The National Testing Agency (NTA) has unveiled the complete examination schedule for the upcoming UGC NET December 2025 session. Aspirants across India can now access the detailed subject-wise timetable, marking a crucial step in the examination process. The tests will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode over eight days, from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026.
UGC NET December 2025: Detailed Subject-Wise Schedule
The official notification provides a clear breakdown of subjects assigned to specific dates and shifts. The examination will be held in two shifts daily: Shift I from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Shift II from 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM. Notably, the first day of the exam, December 31, will only have a morning shift.
The schedule is as follows:
December 31, 2025 (Only Shift I): Law, Social Work, Telugu, Tourism Administration & Management, Spanish, Prakrit, Kashmiri, and Konkani.
January 2, 2026: Shift I includes Computer Science, Library Science, Urdu, and Forensic Science. Shift II covers Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, and Yoga.
January 3, 2026: Commerce, Sanskrit, and Criminology are in Shift I. Geography, Education, and Indian Culture are scheduled for Shift II.
January 5, 2026: English, Anthropology, and French are in the morning. History, Visual Arts, and Archaeology will be held in the afternoon.
January 6, 2026: Political Science, Defence Studies, and Hindi Studies are in Shift I. Hindi, Tamil, Mass Communication, and Kannada are in Shift II.
January 7, 2026: The final day features Economics, Management, and Public Administration in Shift I. Environmental Sciences, Home Science, Physical Education, and Music will conclude the session in Shift II.
Key Instructions and Guidelines for Candidates
The NTA, in its notice dated December 17, 2025, has issued important instructions for all registered candidates. The intimation of the exact city of the exam centre will be made available on the official website ten days prior to the examination date. Candidates must regularly check the NTA's dedicated portal for updates.
Official Website: Candidates are advised to monitor https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/ for all updates, admit cards, and official notices.
Helpline Support: For any clarifications, the NTA has provided a dedicated helpline number 011-40759000 and an official email address: ugcnet@nta.ac.in.
The agency has stressed that all critical information or changes regarding the examination will be communicated exclusively through the official website. Aspirants must ensure they are thoroughly familiar with their subject code, assigned date, and shift timing to avoid any last-minute confusion.
Preparation and Next Steps for Aspirants
With the release of the definitive schedule, candidates can now finalize their revision plans with precision. Knowing the exact date for their subject allows for targeted preparation in the final weeks. It is crucial for aspirants to download their admit cards as soon as they are released and to note all exam protocols regarding entry timings and permitted items.
The UGC NET qualification is a gateway for Assistant Professor positions and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The December 2025 cycle is a significant opportunity for lakhs of post-graduates aiming for a career in academia and research.
