CSIR NET Exam Notification December 2026 - Summary
National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official information bulletin and notification for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Examination. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) NET is a premier national-level entrance exam conducted biannually to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges, and admission to Ph.D. programmes in science streams.
Eligible candidates holding a Master’s degree in science or pursuing relevant professional degrees can register online through the official NTA CSIR-NET portal at csirnet.nta.ac.in. Below is the complete notification guide covering highlights, eligibility criteria, subjects, exam pattern, documents required, and step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the online application form.
CSIR NET December 2026 – Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Joint CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) December 2026 |
| Conducting Agency | National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of CSIR |
| Exam Level | National Level Entrance & Eligibility Test |
| Offered Categories | 1. Award of JRF & Appointment as Assistant Professor 2. Appointment as Assistant Professor & Ph.D. Admission 3. Admission to Ph.D. Only |
| Disciplines / Subjects | Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 180 Minutes (3 Hours) – Single Paper, No Break |
| Total Marks | 200 Marks (Objective Type MCQs) |
| Language of Exam | Bilingual (English and Hindi) |
| Application Fee | General: ₹1,150 | Gen-EWS / OBC (NCL): ₹600 | SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender: ₹325 |
| Official Website | csirnet.nta.ac.in |
CSIR NET Subjects Covered
The Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination will be conducted across 5 scientific disciplines:
- Chemical Sciences (Subject Code: 701)
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences (Subject Code: 702)
- Life Sciences (Subject Code: 703)
- Mathematical Sciences (Subject Code: 704)
- Physical Sciences (Subject Code: 705)
Eligibility Criteria & Qualification
Candidates must ensure they fulfill the required educational qualification and age parameters before applying:
1. Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold an M.Sc. or equivalent degree / Integrated BS-MS / BS-4 Years / BE / B.Tech / B.Pharma / MBBS with at least 55% marks (without rounding off) for General / General-EWS and OBC (NCL) candidates, and 50% marks for SC, ST, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD), and Third Gender candidates.
- Result Awaited (RA) Category: Candidates enrolled in M.Sc. or who have completed qualifying degree examinations and are awaiting results are also eligible to apply under the “Result Awaited” (RA) category, provided they complete their degree within two years with the requisite percentage.
- B.Sc. (Hons) or equivalent / 4-Year Undergraduate Degree holders: Candidates who have enrolled in or completed a 4-year undergraduate programme with minimum 75% marks are eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission.
2. Age Limit & Relaxations
- For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Not more than 30 years as on the first day of the month of examination.
- Up to 5 years relaxation for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender and women candidates.
- Up to 3 years relaxation for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates.
- For Assistant Professor & Ph.D. Admission Only: No upper age limit is applicable.
Exam Pattern & Structure
The CSIR NET question paper comprises a single paper of 3 hours duration containing objective multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided into three distinct parts:
- Part A (Common to all subjects): General Aptitude section testing logical reasoning, graphical analysis, numerical ability, and comprehension. Contains 20 questions, out of which candidates must attempt any 15 (30 Marks).
- Part B: Subject-related conventional MCQs covering the core syllabus. Emphasizes fundamental scientific concepts and syllabus fundamentals (Around 70 Marks).
- Part C: Advanced analytical and higher-value scientific problems testing scientific reasoning, analysis, and research orientation (Around 100 Marks).
- Negative Marking: Negative marking applies (usually 25% or 0.50 mark per incorrect question in Parts A & B, and as specified per subject guidelines in Part C).
Documents Required for Online Application
Keep the following documents scanned and ready before starting the online registration on the NTA portal:
- Government Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Bank Passbook with photograph.
- Recent Passport Photograph: Color or black & white (with 80% face visible including ears against a white background) in JPG/JPEG format (size: 10 KB to 200 KB).
- Scanned Signature: Clear signature in running hand in JPG/JPEG format (size: 4 KB to 30 KB).
- Category / Caste Certificate: SC/ST/OBC-NCL/Gen-EWS certificate in PDF format (size: 50 KB to 300 KB), if applicable.
- PwD / UDID Certificate: Valid disability certificate in PDF format (size: 50 KB to 300 KB), if applicable.
- Result Awaited Attestation Form: Duly signed and sealed by the Head of the Institution for candidates in the RA category (PDF, 50 KB to 300 KB).
- Valid Email ID & Mobile Number: Required for account verification and receiving application updates.
How to Fill CSIR NET December 2026 Application Form
Follow the step-by-step procedure below to submit your application form on the official NTA website:
- Visit Official Website: Go to the official NTA CSIR-NET portal at csirnet.nta.ac.in.
- Online Registration: Click on “Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026: Click Here to Register”. Choose your authentication mode (Aadhaar / DigiLocker / Passport / PAN Card). Fill in basic personal details, mother’s/father’s name, mobile number, and email to create your Application Number and Password.
- Complete Application Form: Log in using your Application Number and Password. Fill in your nationality, category, domicile, qualifying degree details, institution name, year of passing/appearing, and percentage of marks.
- Select Subject & Applying Category: Select your test paper from the 5 science subjects and choose the applying category: (i) JRF & Assistant Professor, (ii) Assistant Professor & Ph.D., or (iii) Ph.D. Only. Choose 4 preferred examination cities.
- Upload Documents: Upload your scanned photograph, signature, and category/PwD/result awaited certificates strictly within the prescribed dimensions.
- Pay Application Fee: Review all entered data on the preview page. Complete the online payment of the registration fee via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI gateway.
- Download Confirmation Page: After successful payment, download and print the Confirmation Page. Save it securely for future reference during admit card download and counseling.
Download CSIR NET December 2026 Notification PDF: Candidates can download the official CSIR-UGC NET Information Bulletin and syllabus PDF using the direct link provided below.
