Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test (CSIR NET)
Built from official exam bulletins, conducting body notifications, and institution pages.
What this exam is
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test (CSIR NET) is a national-level examination that determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for the position of Assistant Professor (previously called Lecturership) in science subjects at Indian universities. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), CSIR NET is the primary gateway to an academic and research career in the sciences in India.
- Conducted by: National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of CSIR and UGC
- Eligibility: MSc or equivalent with minimum 55% marks (50% for reserved categories); JRF age limit of 30 years
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) at NTA test centres
- Frequency: Biannual — June and December sessions
CSIR NET covers five science subjects: Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. It serves a dual purpose. Candidates who qualify are eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor at any UGC-recognised university or college. Among these qualifiers, higher-scoring candidates are additionally awarded Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), which provides a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 for the first two years and ₹42,000 from the third year onwards for pursuing PhD research.
The exam has been conducted in Computer-Based Test mode by NTA since 2018. Previously, the Human Resource Development Group of CSIR (CSIR-HRDG) conducted it in pen-and-paper format. A significant upcoming change: from the December 2026 cycle, the Life Sciences paper will merge with the DBT-BET (Department of Biotechnology — Biotechnology Eligibility Test) to form a unified Joint CSIR-UGC-DBT examination for biological sciences.
Dates, pattern, and cutoffs shown are based on the 2025–26 cycle and may change. Check the CSIR NET portal for the latest notification.
Who should take this exam
Science postgraduates seeking funded PhD positions. CSIR NET JRF is one of the most substantial research fellowships available in India. At ₹37,000 per month (with an increase to ₹42,000 after two years), JRF enables candidates to pursue doctoral research at any Indian university or research institution without relying on institutional or personal funding. JRF holders are sought after by research groups at IITs, IISc, IISERs, TIFR, and CSIR laboratories.
MSc graduates aspiring to teach at universities. CSIR NET qualification (even without JRF) makes candidates eligible for Assistant Professor positions in science departments across UGC-recognised universities and colleges. For candidates in the five CSIR NET subjects, this is the required qualification for a permanent academic career.
How CSIR NET differs from UGC NET. Both exams are conducted by NTA and serve the same twin purpose (JRF + Assistant Professor eligibility). The difference is in subject coverage. CSIR NET covers five pure and applied science subjects (Chemical, Earth, Life, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences). UGC NET covers 83 subjects spanning humanities, social sciences, commerce, languages, and some applied sciences. If your discipline falls under the five CSIR NET subjects, you take CSIR NET; for all other subjects, you take UGC NET.
How CSIR NET differs from GATE. GATE is primarily an entrance exam for MTech/ME admission at IITs and NITs, and for PSU recruitment. While GATE also offers research fellowships, CSIR NET JRF provides a higher stipend and is specifically designed for PhD-track science research. Many science graduates take both exams — GATE for MSc-to-PhD direct admission at IITs, and CSIR NET for the fellowship and Assistant Professor eligibility.
Exam pattern and structure
CSIR NET is a 3-hour Computer-Based Test with a maximum of 200 marks, divided into three parts. The question distribution varies by subject.
| Part | Content | Marks | Negative Marking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Science and Aptitude | 30 | Yes (25% deduction) | Common to all subjects; 20 questions, attempt any 15 |
| Part B | Subject-Specific (Core) | 70 | Yes (25% deduction) | Core MSc-level concepts |
| Part C | Subject-Specific (Advanced) | 100 | Yes (25% deduction, except Mathematical Sciences) | Higher-order analytical questions |
| Total | — | 200 | — | 3 hours |
Subject-wise question distribution
The number of questions and marks per question differ across subjects. All subjects share the same Part A.
| Subject | Part A (Questions / Attempt / Marks each) | Part B (Questions / Attempt / Marks each) | Part C (Questions / Attempt / Marks each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences | 20 / 15 / 2 | 40 / 35 / 2 | 60 / 25 / 4 |
| Earth Sciences | 20 / 15 / 2 | 50 / 35 / 2 | 80 / 25 / 4 |
| Life Sciences | 20 / 15 / 2 | 50 / 35 / 2 | 75 / 25 / 4 |
| Mathematical Sciences | 20 / 15 / 2 | 40 / 25 / 3 | 60 / 20 / 4.75 |
| Physical Sciences | 20 / 15 / 2 | 25 / 20 / 3.5 | 30 / 20 / 5 |
Negative marking applies in all parts (typically 25% of the marks allotted to a question are deducted for an incorrect answer). The exception is Mathematical Sciences Part C, which has no negative marking. Earth Sciences Part C has a 33% deduction rate.
