UGC NET application season: category and uploads, 28-31 Oct
The UGC NET December 2026 form closes on 28 October at 11:50 PM, with a late window to 31 October (Rs 500 extra) and corrections on 2 to 4 November. Pick your category carefully: state-list OBC candidates not on the central list must choose General. Upload a 10-200KB photo and a 10-50KB signature.
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The UGC NET December 2026 form closes on 28 October 2026 at 11:50 PM. A late window runs 29 to 31 October with Rs 500 added on top of the category fee, and the paid correction window is 2 to 4 November. The part that costs people most is not the photo, it is picking the wrong category.
These dates and rules come from the NTA Information Bulletin for UGC NET December 2026 on ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Exam dates and the admit card are in our revised bulletin post.
The four dates that matter this week
Application and fee payment both run up to 11:50 PM on the last date.
- Normal window: 8 to 28 October 2026, form and fee both by 11:50 PM on the 28th.
- Late window: 29 to 31 October 2026, with an additional Rs 500 over the category fee.
- Correction window: 2 to 4 November 2026, online only.
- City slip from 23 November, admit card from 7 December 2026.
The bulletin treats the application as successful only when the fee is received. The confirmation page appears after a successful payment, so no confirmation page means the form is not complete.
Which category do I select in the UGC NET form?
Pick the category you can prove with a valid certificate, because the bulletin says reservation benefits are given subject to verification of documents. Anyone found using a false or incorrect document is excluded from the whole process.
| Your situation | Select |
|---|---|
| Central-list OBC, non-creamy layer | OBC-NCL |
| State-list OBC, not on central list | General / Unreserved |
| EWS as per the 2019 OM | General-EWS |
| Scheduled Caste or Tribe | SC or ST |
| Disability of 40% or more | PwBD |
Source: NTA Information Bulletin, UGC-NET December 2026 (October 2026), Chapter on reservation.
The most common slip is a state-list OBC candidate choosing OBC-NCL. The bulletin says such candidates must not choose it; they select General / Unreserved. The OBC list that counts is the central list on the NCBC website.
What the category changes: fee and cut-off
The bulletin lists General / Unreserved at Rs 1,150, General-EWS and OBC-NCL at Rs 600, and SC, ST, Third Gender and PwD at Rs 325. Bank or gateway charges and GST come on top.
The category also decides the minimum marks you need to qualify, so a wrong category is not just a fee mismatch.
Do I upload a category certificate with the form?
The application step lists three uploads: a recent photo, your signature, and a disability or UDID certificate for PwD candidates. It does not list an OBC-NCL, SC, ST or EWS certificate. Keep that certificate ready for verification later, and make sure it matches the category you ticked.
For PwD and PwBD candidates the UDID details you enter are checked on the UDID portal. Candidates without a UDID card upload a disability certificate that NTA may verify with the issuing authority. A mismatch can be fixed only in the correction window; after it closes, the bulletin says no PwD or PwBD claim is entertained.
Upload sizes in one place
The photo is a JPG of 10 to 200KB, colour or black and white, with 80% of the face visible including both ears, against a white background and no mask. The signature is 10 to 50KB. A disability or UDID certificate is a legible PDF of 50 to 300KB. You also upload a live photograph at the time of filling the form, using your camera or webcam (a mobile device can be used by scanning the QR code if your device has no webcam).
Photo over the limit? The photo resizer brings it down to an exact size, and the signature resizer cleans a phone photo of your signature into a white-background scan. Certificate PDF too big? Try compress PDF to 200KB.
Resize Photo to 50 KB
Same settings as the full tool page.
Runs in your browser. Your file never leaves your device. Open the full Resize Photo to 50 KB page
Submit tonight in four steps
- Pick your category first. Match it to the table above and to the certificate in your hand.
- Prepare the files before you log in. Resize the photo and signature, and compress the certificate if you are PwD.
- Take the live photo in daylight. The bulletin asks for a light-coloured background, proper lighting and 80% of the face visible including ears, without a mask. Our live photo tips apply here too.
- Pay and download the confirmation page. If the page does not appear after paying, contact the bank or gateway shown in the bulletin.
What you can and cannot fix later
The bulletin says details such as name, category, PwD status and date of birth are treated as final, and NTA does not edit anything on request. It will not accept corrections by post, WhatsApp, email or by hand. Changes happen only inside the 2 to 4 November window, and only in the fields NTA permits.
It also does not guarantee any change in category or sub-category after submission. Treat the category box as the one field to get right the first time. The upload rules for the joint CSIR-UGC NET window, which runs longer, are in our CSIR NET application post.
Checklist before you submit
- Category matches a certificate you actually hold (state-list OBC means General).
- Photo 10-200KB, ears visible, white background.
- Signature 10-50KB.
- PwD: UDID number or certificate PDF of 50-300KB.
- Four exam cities chosen from your permanent or present address state.
- Fee paid and confirmation page saved before 11:50 PM.
For what to carry on exam day, see the admit card checklist and the last date and uploads post.
Tools for this
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for UGC NET December 2026?
The last date for the form and fee is 28 October 2026 at 11:50 PM. A late window runs 29 to 31 October 2026 with an additional Rs 500, as per the NTA information bulletin.
Can I select OBC-NCL if I am OBC in my state list?
Only if you are also in the central OBC list as non-creamy layer. The bulletin says state-list OBC candidates not in the central list must select General / Unreserved.
Do I upload my OBC or SC certificate in the UGC NET form?
The bulletin's application step lists a photo, signature and, for PwD candidates, a disability or UDID certificate. Keep your category certificate ready for later verification and make sure it matches your selection.
Can I change my category after submitting the form?
Category is treated as final, and NTA does not guarantee a change after submission. Changes are possible only in the online correction window, 2 to 4 November 2026, in permitted fields.
What are the photo and signature sizes for UGC NET December 2026?
The photo is 10-200KB in colour or black and white with 80% of the face and ears visible on a white background. The signature is 10-50KB. A disability certificate PDF is 50-300KB.
I paid but the confirmation page did not appear. What now?
The form counts only after the fee is received. Contact the bank or payment gateway using the helpline in the bulletin to confirm the payment or get a refund of duplicates, and do not pay twice without checking.
Sources
- NTA, Information Bulletin UGC-NET December 2026 (checked 2026-10)
- NTA UGC NET portal (checked 2026-10)
Rules and limits change. Always check the latest official notification or portal before you submit a form.