UGC NET December 2025 Registration: Complete Step-by-Step Guide & Important Deadlines

Are you preparing to register for the UGC NET December 2025 examination but feeling overwhelmed by the application process? You’re not alone. Thousands of aspirants across India face confusion regarding registration deadlines, document requirements, and fee payment procedures every year.

Missing a registration deadline or making a mistake in your application form can cost you an entire attempt – six months of waiting and preparation. Therefore, understanding the UGC NET December 2025 registration process thoroughly is not just important; it’s absolutely critical to your success.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover:

✅ Complete UGC NET 2025 registration timeline with all important dates
✅ Step-by-step application process with screenshots and tips
✅ Document requirements and photo/signature specifications
✅ Application fee details and payment methods
✅ Common mistakes to avoid during registration
✅ Correction window procedures and deadlines

By the end of this article, you’ll have complete clarity on the UGC NET December 2025 application process, ensuring a smooth, error-free registration experience. Let’s dive in!

Understanding UGC NET December 2025: Quick Overview

Before we explore the registration process, let’s quickly understand what makes the UGC NET December 2025 examination important.

The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year, typically in June and December. This examination determines eligibility for:

Assistant Professor positions in Indian universities and colleges
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for pursuing Ph.D. with financial assistance
Admission to Ph.D. programs in various universities

The UGC NET December 2025 session is particularly crucial as it offers aspirants another opportunity within the same calendar year to achieve their academic career goals.

UGC NET December 2025 Important Dates & Registration Timeline

Knowing the exact dates for UGC NET 2025 registration is your first step toward successful application submission. Missing these deadlines means waiting another six months for the next cycle.

Tentative Important Dates for UGC NET December 2025

Event	Tentative Date
Official Notification Release	October 2025
Online Registration Begins	07th October 2025
Last Date for Registration	07th November 2025
Correction Window Opens	10th November 2025
Correction Window Closes	12th November 2025
Admit Card Release	2-3 weeks before exam
Examination Date	31st December 2025 to 07th January 2026
Answer Key Release	Within 7 days of exam
Result Declaration	4-6 weeks after exam

⚠️ Important Note: According to the official NTA website, exact dates are typically announced 6-8 weeks before the examination. Aspirants should regularly check ugcnet.nta.nic.in for the latest updates.

Why These Dates Matter

Understanding the timeline helps you:

Plan your preparation around registration deadlines
Arrange necessary documents well in advance
Avoid last-minute technical glitches by registering early
Utilize the correction window effectively if needed

Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the last date for UGC NET December 2025 registration. The NTA portal experiences heavy traffic during the final days, leading to server slowdowns and potential submission failures.

UGC NET December 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Before starting your UGC NET 2025 application process, ensure you meet the eligibility requirements set by NTA.

Educational Qualification

Category	Minimum Qualification	Minimum Percentage
General / OBC-NCL / EWS (for JRF & Assistant Professor)	Master’s Degree	55%
SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender (for JRF & Assistant Professor)	Master’s Degree	50%
All Categories (for Assistant Professor only)	Master’s Degree	50%

Key Points:

Candidates who have appeared or are appearing in the final year of their Master’s degree can also apply
The required percentage is calculated based on the UGC guidelines (average of all semesters)
For percentage calculation from CGPA, follow your university’s conversion formula

Age Limit

Category	Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Assistant Professor Only
General / EWS / OBC-NCL	Maximum 30 years	No upper age limit
SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender	Maximum 35 years	No upper age limit

Age Relaxation Details:

Age is calculated as on the date of the UGC NET December 2025 examination
Women candidates from all categories get an additional 5 years relaxation
Candidates with continuous teaching/professional experience get additional relaxation as per UGC guidelines

UGC NET December 2025 Registration Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Now comes the most critical section—the actual UGC NET December 2025 application process. Follow these steps carefully to ensure error-free registration.

Step 1: Visit the Official NTA UGC NET Portal

Action Required:

Open your web browser and navigate to ugcnet.nta.nic.in
Look for the notification titled “UGC NET December 2025 Registration”
Read the complete Information Bulletin (PDF) carefully – this document contains all official guidelines

Why This Matters: The Information Bulletin is your official reference document. It contains detailed instructions, eligibility criteria, and examination guidelines directly from NTA.

