NTA UGC NET December 2025 – Apply Online for JRF & Assistant Professor Eligibility Test

National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official notification for NTA UGC NET December 2025 examination for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and eligibility for Assistant Professor as well as admission to Ph.D. programmes in Indian universities and colleges.

Candidates meeting the required qualifications can now apply online through the official NTA portal. The examination aims to assess the eligibility of Indian nationals for teaching and research roles across higher education institutions.

This article includes full details on eligibility, important dates, exam pattern, fees, and application process for the UGC NET December 2025 cycle.

Overview of NTA UGC NET December 2025

About UGC NET Examination

The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam determines the eligibility of Indian citizens for:

1. Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
2. Appointment as Assistant Professor
3. Admission to Ph.D. programmes

The UGC NET is one of India’s most prestigious eligibility exams for higher education and research fields. Candidates qualifying for the exam become eligible for teaching positions in colleges and universities and may also pursue research with fellowship grants.

Eligibility Criteria for NTA UGC NET December 2025

Candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions before applying online:

1. Age Limit

• For JRF (Junior Research Fellowship):
  The applicant must not be more than 30 years as on 1st December 2025.
  Age Relaxation:
  • OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender / Women: up to 5 years relaxation.
• For Assistant Professor:
  There is no upper age limit to apply for eligibility as Assistant Professor.
• For Admission to Ph.D.:
  There is no age restriction for applying for Ph.D. eligibility through UGC NET.

2. Educational Qualification

(a) For General/Unreserved/EWS Candidates:
Must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from a UGC-recognized university/institution.
Eligible subjects include Humanities, Social Science, Languages, Computer Science, Electronic Science, etc.

(b) For OBC (NCL)/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender Candidates:
Must have secured at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in Master’s degree or equivalent exam.

(c) Candidates Appearing in Final Year:
Those who are pursuing their Master’s degree or awaiting results may also apply. However, they must complete the degree with required marks before the cutoff date.

(d) Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree Holders:
Candidates who have completed or are in the final year of a Four-Year or Eight-Semester Bachelor’s Degree programme can also apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Must have secured minimum 75% marks or equivalent grade.
• Those qualifying the NET based on a four-year undergraduate degree are eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission, but not for Assistant Professor positions.

(e) Subject Choice:
Candidates can choose the subject for UGC NET in which they wish to pursue Ph.D., regardless of the discipline of their four-year bachelor’s degree.

📘 For detailed subject list and codes, please check the official notification.

Relaxations and Provisions

• A relaxation of 5% marks is allowed for reserved categories as mentioned above.
• Transgender candidates are provided the same benefits as SC/ST/PwD candidates.
• Aggregate marks are calculated based on all subjects studied in qualifying exams.

Application Fee for UGC NET December 2025

Applicants must pay the following examination fee according to their category:

Mode of Payment:
Online payment through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

UGC NET 2025 Examination Pattern

The UGC NET exam is conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode and consists of two papers. Both papers are conducted in a single session without any break.

Paper I – General Aptitude (Common for All Subjects)

Paper II – Subject-Specific

✅ Both papers are objective-type multiple choice questions (MCQs) with no negative marking.
Each correct answer carries 2 marks.

UGC NET Exam Schedule 2025

Exam Centres in Assam and Northeast India

Candidates from Assam and nearby regions can choose any of the following centres for UGC NET 2025:

• Dibrugarh
• Guwahati
• Jorhat
• Silchar
• Tezpur

These centres are part of the official NTA UGC NET regional network to facilitate smooth conduct of exams in the Northeast.

Helpline and Contact Information

For queries related to registration, eligibility, or exam details, candidates can reach NTA through the following:

📞 Helpline Numbers: 011-40759000 / 011-69227700
📧 Email: ugcnet@nta.ac.in
🌐 Official Website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in

How to Apply for NTA UGC NET December 2025

Interested and eligible candidates can apply online by visiting the official NTA UGC NET portal. Follow the step-by-step process below:

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Visit the Official Website
   Go to https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
2. Registration
   Click on “New Registration” and fill in your basic information including name, date of birth, contact number, and email ID.
3. Fill Application Form
   Log in using your credentials and fill out academic, personal, and communication details carefully.
4. Upload Documents
   Upload recent passport-size photograph, signature, and relevant certificates in the specified format.
5. Pay Application Fee
   Make the payment online as per your category through UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking.
6. Submit & Download Form
   After verifying all details, submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.

Documents Required During Online Application

• Passport-size photograph (recent)
• Scanned signature
• Educational qualification certificates
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Valid ID proof such as Aadhaar Card or Passport

Key Points to Remember

• Ensure the photo and signature are clear and in proper format.
• Double-check subject code and exam centre preferences before submitting.
• Keep a copy of your application and payment receipt safely.
• Admit cards will be released only for candidates who successfully complete the registration and fee payment process.

Why Appear for UGC NET?

The UGC NET qualification opens multiple doors in academia and research:

• Eligibility for Assistant Professor in universities and colleges across India.
• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for pursuing Ph.D. with financial assistance.
• Ph.D. admission eligibility in recognized institutions.
• Enhances career credibility for academic and research-oriented professions.

Qualified candidates often secure positions in reputed institutions like IITs, NITs, central universities, and national research bodies.

Important Web-Links of NTA UGC NET December 2025

Final Thoughts

The NTA UGC NET December 2025 is a golden opportunity for candidates aspiring for research and teaching careers in Indian higher education institutions. With the inclusion of the four-year bachelor’s degree pathway, the exam has become more inclusive and flexible, encouraging young scholars to enter the academic world early.

Candidates should start their preparation immediately after registration, focusing on the subject syllabus and previous year papers. Timely application and accurate documentation will ensure a smooth registration experience.

If you are serious about pursuing a career in academics or research, appearing for the UGC NET December 2025 exam can be your first and most important step toward a bright professional journey.