CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2025 OUT: Dec Exam Review, Student's Reaction & Difficulty Level

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test 2025 ( CSIR NET )

Shikha Goyal
Updated on Dec 18, 2025 14:33 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

CSIR NET 2025 Analysis: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the CSIR NET Exam on December 18, 2025 in a single day across the country in two shifts. Shift is concluded. The CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2025 based on the responses received from the candidates is provided here for shift 1. The CSIR NET analysis will help candidates to know the about the level of diffculty of the exam, questions and topics asked in the exam, good attempts, etc. 

Candidates should read the Analysis carefully in order to know about the overall as well as the section-wise difficulty level of the NTA CSIR NET Question Paper. 

The CSIR NET exam is conducted twice every year to determine the eligibility of candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Lectureship (LS)/ Assistant Professor in subjects related to the field of Science and Technology. 

Latest News & Updates:

CSIR NET December 2025 Exam Today: Check Dress Code, Reporting Time & Guidelines Here

 

 

Table of contents
  • CSIR NET Dec Exam Analysis 2025
  • CSIR NET June Exam Analysis 2025
  • CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025
  • Previous Years' CSIR NET Exam Analysis & Review
  • CSIR NET Exam Analysis FAQs 2025
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CSIR NET Dec Exam Analysis 2025

One of the important aspects of the preparation strategy is CSIR NET Exam Analysis. CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2025 for December session is shared here after the conduction of an exam. It will help the candidates to prepare well for their upcoming days' exams. In this article, we are providing you with the CSIR UGC NET Exam Analysis to help the candidates know the good attempts for the exam and know the difficulty level.

CSIR NET 2025 Dec Exam Analysis Shift 1 OUT

As per the students' the Life Science exam overall difficulty is Moderate to Tough. Development Biology and Ecology was easy. Plant Physiology was tough.

  • Geological Time Scale: Easy
  • Stress Physiology
  • Nest Limb Development
  • Also, as per some students, section B was easy.
  • General Knowledge questions were also asked in Part A. It was better than last year.
  • Eco evolution asked more
  • Bio chemistry
  • Neucloacid question was asked
  • Nitrogen cycle
  • Coding Decoding
  • Diagram based short day plant
  • Simple Interest, etc.

CSIR NET 2025 ex Life Science Analysis: About Part A, B and C

  • Majority of the Part C questions were asked from Plant Physiology and Development Biology around 10 to 12 Questions. It is Botany dominant paper.
  • Questions were not asked from Cell Signaling and Molecular Biology
  • Especially in Part B and C, Techniques and Evolution were present in decent volume
  • Part A as per students was easy and questions were predictable in reasoning and quant-based
  • Part C was most difficult with conceptual application as per some students.

CSIR NET 2025 Dec Life Science Analysis: Questions Asked

  • A hand pump fills a tank in 45 minutes, B in 120 minutes. How much time will they take together to fill the tank? (Work and Time Questions)
  • Cube of 0.99 is closed to? (Numerical Approximation)
  • Ecology-Sequence of Proterozoic, Archeozoic, Phanerozoic Eras
  • Genetics- Difference between Bacteria and Archaebacteria
  • Arrange in correct order: DNA Gyrase, DNA Helicase, DNA Primase, DNA Pol 3, DNA Pol 1, DNA Ligase, etc.

Topics and Questions asked

  • Plant Physiology: High Weightage (10-12 Questions) asked in part C
  • Cell Biology few questions asked from GLUT 5, Ribosome attached ER, Spindle Assembly-gamma tubulin
  • Development Biology Multiple Questions asked from Drosophila, Asymmetric Division-Plants, Leaf Development
  • Evolution moderate weightage and questions were asked from Era-based classification, K & r Selection, mass Extinction Order
  • Techniques is of high relevance and questions asked from TAL Effector, CDK-2, Ramachandran Plot
  • Genetics few questions were asked from Poll 2 in Lagging Strand, difference between bacteria and Archaebacteria
  • Immunology/ Virology question from HPV Virus
  • Classification & taxonomy moderate in difficulty level and questions asked from animal classification, Annelida vs Platyhelminthes Symmetry, etc.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I clear CSIR NET in 3 months?
A: 

Yes. Candidates clear the CSIR UGC NET exam in three months. But to pass the exam proper strategy is required. They make study plans, do revisions, solve question papers, practice tests, etc. If a candidate study properly then nothing is impossible to crack. 