Step 2: New Candidate Registration

Action Required:

Click on “New Registration” or “Apply Online” link
Fill in basic details:
- Full Name (as per qualifying degree certificate)
- Father’s Name
- Mother’s Name
- Date of Birth
- Valid Email ID
- Active Mobile Number
Choose a strong password (note it down securely)
Select Security Question and provide the answer
Enter the Captcha Code correctly
Click on “Submit”

Important: You’ll receive a system-generated Application Number via email and SMS. Save this number—you’ll need it for login and future reference.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Many candidates use temporary email IDs or incorrect mobile numbers. All official communication regarding UGC NET 2025 registration happens through these channels, so provide accurate details.

Step 3: Login and Complete Application Form

Once you receive your Application Number, log back into the portal using:

Application Number
Password
Security Pin/Captcha

Now you’ll fill out the detailed application form with the following sections:

Section A: Personal Details

Fill in your:

Full Name (exactly as per certificate)
Gender
Category (General/OBC-NCL/SC/ST/EWS/PwBD)
Nationality
Marital Status
Aadhaar Number (optional but recommended)
Permanent and Correspondence Address

Pro Tip: Keep your Class 10th/12th certificate handy for accurate date of birth and name spelling.

Section B: Educational Qualifications

Enter details of your:

Master’s Degree (Subject, University, Year of Passing, Percentage/CGPA)
Bachelor’s Degree
Class 12th
Class 10th

For candidates appearing in the final year, select the option “Appearing” and upload a certificate from your university.

Critical Point: The subject you choose here determines your Paper II subject. This cannot be changed later, so select carefully.

Section C: Exam City Selection

Choose four exam cities in order of preference from the dropdown menu. NTA will allot your examination center based on availability.

Strategic Advice:

Select cities close to your current location
Avoid metro cities if possible (less crowded centers)
Your first preference gets priority, but allocation depends on availability

Section D: Category Certificate Upload (if applicable)

Upload required certificates based on your category:

Category	Document Required
OBC-NCL	Non-Creamy Layer certificate (issued within 1 year)
SC/ST	Caste certificate issued by competent authority
EWS	EWS certificate (issued in current financial year)
PwBD	Disability certificate (minimum 40% disability)

Format Requirements:

File format: PDF only
Maximum file size: 50 KB to 300 KB
Scan in color with clear text visibility

Step 4: Upload Photograph and Signature

This is where many candidates make mistakes during UGC NET December 2025 registration. Follow these specifications exactly:

Photograph Specifications

Format: JPG/JPEG only
File Size: 10 KB to 200 KB
Dimensions: 3.5 cm (width) × 4.5 cm (height)
Resolution: Minimum 200 DPI
Background: White or light-colored
Recency: Photograph should be recent (taken within 3 months)
Appearance: Face should be clearly visible (80% of photo area)

What to Avoid:

❌ Sunglasses or caps (unless for religious reasons)
❌ Blurred or pixelated images
❌ Group photographs or cropped images
❌ Black and white photos

Signature Specifications

Format: JPG/JPEG only
File Size: 4 KB to 30 KB
Dimensions: 3.5 cm (width) × 1.5 cm (height)
Background: White or light-colored
Type: Hand-written signature on white paper, then scanned

Pro Tip: Use online tools like “ilovepdf.com” or “compressjpeg.com” to resize and compress your images to meet NTA specifications.

Step 5: Fee Payment for UGC NET December 2025

Once you’ve filled all sections and uploaded documents, proceed to the fee payment section.

UGC NET 2025 Application Fee Structure

Category	Registration Fee (INR)
General	₹1,150
General EWS/OBC-NCL	₹600
SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender	₹325

Payment Methods Accepted

You can pay the UGC NET December 2025 registration fee through:

Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, RuPay)
Debit Card (All major banks)
Net Banking (All major banks)
UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM)
E-Wallet (Paytm Wallet, etc.)

Payment Process:

Select your preferred payment mode
Enter payment details
Complete the transaction
Save the transaction ID and payment receipt
Return to the application portal

Important: After successful payment, your application status will change to “Payment Successful”. If payment is made but status doesn’t update within 24 hours, contact NTA immediately with your transaction details.

Step 6: Final Submission and Confirmation

After payment confirmation:

Review all entered details carefully using the “Preview” option
Check photograph and signature clarity
Verify your selected Paper II subject (this cannot be changed)
Click on “Final Submit”
You’ll see a Confirmation Page with your Application Number

Download and Save:

Confirmation Page (PDF)
Fee Payment Receipt
Take printouts of both documents and keep them safe until the examination

Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed your UGC NET December 2025 registration.

Application Correction Window: What You Need to Know

NTA typically provides a correction window for candidates who notice errors in their submitted application. However, not all fields can be corrected.

What Can Be Corrected?

✅ Photograph and Signature upload
✅ Exam city preferences
✅ Category certificate upload
✅ Address details
✅ Mobile number and email ID

What CANNOT Be Corrected?

