UGC NET December 2025 Notification Released: All You Need to Know About the New JRF, Assistant Professor, and Ph.D. Eligibility Criteria

The wait is officially over for aspiring Assistant Professors and Ph.D. scholars! The National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC), has released the official notification for the UGC NET December 2025 examination. This comprehensive guide provides all the necessary details, from the UGC NET December 2025 online application process to the new policy changes regarding Ph.D. admissions.

The UGC-NET is the single most important examination for determining the eligibility of Indian nationals for:

1. Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor.
2. Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D..
3. Admission to Ph.D. only.

With the UGC NET December 2025 being mandatory for nearly all academic positions and Ph.D. admissions in Indian universities, understanding the key dates, eligibility rules, and new three-category result policy is critical. Read on to find out how to apply for UGC NET 2025 step by step and ensure your application is successful before the deadline.

UGC NET December 2025: Important Information and Dates at a Glance

For candidates searching for the official NTA UGC NET December 2025 notification PDF download, the key dates are summarized below. Ensure you mark your calendar to complete the UGC NET December 2025 online application process well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Event	Tentative Dates
Online Application Start Date	07th October 2025 (Start)
Online Application Last Date	07th November 2025 (upto 11:50 P.M.)
Last Date for Fee Transaction	07th November 2025 (upto 11:50 P.M.)
Correction in Application Form	10th November 2025 to 12th November 2025 (upto 11:50 P.M.)
Exam Duration	180 minutes (03 hours)
Exam Mode	Computer Based Test (CBT)
Official Websites	https://www.nta.ac.in, https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/

Detailed Eligibility Criteria for UGC NET December 2025

Understanding the UGC NET eligibility criteria age limit and relaxation is the first step toward applying for the examination.

1. Educational Qualification (Minimum Marks)

The primary requirement is a Master’s Degree or an equivalent qualification from a UGC-recognized university. The minimum percentage required varies by category:

• General/Unreserved/General-EWS: Candidates must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in their Master’s Degree or equivalent examination.
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer – NCL)/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender: These reserved category candidates must have secured at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in their Master’s degree or equivalent examination.

Crucial Point for Final Year Students:

Candidates who are currently pursuing their Master’s degree or equivalent course are provisionally eligible to apply. However, such candidates must complete their Master’s degree within two years from the date of the NET result with the required percentage. Failure to do so will lead to the cancellation of their result and certificate.

2. Age Limit and Relaxation

The age criteria specifically apply only to the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) component. There is no upper age limit for candidates applying solely for the ‘Assistant Professor’ post.

• Maximum Age for JRF: The age limit details are typically provided on page 17 of the information bulletin, which was not fully retrieved. However, generally, the maximum age for General category JRF aspirants is 30 years as of the first day of the month in which the examination is held (e.g., December 1, 2025).
• Age Relaxation: Relaxation is provided for Reserved Categories:
  • OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and women applicants typically receive up to a 5-year relaxation.
  • L.L.M. degree holders are usually provided a 3-year relaxation.

The New UGC NET Policy: JRF, Assistant Professor, and Ph.D. Admission

One of the most significant changes introduced this year is the categorization of the result into three distinct eligibility criteria. This new policy fundamentally alters UGC NET JRF and Assistant Professor eligibility 2025 new rules and its role in Ph.D. admissions.

Category	Eligibility	Ph.D. Admission Route	Source
Category-1	Award of JRF and eligibility for Assistant Professor.	Yes, based on an interview as per UGC (Ph.D.) Regulations, 2022.
Category-2	Eligibility for Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D..	Yes, based on 70% NET marks + 30% Interview/Viva Voce.
Category-3	Admission to Ph.D. only.	Yes, based on 70% NET marks + 30% Interview/Viva Voce.

• NET Score Validity for Ph.D.: For candidates qualifying under Category-2 and Category-3, the marks obtained in the NET will be valid for a period of one year from the date of result declaration for Ph.D. admission.
• Direct Ph.D. Entrance: UGC NET under Category-2 and Category-3 can be used as an entrance test for Ph.D. admission in place of the separate entrance tests conducted by various universities.

This change ensures that the UGC NET serves as a unified national entrance mechanism for both teaching and research eligibility, simplifying Ph.D. admission process using UGC NET 2025 score.

UGC NET 2025 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

The UGC NET 2025 exam pattern and marking scheme follows the established Computer Based Test (CBT) format. The examination is divided into two papers, with no break in between. The total duration is 3 hours (180 minutes).

Examination Pattern Summary

Paper	Section	Questions	Marks	Purpose
Paper I	General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude.	50	100	Assesses reasoning ability, reading comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness.
Paper II	Subject Specific.	100	200	Deep knowledge of the candidate’s chosen subject.
Total		150	300

Marking Scheme

The marking scheme is straightforward and candidate-friendly:

• Each question carries 02 (two) marks.
• For each correct response, the candidate will get 2 marks.
• Crucially, there is NO NEGATIVE MARKING for incorrect responses.
• No marks will be awarded for un-answered/un-attempted questions.

This no negative marking policy encourages candidates to attempt all questions. In case of ambiguous or wrong questions, the NTA has defined specific rules for awarding marks to ensure fairness.

Step-by-Step Guide: UGC NET December 2025 Online Application Process

The entire process for the UGC-NET December 2025 is exclusively Online. The Application Form in any other mode will not be accepted. Follow these three main steps to complete your registration successfully:

Step 1: Online Registration

1. Access the NTA UGC NET official website: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/.
2. Click on the ‘New Registration’ link and use your own Email ID and Mobile Number to apply. NTA will send all relevant/important information through these contacts only.
3. Generate the system-generated Application Number and note it down.

Step 2: Fill Application Form and Upload Documents

1. Log in using the Application Number and Password.
2. Fill in the Online Application Form carefully, ensuring all personal details, contact details, educational qualifications, and choices of exam cities are correct. Correction requests will not be considered after the correction period closes.
3. Upload scanned images of:
   • A recent photograph (colour or black & white with 80% face visible against a white background; file size 10Kb – 200Kb).
   • Candidate’s signature (file size: 4kb – 30kb).

Step 3: Fee Payment and Confirmation Page

1. Pay the examination fee using Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/UPI. Applicable service/processing charges & GST must be paid by the candidate.
2. After successful payment, the Confirmation Page of the online Application Form will be generated.
3. Download, save, and print a copy of the Confirmation Page for future reference.

Important Notes for Submission:

• The application is incomplete and will be rejected if Step-2 and Step-3 are not completed.
• No document, including the Confirmation Page, should be sent to NTA by post/fax/email/by hand.
• Fee Structure:
  • General/Unreserved: Rs. 1150/-
  • Gen-EWS/OBC-NCL: Rs. 600/-
  • SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender: Rs. 325/-

Conclusion and Final Advice

The UGC NET December 2025 examination is a high-stakes opportunity for those seeking careers in higher education and research. The introduction of the three-category result system further enhances its significance as a gateway to Ph.D. admissions across the country.

Candidates must meticulously verify their eligibility, especially the UGC NET eligibility criteria age limit for JRF and the minimum marks required in the Master’s degree. Start your preparation immediately using the official syllabus, focusing equally on the Teaching & Research Aptitude Paper I and your specialized Paper II.

Do not delay your application. Complete the UGC NET December 2025 online application process well before the November 07, 2025, deadline to maximize your chances of securing a slot in your preferred exam city.