UGC NET December 2025: Notification, Application Dates, Exam Schedule, Syllabus & Pattern
The UGC NET December 2025 session notification is out now. NTA has released the notice for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2025 exam on September 25, with the application window closing on October 24, 2025. The exam is scheduled for December 18, 2025. The exam determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for ‘Assistant Professor’ as well as ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor’ in Indian Universities and Colleges.
Scroll down for more details about the UGC NET 2025 exam, including how to apply, eligibility criteria, application form, and more.
UGC NET December 2025 Exam Overview
This is the schedule of examination activities:
| Feature | Detail |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Online Application Dates | 25 September 2025 to 24 October 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 25 October 2025 (up to 11:50 P.М.) |
| Correction Window | 27–29 October 2025 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Announcement of Exam City | A few days before the exam |
| Admit Card Release | A few days before the exam |
| Date of Exam | December 18, 2025 |
| Exam Duration & Shifts |
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| Medium of Exam | English & Hindi |
| Subjects / Test Papers |
|
| Application Fee |
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| Final Answer Key | Before the final result declaration |
| Final Result | After final answer key release |
| Official Websites | ugcnet.nta.ac.in csirnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET December 2025 Application Process
How to Apply
Candidates will generally proceed through the following steps once the notification is out for UGC NET December 2025:
- Visit ugcnet.nta.ac.in
- Click on the New Registration.
- Complete a little personal and academic information.
- Add scanned picture and signature (JPEG/size according to the guidelines).
- Make the necessary application fee as per the category.
- It will send the form, and you can download the confirmation/acknowledgement page.
- Fix the minor mistakes using the correction window (when available).
Application Fee
- General (Unreserved): ₹1,150
- OBC/EWS: ₹600
- SC / ST / PwD / Transgender: ₹325
These figures are based on past trends; final amounts will be announced in the official notification.
UGC NET December 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | September 25, 2025 |
| Application Start Date | September 25, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | October 24, 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | October 25, 2025 |
| Exam Date | December 18, 2025 |
UGC NET December 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Although the requirements to be eligible in December 2025 are not finalised yet, they are likely to follow the current standards:
- The minimum marks required for UGC NET December 2025 are 55 per cent (in the general category) and a master's degree (or equivalent).
- Candidates with reserved categories (SC / ST / OBC / PwD, etc.) can have relaxation of aggregate marks.
- No age restriction exists regarding the eligibility to apply to be an assistant professor.
- In the case of JRF and assistant professor, age is usually limited to (say) 30 years (with relaxations in the case of reserved categories).
- There may also be some regulations regarding failing in previous UGC NET cycles, subject-wise eligibility and previous qualifications.
- These eligibility norms are based on previous cycles of UGC NET. (The candidates should verify the completed criteria based on the 2025 notification.)
UGC NET 2025 – Reservation Policy (Category-wise)
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 5% (horizontal reservation across all categories) |
| Unreserved (General) | Remaining seats after the reserved categories |
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The UGC NET 2025 exam (both June and December sessions) follows a consistent pattern.
Structure & Format
| Paper | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
| Paper 1 | 50 questions | 2 marks | 100 |
| Paper 2 | 100 questions (subject-specific) | 2 marks | 200 |
| Combined | 150 questions | – | 300 |
- Time: Both papers will take a total of 3 hours
- Mode: Computer-based (CBT) mode.
- Type of question: There will be multiple-choice questions (MCQ)
- Marking Scheme: +2 marks for every correct answer
- Negative Marking: No negative marking for incorrect answers.
- Medium: English and Hindi (choose one)
Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude)
Paper 1 is a general aptitude test, typical topics include:
- Teaching Aptitude
- Research Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
- Communication
- Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude
- Logical Reasoning
- Data Interpretation
- Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
- People, Environment & Development
- Higher Education System: Governance, Administration, Polity
Paper 2 (Subject-specific)
Paper 2 covers the subject chosen by the candidate (from the list of UGC NET subjects). It will be based on the Master’s level syllabus of that subject.
If the UGC updates or revises any of the official notifications, the subject syllabus for December 2025, especially in light of the New Education Policy or curriculum reforms.
Preparation Tips
- Keep Updated - You must check the NTA / UGC NET portal frequently to be informed of the release of the notification.
- Check the previous information bulletins- You can download the previous notice bulletins to get the idea of the pattern and style of formulation.
- Syllabus planning Paper 1 topics (common) start with Paper 2 alignment subject revision.
- Mock tests/practice papers- There is no negative marking; therefore, take full-length tests to master speed and confidence.
- Time management- You should allocate about 1.2 minutes per question (150 questions take 180 minutes).
- Keep on top of changes in subjects--Enquire whether there are any changes introduced to the syllabus in December 2025.
Conclusion
The National Testing Agency conduct the exam twice every year (June & December). The exam aims to select candidates for Junior Research Fellowships and for eligibility as lecturers in the faculty of science in Indian Universities or colleges. The UGC-NET is being conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode w.e.f. December 2018 onwards.
FAQ
Q1. When to apply for UGC NET December 2025?
Ans: To apply for the UGC NET December 2025, please go through the Information Bulletin and apply online at https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ till 24.10.2025.
Q2. How many times is the UGC NET exam conducted in a year in 2025?
Ans: The National Testing Agency conduct the exam twice every year (June & December).
Q3. Will there be a UGC NET exam in December?
Ans: Yes, the UGC NET December 2025 exam is expected to be held between 1st January and 19th January 2026 (tentative).
Q4. Is 2 months enough for UGC NET?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to pass the UGC NET exam within two months by taking a focused and strategic approach to.
