UGC NET December 2026 Registration: Key Dates, Late-Fee Rules and Exam Schedule

What’s New for the December 2026 NET Cycle?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened the application window for the UGC NET and the joint CSIR-UGC NET for December 2026. A new ₹500 late-fee window has been introduced, which has sparked a spike in searches for the term net on Google India.

UGC NET December 2026 – When to Apply and Pay

• Regular deadline: 28 October 2026 – no extra charge.
• Late-fee deadline: 31 October 2026 – an additional ₹500.
• Exam dates: 14–19 December 2026.

According to Jagran (9 October 2026), NTA has announced that late applications will attract an additional ₹500 fee, and that UGC NET December-session applications can be filed without any late fee until 28 October, with late-fee applications accepted until 31 October. The exam will be held between 14 and 19 December.

CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 – Application Window

• Application start: 7 October 2026.
• Regular deadline: 5 November 2026, 11:50 PM IST – no late fee.
• Late-fee window: 6–9 November 2026, until 11:50 PM IST – ₹500 extra.
• Exam dates: 19, 22 and 27 December 2026.
• Correction window: 10–12 November 2026.

Amar Ujala (8 October 2026) reports that applications opened on 7 October and can be submitted without a late fee until 5 November, with the late-fee facility available from 6 to 9 November. NTA will also allow corrections to submitted forms between 10 and 12 November 2026.

How the Late Fee Works

Both UGC NET and CSIR-UGC NET now charge a flat ₹500 extra for applications submitted after the regular deadline. The late window is only a few days long, so candidates should plan accordingly and verify the fee and payment process on the official NTA portals before applying.

Exam Format and Preparation Tips

Both exams are computer-based tests (CBT) of 3 hours (180 minutes), conducted in two shifts, with question papers in Hindi and English. CSIR-NET covers five science subjects, including chemical sciences, life sciences and physical sciences. Candidates should consult the official notifications on the NTA portals for detailed patterns and syllabi.

Why is “net” Trending?

Google Trends recorded approximately 200 searches for “net” in India on 9 October 2026, with 50% growth over the previous 24 hours. The spike coincides with the announcement of the new late-fee window and the opening of the December 2026 application cycle. Note that Trends data reflects search interest only, not confirmation of policy details.

Quick Reference Table

Exam	Regular Deadline	Late-Fee Deadline	Exam Dates
UGC NET Dec 2026	28 Oct 2026	31 Oct 2026	14–19 Dec 2026
CSIR-UGC NET Dec 2026	5 Nov 2026	6–9 Nov 2026	19, 22, 27 Dec 2026

Bottom Line

If you plan to sit for the UGC NET or CSIR-UGC NET in December 2026, act fast: the regular deadlines are only weeks away and the late-fee window is short. Double-check your details before submission and rely on the official portals for updates. Sources: Jagran, Amar Ujala, Google Trends.