The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released official data regarding candidates who have applied for the UGC-NET and the Joint CSIR-UGC NET. According to the NTA, approximately 2.19 lakh candidates have registered for the UGC-NET and Joint CSIR-UGC NET examinations scheduled for December 2026.
Registrations for UGC-NET and Joint CSIR-UGC NET (December 2026)
Examination | Details |
UGC-NET (December 2026) | 1,86,301 |
Joint CSIR-UGC NET (December 2026) | 32,660 |
Total (approx.) | 2,18,961 (around 2.19 lakh) |
UGC-NET December 2026 Last Date | October 28, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Last Date | November 5, 2026 |
The numbers show strong interest in both exams, with UGC-NET drawing the larger share of applicants.
Why Early Application Matters
NTA has recommended that candidates should file their applications in advance to steer clear of any delays. The earlier a candidate applies, the more chances he/she has to edit any mistakes, deal with either payment or document-related problems, or encounter difficulties associated with too much traffic on the website just before the deadline.
About UGC NET And Joint CSIR-NET Examinations 2026:
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts both the UGC NET and Joint CSIR-UGC NET biannually to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor/Lectureship, and Ph.D. admissions in India.
| Feature | UGC NET | Joint CSIR-UGC NET |
| Conducting Body | NTA (for University Grants Commission) | NTA (on behalf of CSIR & UGC) |
| Target Stream | Humanities, Commerce, Arts, Social Sciences, etc. | Science and Technology |
| Number of Subjects | - 83 to 85 subjects | 5 core science subjects |
| Core Subjects | History, Political Science, Economics, Commerce, English, etc. | Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences |
| JRF Age Limit | Up to 30–31 years (relaxations for reserved categories) | Up to 28 years (for JRF; no age limit for Lectureship) |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test / CBT) | Online (Computer-Based Test / CBT) |
| Structure & Marking | Paper 1 (50 Qs) + Paper 2 (100 Qs); Total 300 marks; No negative marking | Parts A, B, and C; Total 200 marks; 25% negative marking |
ALSO READ: CLAT 2027: MNLU Mumbai Introduces 1% Reservation For Transgender Candidates And Orphans; Details
Missed the deadline? Check these dates
Candidates who have not yet submitted their applications should note that the two examinations have different registration deadlines.
| Examination | Last date to apply |
|---|---|
| UGC-NET December 2026 | October 28, 2026 |
| Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 | November 5, 2026 |
Applicants can visit ugcnet.nta.nic.in, csirnet.nta.nic.in and nta.ac.in for the latest updates and to submit their forms.
When will the examinations be held?
The UGC-NET December 2026 test is set to take place between December 14 and 19, 2026, utilizing the computer-based test format. The test is a gateway to the Junior Research Fellowship, appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission into PhD programmes.
The Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination is scheduled for December 9, 22, and 27. It covers the subjects of Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
The NTA has advised candidates to check the respective examination websites for updates regarding city intimation slips, admit cards, and other instructions.