged. The UGC NET exam decides eligibility for the Junior Research Fellowship, assistant‑professor appointments and entry into PhD programmes for Indian nationals. Those meeting the prescribed criteria can earn a JRF, while the test also acts as a qualifying gateway for academic careers as assistant professors.

Context

The test is a nationwide eligibility exam used by Indian universities to ensure candidates meet research and teaching standards before granting fellowships, faculty posts or PhD seats.