The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the UGC NET December 2025 examination schedule, bringing clarity for lakhs of aspirants preparing for eligibility in teaching and research careers. As per the official notice, the UGC NET December 2025 exam will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026. The subject-wise examination schedule has been published in Annexure-I of the official notification.
NTA has also informed that the exam city intimation slip will be displayed on the official website 10 days prior to the examination, enabling candidates to plan travel and accommodation in advance. This examination is conducted to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor, and admission to PhD programmes in Indian universities and colleges.
UGC NET December 2025 Exam Dates and Mode
The UGC NET December 2025 will be conducted exclusively in CBT mode across multiple exam centres in India.
- Exam Start Date: December 31, 2025
- Exam End Date: January 7, 2026
- Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
- City Intimation Slip: 10 days before the exam
- Official Website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
Official Notice by NTA
According to the official notification:
“The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the UGC-NET December 2025 examination in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode from 31st December 2025 to 07th January 2026. The subject-wise schedule of the examination is given at Annexure–I. The notification regarding intimation of City of Exam Centre will be displayed on the NTA website 10 days prior to the examination.”
Purpose of UGC NET Examination
The UGC NET exam is conducted to assess the eligibility of Indian nationals for:
- Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- Appointment as Assistant Professor / Lectureship
- Admission to PhD programmes
- Admission to PhD only (without JRF)
Beyond academics, UGC NET is also a gateway to research and professional careers in prestigious organisations.
Career Opportunities After UGC NET
UGC NET qualification opens multiple career pathways beyond college teaching:
- Research Associate / Scientist roles in institutes like CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, DRDO
- Roles involving data analysis, academic research, report writing, and publications
- Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as BHEL, NTPC, IOC, ONGC value NET-qualified candidates for subject-expert roles
- Opportunities in policy research organisations, think tanks, and academic consulting
UGC NET December 2025 Qualifying Marks
To qualify for UGC NET December 2025, candidates must secure the following minimum marks:
- General / EWS / OBC: Minimum 33%
- SC / ST / PwD: Minimum 25%
These qualifying marks apply for both Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor / Lectureship eligibility.
Quick Reference Summary
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | UGC NET December 2025 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Dates | Dec 31, 2025 – Jan 7, 2026 |
| City Slip Release | 10 days before exam |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 33% (Gen/OBC/EWS), 25% (SC/ST/PwD) |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Regularly visit ugcnet.nta.nic.in for updates, subject-wise schedule, and admit card notices
- Download the exam city intimation slip once released
- Ensure accurate details on the admit card and follow exam-day guidelines
- For queries, contact 011-40759000 or email ugcnet@nta.ac.in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| When will UGC NET December 2025 be conducted? |
| From December 31, 2025 to January 7, 2026. |
| What is the mode of UGC NET December 2025 exam? |
| The exam will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. |
| When will exam city details be released? |
| The city intimation slip will be released 10 days before the exam. |
| What is the minimum qualifying percentage for General category? |
| General, OBC, and EWS candidates must score at least 33%. |
| What is the qualifying percentage for SC/ST/PwD candidates? |
| A minimum of 25% is required. |
| Is UGC NET only for teaching jobs? |
| No, it also opens research and PSU career opportunities. |
| Which organisations hire NET-qualified candidates? |
| CSIR, DRDO, ICMR, ICAR, BHEL, NTPC, ONGC, IOC, and others. |
| Where can I find official updates? |
| On the official NTA website ugcnet.nta.nic.in. |
The release of the UGC NET December 2025 exam schedule marks a crucial phase for aspirants aiming for careers in teaching, research, and public sector roles. With exams scheduled from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026, candidates should align their preparation strategy accordingly. For the latest updates, subject-wise schedule, and official notices, always refer to ugcnet.nta.nic.in and bookmark this page for future reference, for more details and check schedule CLICK HERE
