UGC NET December 2025 Application Form is OUT! Get the direct link, last date, step-by-step guide, and fix common errors like photo size and payment issues.
UGC NET December 2025 Application Form: Direct Link, Last Date, & Step-by-Step Guide
The wait is finally over! The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the notification and opened the online portal for the UGC NET December 2025 Application Form. If you’ve been dreaming of securing that Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or an Assistant Professor position, this is your moment.
As your expert guide, I’m cutting through the confusion of the official bulletin. This post is a step-by-step masterclass designed not just to give you the direct links and last date, but to help you submit your UGC NET December 2025 Application Form without a single error. Let’s get you registered flawlessly!
What is UGC NET December 2025?
The University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is a test conducted to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for three main purposes:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- Assistant Professor
- Admission to Ph.D. programs (A recent addition as of 2024)
The December 2025 session is a crucial opportunity for candidates to gain national certification in their respective post-graduate subjects.
UGC NET December 2025 Exam Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Name | UGC NET December 2025 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Subjects | 83 |
| Duration | 3 Hours (No break between Paper 1 and Paper 2) |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
Important Dates to Remember 🗓️
Missing a deadline is the most stressful, yet preventable, error. Mark these UGC NET last date and application window dates clearly.
UGC NET December 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Date / Link | Essential Note |
| Online Application Start Date | October 7, 2025 | Be prepared with your documents! |
| Application Form Last Date | November 7, 2025 (upto 11:50 P.M.) | Do not wait for the final day to submit. |
| Last Date for Fee Transaction | November 7, 2025 (upto 11:50 P.M.) | Fee must be successfully credited to generate the Confirmation Page. |
| Application Correction Window | November 10 – November 12, 2025 | Review the limited fields allowed for correction. |
| Exam Date | Yet to be Announced (Typically Dec – Jan) | Check NTA updates regularly. |
3. Direct Link to Apply Online 🌐
Don’t navigate confusing portals. Use this direct link to access the registration page immediately:
4. Eligibility Criteria for UGC NET 2025
Before filling the UGC NET December 2025 Application Form, confirm you meet the criteria.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have a Master’s Degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories).
- Candidates appearing in the final year of the Master’s degree (or equivalent examination) are also eligible to apply.
Age Limit (Crucial Distinction)
| Eligibility Type | Age Limit | Relaxation |
| JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) | Maximum 30 years (as on the first day of the month of notification) | Up to 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Women, and Third Gender applicants. |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit | This has been a huge relief for many aspirants aiming for teaching roles. |
UGC NET 2025 – Reservation Policy
The NTA follows the Government of India’s reservation policy for central educational institutions. This is vital for fee and age relaxations:
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
| General – EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 10% |
| OBC – NCL (Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 15% |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 7.5% |
| PwD (Persons with Disabilities) | 5% |
5. Step-by-Step Guide to Fill the Application Form
This section incorporates the competitor gap on providing a clear, multi-stage process with specific actionable advice.
Stage I: Candidate Registration
- Click the Direct Link above and select “New Candidate Register Here.”
- Read the instructions and click “Proceed.”
- Fill in your personal details (Name, DoB, Father’s Name, Mother’s Name) and contact information. Use your valid and accessible email ID and mobile number—all communication is sent here.
- Create a strong password and choose a security question.
- Receive your system-generated UGC NET Application Number. Write it down immediately.
Stage II: Filling the Detailed Form (The Core)
- Log in using your Application Number and Password.
- JRF/Assistant Professor Choice: Carefully select your option. If you are under 30 and eligible, selecting “JRF & Assistant Professor” is the most comprehensive choice.
- Educational Details: Enter your PG qualification details (Passed/Appearing).
- Exam City Selection: Choose four preferred exam cities.
- Subject Selection: Choose the code for your Paper II subject.
- Aadhaar Verification: Complete the Aadhaar verification UGC NET application step for a smoother process later.
Stage III: Document Upload and Fee Payment
This stage requires precision and addresses the “photo size” and “error code” content gaps.
- Document Upload: Upload your Photograph and Signature according to the exact specifications (detailed below). Inaccurate file sizes or formats lead to application rejection.
- Final Review: Before proceeding, review every single detail on your form. Once you click submit, changes are highly restricted.
- Fee Payment: Proceed to the payment gateway.
- Troubleshooting Tip: If you get an error code during fee payment UGC NET and the money is debited, wait 24 hours. Check the transaction status on the NTA portal before attempting a second payment.
- Confirmation Page: Download, print, and save the Confirmation Page. This is the only proof of your successful UGC NET December 2025 Application Form submission.
Documents Required for Registration 📎
Use this UGC NET required document list as a scannable checklist.
| Document | Format | Size Range | Note on Quality |
| Recent Photograph | JPG/JPEG | 10 KB – 200 KB | 80% face visibility, white background. |
| Candidate Signature | JPG/JPEG | 4 KB – 30 KB | Clear signature on a white background. |
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) | 50 KB – 300 KB | Must be as per Government of India format. | |
| PwD Certificate (If applicable) | 50 KB – 300 KB | Addresses the UGC NET PwD certificate upload requirements. | |
| Government ID Proof | (Details taken from ID) | N/A | Aadhaar Card, Passport, Ration Card, etc. |
7. Application Fees and Payment Methods
The fee is paid online through the NTA portal.
| Category | Application Fee |
| General / Unreserved | ₹ 1150/- |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹ 600/- |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹ 325/- |
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid ❌
Avoid these pitfalls which often land aspirants in the UGC NET form correction window details unnecessarily:
- The Subject Selection Swap: Double-check that your Paper II subject code matches your chosen subject. This is a common, irreversible error.
- The Last-Minute Rush: The UGC NET website not working solution is often just waiting, but submitting on the last day guarantees traffic issues. Apply one week early.
- Photo/Signature Blur: The NTA uses automated software for verification. A blurry or improperly sized image will lead to a rejection of the form on technical grounds.
- JRF vs AP Confusion: Ensure you meet the age limit for JRF before selecting it.
FAQs – Answering What Students Ask Most
Q1: What should I do if the Confirmation Page is not generated?
This indicates the payment was unsuccessful. Log in again and check the status. If your bank account was debited, wait 24 hours for reconciliation before re-attempting payment. If you need to know how to retrieve UGC NET application number, use the ‘Forgot Application Number’ link on the login page.
Q2: Can I apply if my Master’s result is awaited?
Yes, candidates in the final year/semester are eligible. You must fill in the “Appearing” status. You will need to produce the passing certificate later.
Q3: When will I know the status of my UGC NET application form after submission?
The status remains ‘Submitted’ until the NTA processes it. You will receive an official notification about the UGC NET city allotment date a few weeks before the exam, which confirms your application has been accepted.
Q4: Is it better to apply for only Assistant Professor or both JRF and Assistant Professor?
If you meet the age criteria for JRF, always select “JRF & Assistant Professor.” This makes you eligible for both. If you only meet the Assistant Professor criteria (no age limit), select that option.
Key Takeaway
You have all the information, the links, and the expert guidance needed to successfully fill the UGC NET December 2025 Application Form. Focus on precision during document upload and application review. The biggest hurdle is behind you. Now, it’s time to channel this energy into your exam preparation!