CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Check Dec Subject-wise Pattern & Negative Marking
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test 2026 ( CSIR NET )
CSIR NET 2026 Dec Application form
7 Oct '26 - 5 Nov '26
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the CSIR NET exam pattern 2026 for the December session along with the CSIR NET notification on the official website at csirnet.nta.nic.in. It is very important for a candidate to understand the pattern of an exam and syllabus. It helps candidate to know about the marking scheme, structure of an exam etc. In the CSIR NTA NET exam, there is a negative marking and the duration of an exam is three hours. The CSIR NET Question Paper is divided in to three sections namely A,B and C. Also, there is no break between these three parts in the examination.
The CSIR NET December session exam will be conducted in CBT mode for 5 subjects- Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. Check below the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 as prescribed by the HRDG for each paper.
- CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
- CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-Wise
- CSIR NET Negative Marking
- CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Important Points
- CSIR NET Best Books 2026
- CSIR NET 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
The CSIR NET exam is conducted at a national level by the NTA for the candidates who want to join research or want to become the Assistant Professors. Basically, the exam is conducted twice a year, in June and December session.
🔥 Start Solving CSIR NET PYQs before next Session
Solve actual CSIR NET question papers from previous years PDFs and identify key topics, questions pattern & repeated questions.
Before going through the detailed Exam Pattern, let us have a look at the major highlights of the exam below.
| Particulars |
CSIR Exam Pattern Highlights |
|---|---|
| Exam mode |
Online |
| Exam duration |
3 hours |
| Number of subjects |
5 |
| Name of subjects |
|
| Total questions to attempt |
|
| Type of questions |
MCQs; 4 options with only 1 correct option |
| Total marks |
200 |
| Marking scheme |
|
| Language of paper |
English and Hindi |
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.
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
The CSIR NET is a prestigious examination conducted by the National Testing Agency twice a year. The CSIR NET 2026 application for the December session will be released at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
The CSIR NET 2026 December session exam is schedule to be conducted on December 20 and 21. It will be conducted in two shifts. The whole exam schedule will be released by the authority at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
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 Determination of Organic Compounds
Asymmetric Synthesis, Determination of Enantiomeric and Diastereomeric Excess
IUPAC Nomenclature
Concepts in Organic Synthesis
Chemistry of Natural Products, etc.
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.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-Wise
The CSIR NET exam pattern varies for all five subjects. The subject-wise exam pattern of the CSIR NET Question Paper 2026 is given below:
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 for Chemical Sciences
In the CSIR NET Chemical Sciences paper, candidates need to attempt a total of 75 MCQs combinedly from Part A, B and C. Each question in Part A and B carries two marks weightage and each question in Part C carries four marks. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent for wrong answers. Have a look at the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Chemical Sciences below.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
40 |
60 |
120 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
35 |
25 |
75 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
2 |
4 |
200 |
| Negative marking of 25% |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
- |
Also Read: CSIR NET Syllabus
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 for Earth Sciences
In the CSIR NET Earth Sciences paper, candidates need to attempt a total of 75 MCQs combinedly from Part A, B and C. Each question in Part A and B carries two marks and each question in Part C carries four marks. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A and B and 33 per cent in Part C for each incorrect answer. Have a look at the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Earth Sciences below.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
50 |
80 |
150 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
35 |
25 |
75 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
2 |
4 |
200 |
| Negative marking- 25% in Part A & B and 33% in Part C |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1.32 |
- |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 for Life Sciences
In the CSIR NET Life Sciences paper, candidates need to attempt a total of 75 MCQs combinedly from Part A, B and C. Each question in Part A and B carries two marks and each question in Part C carries four marks. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A, B and C for each incorrect answer. Have a look at the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Life Sciences below.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
50 |
75 |
145 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
35 |
25 |
75 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
2 |
4 |
200 |
| Negative marking of 25% in Part A, B & C |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
- |
| Download CSIR NET Syllabus 2026 - Click Here |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 for Mathematical Sciences
CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences paper contains 120 MCQs out of which candidates need to attempt 60 questions. Candidates need to complete the exam in three hours duration. Each question in Part A carries 2 marks, each question in Part B carries 3 marks and each question in Part C carries 4.75 marks. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A and B for each incorrect answer and there is no negative marking in Part C. Have a look at the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Mathematical Sciences below.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
40 |
60 |
120 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
25 |
20 |
60 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
3 |
4.75 |
200 |
| Negative marking in Part A & B of 25% and no negative marking in Part C |
0.5 |
0.75 |
0 |
- |
Also Read: CSIR NET Admit Card
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 for Physical Sciences
CSIR NET Physical Sciences paper contains 75 MCQs out of which candidates need to attempt 55 questions. Each question in Part A carries two marks marks weightage and each question in Part B and C carries a weightage of 3.5 and five marks, respectively. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A, B and C for each wrong answer. Here is the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Physical Sciences.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
25 |
30 |
75 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
20 |
20 |
55 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
3.5 |
5 |
200 |
| Negative marking of 25% |
0.5 |
0.875 |
1.25 |
- |
Commonly asked questions
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.
