CSIR UGC NET December 2026: Apply by 5 November, Exam Dates, Fee and Eligibility for JRF and Lectureship

Quick answer

The Joint CSIR UGC NET December 2026 is the test for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor (lectureship) in science subjects. The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the notification and opened registration in early October 2026. The reported last date to apply is 5 November 2026. The NTA calendar gives 20 to 21 December 2026 as the exam dates, and it marks them as tentative. The application fee for general candidates is reported as Rs 1,150.

Key dates

Eligibility

For JRF: A master's degree or an equivalent with a minimum aggregate, and an age limit for JRF set in the notice, with relaxation for reserved categories.

For Assistant Professor: A master's degree in the relevant subject with the minimum marks set in the notice. Candidates who are final-year students can also apply under the rules of the notice.

Read the notice carefully, because the eligibility differs for JRF and lectureship, and for each subject code.

Exam pattern

The exam is computer-based and has three parts:

• Part A: General aptitude, common to all subjects.
• Part B: Core subject questions, chosen by the subject code.
• Part C: Advanced subject questions, for the research-oriented candidates.

The duration is set by the notice, and the NTA states it in the bulletin. Negative marking applies to wrong answers, as the bulletin specifies.

Choosing your subject code

Choose the subject that matches your master's degree. The subject decides the core and advanced papers, so a mismatch can cost you a result. Read the syllabus of each subject in the bulletin before you pick.

Fee

The fee for the general category is reported as Rs 1,150. Reserved categories pay a reduced fee, as the bulletin sets it. Confirm the fee and the payment method on the NTA portal before you pay.

How to apply

1. Open the NTA portal for the CSIR UGC NET and read the bulletin.
2. Register with a valid mobile number and email.
3. Fill the form, choose the subject code and upload the photograph, signature and certificates.
4. Pay the fee by the last date.
5. Save the application number and a PDF copy.

Preparation plan

• Part A: Reasoning, numerical aptitude, research aptitude and general awareness, with 30 questions a day.
• Part B and C: Work through the syllabus for your subject unit by unit, with a summary sheet for each unit.
• Mocks: Take one full-length paper a week in the last two months, under the same timing.
• Review: Log every wrong answer and revise by topic.

Documents to keep ready

• Master's degree and marksheets
• Date of birth proof
• Category and disability certificates, if claimed
• Photograph and signature in the specified format
• Photo identity proof for the exam centre

Common mistakes

• Picking the wrong subject code. Check the subject list in the bulletin.
• Waiting until the last day. Server load is highest near the deadline.
• Ignoring Part A. It counts in the total and is common across subjects.

JRF and lectureship: what each one means for you

JRF is a fellowship for research students. It carries a stipend during a PhD, and the pay and the tenure follow the rules of the funding body. Lectureship (Assistant Professor eligibility) is an eligibility status that lets you apply for teaching posts in universities and colleges. The same test can qualify you for both, but each has its own cut-off and its own rules, so read the bulletin for each.

Choosing between PhD and teaching

If you want to research for several years, JRF is the route that fits. If you want to teach at a college or university soon, lectureship is the route. Some candidates hold both, which lets them take a fellowship while they work towards a faculty post. Decide early, because your preparation and your application timing both depend on it.

Preparation timeline for the exam

• Weeks 1 to 3: Part A, covering reasoning, research aptitude and general awareness, with 30 questions a day.
• Weeks 4 to 7: Your core subject, unit by unit, with a summary sheet for each unit.
• Weeks 8 and 9: Advanced subject topics, if your subject code has them, with timed practice.
• Weeks 10 and 11: Full mock tests, with an error log for each.

Research aptitude: what it tests

Part A's research aptitude section covers the research process, methods of data collection, sampling, ethics and the reporting of results. Learn the basic types of research and the reasons for each method. Questions often test the logic of a design, so ask why a method fits the problem.

Documents for the next stages

Keep your master's marksheets, the category certificate, the photo identity proof and the application number together. If you qualify, you will need them for the fellowship or the teaching application, and for the verification the agency asks for.

Subject codes and how to read them

Each subject has its own code, and the code decides the core paper you sit. Read the list of codes in the bulletin, and match the code to your master's specialisation, not only to the broad subject name. If your specialisation is close to two codes, read the syllabus of both before choosing, since the core paper is what you will be tested on in depth.

Making the most of the research aptitude section

Research aptitude covers how to design a study, collect and analyse data, and write up results. Learn the terms for each stage, and practise identifying the weakness in a described study. This section is common to all subjects, so the time you spend here pays off in every code.

Common questions candidates ask

Can I hold a JRF and a teaching job together? The rules depend on the fellowship and the employer. Check the rules before you accept a post.

Does a higher score help for both JRF and lectureship? Each has its own cut-off, so a score that qualifies for one may not qualify for the other.

Is the exam the same every year? The structure is similar, but the notice sets the exact pattern each cycle.