What is the CSIR NET Exam?
Hello learners, I know we all have dreams about research in Science and Technology. The one exam you need to know about is the CSIR NET exam, the full form of which is Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test. This exam is held twice a year, in June and December cycles. This exam is essentially for becoming a researcher at one of the top Educational institutions, or you want to become a professor at an Indian University. Successfully clearing this exam opens up three main pathways:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) & Assistant Professorship: The top-tier result. You get a JRF fellowship to fund your Ph.D. and are also eligible to be a professor.
- Assistant Professorship & Ph.D. Admission: You’re qualified for teaching roles (Assistant professor) and you can also pursue a Ph.D., but without the JRF stipend.
- Ph.D. Admission Only: This newer category makes you eligible for doctoral programs, streamlining the admission process across various universities in India.
The Governing Bodies: CSIR & NTA
The exam is a joint effort. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) sets the rules, syllabus, and cut-offs, while the National Testing Agency (NTA )handles the logistics from applications to conducting the online test and declaring scores. This means you’ll use two main websites:
- NTA’s Portal ( csirnet.nta.ac.in ): For applications, admit cards, and scores.
- CSIR-HRDG’s Portal ( csirhrdg.res.in ): For the official syllabus, fellowship rules, and cut-offs.
Are You Eligible for CSIR NET? Let’s Check
Before you start dreaming of lab coats and lecture halls, let’s make sure you meet the criteria. Eligibility is strict and non-negotiable.
Nationality
You must be an Indian National to apply. This is a mandatory requirement for appearing in this national-level examination for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship/Assistant Professorship.
Educational Qualifications
This is where it gets detailed. Here’s a breakdown of the academic requirements:
- Master’s Degree Holders: You need an M.Sc. or an equivalent degree (like Integrated BS-MS, 4-year BS, B.E., B.Tech, B.Pharma, MBBS) with at least 55% marks for General/EWS categories. For SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD, and Third Gender candidates, a 50%minimum is required.
- Final Year Students (Result Awaited – RA): If you’re in your final year or waiting for results, you can apply provisionally. However, you must complete your degree with the required percentage within two years of the NET result to claim your certificate.
- 4-Year Undergraduate Degree (NEP Rule):If you have a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree, you’re eligible with a minimum of 75%
marks (70% for reserved categories). Crucially, this only makes you eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission, NOT for an Assistant Professor position.
Here is subject wise Educational Qualifications for CSIR NET
| Subject | Typical qualifying degrees (examples) |
|---|---|
| Life Sciences | M.Sc. in Life Sciences/Biotechnology/Botany/Zoology/Microbiology/Biochemistry/Genetics or equivalent; BS (4-year)/BE/BTech in relevant biosciences fields; Integrated BS–MS in Life Sciences. |
| Chemical Sciences | M.Sc. in Chemistry or equivalent; BS (4-year) with Chemistry; Integrated BS–MS (Chemistry); BE/BTech in Chemical or closely allied fields as specified. |
| Earth Sciences | M.Sc. in Earth/Geology/Geophysics/Atmospheric/Ocean/Planetary/Environmental Sciences; BS (4-year) or Integrated BS–MS in Earth/Environmental areas; relevant BE/BTech where permitted. |
| Mathematical Sciences | M.Sc. in Mathematics/Statistics (or equivalent with Math/Stats as core); BS (4-year)/Integrated BS–MS in Math/Stats; BE/BTech where specified. |
| Physical Sciences | M.Sc. in Physics (or equivalent with core Physics); BS (4-year)/Integrated BS–MS in Physics; relevant BE/BTech where permitted. |
Age Limit and Relaxations (for JRF)
The age limit applies only if you’re aiming for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
- Maximum Age for JRF: 30 years as of the first day of the exam month (e.g., July 1, 2025, for the June/July exam). NTA revised the upper age limit from 28 to 30 years on January 5, 2023.
- Age Relaxation:
- Up to 5 years for SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender, and all women applicants.
- Up to 3 years for OBC-NCL candidates.
For Lectureship/Assistant Professor & Ph.D. Admission: There is absolutely no upper age limit.
Eligibility at a Glance
The Application Process
The entire application process is online via the NTA’s official portal. Here’s how to navigate it.
Official Portal and Key Dates (June 2025 Cycle)
Everything happens on the NTA’s CSIR NET website: https://csirnet.nta.ac.in For the June 2025 exam, keep these dates in mind (based on the latest schedule):
- Application Window: June 3 to June 26, 2025
- Fee Payment Deadline: June 27, 2025
- Correction Window: June 28 to June 29, 2025
December 2025 Cycle dates will be announced soon.