Question format. All questions are multiple-choice. Part A and Part B have single-correct-answer MCQs. Part C may include questions with one or more correct answers, depending on the subject.
Qualification categories
CSIR NET qualifiers are placed into one of three categories:
| Category | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Category 1 — JRF (NET) | Junior Research Fellowship for PhD research + Assistant Professor eligibility |
| Category 2 — LS/AP (NET) | Lecturership / Assistant Professor eligibility only |
| Category 3 — PhD Admission | Eligibility for PhD admission (without fellowship or AP eligibility) |
Syllabus overview
Each of the five subjects has a detailed syllabus published by CSIR-HRDG. Part A is common across all subjects. Parts B and C are subject-specific.
Part A — General Science (common to all subjects)
Part A tests scientific aptitude through questions on logical reasoning, graphical analysis, analytical and numerical ability, quantitative comparison, series completion, and puzzles. It does not test subject-specific knowledge — the questions are designed to be answerable by science graduates from any discipline.
Part B and C — Subject-Specific
| Subject | Key Topics (Part B — Core) | Key Topics (Part C — Advanced) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences | Inorganic Chemistry (periodic table, coordination, organometallics), Organic Chemistry (stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy), Physical Chemistry (thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum chemistry) | Advanced organic synthesis, catalysis, materials chemistry, bioinorganic and biophysical chemistry, spectroscopic methods |
| Earth Sciences | Geology (mineralogy, petrology, structural geology), Geophysics (seismology, geomagnetism), Geochemistry, Palaeontology, Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences | Advanced geodynamics, remote sensing, isotope geochemistry, environmental geosciences, planetary sciences |
| Life Sciences | Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Physiology (plant and animal), Ecology, Evolution, Microbiology, Immunology | Advanced molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, developmental biology, neurobiology, applied biology, bioinformatics |
| Mathematical Sciences | Real Analysis, Linear Algebra, Complex Analysis, Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, Probability and Statistics | Abstract Algebra, Functional Analysis, Topology, Differential Geometry, Fluid Mechanics, Operations Research, Number Theory |
| Physical Sciences | Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, Atomic and Molecular Physics | Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Electronics, Experimental Methods |
The complete subject-wise syllabus can be downloaded from the CSIR NET information bulletin on csirnet.nta.ac.in.
Students preparing for CSIR NET in science disciplines typically hold or are completing degrees in BSc Physics, BSc Chemistry, BSc Biology, BSc Mathematics, or related MSc programmes.
Eligibility and registration
Eligibility criteria
- Educational qualification: MSc or equivalent degree in the relevant science subject with minimum 55% marks (or equivalent grade); 50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender candidates
- Integrated BS-MS candidates: Candidates with a 4-year BS or integrated BS-MS degree are eligible with 75% marks (70% for reserved categories)
- Final-year candidates: Candidates appearing in the final year of MSc or equivalent are eligible, subject to completing the degree before the result declaration
- Age limit for JRF (Category 1): Maximum 30 years as on the first day of the month of the exam; relaxation of up to 5 years for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Third Gender and women candidates
- Age limit for Assistant Professor (Category 2): No upper age limit
- Age limit for PhD Admission (Category 3): No upper age limit
- Number of attempts: No restriction
Registration process
- Visit the CSIR NET portal (csirnet.nta.ac.in)
- Register with a valid email and mobile number
- Fill in the application form with personal, educational, and subject choice details
- Upload photograph, signature, and category certificates (if applicable)
- Pay the application fee online
- Download the confirmation page and admit card when released
Registration fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / Third Gender | ₹325 |
| PwD | Exempted (free) |
Cutoffs and score interpretation
CSIR NET cutoffs are expressed as a percentage of total marks and determined subject-wise and category-wise after each cycle. CSIR-HRDG publishes official cutoff documents for each session.
