Your application is almost done. Your live photo isn't cooperating. And the deadline is getting closer. If you're applying for the UGC NET December 2026 session, don't let a camera or browser glitch derail your form at the last minute.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has shared specific troubleshooting steps for candidates struggling with live-photo capture during the application process. More importantly, the application deadline is October 28, 2026, while the latest NTA bulletin has also changed the examination schedule.

So, before you hit submit, here's everything you need to know - from the UGC NET registration deadline and fees to eligibility, live-photo fixes, revised exam dates and new exam-day rules.

UGC NET December 2026: What Is the Live Photo Problem?

The NTA's live-photo requirement has left some applicants stuck while completing their online forms. The good news? The agency has now shared a simple checklist to resolve the issue.

According to NTA's latest instructions, candidates should:

• Make sure there is proper lighting on the face.
• Keep the background clear and well-lit.
• Ensure that only one face appears in the camera frame.
• Clear the browser cache if the problem continues.
• Try using a different browser.
• Open the application portal in incognito mode.
• Reopen the application form and attempt the live-photo capture again.

Quick tip: Don't wait until the final evening to fix the photo issue. Camera permissions, browser compatibility and heavy website traffic can turn a five-minute task into a frustrating one.

UGC NET Registration 2026: Check Last Date, Late Fee & Correction Window

The UGC NET registration process for the December session opened on October 8, 2026. Candidates have until October 28 to submit their application and pay the prescribed fee.

Those who miss the regular deadline can still submit their forms between October 29 and October 31, but a ₹500 late fee will apply in addition to the examination fee. The correction window will remain open from November 2 to November 4, 2026.

Important: NTA's updated Information Bulletin dated October 16, 2026 supersedes the earlier schedule. Candidates should rely on the updated bulletin rather than older articles mentioning December 14–19.

How Much Is the NTA UGC NET Application Fee?

The application fee depends on the candidate's category:

• General/Unreserved: ₹1,150
• General-EWS/OBC-NCL: ₹600
• SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender: ₹325

The ₹500 late fee is additional to the applicable examination fee.

Who Is Eligible for UGC NET December 2026?

For candidates applying under the General/Unreserved/General-EWS category, the minimum requirement is 55% marks, without rounding off, in a recognised Master's degree or equivalent qualification.

Candidates from eligible reserved categories are permitted the prescribed relaxation, with the minimum requirement generally being 50% marks.

Students who are currently pursuing their Master's degree, have appeared for their final-year qualifying examination but are awaiting results, or whose qualifying examination has been delayed may also apply, subject to the applicable conditions.

Candidates with a four-year Bachelor's degree also have specific eligibility provisions under the updated NTA rules. Those candidates should carefully check the current Information Bulletin before selecting their eligibility category.

How to Apply for the UGC NET Exam?

The application process is completely online. Here's the simplest way to approach it:

1. Visit the official UGC-NET website.
2. Open the December 2026 application link.
3. Complete the registration process.
4. Fill in your personal, academic and examination details.
5. Upload the required documents and complete the live-photo capture.
6. Select your examination cities as permitted.
7. Pay the application fee online.
8. Submit the form.
9. Download and save the confirmation page.
10. Keep a copy for future reference.

Don't just check whether the payment went through. Make sure the final confirmation page has been generated and saved.

UGC NET Exam Dates Revised: What Candidates Need to Know

Here's where candidates need to be particularly careful.

The initial schedule had the examination running through December 19. However, NTA subsequently issued an updated bulletin/corrigendum. The UGC NET exam will now be conducted on December 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21, 2026.

The exam city intimation slip is scheduled from November 23, while admit cards are scheduled to become available from December 7. The subject-wise schedule will be issued separately.

This is worth highlighting because several older reports still carry the earlier December 14 - 19 schedule.

What Is the NTA UGC NET Exam Pattern?

The examination will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.

There are two papers:

• Paper I: 50 questions carrying 100 marks
• Paper II: 100 questions carrying 200 marks
• Total: 150 questions and 300 marks
• Duration: 180 minutes
• Negative marking: No

Paper I tests teaching/research aptitude and related general abilities, while Paper II focuses on the candidate's selected subject.

Candidates should therefore think of the exam as one three-hour sitting rather than two completely separate tests.

New Exam Day Rules You Should Not Miss

The revised bulletin contains several practical changes that candidates may easily overlook.

You don't need to carry a ball-point pen. NTA will provide one at the examination centre. Normal shoes, slippers and low-heeled sandals are permitted, while long boots are not. Watches are listed among prohibited items.

Another important clarification concerns questions marked for review. An attempted question will be evaluated even if it has been marked for review. However, unanswered or unattempted questions will not be evaluated.

NTA has also clarified provisions related to examination-city preferences, application corrections and scribe/compensatory-time requirements in the revised bulletin.

5 Things Candidates Should Do Right Now

If you've already started your application, don't leave these tasks for the last day:

1. Fix the live photo first.
Try the NTA troubleshooting steps before repeatedly refreshing the form.

2. Complete payment well before October 28.
A successful payment alone isn't enough; save the confirmation page.

3. Check every detail before submitting.
Name, category, qualification, subject and examination-city preferences deserve a second look.

4. Save the latest NTA bulletin.
The updated document dated October 16 is the one candidates should follow.

5. Don't trust an old exam-date screenshot.
The revised schedule is December 14–18 and December 21.

UGC NET December 2026: Important Dates at a Glance

If you remember nothing else, remember these dates:

October 28: Regular application deadline
October 29–31: Application with late fee
November 2–4: Correction window
November 23: Exam city intimation
December 7: Admit card
December 14–18 & December 21: Examination

The Bottom Line

The UGC NET December 2026 application window is already in its final stretch, and the live-photo issue is one more thing candidates need to sort out before submitting their forms.

The biggest takeaway? Don't rely on old schedules. NTA's updated bulletin has revised the exam dates, and the latest official schedule is December 14–18 and December 21, 2026.

For the latest notifications, candidates should rely on the official UGC-NET portal and its Information Bulletin page, where NTA has published the updated bulletin and related documents.