 

Q:   Which books are useful for life science preparation?
A: 

Candidates can check below the list of Life Science books that will help in the preparation:

  • Life Science by Ashish Nagesh, Quaisher J. Hossain
  • Life Sciences Books (Vol 1) by Dr. Poonam Sharma
  • Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger
  • CSIR UGC NET Life Sciences by Trueman’s Publication
  • Microbiology by Prescott
  • Life Sciences Fundamentals and Practice Part 1 & 2 by Pranav Kumar
  • Fundamentals of Life Sciences Volume  I and Volume II by Rupendra Singh
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CSIR NET June Exam Analysis 2025

Candidates can check below the exam analysis for CSIR NET 2025 June session.

CSIR NET 2025 Exam Analysis (June, Shift 2)

According to the students responses, Physical Science exam is Moderate in overall difficulty. Part C was a bit tough. Whole paper was lengthy.

As per the students, Mathematics exam was Moderate to Difficult.

As per the students, Chemical Science exam was Difficulty in overall diffiuclty level.

CSIR NET Life Science Exam Analysis 2025 (Shift 1)

As per the students, the overall difficulty level is Moderate.

  • 10 to 12 questions are from Plant Physiology
  • No questions from Cell Signaling & molecular biology
  • Developmental Biology & techniques 10 to 12 Q
  • Part C was very difficult as compared to the exam conducted earlier

Topics asked in Life Science are:

  • GLUT 5
  • Tight junction
  • CdK-2
  • Ramachandran Plot
  • Non Photochemical Quenching
  • HPV (Cancer causing virus)
  • Leaf Development (Phytohormone)
  • TAL effector
  • Biosynthesis of phytohormones (question from Plant)
  • Asymmetric cell division in plant
  • K & r selected
  • Unbranched GAGs, etc.

CSIR NET 2025 June Exam Students Reactions Video

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What was the number of good attempts for CSIR NET 2025 Mathematical Science for the June session?
A: 

Candidates can check the CSIR NET 2025 Mathematical Science Analysis for June session in the table below based on the students' review.

Part Name

Total MCQs

Total MCQs to be Attempted

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Part A

20

15

10-12

Easy to Moderate

Part B

40

25

14-18

Moderate to Difficult

Part C

60

20

16-20

Moderate to Difficult

Total

120

60

110-115+ Marks

Moderate to Difficult
Q:   What was the difficulty level of the CSIR NET 2025 Chemical Science section-wise (June)?
A: 

Candidates can check the CSIR NET 2025 Chemical Science section-wise difficulty level and good attempts for the June session in the table below based on the students' review.

Part Name

Total MCQs

Total MCQs to be Attempted

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Part A

20

15

8-12

Moderate

Part B

40

35

14-18 (approx)

Moderate to Difficult

Part C

60

25

17-20 (approx)

Difficult

Total

120

75

105-110+ Marks

Moderate to Difficult
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CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025

The questions in the CSIR NET exam are framed as per the pattern prescribed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Human Resource Development Group (HRDG). Have a look at the highlights of the CSIR NET Exam Pattern below.

Particulars

CSIR Exam Pattern Highlights

Exam mode

Online

Exam duration

3 hours

Number of subjects

5

Name of subjects

  • Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • Life Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Physical Sciences

Total questions to attempt

  • Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences: 75 MCQs
  • Chemical Sciences: 75 MCQs
  • Life Sciences: 75 MCQs
  • Mathematical Sciences: 60 MCQs
  • Physical Sciences: 55 MCQs

Type of questions

MCQs; 4 options with only 1 correct option

Total marks

200

Marking scheme

  • +2 for the correct answer
  • Negative marking of 25 per cent (33 per cent in Part C of Earth Sciences paper)

Language of paper

English and Hindi

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are CSIR NET subjects?
A: 

The CSIR NET exam consists of five subjects some of them are Maths, Physical Science, Chemical Science, etc. Part A in the exam is common for all candidates and Part B and C is subject-specific. Candidates need to select one subject and prepare well to clear the examination.