JRF cutoffs — December 2025 cycle (percentage of total marks)
| Subject | General (UR) | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences | 48.50% | 42.25% | 41.75% | 32.25% | 27.25% | 25.00% |
| Earth Sciences | 57.97% | 52.31% | 50.11% | 40.99% | 40.90% | 25.00% |
| Life Sciences | 54.00% | 44.00% | 44.25% | 36.00% | 34.25% | 25.00% |
| Mathematical Sciences | 42.00% | 36.50% | 36.25% | 29.50% | 26.38% | 25.00% |
| Physical Sciences | 46.13% | 39.06% | 37.94% | 28.69% | 25.25% | 25.00% |
Assistant Professor (LS/AP) cutoffs — December 2025 cycle (percentage of total marks)
| Subject | General (UR) | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences | 43.65% | 38.03% | 37.58% | 29.03% | 25.00% | 25.00% |
| Earth Sciences | 52.17% | 47.08% | 45.10% | 36.89% | 36.81% | 25.00% |
| Life Sciences | 48.60% | 39.60% | 39.83% | 32.40% | 30.83% | 25.00% |
| Mathematical Sciences | 37.80% | 33.00% | 33.00% | 26.55% | 25.00% | 25.00% |
| Physical Sciences | 41.51% | 35.16% | 34.14% | 25.82% | 25.00% | 25.00% |
JRF cutoffs — June 2025 cycle (percentage of total marks)
| Subject | General (UR) | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences | 50.75% | 44.50% | 43.75% | 33.25% | 28.00% |
| Earth Sciences | 61.29% | 53.97% | 53.13% | 44.99% | 43.38% |
| Life Sciences | 51.50% | 44.00% | 43.75% | 37.25% | 35.75% |
| Mathematical Sciences | 53.38% | 46.00% | 43.38% | 35.38% | 30.75% |
| Physical Sciences | 51.19% | 42.38% | 43.38% | 31.63% | 29.19% |
Previous years’ cutoffs are indicative. Actual cutoffs vary by category, round, and year.
How qualification works
- Category 1 — JRF (NET): Candidates scoring above the JRF cutoff receive Junior Research Fellowship for up to 5 years of PhD research. JRF holders must register for PhD within 2 years of the award. JRF also grants Assistant Professor eligibility.
- Category 2 — LS/AP (NET): Candidates who meet the qualifying threshold but score below the JRF cutoff receive Assistant Professor eligibility without the fellowship. This qualification does not expire.
- Category 3 — PhD Admission: Candidates above a lower threshold are eligible for PhD admission at universities, without fellowship or AP eligibility.
JRF stipend (current rates)
| Fellowship Stage | Monthly Stipend | Annual Contingency Grant |
|---|---|---|
| First 2 years (JRF) | ₹37,000 | ₹20,000 |
| 3rd year onwards (SRF, after assessment) | ₹42,000 | ₹20,000 |
JRF holders also receive House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per institutional norms.
Colleges and programmes that accept this exam
CSIR NET qualification is recognised across the Indian science research ecosystem. JRF holders are eligible for PhD admission at virtually any Indian university or research institution.
For PhD research via JRF
JRF holders can pursue doctoral research at India’s foremost science institutions:
- IISc Bangalore — PhD across all science departments; one of the most sought-after destinations for CSIR NET JRF holders
- IIT Bombay — PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Earth Sciences, and Biosciences
- IIT Madras — PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and interdisciplinary programmes
- IIT Delhi — PhD in science departments
- IIT Kanpur — PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Earth Sciences
- IIT Kharagpur — PhD in science departments
- IISER Pune — Integrated PhD and PhD in all science disciplines
- JNU — PhD in Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences
- BHU — PhD across science faculties
- TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research), Mumbai — PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics
- NCBS (National Centre for Biological Sciences), Bengaluru — PhD in Biological Sciences
- JNCASR (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research), Bengaluru — PhD in science disciplines
- CSIR national laboratories (NCL Pune, CCMB Hyderabad, NPL Delhi, IICT Hyderabad, and others) — PhD through Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR)
For Assistant Professor eligibility
CSIR NET qualification is accepted by all UGC-recognised universities and colleges for Assistant Professor recruitment in science subjects. This includes Delhi University, all central universities, state universities, deemed universities, and affiliated colleges.
Relevant programmes
CSIR NET is relevant for candidates who have completed or are pursuing postgraduate studies in science. Related programmes include BSc Physics, BSc Chemistry, BSc Biology, BSc Mathematics, and MSc Data Science (for candidates with a strong mathematical foundation).
How to prepare
Part A strategy
Part A (General Science and Aptitude) is common across all five subjects and carries 30 marks. It tests logical reasoning, graphical analysis, and numerical ability rather than subject knowledge.
- Practise quantitative aptitude: Series completion, coding-decoding, data interpretation from graphs and tables. These questions are similar to aptitude sections in other competitive exams but with a scientific orientation.
