UGC NET December 2025: Complete Application Guide, Exam Pattern & Selection Process

The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2025 notification has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This comprehensive examination serves as the gateway for aspiring candidates seeking Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor eligibility, and PhD admission in Indian universities. With online applications now open, here’s everything you need to know about this prestigious national-level examination.

Organization Overview

Conducting Body: University Grants Commission (UGC) in collaboration with National Testing Agency (NTA)

The National Testing Agency, established under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, conducts UGC NET to assess candidates’ competency for:

• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor appointment
• Assistant Professor eligibility and PhD admission
• PhD admission only

Examination Categories & Eligibility

Three Categories of Qualification:

Important Dates & Schedule

⚠️ Important: All dates are tentative and subject to change as per NTA notifications.

Age Limit & Relaxations

Age Criteria:

• JRF Category: Maximum 30 years as on 01 December 2025
• Assistant Professor: No upper age limit
• PhD Admission: No upper age limit

Age Relaxation Benefits:

Maximum Total Relaxation: 5 years under any circumstances

Educational Qualification Requirements

Master’s Degree Requirements:

Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree:

• General Category: 75% marks
• Reserved Categories: 70% marks

Note: Candidates pursuing final year/semester may apply provisionally but must complete degree requirements within specified timeframes.

Application Fee Structure

Additional Charges: Service charges + GST will be charged extra by payment gateways.

Payment Methods:

• Credit Card/Debit Card
• Net Banking
• UPI
• Banks: SBI, Canara, ICICI, HDFC

Examination Pattern & Scheme

Test Format:

• Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 180 minutes (3 hours continuous)
• Medium: English/Hindi (except language papers)
• No Break: Between Paper I and Paper II

Paper Structure:

Marking Scheme Details

• Each Question: 2 marks
• Correct Answer: +2 marks
• Wrong Answer: 0 marks (No Negative Marking)
• Unanswered Questions: 0 marks

Special Provisions for Ambiguous Questions:

• Multiple correct options: 2 marks to candidates marking any correct option
• All options correct: 2 marks to all who attempted
• Wrong/dropped questions: 2 marks to all who attempted

Selection Process & Result

Qualifying Criteria:

• General/EWS: Minimum 40% aggregate marks (both papers combined)
• Reserved Categories: Minimum 35% aggregate marks (both papers combined)

Result Compilation:

1. Assistant Professor Eligibility: 6% of total appeared candidates
2. Category-wise allocation as per Government of India reservation policy
3. Percentile-based scoring system
4. Normalization for multi-shift papers (if applicable)

Reservation Policy:

• SC: 15% seats
• ST: 7.5% seats
• OBC-NCL: 27% seats
• Gen-EWS: 10% seats
• PwD/PwBD: 5% horizontal reservation

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Online Registration

• Visit official website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
• Register with valid email ID and mobile number
• Generate application number

Step 2: Fill Application Form

• Complete personal, academic, and contact details
• Select examination subject and cities
• Choose question paper medium

Step 3: Document Upload

• Photograph: 10KB-200KB (JPEG format, 80% face visible, white background)
• Signature: 10KB-50KB (JPEG format, full signature in running handwriting)
• PwD Certificate: If applicable (50KB-300KB PDF)

Step 4: Fee Payment

• Pay through authorized payment gateways
• Keep transaction receipt for reference
• Download confirmation page

Required Documents for Verification:

• Class X certificate (for name, DOB verification)
• Master’s degree certificate/mark sheet
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Research experience certificate (if claiming age relaxation)

Examination Centers & Cities

UGC NET December 2025 will be conducted across 287 cities in India, organized under different zones:

Zone-wise Distribution:

• East Zone 1: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha
• East Zone 2: Northeast states, West Bengal
• North Zone 1-4: Delhi, UP, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, HP, J&K
• South Zone 1-2: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
• West Zone 1-2: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, MP, Chhattisgarh

Candidates must select 4 cities in order of preference during application.

Subject Options Available

UGC NET December 2025 offers 85 subjects across various disciplines:

Popular Subjects Include:

• English Literature
• Hindi Literature
• Economics
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Computer Science & Applications
• Electronic Science
• Environmental Sciences
• Management
• Commerce
• Education
• History
• Geography

Complete subject list with codes is available in the official information bulletin.

Important Instructions & Guidelines

Application Guidelines:

• Only one application per candidate allowed
• Online mode only – no offline applications accepted
• No changes allowed after correction window closes
• Email and mobile must belong to candidate only

Examination Day Requirements:

• Admit Card (downloaded from website)
• Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Driving License)
• Passport-size photograph (same as uploaded)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)

Prohibited Items:

• Electronic devices
• Books, notes, calculators
• Stationery items
• Food items
• Jewelry (except wedding rings)

Facilities for PwD Candidates

Special Provisions:

• Scribe facility (provided by NTA or own scribe allowed)
• Compensatory time: Minimum 20 minutes per hour
• Assistive devices as required
• Accessible examination centers

Eligibility:

• PwBD: 40% or more disability
• PwD: Less than 40% disability with writing difficulty

Official Websites & Contact Information

Official Websites:

• Primary: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in
• NTA Portal: https://www.nta.ac.in

Helpline Information:

Useful Links Table:

Key Preparation Tips

Study Strategy:

• Paper I Preparation: Focus on teaching methodology, research aptitude, logical reasoning
• Paper II Preparation: Comprehensive subject knowledge, current developments
• Time Management: Practice mock tests regularly
• Current Affairs: Stay updated with recent developments in chosen subject

Important Resources:

• UGC NET syllabus from official website
• Previous year question papers
• Mock test series
• Subject-specific reference books
• Online preparation platforms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I apply for multiple subjects in UGC NET December 2025?

No, candidates can apply for only one subject per examination cycle. You must choose your subject carefully during application as it cannot be changed later.

2. Is there any negative marking in UGC NET examination?

No, there is no negative marking in UGC NET. Each correct answer carries 2 marks, while incorrect answers receive zero marks, encouraging candidates to attempt all questions.

3. What is the validity period of UGC NET qualification?

• JRF: 3 years from the date of award letter
• Assistant Professor: Lifetime validity
• PhD Admission: 1 year from result declaration date

4. Can final year Master’s students apply for UGC NET?

Yes, students in their final year/semester of Master’s degree can apply provisionally. However, they must complete their degree with required percentage within specified timeframes to maintain eligibility.

5. What documents are required during verification process?

Essential documents include Class X certificate (for DOB/name), Master’s degree certificate, category certificate (if applicable), PwD certificate (if applicable), and research experience certificate (for age relaxation claims).

6. How is the result calculated for multi-shift papers?

For multi-shift examinations, NTA uses normalization procedures based on percentile scores and equi-percentile methods to ensure fairness across different shifts and maintain score equivalency.

7. Can I change my examination center after submitting the application?

No, examination centers cannot be changed after application submission. However, NTA may allot a different center within your chosen cities due to administrative reasons.

8. What is the difference between PwD and PwBD categories?

PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) have 40% or more disability, while PwD includes those with less than 40% disability but having difficulty in writing. Both categories receive different benefits and reservations.

9. Is coaching necessary for UGC NET preparation?

While coaching is not mandatory, it can be helpful for structured preparation. Self-study with proper planning, quality study materials, and regular practice through mock tests can also lead to success in UGC NET.

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