UGC NET June 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online for JRF, Assistant Professor & PhD Admission – Dates, Fees & New Exam Pattern

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially opened the gates for one of India’s most competitive academic examinations—the UGC NET June 2026. Released on April 29, 2026, the notification invites applications for the National Eligibility Test (NET) to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for ‘Junior Research Fellowship’ (JRF), ‘Assistant Professor’, and ‘Admission to PhD’.

Following the transformative changes in the Higher Education landscape, the 2026 cycle continues the updated three-category qualifying system, making the NET score a mandatory gateway for PhD admissions in most Indian universities. Whether you are a master’s student or a 4-year undergraduate topper, this guide provides every detail you need to navigate the June 2026 session.

UGC NET June 2026: Official Schedule

The NTA has provided a 21-day window for registration. Candidates must adhere to the 11:50 PM cutoff for fee payments to avoid disqualification.

Event	Official Date
Notification Release	April 29, 2026
Online Application Start Date	April 29, 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	May 20, 2026 (11:50 PM)
Correction Window	May 22 – May 24, 2026
City Intimation Slip	June 10, 2026
Admit Card Release	June 15, 2026
UGC NET June 2026 Exam Dates	June 22 to June 30, 2026

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New Qualifying Categories for June 2026

Since 2024, the UGC has moved away from just two qualifying criteria. Your performance in June 2026 will now categorize you into one of the following:

• Category-1: Eligible for JRF, Assistant Professor, and PhD Admission. (Highest Cutoff)
• Category-2: Eligible for Assistant Professor and PhD Admission only.
• Category-3: Eligible for PhD Admission only. (Lowest Cutoff)

PhD Admission Note: For Category-2 and Category-3 candidates, the NET marks will hold 70% weightage in PhD selection, while the remaining 30% will be based on the interview conducted by the respective university. These marks remain valid for PhD admission for one year from the result date.

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Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

The 2026 cycle is particularly inclusive for those under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework.

1. Educational Qualification

• General/EWS: Master’s degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (without rounding off).
• OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender: Master’s degree with at least 50% marks.
• The 4-Year Degree Rule: Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s Degree are now eligible to apply directly for JRF and PhD Admission, provided they have a minimum of 75% marks (70% for reserved categories). However, they cannot apply for ‘Assistant Professor’ until they complete a PG degree.
• Final Year Students: If you are in the final year of your Master’s or 4-year Bachelor’s, you can apply under the “Result Awaited” (RA) category. You must complete your degree within two years of the NET result declaration.

2. Age Limit (As of June 1, 2026)

• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Not more than 30 years.
• Assistant Professor / PhD Admission: No Upper Age Limit.
• Age Relaxations for JRF:
  • SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Third Gender/Women: 5 Years (Max 35 years).
  • Candidates with LL.M. Degree: 3 Years.
  • Armed Forces Personnel: 5 Years.

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Exam Pattern: The “No Negative Marking” Advantage

The UGC NET June 2026 remains a Computer-Based Test (CBT) consisting of two objective papers conducted in a single three-hour session.

Paper	Subject	Questions	Marks
Paper 1	Teaching & Research Aptitude (General)	50	100
Paper 2	Subject-Specific (83 Subjects available)	100	200
Total		150	300

• Duration: 180 Minutes (3 Hours) – No break between papers.
• Marking Scheme: +2 for correct answers.
• Negative Marking: None. You should attempt all 150 questions!
• Language: Question papers are available in English and Hindi (except for language-specific subjects).

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Application Fee Structure

The fee must be paid online via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI through integrated gateways like SBI, HDFC, or ICICI.

Category	Application Fee
General / Unreserved	₹1,150/-
General-EWS / OBC-NCL	₹600/-
SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender	₹325/-

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online

1. Registration: Visit ugcnet.nta.nic.in and click on “UGC NET June 2026 Registration”. Enter your mobile number and email to get an Application Number.
2. Application Form: Log in and fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and choose your Exam City (you can select 4 preferences).
3. Subject Selection: Choose your NET subject (usually the one you did your PG in). Candidates with 4-year degrees can choose subjects related to their major.
4. Upload Documents:
   • Recent Photo (10-200 KB, white background).
   • Signature (4-30 KB, black ink).
5. Fee Payment: Complete the transaction and download the Confirmation Page.
   • Note: If the confirmation page isn’t generated, your payment is stuck. Contact your bank or the NTA helpdesk.

Important Links for UGC NET 2026

Resource	Link
Official Apply Online Link	Click Here
Official Notification PDF	Click Here
Updated Syllabus 2026	Click Here

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I change my category after the correction window closes?

A: No. NTA strictly prohibits category changes after the window closes on May 24, as it affects the cutoff calculations.

Q2: What is the validity of the JRF Award Letter?

A: The JRF award is valid for 3 years from the date of issue of the award letter. You must join a PhD program within this window to avail of the fellowship (approx. ₹37,000 + HRA per month).

Q3: Is the Assistant Professor certificate valid for life?

A: Yes. The eligibility for Assistant Professor has lifetime validity.

Q4: Can I apply for the June 2026 cycle if I failed in the December 2025 cycle?

A: Yes. There is no limit on the number of attempts for the UGC NET exam.

Q5: Will the exam be held in OMR (Offline) mode?

A: No. Since 2018, the UGC NET is conducted exclusively in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.