The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the notification for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination. Eligible candidates can apply online for this national-level examination to determine their eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and Ph.D. admission in eligible Indian universities and research institutions.
According to the supplied notification details, the online application process started on 7th October 2026, and the last date to submit the application form is 5th November 2026. The examination is scheduled for 19th, 22nd and 27th December 2026.
Candidates interested in applying should check the educational qualifications, age limit, category-wise application fee, fellowship stipend, important dates and application procedure before completing the online form.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Examination Level | National |
| Examination Type | Eligibility Test |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Qualification | Master’s Degree or equivalent |
| JRF Age Limit | Maximum 30 years, subject to applicable rules |
| Assistant Professor Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Ph.D. Admission Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 7th October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 5th November 2026 |
| Correction Window | 10th to 12th November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 19th, 22nd and 27th December 2026 |
| Official Website | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
What Is the CSIR UGC NET Examination?
The Joint CSIR-UGC NET is a national-level examination conducted by the National Testing Agency on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The examination determines eligibility for the following categories:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor eligibility
- Assistant Professor eligibility and admission to Ph.D. programmes
- Admission to Ph.D. programmes only
Candidates should carefully select the applicable eligibility category while completing the application form and refer to the official information bulletin for the relevant conditions.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 – Examination Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | NTA |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Examination Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Duration | 180 minutes |
| Medium | Hindi and English, subject to official paper-specific rules |
| Examination Dates | 19th, 22nd and 27th December 2026 |
| Official Website | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
The examination schedule and paper-specific instructions should be checked in the official notification and information bulletin.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the educational qualification and age requirements prescribed for their selected eligibility category.
1. Educational Qualification
Candidates must have a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university or institution, subject to the eligibility conditions specified in the official information bulletin.
The minimum required marks are as follows:
| Category | Minimum Marks in Master’s Degree |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved / General-EWS | 55% |
| OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | 50% |
The minimum marks are calculated without rounding off.
2. Candidates Awaiting Master’s Degree Results
Candidates who are pursuing their Master’s degree, appearing in their final-year examination, or awaiting their qualifying examination results may also apply provisionally, subject to the official eligibility conditions.
Such candidates must complete their qualifying degree within the prescribed period and obtain the required minimum marks.
According to the supplied information:
- Candidates qualifying for JRF or Assistant Professor eligibility must complete the qualifying degree within two years from the date of the NET result.
- Candidates qualifying for Ph.D. admission only must complete the qualifying degree within one year from the date of the NET result.
Candidates should confirm these conditions in the official information bulletin before applying.
CSIR UGC NET Age Limit 2026
The age criteria depend on the eligibility category selected by the candidate.
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
The maximum age limit is 30 years, calculated according to the cutoff rule specified in the official notification. The supplied notification details refer to the first day of the month in which the December 2026 examination concludes.
Age relaxation is available as follows:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC-NCL | Up to 5 years |
| SC / ST | Up to 5 years |
| PwD | Up to 5 years |
| Third Gender | Up to 5 years |
| Women Applicants | Up to 5 years |
Candidates belonging to multiple eligible categories should follow the official rules governing age relaxation.
Assistant Professor
There is no upper age limit for applying for Assistant Professor eligibility under the Joint CSIR-UGC NET, subject to the prescribed eligibility requirements.
Admission to Ph.D.
There is no upper age limit for the Ph.D.-admission category, subject to the applicable eligibility rules.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 – Application Fee
Candidates must pay the prescribed application fee according to their category.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST | ₹325 |
| Third Gender | ₹325 |
| PwD | ₹325 |
The application fee can be paid through the payment methods made available on the application portal, including net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI.
Candidates should verify the applicable fee and any additional payment charges before submitting the form.
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) Stipend
Candidates selected for the Junior Research Fellowship through CSIR-NET may receive the following fellowship benefits, subject to the applicable fellowship rules.
| Fellowship Period | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| First two years as JRF | ₹37,000 |
| Third and subsequent years as SRF (NET), after upgradation | ₹42,000 |
In addition, an annual contingent grant of ₹20,000 is provided as specified under the applicable fellowship terms.
After completing two years as a JRF, eligible fellows registered for a Ph.D. may be considered for upgradation to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF-NET), subject to the prescribed conditions.
These amounts are fellowship benefits and should not be treated as a guaranteed salary for every CSIR-UGC NET-qualified candidate.
How to Apply for CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
Eligible candidates can submit their application online through the official NTA examination portal.
Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the official CSIR UGC NET website at https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/.
- Open the CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 application link.
- Complete the online registration using the required personal details.
- Log in with the registration credentials.
- Fill in the application form with the required personal and educational information.
- Upload the photograph, signature and other documents in the prescribed format.
- Select the relevant examination details and eligibility category.
- Pay the application fee according to your category.
- Review the complete application form carefully before final submission.
- Submit the form and download or print the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates should keep their application number, payment receipt and login details safe until the completion of the examination process.
Important Dates of CSIR UGC NET December 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 7th October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 5th November 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 10th to 12th November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 19th, 22nd and 27th December 2026 |
Candidates should complete the application process before the deadline and regularly check the official website for examination updates.
Important Web Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form | Apply Online |
| Official Notification | Download Notification |
| Information Bulletin | Download Information Bulletin |
| Official Website | CSIR UGC NET Portal |
FAQs – CSIR UGC NET December 2026
1. What is CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 is a national-level examination conducted by NTA to determine eligibility for JRF, Assistant Professor positions and Ph.D. admission under the applicable categories.
2. Who conducts the CSIR UGC NET examination?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination.
3. When did the online application process start?
The application process started on 7th October 2026, according to the supplied notification details.
4. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 5th November 2026.
5. What is the educational qualification?
Candidates generally need a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification and must meet the minimum marks and other eligibility conditions specified in the official information bulletin.
6. What is the minimum percentage required?
The supplied eligibility criteria specify 55% for General, Unreserved and General-EWS candidates and 50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender candidates.
7. What is the maximum age limit for JRF?
The maximum age limit for JRF is 30 years, subject to the official cutoff rule and applicable relaxations.
8. Is there an age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility?
There is no upper age limit for the Assistant Professor eligibility category, subject to the prescribed rules.
9. What is the application fee for General candidates?
The application fee for General candidates is listed as ₹1,150.
10. What is the application fee for SC and ST candidates?
The application fee for SC and ST candidates is listed as ₹325.
11. What is the JRF stipend?
The supplied fellowship details list ₹37,000 per month for the first two years and ₹42,000 per month after eligible upgradation to SRF-NET.
12. What is the examination mode?
The examination is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
13. When will the examination be held?
The supplied schedule lists 19th, 22nd and 27th December 2026 as the examination dates.
14. Where can candidates apply online?
Candidates can apply through the official CSIR UGC NET website or the online application link provided in the Important Web Links section.
15. Where can candidates download the official notification?
Candidates can download the notification and information bulletin using the links provided above.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 – Conclusion
The Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination provides eligible candidates with an opportunity to qualify for Junior Research Fellowship, Assistant Professor eligibility and Ph.D. admission under the relevant categories.
Candidates should review the official notification carefully, confirm their eligibility and submit the application form before 5th November 2026. Keep checking the official NTA website for updates about the correction window, examination schedule, admit card and results.
Official Website: https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes. Candidates should verify all dates, eligibility conditions, fee details, fellowship provisions and examination rules through the official NTA notification and information bulletin before applying.https://niyogassam.com/