CSIR NET
National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
📚 TET / Teaching
🇮🇳 National level
● Active
CSIR NET (Joint CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research as an eligibility test for teaching posts. A single three-hour paper in three parts — A, B and C — with no break. Part A is common to all subjects; Parts B and C are subject specific.
CSIR NET 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance
| Exam name | CSIR NET — Joint CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research |
| Latest cycle | Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 |
| Exam date | 17 and 18 July 2026, in two shifts — 09:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 18:00. |
| Papers | A single three-hour paper in three parts — A, B and C — with no break. Part A is common to all subjects; Parts B and C are subject specific. |
| Qualification | A Master’s degree or equivalent in the relevant science subject with the minimum percentage prescribed by CSIR, or an integrated BS-MS, BS four-year, BE, BTech, BPharma or MBBS qualification as set out in the Information Bulletin. Candidates awaiting results may apply. |
| Application fee | General: ₹1,150. Gen-EWS and OBC-NCL: ₹600. SC, ST, PwD, PwBD and Third Gender: ₹325. Bank and payment gateway charges apply on top. |
| Qualifying marks | Qualifying candidates are placed in one of three categories: JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission; Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission but not JRF; or Ph.D. admission only. |
| Certificate validity | As with UGC NET, the category a candidate qualifies in determines what the certificate confers. Ph.D.-only does not carry Assistant Professor eligibility. |
| Negative marking | Yes, and it varies by subject and by part. Most parts deduct 25% of the marks for that question. Earth Sciences Part C deducts 33%. Mathematical Sciences Part C carries no negative marking at all. |
| Scale | Conducted as a Computer Based Test in five science subjects |
| Official website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
CSIR NET — the Joint CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test — is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research as an eligibility test for teaching posts. The Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 is on 6 September 2026.
A single three-hour paper in three parts — A, B and C — with no break. Part A is common to all subjects; Parts B and C are subject specific. Conducted as a Computer Based Test in five science subjects.
CSIR NET exam pattern
Every subject paper totals 200 marks over three hours, but the number of questions, the marks per question and the negative marking all differ by subject.
| Subject | Questions (A / B / C) | May attempt (A / B / C) | Marks each (A / B / C) | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences (701) | 20 / 40 / 60 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 | 25% in all parts |
| Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences (702) | 20 / 50 / 80 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 | 25% in A and B, 33% in C |
| Life Sciences (703) | 20 / 50 / 75 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 | 25% in all parts |
| Mathematical Sciences (704) | 20 / 40 / 60 | 15 / 25 / 20 | 2 / 3 / 4.75 | 25% in A and B, none in C |
| Physical Sciences (705) | 20 / 25 / 30 | 15 / 20 / 20 | 2 / 3.5 / 5 | 25% in all parts |
All questions are objective multiple choice. Yes, and it varies by subject and by part. Most parts deduct 25% of the marks for that question. Earth Sciences Part C deducts 33%. Mathematical Sciences Part C carries no negative marking at all.
Qualifying marks
Qualifying candidates are placed in one of three categories: JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission; Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission but not JRF; or Ph.D. admission only.
Validity of the certificate
As with UGC NET, the category a candidate qualifies in determines what the certificate confers. Ph.D.-only does not carry Assistant Professor eligibility.
You are capped on how many questions you may answer
CSIR NET does not ask you to attempt every question. Each part sets a maximum — 15 in Part A, for instance — and if you answer more than that, only the first N questions in that part are evaluated. Answering extra questions cannot help you and, with negative marking applied to those first N, choosing which ones to answer is part of the exam. Mark your intended answers deliberately rather than filling in everything you can.
What this qualification is for
Award of the Junior Research Fellowship, eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to Ph.D. programmes in the science subjects covered.
What is next
Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 is on 17 and 18 July 2026. The result date is yet to be announced by NTA.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing CSIR NET give me a teaching job?
No. A teaching eligibility test qualifies you to apply for teaching posts — it establishes that you meet the required standard. Actual vacancies are filled through a separate recruitment process run by the relevant authority.
When is CSIR NET 2026?
17 and 18 July 2026, in two shifts — 09:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 18:00.
What is the last date to apply for CSIR NET 2026?
10 June 2026 at 23:59, for both the application form and the fee. The application window opened on 11 May 2026.
What is the CSIR NET application fee?
General: ₹1,150. Gen-EWS and OBC-NCL: ₹600. SC, ST, PwD, PwBD and Third Gender: ₹325. Bank and payment gateway charges apply on top.
What are the qualifying marks for CSIR NET?
Qualifying candidates are placed in one of three categories: JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission; Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission but not JRF; or Ph.D. admission only.
How long is the CSIR NET certificate valid?
As with UGC NET, the category a candidate qualifies in determines what the certificate confers. Ph.D.-only does not carry Assistant Professor eligibility.
Is there negative marking in CSIR NET?
Yes, and it varies by subject and by part. Most parts deduct 25% of the marks for that question. Earth Sciences Part C deducts 33%. Mathematical Sciences Part C carries no negative marking at all.
What is the difference between CSIR NET Paper I and Paper II?
A single three-hour paper in three parts — A, B and C — with no break. Part A is common to all subjects; Parts B and C are subject specific.
Does qualifying CSIR NET guarantee a teaching job?
No. Qualifying CTET does not confer a right to recruitment or employment — it is one of the eligibility criteria for appointment. Schools give weightage to the CTET score, but vacancies are filled through a separate recruitment process.
What qualification is required for CSIR NET?
A Master’s degree or equivalent in the relevant science subject with the minimum percentage prescribed by CSIR, or an integrated BS-MS, BS four-year, BE, BTech, BPharma or MBBS qualification as set out in the Information Bulletin. Candidates awaiting results may apply.
When is the CSIR NET result?
The date is yet to be announced.
Where does CSIR NET apply?
Award of the Junior Research Fellowship, eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to Ph.D. programmes in the science subjects covered.