The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised the information bulletin for the University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2026 session, introducing amendments and clarifications to several examination-related rules.
As outlined in the updated document, the examination will be conducted on 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 December.
NTA has also announced that the examination city intimation slip will be released on 23 November, while admit cards are scheduled to become available on 7 December.
Eligible candidates can register for UGC-NET through the official website, ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The last date to submit the application form is 28 October.
Revised Bulletin
The revised bulletin addresses multiple aspects of the examination process, including permitted and prohibited items, evaluation of responses, examination city preferences, gate-closing schedules, dress code requirements, application form corrections, scribe-related documentation and payment gateway charges.
NTA has specifically advised applicants to examine the comparative statement of amendments, identified as Annexure-A, and the updated information bulletin, provided as Annexure-B, before filling out their forms and appearing for the examination.
Read the official notice here.
Evaluation of answers marked for review
One of the key amendments concerns the evaluation of answers marked for review. Under the revised guidelines, responses that candidates have attempted will be assessed even if they have marked the questions for review. However, questions left unanswered or not attempted will not be evaluated, regardless of whether they have been marked for review.
Ballpens at exam centres
The updated provisions also clarify the arrangements for ball-point pens at examination centres. While the earlier bulletin included pens in the list of prohibited items, the revised document specifies that candidates will be provided with pens at the centres.
Selection of cities for exam
The revised bulletin also modifies the rules governing the selection of examination cities. Candidates are generally required to select four preferred cities in order of priority, subject to the prescribed conditions relating to their permanent or present address. However, if fewer than four examination cities are available in the state or Union Territory associated with a candidate’s permanent or present address, the applicant may choose from the options displayed on the portal. Eligible candidates will also be allowed to modify their city preferences during the application correction window. These provisions give applicants greater flexibility when selecting their preferred examination locations, particularly where the available choices are limited.
Entry rules, footwear modifications
Changes have also been introduced to the examination centre entry rules and permitted footwear. According to the revised bulletin, the gates of examination centres will close 30 minutes before the examination begins. Candidates must therefore plan their travel and reporting time accordingly.
Regarding footwear, the updated guidelines permit normal shoes, slippers and sandals with low heels, while long boots are not allowed.
Documentation requirements
The amendments further cover documentation requirements for candidates using their own scribes and the applicable payment gateway charges. The prescribed undertaking proforma for candidates bringing their own scribes has been shifted from Annexure IX in the earlier bulletin to Annexure VII in the revised document.
NTA has also replaced the existing table of payment gateway and service charges with an updated version included in the corrigendum. In addition, the revised bulletin addresses provisions relating to fee refunds, examination medium options and application form corrections.