- Solve previous years’ Part A papers: Part A questions follow recurring patterns. Working through 5–10 years of past papers helps identify common question types.
- Do not neglect Part A. Many candidates focus exclusively on Parts B and C. However, 30 marks from Part A with relatively straightforward questions can meaningfully affect overall rank.
Part B and C strategy
Parts B and C together carry 170 marks and require deep subject knowledge at the MSc level.
- Follow the official CSIR NET syllabus: Download the detailed syllabus from the CSIR NET information bulletin on csirnet.nta.ac.in. Map each topic to your MSc coursework.
- Use standard MSc-level textbooks: Each subject has well-established reference texts. For example: Atkins’ Physical Chemistry and Morrison & Boyd for Chemical Sciences; Alberts’ Molecular Biology of the Cell and Lehninger’s Biochemistry for Life Sciences; Griffiths’ Introduction to Quantum Mechanics for Physical Sciences.
- Prioritise Part C. Part C carries 100 marks (50% of the total) and tests analytical problem-solving. Scoring well in Part C typically separates JRF qualifiers from the rest.
- Solve previous years’ papers: NTA releases past question papers on the CSIR NET portal. Analyse subject-wise trends to identify high-weightage topics.
Official resources
- CSIR NET Portal (csirnet.nta.ac.in): Official syllabus, information bulletin, previous year question papers, and mock tests
- CSIR-HRDG Website (csirhrdg.res.in): Fellowship details, cutoff documents, and policy updates
- NTA Mock Tests: NTA periodically releases mock tests to help candidates familiarise themselves with the CBT interface
Preparation timeline
| Phase | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Syllabus mapping | 2 weeks | Download official syllabus; map to MSc coursework; identify weak areas |
| Part B content | 3–4 months | Core subject study using MSc-level textbooks |
| Part C practice | 2–3 months (parallel) | Advanced problem-solving, previous year Part C questions |
| Part A preparation | 2–3 weeks | Aptitude and reasoning practice |
| Mock tests and revision | 1 month | Full-length timed practice; targeted revision of weak topics |
Most candidates spend 4–6 months preparing for CSIR NET.
Key dates and timeline
CSIR NET is conducted twice a year — the June session and the December session. Exact dates vary each cycle.
Recent and upcoming schedule
| Event | June 2025 Session | December 2025 Session | June 2026 Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification | May 2025 | September 2025 | Expected May 2026 |
| Registration window | 3–23 June 2025 | 25 Sept – 27 Oct 2025 | To be announced |
| Examination | 26–28 July 2025 | 18 December 2025 | Expected June–July 2026 |
| Result declaration | 4 September 2025 | 23 February 2026 | To be announced |
Dates, pattern, and cutoffs shown are based on the 2025–26 cycle and may change. Check the CSIR NET portal for the latest notification.
Upcoming policy change
From the December 2026 cycle, the CSIR NET Life Sciences paper will merge with the DBT-BET (Biotechnology Eligibility Test) to form a Joint CSIR-UGC-DBT JRF-NET Examination for biological sciences. Other subjects (Chemical, Earth, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences) are not affected by this change. Details are available on the CSIR-HRDG website.
Validity of scores: JRF is valid for 5 years from the date of award (subject to PhD registration within 2 years). Assistant Professor eligibility (Category 2) does not expire.
Related exams
- UGC NET — The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test covers 83 subjects in humanities, social sciences, commerce, languages, and some applied sciences. UGC NET and CSIR NET serve the same dual purpose (JRF + Assistant Professor eligibility) but differ in subject coverage. If your discipline is one of the five CSIR NET subjects, take CSIR NET; for all others, take UGC NET.
- GATE — The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is primarily for MTech/ME admission at IITs/NITs and PSU recruitment. GATE also offers research fellowships in engineering and science, but CSIR NET JRF provides a higher stipend specifically for PhD research. Many science graduates take both.
- IIT JAM — The Joint Admission Test for MSc is the entrance exam for MSc programmes at IITs. For students completing MSc via IIT JAM, CSIR NET is the natural next step for PhD funding and Assistant Professor eligibility.
- State SET — State Eligibility Tests provide Assistant Professor eligibility within individual states. CSIR NET qualification is valid nationally and supersedes State SET. Candidates may take both for additional coverage.
Sources Used
The information on this page is compiled from official sources and institutional programme pages. It may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify directly with the institution before making any admission or financial decision.