Step-by-Step Application
- Registration: Create a candidate account with basic details, mobile number, and email; set a password and security question.
- Application form: Enter personal details, category status, academic qualifications, subject opted, and preferred exam cities in order of priority.
- Document upload: Upload a recent passport-size photograph, signature, and, if applicable, category/EWS/OBC-NCL/PwD certificates and the Result Awaited (RA) attestation form as per the prescribed format.
- Review: Use the preview to verify spellings, subject selection, and category details before final submission.
- Fee payment: Pay the application fee online via UPI, net banking, debit/credit card; keep the payment proof.
- Confirmation: Download and save the confirmation page and the filled application for records.
Application Fees (June 2025)
| Category | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
Correction window
A short correction window typically follows the application deadline for editing select fields. Not all fields are editable; candidates should consult the session notice to confirm which fields can be corrected.
Deconstructing the Exam Pattern
Understanding the structure of the exam is key to building a winning strategy. The test is a 3-hour, computer-based exam (CBT) with no breaks. The questions are bilingual (English and Hindi), and in case of any confusion, the English version is considered final.
Every subject paper has three parts, but the details vary. Here’s the breakdown:
- Part A (General Aptitude): Common for all subjects. Tests your logical reasoning, analytical skills, and quantitative ability. You attempt 15 out of 20 questions for a total of 30 marks.
- Part B (Subject Core):Contains core multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from your chosen subject’s syllabus.
- Part C (Subject Advanced):This is the high-stakes section with analytical, problem-solving questions that test your deep understanding of scientific concepts.
Subject-Specific Exam Blueprints
Pay close attention here, as the pattern is different for each subject. Knowing this helps you manage your time effectively.
Chemical Sciences (Code: 701)
| Part | Total Qs | Attempt | Marks/Q | Negative Marking | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 | 30 |
| B | 40 | 35 | 2 | 0.5 | 70 |
| C | 60 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 100 |
| Total | 120 | 75 | 200 |
Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Sciences (Code: 702)
| Part | Total Qs | Attempt | Marks/Q | Negative Marking | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 | 30 |
| B | 50 | 35 | 2 | 0.5 | 70 |
| C | 80 | 25 | 4 | 1.32 (33%) | 100 |
| Total | 150 | 75 | 200 |
Life Sciences (Code: 703)
| Part | Total Qs | Attempt | Marks/Q | Negative Marking | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 | 30 |
| B | 50 | 35 | 2 | 0.5 | 70 |
| C | 75 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 100 |
| Total | 145 | 75 | 200 |
Mathematical Sciences (Code: 704)
Unique Pattern: Note that Part C has no negative marking
and questions can have more than one correct answer. You get marks only
if you select ALL correct options.[16]
| Part | Total Qs | Attempt | Marks/Q | Negative Marking | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 | 30 |
| B | 40 | 25 | 3 | 0.75 | 75 |
| C | 60 | 20 | 4.75 | None | 95 |
| Total | 120 | 60 | 200 |
Physical Sciences (Code: 705)
| Part | Total Qs | Attempt | Marks/Q | Negative Marking | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 | 30 |
| B | 25 | 20 | 3.5 | 0.875 | 70 |
| C | 30 | 20 | 5 | 1.25 | 100 |
| Total | 75 | 55 | 200 |
The Syllabus
The official syllabus is your ultimate guide. It’s divided into the common Part A and subject-specific Parts B & C.
Part A: General Aptitude (Common to All)
This section tests your reasoning and analytical skills. Key areas include:
- Reasoning: analogies, series, syllogisms, direction sense, statements and conclusions, visual reasoning.
- Quantitative aptitude: number system, algebra, percentages, ratio–proportion, averages, time–work, time–speed–distance, interest, permutations–combinations, probability basics.
- Data interpretation: tables, graphs (bar, line, pie), central tendency (mean/median/mode), data sufficiency, basic research aptitude and general science awareness.
Parts B & C: Subject-Specific Syllabi
This is the core of your preparation. Below is a brief overview of the topics for each subject. For the full, detailed syllabus, always refer to the
official CSIR-HRDG website.
Life Sciences
- Molecules and their Interaction; Cellular Organization; Fundamental Processes; Cell Communication and Signaling.
