The National Testing Agency (NTA) is soon going to release the UGC NET December 2025 application form on its official website. If you are planning to build a career in research, pursue a PhD, or become an Assistant Professor in a recognized university or college, this exam is one of the most important steps. The UGC NET is conducted twice every year, and the December session is expected to take place in the middle of the month.

UGC NET 2025 Application Form

The online application form for the December 2025 session will be released in a few weeks at ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Candidates are advised to fill the form carefully because even a minor mistake may lead to rejection. During the process, you will need to provide personal and academic details, upload the required documents, and pay the prescribed fee. Once the form is successfully submitted, do not forget to download the confirmation page for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the UGC NET December 2025, candidates must have either completed their master’s degree or be in the final year or semester of it. The degree should be from a university or institution recognized by the University Grants Commission. As per the new guidelines, candidates who have completed or are in the final year of a four-year bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply.

There is no age limit for those appearing for Assistant Professor or PhD qualification through NET. However, if you are applying for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), the upper age limit is 30 years. Relaxation is provided to reserved categories: three years for OBC-NCL candidates and five years for SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender applicants.

Application Fee

The application process is incomplete without paying the required fee, which differs according to the category of the applicant. For general category candidates, the fee is ₹1,150. Those belonging to the OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and EWS categories need to pay ₹600. Candidates from SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender categories are required to pay only ₹325. The fee has to be paid online within the deadline, as applications without successful fee payment will not be accepted.

Exam Date and Schedule

The National Testing Agency will conduct the UGC NET December 2025 most likely in the middle of December. The exam will be held in two shifts across the country: the morning session from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and the afternoon session from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The exact dates and city details will be announced once the admit card is released.

Exam Pattern

The UGC NET consists of two papers, both conducted online on the same day. Paper 1 is common for all candidates and tests general aptitude. It includes 50 objective-type questions carrying a total of 100 marks and has a duration of one hour. The sections cover topics such as reasoning ability, reading comprehension, data interpretation, logical and mathematical reasoning, ICT, people and environment, and the higher education system.

Paper 2 is subject-specific and focuses on the domain knowledge of the subject chosen by the candidate. It includes 100 objective-type questions, carries 200 marks, and has a duration of two hours. Both papers follow the same marking scheme: two marks for each correct answer and no negative marking for incorrect responses.

How to Apply Online

The process of applying for the UGC NET December 2025 is simple and can be done entirely online. Candidates need to visit the official website and complete the registration process with their basic details. After creating login credentials, they can fill in the application form, upload scanned copies of documents, and pay the application fee through the available online modes. Once the application is submitted, it is important to download the confirmation page for future reference.