UGC-NET December 2026: last date to apply extended to 31 October, no late fee
NTA said in a notice dated 27 October 2026 that the last date for submitting the online application form for UGC-NET December 2026 has been extended to 31 October 2026 up to 11:50 PM. It applies to candidates who want to appear for JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility or Ph.D. admission and have not yet completed their application.
What this means for you
If you want to appear for UGC-NET December 2026 and have not filled the form yet, you can now apply and pay the examination fee until 11:50 PM on 31 October 2026. No late fee applies for this extended window. NTA advises candidates not to wait for the last day, to avoid technical problems at the end.
Key facts
- New last date for online application: 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM
- Last date for successful transaction of examination fee: also 31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM
- No late fee for applications in the extended window
- Notice date: 27 October 2026
- The exam decides eligibility for JRF, appointment as Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission
- All other terms and conditions remain unchanged
What has changed
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the last date for submitting the online application form for the UGC-NET December 2026 Examination. Candidates can now apply until 11:50 PM on 31 October 2026. The last date for a successful transaction of the examination fee is also the same.
The notice states that the extended date comes without any late fee. Candidates who have not yet completed their application can therefore still apply in the normal way.
What the exam is for
UGC-NET is conducted to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to Ph.D. programmes in Indian universities and colleges.
JRF is a research fellowship given to students doing research. Assistant Professor is a teaching post in a university or college.
Who benefits
Candidates who want to appear for UGC-NET December 2026 but have not yet submitted their online application or paid the fee. NTA said the decision was taken in the interest of candidates.
What to do next
NTA has advised candidates to complete their application well before the revised deadline so that they do not face last-minute technical difficulties.
According to the notice, all other terms and conditions mentioned in the Information Bulletin and earlier public notices remain unchanged. Only the date has changed, not the other application rules.
Where to get information
Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official NTA websites https://nta.ac.in and https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in for the latest updates. The notice also lists the e-mail [email protected] for contact.
Questions and answers
What is the last date to apply for UGC-NET December 2026?
31 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM. NTA extended the date through its public notice dated 27 October 2026.
Do I have to pay a late fee now?
No. According to the notice, applications submitted by the extended date can be made without any late fee.
Till when can I pay the examination fee?
Up to 11:50 PM on 31 October 2026. The last date for a successful fee transaction is the same.
What is UGC-NET held for?
To determine eligibility for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to Ph.D. programmes in Indian universities and colleges.
Where can I check updates?
On the official NTA websites https://nta.ac.in and https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The notice asks candidates to visit these regularly.
Source: NTA, "Extension of Last Date for Submission of Online Application Form for UGC-NET December 2026 Examination – Reg.", 27 October 2026. Read the original notice
This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing. Report an error