- Developmental Biology; System Physiology – Plant; System Physiology – Animal; Inheritance Biology.
- Diversity of Life Forms; Ecological Principles; Evolution and Behavior; Applied Biology; Methods in Biology.
Chemical Sciences
- Inorganic Chemistry: chemical periodicity; acids–bases and non‑aqueous solvents; main‑group chemistry; transition/inner‑transition elements; coordination chemistry; organometallics; bioinorganic; nuclear chemistry; characterization techniques.
- Physical Chemistry: quantum principles; atomic/molecular structure and spectroscopy; thermodynamics; statistical thermodynamics; kinetics; electrochemistry; solid state; colloids and surfaces; polymers; group theory (applications); data analysis.
- Organic Chemistry: nomenclature; stereochemistry; aromaticity; reactive intermediates; named reactions and mechanisms; pericyclics and photochemistry; heterocycles; natural products; structure elucidation (IR, UV‑Vis, NMR, MS); concepts in synthesis.
- Interdisciplinary Topics: chemistry in nanoscience and technology; catalysis and green chemistry; medicinal chemistry; supramolecular chemistry; environmental chemistry.
Physical Sciences
- Core: Mathematical Methods of Physics; Classical Mechanics; Electromagnetic Theory; Quantum Mechanics; Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics; Electronics and Experimental Methods.
- Advanced coverage also includes Atomic and Molecular Physics; Condensed Matter Physics; Nuclear and Particle Physics, building on the core areas above.
Mathematical Sciences
- Analysis; Linear Algebra; Complex Analysis; Algebra; Topology.
- Ordinary Differential Equations; Partial Differential Equations; Numerical Analysis.
- Calculus of Variations; Linear Integral Equations; Classical Mechanics (mathematical formulation); Descriptive Statistics and Exploratory Data Analysis.
Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences
- Part B (Broad Topics): The Earth and the Solar System; Earth Materials, Surface Features and Processes; Interior of the Earth, Deformation and Tectonics; Oceans and Atmosphere; Environmental Earth Sciences.
- Part C (Specializations):
- Geology: Mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, paleontology, geochemistry.
- Applied Geology: Remote sensing, GIS, hydrogeology, mineral exploration.
- Geophysics: Signal processing, gravity and magnetic fields, seismology.
- Meteorology: Climatology, dynamic meteorology, weather prediction.
- Ocean Sciences: Physical, chemical, and biological oceanography.
Life After Qualifying NET
Passing the CSIR NET is a major achievement that unlocks numerous career doors. Here’s what you can look forward to.
Certificate Validity: Know Your Timelines
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Your JRF award letter is valid for two years. You must enroll in a Ph.D. program within this period to
activate the fellowship.[29, 30]The fellowship itself typically lasts for five years, with an upgrade to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) after two years based on performance. - Lectureship/Assistant Professor (LS): This certificate is your golden ticket to academia and is valid for a lifetime.
Career Pathways
Academia and Research
This is the most direct path. You can become an Assistant Professor in universities and colleges, a mandatory requirement set by the UGC. With a JRF, you can pursue a fully-funded Ph.D.at premier institutes like IISc, IITs, and CSIR labs.
Government R&D and PSUs
Top government organizations are always looking for bright minds. CSIR’s own labs, DRDO, BARC, and ISRO frequently hire NET-qualified
candidates for roles like Scientist, Project Assistant, and Research Fellow. Many Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) also consider NET scores for recruiting R&D officers, though you should monitor their individual career portals for such openings.
Private Industry and Beyond
Your expertise is also in high demand in the private sector. Pharmaceutical, biotech, and chemical companies hire NET-qualified individuals for their R&D divisions. Other exciting avenues include scientific writing, medical journalism, and even entrepreneurship—launching your own science-based startup.
Understanding the Cut-Offs
The cut-off is the minimum score you need to qualify. It changes every year based on factors like the number of applicants and the exam’s difficulty level. While there’s a minimum qualifying mark (33% for General/EWS/OBC and 25% for SC/ST/PwD), the actual cut-off is always higher.
Percentile vs. Percentage: A Key Distinction
For subjects held in one shift (like Chemical or Physical Sciences), the cut-off is a percentage. But for subjects in multiple shifts (like Life
Sciences), a normalization process is used, and the cut-off is a percentile. A 99 percentile means you scored better than 99% of the
candidates—it’s not a 99% mark!
