Getting ready for the lectureship and JRF battle? The National Testing Agency has finally released the NTA UGC NET June 2026 exam schedule, and the exams are happening from June 22 to June 30, 2026. If you've been refreshing the official page hoping for updates, it's time to stop waiting and start planning. I know how stressful exam week gets. You're trying to revise thousands of pages, and then you have to deal with the messy logistics of exam centres. This guide helps you navigate all of it without losing your mind.
How to read the UGC NET subject-wise schedule
NTA is conducting the exam in computer-based mode. I think this is much better than the old offline pen-and-paper system they tried before. It's cleaner, and you don't waste ten minutes bubbling OMR sheets. The exam runs across nine days. The official schedule splits eighty-three subjects into two daily shifts. Thing is, your exam date depends entirely on your subject code. Subjects with massive candidate counts, like Commerce (subject code 08) or English (subject code 30), usually get scheduled across multiple sessions or on specific days to handle the load on servers. You can read the latest updates in our education news section.
Here is how the shift timings work:
- Shift 1: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. You must report by 8:00 AM. The entry gate closes at 8:30 AM sharp. If you arrive at 8:31 AM, the guards will turn you away, no matter how much you plead.
- Shift 2: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. You must report by 2:00 PM. The entry gate closes at 2:30 PM.
Both papers happen in a single three-hour window. There is no break between Paper 1 and Paper 2. So you need to train your brain to sit in one place for 180 minutes. Honestly, it's a test of endurance as much as knowledge. You will have to solve fifty questions in Paper 1 and one hundred questions in Paper 2. Since there is no negative marking, make sure you attempt all one hundred and fifty questions before the timer runs out.
Your step-by-step UGC NET admit card guide
NTA does not release the admit card directly. First, they release the city intimation slip. This is just a document that tells you which city your centre is in. It helps you book train or bus tickets early, which is helpful if your centre is far away. In a country where trains get fully booked weeks in advance, knowing your exam city early is a lifesaver. Don't confuse this with the final hall ticket. You can't enter the hall with just a city slip.
How to download the city slip
The city slip comes out about ten days before the exam. Here is how you can check yours:
- Open your web browser on your phone or laptop. Type ugcnet.nta.ac.in in the address bar and press enter. You'll see the official homepage of the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test. The page has a blue header and a section labeled 'Latest News' on the left side, with a 'Candidate Activity' box on the bottom right.
- Inside the candidate activity box, look for the text link that says 'Advance City Intimation Slip for UGC NET June 2026'. Click on it. The site will open a login form in a new tab.
- The login form has a few boxes. Locate the box labeled 'Application Number'. Type your unique application number there. If you don't remember it, search for NTA in your email inbox to find the confirmation mail you got during registration in April or May.
- Below that, you'll see a row for 'Date of Birth'. Select your day, month, and year from the three separate dropdown lists.
- Next is the security pin field. Look at the green-colored code showing at the bottom of the form. Type this code exactly as it is into the box. If it is too blurry, click the circular arrows next to it to refresh and get a clean code.
- Click the blue submit button at the bottom of the form. The page will reload and show a preview of your city intimation slip.
- Check the row that says 'City of Exam'. This is where your exam centre will be. Click the print button on the top right, select save as PDF, and store it on your device.
Remember, this is not your entry pass. You can't take this to the exam centre. It is just for planning your travel.
How to download your admit card
The actual admit card comes out three to four days before your specific exam date. You must download it and print it. Here is the exact process:
- Go back to the official NTA portal at ugcnet.nta.ac.in. The layout will look similar to when you checked the city slip, but the links in the candidate activity box will be updated.
- Look for the active link that reads 'Admit Card for UGC NET June 2026' and click it. The portal opens a login interface.
- Enter your application number and date of birth in the designated fields. Be careful not to make typing mistakes here.
- Type the security captcha pin from the image into the input field.
- Click the login or submit button. A pop-up or new page will appear for Aadhaar verification.
- You will see three options for Aadhaar. The first option is to share your Aadhaar number voluntarily to speed up verification. I think this is the easiest choice. Select the checkbox to consent to sharing your details, type your 12-digit Aadhaar number, and click verify. If you do not have Aadhaar or do not want to use it, select the option to verify using another government ID, like a PAN card or passport, and proceed.
- Once the verification screen clears, click the download button. Your full three-page admit card will load on the screen.
- Check all details on the document. Check your name, roll number, category, reporting time, shift time, and exam centre address. Scroll down to the print icon at the bottom of the page, click it, and save the PDF. Print it out on a clean A4 sheet of paper.
I recommend printing two copies. Keep one in your bag and one at home. You don't want to run around looking for a xerox shop on exam morning.
Exam day guidelines and what to carry
NTA is very strict about security. If you carry something you shouldn't, they'll bar you immediately. Here is what you must carry in your clear plastic folder:
- A printed copy of your admit card. You must fill out the self-declaration form on page one. Do not sign it yet. You must sign it in front of the invigilator.
- One passport-size photograph. This must be the same photo you uploaded during registration. You will paste this on the attendance sheet at the centre.
- An original photo ID. You can bring your Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, voter ID, or driving license. Scans on your phone or photocopies do not work.
- A simple blue or black ballpoint pen. Transparent body only.
- A transparent water bottle if you need one.
Electronic gadgets, including smartwatches, mobile phones, calculators, Bluetooth devices, and even metallic items like thick jewelry or belts, are completely banned inside the exam hall. NTA uses metal detectors at the entry gate, and you will not get a locker to store your bags.
Leave your phone with a friend or family member if they are coming with you. If you are traveling alone, try to find a local shop nearby that keeps bags for a small fee of ten or twenty rupees. But do this at your own risk. Make sure your shoes don't have thick soles and your clothes don't have large buttons, as security guards might ask you to remove them.
How to handle registration issues or portal errors
Sometimes the official website crashes. This is common on the day admit cards come out because lakhs of students try to log in at the same time. If the page doesn't load, do not panic. Wait for an hour and try again late at night or early in the morning when server traffic is low. If you find a spelling mistake in your name or if your photo is missing from the admit card, you must contact NTA immediately. You can reach them at:
- Helpline Number: 011-40759000 or 011-69227700
- Official Email: ugcnet@nta.ac.in
They are usually slow to respond to emails, so calling the helpline is your best bet. Keep your application number and registered phone number ready when you call. If they do not pick up, keep trying. It takes time, but they eventually answer. You can also read our digital guides section for help with other exam portals.
Stay safe from online exam scams
Every exam season brings fraud. Scammers create fake websites that look exactly like the NTA portal to steal your registration details or demand money for leaked papers. Look, NTA never sends WhatsApp messages asking for money to update your exam centre. If you get a message like that, it is a scam. Do not click on links in forwarded messages. Only trust the official ugcnet.nta.ac.in website. For more details on online safety, read our scam warning guides. Make sure you check your registration status only on official government portals. Your hard work is valuable, so don't let a simple click ruin your chance.