❌ Candidate’s Name
❌ Date of Birth
❌ Father’s/Mother’s Name
❌ Category (General/SC/ST/OBC)
❌ Paper II Subject
❌ Gender

Correction Process:

Wait for NTA to announce the correction window (usually 4-5 days)
Login using your Application Number and Password
Navigate to “Correction Form” section
Make necessary changes
Pay correction fee (if applicable): ₹200 per correction
Submit and download the updated confirmation page

Pro Tip: Use the correction window only if absolutely necessary. Double-check all details before final submission during the UGC NET 2025 application process to avoid paying additional fees.

Common Mistakes During UGC NET December 2025 Registration (And How to Avoid Them)

Learning from others’ mistakes can save you from unnecessary stress and delays. Here are the most common errors aspirants make:

1. Incorrect Name Spelling

Mistake: Writing name differently from qualifying degree certificate.

Solution: Keep your Master’s degree certificate in front of you while filling the form. Match every character exactly.

2. Wrong Category Selection

Mistake: Selecting the wrong category or not uploading the required certificate.

Solution: If you belong to OBC-NCL, ensure your certificate is valid (issued within the last year). For EWS, the certificate must be from the current financial year.

3. Paper II Subject Confusion

Mistake: Selecting the wrong subject, which cannot be changed later.

Solution: Check the subject code list in the Information Bulletin carefully. If you hold degrees in multiple subjects, choose the one where you’re most confident.

4. Photo/Signature Rejection

Mistake: Uploading images that don’t meet NTA specifications.

Solution: Get professional photos clicked if necessary. Test upload your documents early to ensure they meet size and format requirements.

5. Last-Minute Registration

Mistake: Waiting until the final day to register, leading to technical issues.

Solution: Complete your UGC NET December 2025 registration within the first two weeks of the opening date. This gives you time to handle any unexpected issues.

6. Payment Failures Not Resolved

Mistake: Assuming payment failure means application is cancelled.

Solution: If your payment is deducted but confirmation doesn’t appear, wait for 24 hours. If still unresolved, contact NTA support immediately with your transaction ID.

7. Not Saving Confirmation Details

Mistake: Completing registration but not saving/printing the confirmation page.

Solution: Download and take multiple printouts of your confirmation page and fee receipt. Save digital copies in cloud storage.

Important Documents Required for UGC NET December 2025 Registration

Keep these documents ready before starting your UGC NET 2025 application process:

Mandatory for All Candidates

✅ Class 10th Certificate (for Date of Birth proof)
✅ Master’s Degree Marksheet/Certificate (or provisional certificate if appearing)
✅ Valid Email ID and Mobile Number
✅ Scanned Photograph (as per specifications)
✅ Scanned Signature (as per specifications)
✅ Debit/Credit Card or Net Banking for fee payment

Category-Specific Documents

✅ OBC-NCL Certificate (Non-Creamy Layer, valid for 1 year)
✅ SC/ST Caste Certificate (issued by competent authority)
✅ EWS Certificate (current financial year)
✅ PwBD Certificate (minimum 40% disability)
✅ Transgender Certificate (if applicable)

Optional but Recommended

✅ Aadhaar Card (for identity verification)
✅ PAN Card (alternative ID proof)

UGC NET December 2025 Examination Pattern: Quick Reference

Understanding the exam pattern helps you prepare strategically alongside your registration.

Paper	Subjects	Questions	Marks	Duration
Paper I (General)	Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Comprehension, Communication, Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, ICT, People & Environment, Higher Education System	50 MCQs	100 marks	3 hours (combined)
Paper II (Subject-Specific)	Your chosen subject from 83+ subjects	100 MCQs	200 marks	3 hours (combined)

Total: 150 Questions | 300 Marks | 3 Hours

Marking Scheme:

Each correct answer: +2 marks
Each wrong answer: No negative marking

After Registration: Next Steps for Success

Once you’ve completed your UGC NET December 2025 registration, follow these steps:

1. Start Structured Preparation

Don’t wait for the admit card. Begin your preparation immediately:

Paper I: Focus on teaching methodologies, research aptitude, and data interpretation
Paper II: Cover your subject syllabus systematically
Use previous year papers (last 10 years minimum)

2. Bookmark Important Websites

Official NTA Portal: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
UGC Official Website: ugc.ac.in

Check these regularly for updates on:

Admit card release
Exam day instructions
Answer key publication
Result declaration

3. Download Admit Card

NTA releases admit cards approximately 2-3 weeks before the examination on the official portal. You’ll need:

Application Number
Date of Birth
Password/Security Pin

Without an admit card, you cannot appear for the examination. Ensure you download and print it as soon as available.

