UGC NET exam date and new rules in the Dec 2026 bulletin
NTA's 16 October 2026 corrigendum moves the UGC NET December 2026 exam to 14-18 and 21 December, with the city slip from 23 November and the admit card from 7 December. A pen is given at the centre, answers marked for review are evaluated, watches are barred and gates close 30 minutes before the exam.
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NTA changed the UGC NET December 2026 rules on 16 October 2026: the exam is now 14 to 18 December and 21 December, a pen is given at the centre, and answers marked for review are now evaluated. Watches are barred, and gates close 30 minutes before the exam starts.
The changes are in a corrigendum with a table that sets the old text beside the new. Anything the table does not list stays as in the earlier bulletin.
What changed in the revised UGC NET bulletin
| Topic | New provision |
|---|---|
| Exam dates | 14-18 Dec and 21 Dec 2026 |
| City slip | From 23 Nov 2026 |
| Admit card | From 7 Dec 2026 |
| Pen | Given at the centre |
| Marked for review | Evaluated if answered |
| Gate closing | 30 minutes before start |
| Late fee | Rs 500, same for all |
| Answer key challenge | Rs 200 per question |
Source: NTA, Public Notice of 16 October 2026 with Annexure-A, Consolidated Comparative Statement of Amendments (2026). The earlier text said 14 to 19 December with 20 and 21 December as buffer dates, and "to be intimated later" for the city slip and admit card.
The comparative statement lists no change to the photo or signature uploads. If yours are not accepted, set the KB range with the photo resizer and the signature resizer. Downloading the result needs a free Google sign-in.
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Live photo, white background and upload sizes
These rules are in the bulletin and the corrigendum leaves them as they were. The live photo is captured while you fill the form: switch on the camera or connect a webcam. If your device has no webcam, scan the QR code shown on the form with a phone or tablet. The bulletin asks for a light-coloured background, proper lighting and 80% of the face visible, including both ears, without a mask.
The separate photo upload is a recent photograph of 10-200KB, colour or black and white, with 80% of the face and the ears visible against a white background. The signature is 10-50KB, and a disability or UDID certificate is a PDF of 50-300KB. The bulletin gives no pixel size for any of them. Our apply guide has the full upload steps.
The bulletin does not explain why a live photo may be rejected or stay on processing. If it fails, retake it in even light with your face filling the frame, ears showing and no cap or mask, and try the QR code route on a phone. Do not leave it for the last day: once the correction window (2 to 4 November 2026, till 11:50 PM) closes, NTA will not change any detail or scanned image.
Is the UGC NET exam date 14 December?
The exam starts on 14 December and runs to 18 December, with one more day on 21 December. The notice says the subject-wise schedule will come separately, so you do not yet know which day your subject falls on. Watch ugcnet.nta.nic.in for it.
The city intimation slip is due from 23 November and the admit card download from 7 December. Earlier, both read "to be intimated later". The full date list and the application window are in our admit card and dates guide.
Marked for review: do those answers count?
Yes, if you answered the question. The new text says questions answered or attempted are evaluated whether or not they are marked for review. Unanswered or unattempted questions are not evaluated, marked or not.
The old text gave no marks for a question left un-attempted or marked for review. The change removes the worry that a review flag cancels a real answer.
What can you carry into the exam hall?
Do not bring a pen. The corrigendum says a pen is provided at the centre and that candidates need not bring one; the contrary instruction is deleted. The barred list now names watches, along with any metallic item or electronic gadget, in the hall or room.
- Barred: geometry or pencil box, handbag, purse, paper or printed or written material, phone, earphone, calculator, camera and watches.
- Footwear: normal shoes, slippers and sandals with low heels are allowed. Long boots are not.
- Food and water: loose or packed eatables and water remain barred. For a diabetic candidate, sugar tablets and unpacked whole fruits such as banana, apple or orange are allowed.
- Water in transparent bottles is allowed for all candidates.
The common mistake is to carry a watch as a habit. It is now listed by name.
Gate closing, exam city and corrections
Gates close 30 minutes before the exam starts. A candidate who arrives after that is not allowed in, and forced entry or arguing with the staff can be treated as unfair means.
On the city choice, you still pick your cities from the state of your permanent or present address. Where fewer than four cities are available there, you may choose from the cities shown to you, and you can revise them in the correction window.
Once the correction window closes, NTA will not change any detail or scanned image. It also does not accept corrections sent by post, fax, WhatsApp, email or in person. Use the window for real errors only, and see the correction guide for what to fix first.
Fee refund, answer key and scribe rules
- A fee that was paid once and successfully is not refunded. Failed or duplicate payments go through the verified refund procedure.
- Challenging an answer key costs Rs 200 per question.
- A candidate with a benchmark disability who needs a scribe or compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour has to have submitted the correct UDID or disability certificate.
Checklist before exam day
- Check the city slip. Look for it from 23 November on ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
- Download the admit card. It is due from 7 December.
- Pack light. Leave the watch, phone, pen and bag at home.
- Reach early. Be at the gate well before the 30-minute closing time.
Our apply guide has the photo and signature sizes if you still have an upload to fix.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the new UGC NET December 2026 exam dates?
The revised bulletin gives 14 to 18 December 2026 and 21 December 2026. The subject-wise schedule will be announced separately, so check ugcnet.nta.nic.in for your subject's day.
What photo and signature size does UGC NET December 2026 ask for?
The bulletin asks for a photograph of 10-200KB with 80% of the face and ears visible against a white background, and a signature of 10-50KB. A live photo is also captured in the form. No pixel size is given.
Where can I fix a rejected live photo or upload?
Only in the online correction window, 2 to 4 November 2026 till 11:50 PM. After it closes, NTA does not change any detail or scanned image, and it does not take corrections by post, fax, WhatsApp, email or in person.
When is the UGC NET city intimation slip and admit card?
The city intimation slip is available from 23 November 2026 and the admit card can be downloaded from 7 December 2026. Both were earlier shown as to be intimated later.
Do I need to carry a pen to the UGC NET exam?
No. The revised bulletin says a pen is provided at the centre and deletes the earlier instruction to bring one.
Are questions marked for review checked in UGC NET?
If you answered the question, it is evaluated even when marked for review. Questions left unanswered are not evaluated, whether marked or not.
What if I reach the UGC NET centre late?
Gates close 30 minutes before the exam starts. A candidate arriving after that is not allowed to appear, and forced entry can be treated as unfair means.
Sources
- NTA, Public Notice of 16 October 2026 with Annexure-A (Comparative Statement) and Annexure-B (Updated Information Bulletin), UGC-NET December 2026 (checked 2026-10)
- NTA, UGC-NET official website (checked 2026-10)
Rules and limits change. Always check the latest official notification or portal before you submit a form.