CSIR-UGC NET Examination — Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for 'Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)' and for 'Lectureship (LS)/Assistant Professor' in the faculty of Science & Technology. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is a highly competitive exam for students aspiring to pursue a career in scientific research and teaching. The selection process consists of a single Computer-Based Test (CBT) with three parts, testing general aptitude and deep subject knowledge.
📌 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India.
Educational Qualification
- An M.Sc. or equivalent degree in a relevant science subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
- Candidates with an Integrated BS-MS/B.E./B.Tech/B.Pharma/MBBS with at least 55% marks are also eligible.
Candidates enrolled for M.Sc. or in the final year of their qualifying examination are also eligible to apply under the Result Awaited (RA) category.
Age Limit
- For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Maximum 28 years. Age relaxation is provided for reserved categories (up to 5 years for SC/ST/PwD/Female applicants and 3 years for OBC-NCL).
- For Lectureship (LS) / Assistant Professor: There is no upper age limit.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
The CSIR-NET is a single-paper, computer-based test (CBT) with a duration of 3 hours. The question paper is divided into three parts.
| Part | Subject | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt | Marks per Question | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 'A' | General Aptitude (Common) | 20 | 15 | +2 | -0.5 |
| Part 'B' | Subject-Specific (MCQ) | 40-50 | 35 | +2 | -0.5 |
| Part 'C' | Subject-Specific (Analytical) | 60-75 | 25 | +4 | -1.0 |
The number of questions in Parts 'B' and 'C' varies slightly depending on the subject.
Subjects Offered
The exam is conducted for five science subjects:
- Chemical Sciences
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Physical Sciences
Syllabus for Parts
- Part 'A': General Aptitude: This part is common for all subjects and tests the candidate's general aptitude, logical reasoning, and analytical skills. Topics include numerical ability, data interpretation, and graphical analysis.
- Part 'B': Subject-Specific (MCQ): This part consists of multiple-choice questions covering the core topics from the syllabus of the chosen subject. The questions are generally direct and knowledge-based.
- Part 'C': Subject-Specific (Analytical): This part contains higher-value questions designed to test a candidate's in-depth knowledge and ability to apply scientific concepts to solve complex problems.
👉 Note
- The detailed syllabus for each of the five subjects can be downloaded from the official CSIR HRDG website.
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.