4. Plan Exam Day Logistics

Identify your examination center location
Plan travel and accommodation (if required)
Keep multiple photocopies of admit card
Arrange valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Driving License/Passport)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When will UGC NET December 2025 registration start?

The UGC NET December 2025 registration is expected to begin in late October 2025, following the release of the official notification by NTA. The exact dates are typically announced 6-8 weeks before the examination. Candidates should regularly check the official NTA UGC NET portal (ugcnet.nta.nic.in) for updates. Based on previous patterns, registration usually remains open for 4-6 weeks.

2. What is the application fee for UGC NET December 2025?

The UGC NET 2025 application fee is ₹1,150 for General candidates. Please check the official notification for other categories.

3. Can I change my Paper II subject after registration?

No, you cannot change your Paper II subject after completing the UGC NET December 2025 registration and final submission. The subject selection is permanent and cannot be modified even during the correction window. Therefore, candidates must carefully choose their subject based on their Master’s degree qualification and preparation level before final submission. This is one of the most critical decisions during the application process.

4. What are the photograph and signature specifications for UGC NET registration?

For UGC NET December 2025 registration, your photograph must be in JPG/JPEG format, sized 10-200 KB, with dimensions of 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, minimum 200 DPI resolution, and a white or light-colored background. The signature should be JPG/JPEG format, 4-30 KB in size, with dimensions of 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm. Both must be recently taken, clear, and without any blur. Candidates should scan their hand-written signature on white paper rather than using digital signatures.

5. Is there any age relaxation for UGC NET December 2025?

Yes, age relaxation is available for UGC NET 2025 registration. For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), the maximum age is 30 years for General/EWS/OBC-NCL candidates and 35 years for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender candidates. Additionally, women candidates from all categories receive an extra 5 years of age relaxation. Candidates with continuous teaching or professional experience may also receive additional relaxation as per UGC guidelines. For Assistant Professor eligibility only (without JRF), there is no upper age limit.

6. What should I do if my payment is deducted but registration is incomplete?

If your payment is deducted during UGC NET December 2025 registration but the application status doesn’t show “Payment Successful,” wait for 24 hours as the banking system sometimes takes time to update. If the issue persists after 24 hours, contact NTA support immediately through the helpline numbers provided on the official website. Keep your transaction ID, bank reference number, application number, and payment receipt ready when contacting support. Do not make duplicate payments before confirming the first transaction status.

7. Can final year Master’s students apply for UGC NET December 2025?

Yes, candidates who are appearing in the final year of their Master’s degree can apply for UGC NET December 2025 registration. During the application process, you must select the option “Appearing” for your Master’s degree qualification. You’ll need to upload a certificate from your university/college stating that you are a bonafide student appearing in the final year exams. However, you must complete your Master’s degree with the required percentage (55% for General/OBC-NCL/EWS and 50% for SC/ST/PwBD) before document verification if selected.

Conclusion: Your Journey Begins with Registration

Completing the UGC NET December 2025 registration is your first official step toward achieving your dream of becoming an Assistant Professor or earning the prestigious Junior Research Fellowship. While the process may seem overwhelming initially, following this step-by-step guide ensures that you navigate it smoothly and confidently.

Key Takeaways to Remember:

✅ Register early and don’t wait for the last date
✅ Keep all documents ready before starting the application
✅ Double-check every detail, especially name, DOB, and subject choice
✅ Upload high-quality photographs and signatures meeting NTA specifications
✅ Save your confirmation page and payment receipt securely
✅ Use the correction window wisely if needed
✅ Start your preparation immediately after registration

Remember, thousands of aspirants compete for limited JRF positions and teaching opportunities. Your attention to detail during the UGC NET 2025 application process reflects your seriousness and dedication toward this examination.

You’ve got this! Your hard work, combined with smart preparation, will lead you to success. Stay focused, stay motivated, and keep moving forward.

Take Action Now!

📌 Bookmark the official NTA UGC NET website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
📌 Set reminders for registration opening and closing dates
📌 Prepare your documents today so you’re ready when registration opens
📌 Share this guide with fellow UGC NET aspirants who might find it helpful

Have questions or facing challenges with UGC NET December 2025 registration? Drop a comment below, and we’ll personally assist you. Let’s crack this exam together! 💪📚

Disclaimer: All information provided in this article is based on previous UGC NET examination patterns and official guidelines. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification and Information Bulletin released by NTA for the most accurate and updated information regarding UGC NET December 2025.