Q:   What is the date for CSIR NET Dec 2025 exam?
A: 

The December session exam of CSIR NET 2025 will be conducted on December 18 in two shifts. The whole exam schedule has not been released by the authority. It will be released soon at csirnet.nta.nic.in. 

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Previous Years' CSIR NET Exam Analysis & Review

Have a look at the CSIR NET exam analysis and review of the previous years below. Shiksha reached out to candidates to know their reaction to the exam with respect to the leve of difficulty, pattern, types of questions asked etc. The Previous year's exam analysis will help candidates know abou the level of difficulty of the exam and how to prepare for it.

CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2023 (December Session)

Candidates can check CSIR NET Life Science Section-wise Analysis 2023 in the table below.

Life Science Paper Topics Covered Difficulty Level
Part-A General Aptitude - Speed, Distance and Time; Profit and Loss; Geometry; Syllogism; Mixture & Alligation Moderate to Difficult
Part-B Cell and Molecular Biology, Digestion of protein, Organelles and functions, Ecology, Evolution, Animal Physiology, Fundamental Processes Easy to Moderate
Part-C Easy to Moderate

CSIR NET Life Science Topic-Wise Weightage (Shift 1) for Part A

Part A of the Life Science Paper consists of questions based on the candidate's General Aptitude. The candidates can check the table given below to analyze the number of questions asked in the CSIR NET Life Science Exam (shift 1).  Part A of the CSIR NET Life Science exam consists of the following questions:

Topics

Weightage

Blood relation 1-2
Order & Ranking 2
DI (Bar Graph) 1-2
Profit & Loss 2
Speed Distance 3
Ratio & Proportion 2
Geometry 2
Algebra  1-2
Probability  1

CSIR NET Exam Analysis June 2023

Candidates can read the CSIR NET Exam Analysis & Exam Review by the candidates below.

  • Mayank said, "Part A & B was easy, Part C is a little bit difficult. Majorly questions were asked from Bio-chemistry & Ecology subjects."
  • Sanchi said, "Part C was totally conceptual based & difficult. Part A has most mathematics in it. Overall, the exam was moderate".
  • Rahul said, "Major questions were asked from Botany, Biochemistry, Ecology, and Molecular Biology. There were rare questions from Fundamental Science. Part C was moderate."
  • Narendra said, "The exam was tough compared to the previous year. Evolution topic was mostly asked in the exam. Part A was easy, Part B & C was Moderate."

Also Read: CSIR NET Life Science Exam Analysis

CSIR NET Section-Wise Analysis (Physical Science)

Candidates can check the CSIR NET Physical Science Analysis in the table below.

Part Name

Total MCQs

Total MCQs to be Attempted

Difficulty Level

Part A

20

16

Easy to Moderate

Part B

25

22

Moderate to Difficult

Part C

30

27

Easy

Total

75

75

Moderate

Also Read: CSIR NET Physical Science Exam Analysis 

CSIR NET Section-Wise Analysis (Chemical Science)

Candidates can check the CSIR NET Chemical Science Section-wise Analysis in the table below.

Part Name

Total MCQs

Total MCQs to be Attempted

Difficulty Level

Part A

20

15

Easy to Moderate

Part B

40

35

Moderate

Part C

60

25

Easy

Total

120

75

Moderate

CSIR NET Section-Wise Exam Analysis 2023 (Life Science)

Candidates can check the CSIR NET Life Science Section-wise Analysis in the table below.

Part Name

Total MCQs

Total MCQs to be Attempted

Difficulty Level

Part A

20

15

Easy 

Part B

50

35

Easy to Moderate

Part C

75

25

Moderate to Difficult

Total

145

75

Moderate

Also Read: CSIR NET Life Science Exam Analysis (June Session)

CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2022

CSIR NET exam analysis 2022 is provided here based on students' reactions. The exam analysis will help candidates to know the topic-wise distribution of questions, weightage of topics, number of good attempts, etc.

