INDNotice

UGC-NET December 2025 Information Bulletin

NOTIFICATIONAdded: 8 Oct 2025National Testing Agency (NTA) for University Grants Commission (UGC)

National Testing Agency (NTA) for University Grants Commission (UGC) - December 2025

About National Testing Agency (NTA)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an independent, autonomous, and self-sustained premier testing organization established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India (GOI). Its mandate is to conduct efficient, transparent, and international standard tests to assess the competency of candidates for admissions to premier higher education institutions. The NTA has been entrusted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) with the task of conducting UGC-NET.

About University Grants Commission (UGC)

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is a Statutory Body of the Government of India, Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education. It is responsible for providing funds and for the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards in institutions of higher education. Its mandate includes promoting and coordinating university education, setting standards for teaching and research, framing regulations, monitoring developments, disbursing grants, serving as a link between governments and institutions, and advising on improving university education.

University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET)

UGC-NET is a test conducted to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for:

  • Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor.
  • Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.
  • Admission to Ph.D. only.

Candidates qualifying for JRF are also eligible for Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission. Those qualifying for 'Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.' are eligible for both but not JRF. Candidates qualifying for 'admission to Ph.D. only' are eligible for Ph.D. admission but not JRF or Assistant Professor. NET scores for Ph.D. admission (Category-2 and Category-3) are valid for one year from the result declaration date.

Examination Scheme

  • Examination Name: UGC-NET December 2025
  • Mode of Examination: Computer Based Test (CBT) only.
  • Pattern of Examination: The test paper will consist of two sections, both comprising objective, multiple-choice questions. There will be no break between the papers.
    • Part I: 50 questions, 100 marks. Intends to assess teaching/research aptitude, reasoning ability, reading comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness.
    • Part II: 100 questions, 200 marks. Based on the subject selected by the candidate and assesses domain knowledge.
  • Total Duration: 03 hours (180 minutes).
  • Medium of Question Paper: English & Hindi only, except for language papers. The English version will be considered final in case of any ambiguity in translation/construction of a question.
  • Marking Scheme: Each question carries 02 (two) marks. No negative marking for incorrect responses.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Qualifying Examination:
    • General/Unreserved/General-EWS candidates: Must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in Master's Degree or equivalent examination recognized by UGC.
    • OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/PwBD/Third gender candidates: Must have secured at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in Master's Degree or equivalent examination.
    • Candidates appearing in their qualifying Master's degree (final year) examination, or whose results are awaited, may apply provisionally. They must complete their Master's degree with the required percentage within two years (for JRF/Assistant Professor) or one year (for Ph.D. only) from the NET result date.
    • Ph.D. degree holders whose Master's level examination was completed by 19 September 1991 are eligible for a 5% relaxation in aggregate marks (from 55% to 50%).
    • Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester bachelor's degree: Minimum 75% aggregate marks (or equivalent grade). 5% relaxation for reserved categories. Eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission, but not for Assistant Professor. Such candidates must complete their degree within two years (for JRF) or one year (for Ph.D. only) from the NET result date.
  • Age Limit and Relaxation:
    • Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Not more than 30 years as on 01.12.2025.
      • Relaxations: Up to 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, Third gender categories, and women applicants. Up to 5 years for research experience. 3 years for L.L.M. degree holders. Up to 5 years for service in armed forces. Total age relaxation not exceeding five years under any circumstances.
    • Assistant Professor: No upper age limit.
    • Admission to Ph.D.: No upper age limit.

Reservations

Reservation policy of the Government of India is applicable to UGC-NET in Central Universities and Institutions deemed to be Universities. The reservation of seats shall be as follows:

  • Scheduled Caste (SC): 15% of the seats.
  • Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5% of the seats.
  • Other Backward Classes (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer (NCL): 27% of the seats (as per Central List).
  • General-Economically Weaker Sections (General-EWS): 10% of the seats.
  • Persons with Disabilities (PwD) / Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): 5% of the seats within the above-mentioned categories, with 40% or more disability.

Registration and Application Process

  • Application Mode: Online only through the NTA Website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
  • Steps to Apply Online:
    1. Online Registration: Use your own Email ID and Mobile No.
    2. Fill Online Application Form: Note down the system-generated Application Number. Upload scanned images of a recent photograph (10Kb – 200Kb, color or black & white, 80% face without mask, visible ears against white background) and candidate's signature (4Kb – 30Kb).
    3. Pay Fee: Pay using SBI/CANARA/ICICI/HDFC Bank/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI via the payment gateway(s) integrated into the online application. Keep proof of fee paid.
    4. Confirmation Page: Download, save, and print a copy of the Confirmation Page after successful fee remittance for future reference.
  • Examination Cities: Candidates must select four cities of their choice. Allotment will be made based on preference, but NTA reserves the right to allot a different city due to administrative reasons.
  • Important Documents to Retain: At least four printouts of the Confirmation Page, proof of fee paid, and 6-8 passport size colored photographs (same as uploaded).

Key Challenges and Result

  • Display of Provisional Answer Key(s) for Challenges: Provisional Answer Key(s) and Question Papers attempted by candidates will be displayed on the NTA website (https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/) for two to three days. A non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 200/- per answer key challenged must be paid online.
  • Display of Recorded Responses: The NTA will display the Question Paper and attempted recorded responses on the NTA website (ugcnet.nta.nic.in) prior to result declaration, typically for two to three days.
  • Result Declaration Procedure:
    1. The number of candidates qualified for Assistant Professor will be 6% of the candidates who appeared in NET (both papers).
    2. Total slots will be allocated to different categories as per the Government of India's reservation policy.
    3. To be considered, candidates must have appeared in both papers and secured at least 40% aggregate marks (General/Unreserved/EWS) or 35% aggregate marks (reserved categories).
    4. Normalization procedure based on Percentile Score will be adopted for multi-shift papers.
    5. Result will be hosted on NTA website (https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/). No individual intimation will be sent.
  • Re-Evaluation/Re-Checking: There shall be no re-evaluation/re-checking of the result.

Unfair Means Practices and Breach of Examination Rules

Engaging in any unfair means practice, such as possession of prohibited items, impersonation, breaching exam rules, assisting other candidates, using electronic devices, or manipulating documents, will lead to debarment from all NTA exams for up to 3 years and/or criminal action. The result of such candidates will be cancelled.

Correspondence/Grievance

All grievances or correspondence related to the examination should be addressed to ugcnet@nta.ac.in. Communication must contain name, Registration/Application Number, postal address, and a valid contact number. Only matters related to the examination or center will be entertained. The NTA will preserve records for 90 days from the result declaration date. Legal jurisdiction for disputes will be Delhi/New Delhi only.

Address for Correspondence: First Floor, NSIC-MDBP Building Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi - 110020

Helpline: 011-40759000 Website: www.nta.ac.in

Disclaimer: This content is provided on a best-effort basis. While we strive for accuracy, please verify important information against the original official sources. If you find a typo or error, you can to report it.