If you’re planning to appear for UGC NET June 2026, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially opened applications. UGC NET is a national-level eligibility test that determines candidates’ eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professorship, and PhD admissions across Indian universities. Here’s everything you need to know before the May 20 deadline.
Eligibility Criteria for UGC NET June 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has outlined the following eligibility criteria for UGC NET June 2026:
Educational Qualification – Master’s Degree route
- Candidates must have a Master’s degree or equivalent from a university recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- Minimum required marks:
- 55% for General / Unreserved / EWS candidates
- 50% for OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender candidates
- Marks should be calculated without rounding off
Final-Year and Result Awaited Candidates
- Candidates who are:
- Appearing in final year of Master’s
- Awaiting results
- Facing delayed results: eligible to apply
- Such candidates will be admitted provisionally
- They must:
- Complete their Master’s within 2 years (for JRF/Assistant Professor eligibility)
- Complete within 1 year (for PhD admission only)
- Failure to meet this condition: disqualification
4-Year Bachelor’s Degree route
Not many candidates know this: if you hold a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree, you may still be eligible to apply, even without a Master’s degree.
- Minimum marks required:
- 75% (General category)
- 70% (Reserved categories – 5% relaxation)
- Eligible for:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- Ph.D. admission
- Not eligible for:
- Assistant Professor position
- Final-year UG students can also apply (provisional basis)
Examination Pattern, Marking Scheme & Syllabus for UGC NET Psychology 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET exam in a single session, with no breaks in between. The Exam will have 2 sections, and both sections will have Objective-type Multiple-Choice Questions.
Exam Pattern
| Sections | Number of Questions | Marks | Focus Area | What It Assesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 50 | 100 | Teaching & Research Aptitude | Reasoning ability, reading comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness |
| Paper II | 100 | 200 | Subject-Specific | In-depth knowledge of the subject chosen by the candidate |
Duration & Key Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) Only |
| Break Between Papers | No break |
| Type of Questions | Objective (MCQs) |
| Compulsory Questions | Yes (All questions are mandatory) |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Medium of Question Paper | English & Hindi (except for language papers) |
| Choice of Medium | Must be selected while filling the application form; cannot be changed later |
| Answering Language | Candidates must answer in the selected medium only |
| In Case of Discrepancy | The English version of the question will be considered final; decision of the National Testing Agency (NTA) will be binding |
Marking Scheme
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Answering Method | Candidates must select one option as the correct answer for each question |
| Marks per Question | 2 marks |
| Correct Response | +2 marks awarded |
| Incorrect Response | No negative marking |
| Un-attempted / Marked for Review | No marks awarded |
| Multiple Correct Options | +2 marks awarded to candidates who have marked any of the correct options |
| All Options Correct | +2 marks awarded to all candidates who attempted the question |
| No Correct Option / Question Dropped | +2 marks awarded to candidates who attempted the question |
| Key Strategic Insight | Since there is no negative marking, candidates are advised to attempt all questions by choosing the most appropriate answer |
Syllabus
For the full syllabus, check the Psychology Syllabus PDF. You may also find our UGC NET JRF Psychology Preparation Guide helpful.
Age Limit & Relaxation
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has specified separate age criteria for different eligibility categories for UGC NET June 2026:
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- Maximum Age Limit: Not more than 30 years as on 01 June 2026
Age Relaxation
- Up to 5 years relaxation is provided to:
- OBC-NCL (as per Central List)
- SC / ST
- PwD / PwBD
- Third Gender
- Women candidates
- Research Experience Relaxation:
- Relaxation equal to the actual research duration (in relevant field)
- Maximum limit: 5 years
- Must be supported by a certificate from:
- Recognized Indian University
- Institute of National Importance
- Recognized foreign university
- Government/Public Sector Undertaking
- Note: Research done during UG/PG studies will not be considered
- Additional Relaxations:
- Armed Forces personnel: Up to 5 years (based on length of service)
- Important: Total relaxation under all categories cannot exceed 5 years
Assistant Professor
- No upper age limit for applying
Admission to PhD
- No upper age limit for applying
Seat Reservation
The reservation policy of the Government of India is applicable to the UGC NET Exam. As per the guidelines followed in Central Universities and institutions deemed to be universities, seat distribution is as follows:
Category-wise Reservation
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 15% of seats
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5% of seats
- Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer): 27% of seats (as per Central List)
- General – Economically Weaker Sections (Gen-EWS): 10% of seats
Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)
- 5% reservation is provided horizontally across all categories
- Applicable to candidates with 40% or more disability
Important Note: Reservation is implemented as per norms set by the GoI. Candidates must ensure they meet the relevant category criteria and possess valid certificates.