CSIR NET Exam Analysis for Earth Sciences

Check the detailed CSIR NET exam analysis 2022 for the Earth Sciences paper below:

  • Stuti stated, “The CSIR NET 2022 exam was moderate in terms of difficulty level. Part-A was easy to attempt.”
  • Amisha stated, “The CSIR NET exam was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level.”

CSIR NET Exam Analysis for Physical Sciences

Check the detailed CSIR NET exam analysis 2022 for the Physical Sciences paper below:

  • Mitali stated, “The difficulty level of CSIR NET 2022 was easy. The reasoning was easy as well. If the basic concepts are clear, candidates can attempt the paper easily. Most of the questions were from Quantum Physics.”
  • Ekta stated, “CSIR NET 2022 exam was easier in comparison to the previous year’s. The CSIR NET cut-off 2022 would be higher. Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation & Graphical Analysis sections were moderate.”
  • Mohit stated, “Overall paper was easy. The questions were from Quantum Physics, etc. The CSIR NET cut-off 2022 will be high this year.”

CSIR NET Exam Review 2022: Section-Wise

The CSIR NET 2022 exam review and analysis have been shared below for Part-A sections - Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation & Graphical Analysis based on the feedback shared by candidates. Have a look:

Section

Difficulty Level

Reasoning

Easy to Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

Easy to Moderate

Data Interpretation & Graphical Analysis

Moderate

CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2021

The paper-wise exam analysis and review are shared below:

CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences Exam Analysis 2021

Here's the detailed analysis of the CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences paper of the CSIR NET 2021 exam based on the student's reactions.

Part Name

Total MCQs

Total MCQs to be Attempted

Difficulty Level

Part A

20

15

Moderate

Part B

40

25

Moderate to Difficult

Part C

60

20

Moderate to Difficult

Total

120

60

Moderate to Difficult

CSIR NET Physical Sciences Exam Analysis 2021

The CSIR NET Physical Sciences 2021 exam was conducted online on February 15, 2022, from 3.00 to 6.00 pm. As per the student's reaction, the overall paper was moderate to difficult. Candidates found the Physical Sciences question paper 2021 a bit hard compared to the previous year paper. Have a look at the section-wise analysis and review below.

Part Name

Total MCQs

Total MCQs to be Attempted

Difficulty Level

Part A

20

15

Moderate

Part B

25

20

Moderate to difficult

Part C

30

20

Moderate to difficult

Total

75

55

Moderate to difficult

CSIR NET Earth Sciences Exam Analysis 2021

The CSIR NET 2021 exam was conducted online on January 29, 2022, for the Earth Sciences paper. The overall exam was moderate in terms of difficulty level. Candidates who appeared for the CSIR NET exam found Part A and B moderate and Part C moderate to difficult. There was no change in the structure of exam and pattern of the question paper. Shiksha visited one of the CSIR NET exam centres in Delhi to obtain feedback from students. Candidates can check below the section-wise and overall exam analysis for the Earth Sciences paper:

Part Name (No. Of MCQs)

Difficulty Level

Questions to be Attempted

Part A (20 MCQs)

Moderate

15

Part B (50 MCQs)

Moderate

35

Part C (80 MCQs)

Moderate to Difficult

25

Total (150 MCQs)

Moderate

75

Also Read:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What was the overall difficulty level of the CSIR NET 2024 Mathematics exam?
A: 

The NTA conducted the CSIR NET 2024 Mathematical Science Exam 2024 on July 25 in shift 2 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. As per the student reactions, the overall difficulty level of the CSIR NET 2024 Mathematical Science exam was moderate to difficult. Topics asked in the exam with high-weightage are: 

  • Sequence and Series
  • Vector Space
  • Limit and Continuity
  • Matrices
  • Vector Space
  • Quadratic Form
  • Homomorphism
  • Analytic Functions
  • Bilinear mapping
  • Identity Theorem
  • System of ODE
  • Degree of Differential Equations
  • Sympson one-third rule
  • Trapezoidal rule
  • Integrative method
Q:   Can I clear CSIR NET in 3 months?
A: 

Yes. Candidates clear the CSIR UGC NET exam in three months. But to pass the exam proper strategy is required. They make study plans, do revisions, solve question papers, practice tests, etc. If a candidate study properly then nothing is impossible to crack. 

