The National Testing Agency (NTA) has observed a massive surge in candidate participation for the upcoming UGC NET December 2026 session, with total registrations crossing the 5.5 lakh mark as of October 25, 2026. Candidates who have yet to apply have until tomorrow, October 28, 2026, to complete their online submissions and fee payments through the official portal at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
According to the latest figures, over 5.5 lakh candidates have initiated the registration process, with 3.37 lakh candidates completing payment. This represents a substantial escalation in applicant numbers, climbing rapidly from the 1.86 lakh applicants who registered on October 22, 2026.
UGC NET December 2026 Registration Status
Data released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on its official social media platform provides a detailed breakdown of the current application statistics:
| Registration Metric | Number of Candidates |
| Total Registered Candidates | 5,50,048 |
| Fully Completed Applications (Fee Paid) | 3,73,419 |
| Pending Documents and Fee (No Photo/Signature, No payment) | 1,36,993 |
| Documents Uploaded, Fee Pending | 31,580 |
The NTA has issued a strict warning noting that over 1.68 lakh candidates have submitted incomplete forms. Once the October 28, 2026 deadline expires, the agency will automatically reject any applications lacking photograph uploads, signature uploads, or mandatory fee clearance.
UGC NET December Important Dates 2026
Candidates should note the critical scheduling details for both the UGC NET and Joint CSIR NET December registrations 2026:
| Particulars | UGC NET December 2026 | Joint CSIR NET December 2026 |
| Application Deadline | October 28, 2026 | October 28, 2026 |
| Exam Dates (Proposed) | On 14, 18, and 21 December 2026 | On 19, 22, and 27 December 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
Step-by-Step Guide to Complete UGC NET December Application
To ensure a successful submission for the UGC NET December application 2026, applicants must follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in
- Log in using the application number and password. If registering for the first time, complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) profile.
- Select the target qualification stream (JRF and Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor Only, or Ph.D. Admission Only)
- Make sure the uploaded photograph (passport size) and signature strictly comply with NTA pixel and file size requirements.
- Pay the application fee and keep a printed copy of the final confirmation page.