Examination Fee
Application fee for various categories is as follows:
- General / Unreserved: Rs 1150/-
- Gen-Economically Weaker Section (EWS) / Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL): Rs 600/-
- Schedule Caste (SC) / Schedule Tribe (ST) / Person with Disability (PwD) / Person with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) / Third Gender: Rs 325/-
Candidates must pay the fee online through net banking, credit card, debit card, or UPI. Any applicable service/processing charges and GST are the candidate’s responsibility, over and above the base fee. The fee is non-refundable.
Click Here to Apply for the UGC NET (Psychology) June 2026
Important Dates & Other Details
| Events | Date (tentative) |
|---|---|
| Last Date of Application Submission | 20 May 2026 (up-to 11:50 PM) |
| Last Date of Application Fee Submission | 20 May 2026 (up-to 11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window for Submitted Application Forms (online only) | 22 – 24 May 2026 |
| Exam City Details | By 10 June 2026 |
| Admit Card (available for download) | By 15 June 2026 |
| Date of Exam | 22 – 30 June 2026 |
| Exam Center, Date, Time & Shift of Exam | Will be mentioned in the admit card |
| Provisional Answer Keys & Challenges from Candidates | Will be announced later on the official website |
| Result Declaration | Will be announced later, after the exam, on the official website |
Subject Selection Criteria
- Candidates are advised to choose the same subject as their Post-Graduation
- If the PG subject is not listed, a related subject can be selected
- Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree:
- Can choose any subject for PhD, regardless of UG discipline
Important Instructions
- No need to send documents to NTA during application
- Eligibility is not verified at the time of registration
- Candidature is purely provisional
- If found ineligible at any stage:
- Candidature will be cancelled
- Legal action may be taken
- Candidates with:
- Foreign degrees: must obtain equivalence from UGC
- PG diplomas: must verify equivalence via AIU
What qualifying UGC NET means for you?
Qualifying for the UGC NET opens the door to a career in academia, whether that’s securing a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) with a monthly stipend, becoming eligible for Assistant Professor (AP) positions in central universities, or gaining direct admission to PhD programmes without an entrance test.
Need more help?
Have questions about the UGC NET JRF Psychology exam or need guidance on where to start? Our team at UPS Education is happy to help.
Contact no: +91-9990717772
Website: upseducation.in
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for UGC NET June 2026?
The last date to submit both the application form and application fee is 20 May 2026 (up to 11:50 PM). A correction window is available from 22–24 May 2026 for submitted forms.
2. Who is eligible for UGC NET June 2026?
Candidates with a Master’s degree (55% for General, 50% for reserved categories) from a UGC-recognized university are eligible. Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) may also apply for JRF and PhD admission. Final-year students can apply on a provisional basis.
3. What is the age limit for UGC NET JRF 2026?
The maximum age limit for JRF is 30 years as on 1 June 2026. A relaxation of up to 5 years is available for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender, and women candidates. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD admission.
4. Is there negative marking in UGC NET 2026?
No, there is no negative marking in UGC NET 2026. Each correct answer awards 2 marks, and unattempted questions receive zero. Candidates are advised to attempt all 150 questions.
5. Can final-year students apply for UGC NET June 2026?
Yes, candidates in their final year of a Master’s programme or awaiting results are eligible to apply on a provisional basis. They must complete their degree within 2 years (for JRF/Assistant Professor) or 1 year (for PhD admission only).
6. What is the application fee for UGC NET 2026?
The fee is Rs 1,150 for General/Unreserved candidates, Rs 600 for EWS/OBC-NCL, and Rs 325 for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates. Payment is accepted online only, and the fee is non-refundable.