NTA UGC NET December 2025: Admit Card Released, Exam from 31 Dec, Full Details

Latest Update (28 December 2025): The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the UGC NET December 2025 Admit Card for the examination scheduled on 31 December 2025. The UGC NET JRF exam for 85 subjects will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode from 31 December 2025 to 07 January 2026. This is a crucial national-level exam for determining eligibility for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. This comprehensive guide on Rojgar Job Alerts covers every verified detail—from admit card download steps and exam pattern to eligibility, syllabus, and application fee—to ensure you are fully prepared.

NTA UGC NET December 2025: Official Notification & Key Details

The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the official notification for the UGC NET December 2025 cycle on its website. The exam aims to select candidates for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for determining eligibility for the post of Assistant Professor in various subjects.

Important Dates for UGC NET December 2025

NTA UGC NET Application Fee (Category-wise)

Fee Payment Method: The fee can be paid online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking (Net Banking), IMPS, Cash Card, or Mobile Wallet. The payment had to be completed by 07 November 2025.

Refund Policy: As per standard NTA norms, the application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances once paid.

UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025

Educational Qualification

• Candidates must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in their Master’s Degree OR equivalent examination from a university/institution recognized by UGC.
• Candidates who are appearing in the final semester/year of their Master’s program in the 2025-26 session are also eligible to apply. They must pass within two years.
• A relaxation of 5% marks (i.e., 50% minimum) is provided to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/PwD/Transgender categories.
• Ph.D. degree holders whose Master’s level examination was completed by 19 September 1991 are eligible for a 5% relaxation.

Age Limit & Relaxation for JRF

• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Not more than 30 years as on 01 December 2025.
• Age Relaxation: As per Government of India norms:
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Up to 3 years
  • SC/ST/PwD/Transgender: Up to 5 years
  • Women candidates: Up to 5 years
  • Candidates with research experience: Relaxation equal to the period spent on research.
• Assistant Professor: There is no upper age limit for applying for Assistant Professor eligibility.

Nationality / Domicile

Candidates must be Indian citizens. There is no specific domicile requirement.

UGC NET December 2025: Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Selection Process

Selection Process

The selection for JRF and eligibility for Assistant Professor is based solely on performance in the UGC NET Computer Based Test (CBT). The process is:

1. Application Submission: Filling the online form and paying the fee.
2. Admit Card Release: Downloading the hall ticket from the NTA website.
3. Examination: Appearing for the two-paper CBT on the scheduled date.
4. Result Declaration: NTA declares subject-wise and category-wise results.
5. Final Eligibility & Award: Based on the result, JRF is awarded to top merit candidates within the age limit. All qualifying candidates become eligible for Assistant Professor posts.

UGC NET Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

Marking Scheme: Each question carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Unanswered questions are awarded zero marks.

Exam Language: The question papers (except for language papers) are available in English and Hindi only.

UGC NET Syllabus

The UGC NET syllabus consists of two parts:

• Paper 1 Syllabus (General Paper): Covers Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Comprehension, Communication, Mathematical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), People & Environment, and Higher Education System.
• Paper 2 Syllabus: This is the syllabus of the specific subject chosen by the candidate (e.g., Economics, History, Computer Science, Political Science, etc.). Candidates must refer to the detailed subject-wise syllabus published by NTA/UGC on the official website (ugcnet.nta.nic.in).

Post-Exam Process: Admit Card, Result & More

Exam Centre Details

The exam city details were communicated to candidates via the Exam City Intimation Slip released on 20 December 2025. The exact address of the examination centre, along with the reporting time, is printed on the final admit card. Candidates must report to the centre at the time specified on their admit card.

Result, Merit List & Cut-off

• Result Date: To be announced by NTA after the conclusion of all exams.
• Declaration: Results will be declared on the official NTA website. Candidates can check using their application details.
• Merit List: NTA prepares separate subject-wise and category-wise merit lists for JRF and Assistant Professor eligibility.
• Cut-off: The minimum qualifying marks (cut-off) are decided by NTA/UGC. It varies each year based on difficulty, number of candidates, and available slots.

How to Apply for UGC NET: Step-by-Step Guide

The application window for the December 2025 cycle is now closed. The steps below are for reference for future cycles.

1. Registration: Visit the official NTA UGC NET website and register using your name, mobile number, and email ID to generate an Application Number.
2. Fill Application Form: Log in with the credentials and fill in personal, educational, and communication details carefully.
3. Upload Documents: Upload scanned images as per the prescribed format:
   • Recent Passport-size Photograph (JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 200 KB)
   • Signature (JPG/JPEG, 4 KB to 30 KB)
   • Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) if applicable (PDF, 50 KB to 300 KB)
   • PwD Certificate if applicable (PDF, 50 KB to 300 KB)
4. Pay Application Fee: Select the payment gateway and pay the fee online as per your category.
5. Final Submission: Review the preview of your application form thoroughly. Submit and save/print the final confirmation page for future reference.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Application

• Incorrectly filling name (should match certificates), date of birth, or category.
• Uploading unclear, cropped, or large-sized photograph/signature leading to rejection.
• Selecting the wrong subject code for Paper 2.
• Not verifying all details during the correction window (10-12 November 2025).
• Not keeping a printout of the confirmation page and fee payment receipt.

Why is the UGC NET Exam Important? Career Scope & Benefits

Clearing the UGC NET exam opens prestigious career pathways in the academic and research sectors of India:

• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Selected candidates receive a fellowship of ₹ 31,000 per month for the first two years and ₹ 35,000 per month for the subsequent years to pursue research leading to a Ph.D. in their chosen subject.
• Assistant Professor Eligibility: This is the mandatory minimum qualification for appointment as an Assistant Professor in Indian universities, colleges, and institutions deemed to be universities. It provides job security, a respectable position, and attractive pay scales as per the 7th Central Pay Commission.
• Career Progression: A NET qualification is often considered for promotions and is essential for a permanent teaching position in higher education.
• Government Recognition: It is a nationally recognized standard for academic merit set by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on UGC NET December 2025