CSIR-UGC NET December 2026: Applications Open, Check Last Date, Late Fee and Exam Details
CSIR-UGC NET December 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the notification for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination. The application process started on October 7, 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official examination portal.
Candidates who are planning to appear for the CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 session should carefully check the application deadlines, late fee details, correction window, examination dates, mode of examination, subjects, and other important instructions before applying.
The application form can be submitted without a late fee until November 5, 2026, up to 11:50 PM. Candidates who miss the regular deadline will still get an additional opportunity to submit their application by paying a late fee. The late-fee application facility will remain available from November 6 to November 9, 2026.
The CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on December 19, 22, and 27, 2026.
CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Application Dates
According to the notification released by the NTA, the online application process for the CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination began on October 7, 2026.
Candidates are advised to complete their registration and application process well before the deadline instead of waiting until the last day. A delay could lead to technical issues, payment problems, or heavy traffic on the official website.
The important application dates are:
- Application process begins: October 7, 2026
- Last date to apply without late fee: November 5, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
- Application with late fee: November 6 to November 9, 2026
- Last date to submit application with late fee: November 9, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
- Application correction window: November 10 to November 12, 2026
- CSIR-UGC NET examination dates: December 19, 22 and 27, 2026
Candidates should save these dates and complete all required steps within the prescribed timeline.
CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Late Fee Details
Candidates who fail to submit their application form by November 5 will have another opportunity to apply. However, applications submitted during the extended period will attract a late fee of ₹500.
The late-fee application window will open on November 6, 2026, and candidates can submit their forms with the applicable late fee until 11:50 PM on November 9, 2026.
It is advisable for candidates to avoid relying on the late-fee period. Completing the application process within the regular deadline can help candidates avoid unnecessary stress and last-minute technical or payment-related problems.
When Will the CSIR-UGC NET Correction Window Open?
The NTA will provide an application correction facility for candidates who need to make changes to certain details entered in their application form.
The CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 correction window will be available from November 10 to November 12, 2026.
Candidates should carefully check every detail before finally submitting the application. Important information such as the candidate’s name, date of birth, educational qualifications, subject selection, category details, and other relevant information should be entered correctly.
Although the correction facility will be available, candidates should not depend entirely on it. It is better to carefully review the complete application form before submission.
CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Exam Dates
After the completion of the application and correction process, the CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted on December 19, December 22, and December 27, 2026.
Since the examination will be conducted across multiple dates, candidates should regularly check the official NTA website and examination portal for updates regarding their examination date, city intimation, admit card, and other important instructions.
Candidates should also begin their preparation as early as possible. Completing the application form does not guarantee sufficient preparation time, particularly for candidates who are starting their studies from scratch.
How Will the CSIR-UGC NET Exam Be Conducted?
The CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
The total duration of the examination will be three hours, or 180 minutes. The question paper will be available in Hindi and English, allowing candidates to attempt the examination according to the applicable language options.
The examination will be conducted in two shifts:
- First Shift: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Second Shift: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Candidates should carefully read the instructions mentioned in the official notification and admit card. They should also check the reporting time, examination centre details, entry requirements, and documents that need to be carried on the examination day.
Reaching the examination centre well in advance is recommended to avoid problems caused by traffic, unfamiliar routes, or delays at the centre.
Which Subjects Are Covered Under CSIR-UGC NET?
The CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination covers five major science-related subjects. Candidates can select and prepare for the subject applicable to their educational background and eligibility.
The five subjects are:
- Chemical Sciences
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences
- Life Sciences and Biotechnology
- Mathematical Sciences
- Physical Sciences
Candidates should carefully review the syllabus and examination pattern for their selected subject. Understanding the complete syllabus can help students divide their preparation time effectively and focus on important topics.
CSIR-UGC NET Preparation Strategy
Candidates preparing for CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 should start their preparation as soon as possible. Since the examination covers specialised science subjects, a structured study plan can make preparation more manageable.
Students should first understand the syllabus and examination pattern before preparing a daily or weekly study schedule. After identifying the important topics, candidates can divide their time between conceptual learning, revision, numerical practice, and mock tests.
Solving previous years’ CSIR-UGC NET question papers is also an effective way to understand the type and difficulty level of questions generally asked in the examination. Regular practice can help candidates improve accuracy, speed, and time management.
Candidates should also keep sufficient time for revision. Simply completing the syllabus is not enough; revisiting important concepts and practising questions regularly can help strengthen preparation.
Where Can Candidates Apply for CSIR-UGC NET?
Candidates can submit their CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 application form through the official NTA examination portal.
The application can be accessed through:
Candidates should use only official websites for registration, application-related information, examination dates, admit cards, and other important updates.
Before submitting the form, applicants should ensure that all required information and documents have been entered or uploaded correctly. Candidates should also keep a copy of the completed application form and payment confirmation for future reference.
CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Helpline
Candidates who face difficulties during the application process can contact the NTA through the official helpline numbers.
NTA Helpline Numbers:
- 011-40759000
- 011-69227700
Candidates can also seek assistance through the official email address:
For any application or examination-related issue, candidates should prefer official NTA communication channels rather than relying on unverified information available on social media or other websites.
Important Points for CSIR-UGC NET December 2026
Candidates appearing for the CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 session should keep the following points in mind:
- The application process started on October 7, 2026.
- The last date to apply without a late fee is November 5, 2026.
- Applications with a ₹500 late fee can be submitted from November 6 to November 9.
- The correction window will remain open from November 10 to November 12, 2026.
- The examination will be conducted on December 19, 22 and 27, 2026.
- The exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
- The examination duration is 180 minutes.
- The paper will be available in Hindi and English.
- Candidates should regularly check the official NTA and CSIR-UGC NET portals for updates.
Final Words
The CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 application process is now underway, giving eligible candidates an opportunity to apply for the upcoming examination. Candidates should not wait until the final day to complete registration, as the regular application deadline is November 5, 2026.
Those who miss the deadline can apply with a ₹500 late fee until November 9, 2026. The correction facility will subsequently be available from November 10 to November 12.
With the examination scheduled for December 19, 22 and 27, candidates have limited time to strengthen their preparation. A clear understanding of the syllabus, consistent revision, regular practice with previous years’ papers, and mock tests can help candidates prepare more effectively for the CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination.
Candidates are advised to verify all important information, including dates, eligibility requirements, examination instructions, and application guidelines, through the official NTA and CSIR-UGC NET portals before taking any action.