Now Reading: UGC-NET, CSIR-NET: 2.18 lakh apply for December 2026 exams
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UGC-NET, CSIR-NET: 2.18 lakh apply for December 2026 exams
The Story in Brief
More than 2.18 lakh candidates have applied for the December 2026 UGC-NET and Joint CSIR-UGC NET examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said. The agency shared the registration figures on its official X handle and advised candidates to complete their application forms well in time to avoid last-minute technical issues.
According to NTA data, the UGC-NET exam has received 1,86,301 applications, while the Joint CSIR-UGC NET has received 32,660. The UGC-NET application deadline is 28 October 2026, and the CSIR-NET deadline is 5 November 2026. UGC-NET will be held from 14 December to 19 December, and CSIR-UGC NET on 9, 22 and 27 December.
UGC-NET is mandatory for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), assistant professor eligibility and PhD admissions. CSIR-UGC NET is for science stream subjects including chemical, earth, life, mathematical and physical sciences. NTA has asked candidates to watch the official websites for exam city intimation slips and admit card updates.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The NTA's registration data shows a clear preference for UGC-NET, which drew more than five times the applications of CSIR-UGC NET, reflecting its wider role in determining eligibility for JRF, assistant professor posts and PhD admissions. More than 2.18 lakh applications mean intense competition for a limited number of fellowships and faculty positions. Candidates face two deadlines, 28 October and 5 November, and the NTA has already flagged the risk of technical problems for those who wait. The agency has not announced exam city intimation slips or admit card dates yet, so aspirants must track the official portals for those updates.
Source: aajtak.in
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