 

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CSIR NET Exam Analysis FAQs 2025

Candidates can check below the CSIR NET Exam Analysis FAQs 2025.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the date for CSIR NET Dec 2025 exam?
A: 

The December session exam of CSIR NET 2025 will be conducted on December 18 in two shifts. The whole exam schedule has not been released by the authority. It will be released soon at csirnet.nta.nic.in. 

Q:   Where can a candidate enroll for availing CSIR Fellowship or Associateships?
A: 

Officially it is mentioned that CSIR Fellowships or Associateships are tenable in universities, IITs, postgraduate colleges, government research establishments including those of CSIR, R&D establishments of recognised public or private sector industrial firms, and other recognised institutions.

Q:   Should a candidate rely on books or online resources for CSIR NET Preparation 2025?
A: 

Candidates should follow a balanced approach. No doubt books help in conceptual clarity, and a candidate can study in detail. On the other hand, online platforms provide lectures through video, have updated notes, cover current affairs as well, etc. 

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CSIR NET Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a week ago

The CSIR NET 2025 exam will be conducted on December 18 in two shifts. As per the schedule released, the Mathematical Science exam will be held from 3 pm to 6 pm on Dec 18. 

I

Ishita Kaur

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 weeks ago

The CSIR NET 2025 Notification was released on September 25 in the form of PDF at csirnet.nta.nic.in. The notification conists if the important information related to the exam like exam dates, syllabus, pattern of an exam, etc.

G

Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The National Testing Agency declare the CSIR NET Cut off. It will be released subject and category-wise. The cut off is prepared on the basis of several factors including difficulty of the exam, reservation norms, number of candidates, etc.

K

Kritika Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Some of the topics that a candidate can revise in the CSIR NET Chemical Science subject:

Organic Reactive Intermediates: Carbocation, Carbanions, Free Radicals, Benzynes
Stereochemistry: Stereogenicity, Stereoselectivity, Enantioselectivity
Organic Reaction Mechanisms 
Pericyclic Reactions
Structure Dete

...Read more

S

Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The authority will release the CSIR NET 2025 result for the December session on the official website at csirnet.nta.nic.in. It will contain the name of a candidate, roll number, category, parents' name, Post applied (JRF and Assistant Professor or Assistant Professor Only), subject code, etc.

G

Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The authority will release the CSIR NET answer key at csirnet.nta.nic.in. It contains correct answers for all the questions asked in the exam. Check below for more details:

Exam name

Exam date

Exam shift

Exam subject name

Exam subject code

Question IDs

Correct option IDs

-

V

Virajita Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The CSIR NET 2025 final answer key will be released on the official website at csirnet.nta.nic.in. After analysing the representations of the aspirants, the NTA will release the CSIR UGC NET final answer key for the Dec session. The answer key will be released in two phases- Provisional and Final. 

N

Nitesh Pruthi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Candidates can calculate the CSIR NET Chemical Sciences scores through the answer key in the following manner.

CSIR NET Chemical Science Paper Parts

Marks Allotted for Each Question 

Marks Deducted for Each Question

A

+2

-0.5

B

+2

-0.5

C

+4

-1

K

Kritika Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

As per the information bulletin, the upper age limit for the CSIR NET exam should not be more than 30 years as on the first day of the month in which the examination is concluded. A relaxation of upto 5 years is provided to the candidates belonging to OBC-NCL (as per the Central list of OBC) /SC/ST/

...Read more

M

Manisha Singh

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The authority released the CSIR NET 2025 application form at csirnet.nta.nic.in. The last date to apply was October 27. Candidates who are interested in appearing the exam, need to fill the application form by providing all the details as asked. 

 

C

Chanchal Shekhar

Contributor-Level 6

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