December 2024 cut-offs
The tables below show Category‑1 (JRF), Category‑2 (Assistant Professor), and Category‑3 (Admission to PhD only) cut‑offs for all subjects from the official HRDG PDF.
JRF (Category‑1), December 2024
| Subject | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Science | 59.00 | 51.25 | 51.25 | 39.25 | 34.25 | 25.00 |
| Earth Science | 55.88 | 48.81 | 49.13 | 42.92 | 40.13 | 25.58 |
| Life Science (percentile) | 99.0315191 | 96.3381483 | 96.6313096 | 92.1752572 | 89.6076783 | 74.5349395 |
| Mathematical Science | 50.25 | 43.50 | 43.625 | 34.375 | 29.375 | 25.375 |
| Physical Science | 54.188 | 43.188 | 44.063 | 33.313 | 29.375 | 25.25 |
Assistant Professor (Category‑2), December 2024
| Subject | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Science | 53.10 | 46.125 | 46.125 | 35.325 | 30.825 | 25.00 |
| Earth Science | 50.292 | 43.929 | 44.217 | 38.628 | 36.117 | 25.00 |
| Life Science (percentile) | 97.9238847 | 93.6810405 | 94.2790037 | 88.2912402 | 85.0436396 | 74.5349395 |
| Mathematical Science | 45.225 | 39.15 | 39.2625 | 30.9375 | 26.4375 | 25.00 |
| Physical Science | 48.7692 | 38.8692 | 39.6567 | 29.9817 | 26.4375 | 25.00 |
Admission to PhD only (Category‑3), December 2024
| Subject | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences | 42.5 | 33 | 34 | 26.25 | 25 | 25.00 |
| Earth Sciences | 41.83 | 33.15 | 33.9 | 30.9 | 28.33 | 25.00 |
| Life Sciences (percentile) | 92.5566155 | 88.6866372 | 88.6866372 | 75.7299852 | 74.5349395 | 74.5349395 |
| Mathematical Sciences | 36.5 | 33 | 33 | 25 | 25 | 25.00 |
| Physical Sciences | 37.563 | 33.063 | 33 | 25 | 25 | 25.00 |
June 2024 cut-offs
Below are the official HRDG Category‑1 (JRF) and Category‑2 (Assistant Professor) cut‑offs; for Category‑3 (Admission to PhD), HRDG specifies general benchmarks of 33% for General/EWS/OBC and 25% for SC/ST/PwD rather than subject‑wise numeric lists for this session.
JRF (Category‑1), June 2024
| Subject | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Science | 55.500 | 47.500 | 47.750 | 36.000 | 30.750 | 25.000 |
| Earth Science | 56.950 | 51.220 | 49.150 | 41.650 | 37.490 | 25.350 |
| Life Science (percentile) | 99.0846682 | 96.5223413 | 96.4460997 | 91.7864773 | 87.8236782 | 69.135054 |
| Mathematical Science | 58.875 | 50.750 | 49.750 | 37.000 | 30.625 | 25.375 |
| Physical Science | 43.813 | 36.000 | 37.188 | 28.563 | 26.250 | 25.188 |
Assistant Professor (Category‑2), June 2024
| Subject | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Science | 49.950 | 42.750 | 42.975 | 32.400 | 27.675 | 25.000 |
| Earth Science | 51.255 | 46.098 | 44.235 | 37.485 | 33.741 | 25.000 |
| Life Science (percentile) | 98.3439721 | 94.4568228 | 93.7092211 | 87.8428316 | 83.7408166 | 69.135054 |
| Mathematical Science | 52.9875 | 45.675 | 44.775 | 33.300 | 27.5625 | 25.000 |
| Physical Science | 39.4317 | 33.000 | 33.4692 | 25.7067 | 25.000 | 25.000 |
Notes: Life Sciences cut‑offs are reported as NTA score/percentile thresholds rather than percentage marks, and no separate Part A/B/C cut‑offs are applied in any session per HRDG notifications.
Official Resources & Contact
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always trust the
official sources.
- NTA CSIR NET Portal:For applications, admit cards, and results – https://csirnet.nta.ac.in/
- CSIR-HRDG Portal:For syllabus, cut-offs, and fellowship rules – https://csirhrdg.res.in/
If you face any issues during the application process, you can reach out to the NTA Help Desk:
- Email:[email protected]
- Phone:011-40759000, 011-69227700
CSIR NET Exam Guide. All information is for guidance purposes. Please refer to official NTA and CSIR websites for final details.
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