The CSIR NET stands for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test. It determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for the 'award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor.' Also, appointment as 'Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.' and 'admission to Ph.D. only' in several Indian universities and colleges.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Eligibility Test exam is conducted twice in a year, mainly in the months of June and December. It is held for five subjects that is Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Earth Sciences.
CSIR NET Negative Marking
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 contains a Negative Marking in the exam. CSIR NET Negative Marking varies for different subjects. Candidates can check the subject-wise CSIR NET Negative Marking in the subject-wise CSIR NET exam pattern provided in this article.
Commonly asked questions
No, a candidate cannot apply for more than one subject in the CSIR NET exam. Candidates can only apply for one subject as per the exam cycle.
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.
The CSIR NET 2026 Notification for the December session will be released in the form of PDF at csirnet.nta.nic.in. It conists of the important information related to the exam like important dates, syllabus, pattern, etc.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Important Points
Before starting the preparation for the CSIR NET exam, candidate needs to understand the exam pattern. The exam is conducted online and consists of Multiple-choice questions (MCQs). It is divided into three parts namely Part A, Part B and Part C. Part A is common for all the subjects and consists of General Aptitude questions. Where as Parts B and C are based on the subjects which is selected by the candidate. Candidates can read the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 Important Points below.
- Questions in Part-A are common for all subjects. This part contains questions on topics/subjects such as logical reasoning, graphical analysis, analytical and numerical ability, quantitative comparison, series formation, puzzles etc.
- Part B of the CSIR UGC NET exam contains subject-related multiple-choice questions. The questions in this part generally cover the topics given in the syllabus
- Questions in Part C test candidates' knowledge of scientific concepts and/or application of the scientific concepts. The questions are analytical in nature in which candidates are required to apply scientific knowledge to arrive at the solution to the given problem
- If a candidate attempts more than the required number of questions, only the first set of the required questions is considered for scoring
- The CSIR UGC NET question paper is set in both Hindi and English languages
Also Read: CSIR NET Preparation Tips
Commonly asked questions
No, a candidate cannot apply for more than one subject in the CSIR NET exam. Candidates can only apply for one subject as per the exam cycle.
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/PwD/PwBD/Third gender categories and to women applicants.
The CSIR NET application form for the December session is expected to be released soon at csirnet.nta.nic.in. Candidates are advised to read the instructions for payment carefully before paying the application fee and also read the eligibility criteria before applying for the exam.
CSIR NET Best Books 2026
It is also important for the candidates to chose right books for the preparation. Study material also plays an important role in the preparation of an exam. Books should cover the syllabus of an exam, provide in-depth explanations of the concepts, etc. Candidates can check the subject-wise CSIR NET Best Books 2026 in the table below which can help candidates prepare for the exam.
| Subject | Book Name | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences | UGC-CSIR JRF/ NET Chemical Sciences (Chemistry) | Trueman’s |
| Earth Sciences | Joint CSIR-UGC NET Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences | R. Gupta’s |
| Life Sciences | UGC CSIR NET/ SET (JRF & LS) Life Sciences | Arihant |
| Mathematical Sciences | CSIR-UGC NET/ SET (JRF & LS) Mathematical Sciences | Khanna Publishers |
| Physical Science | CSIR-UGC NET/ JRF/ SET Physical Sciences | Upkar’s |
With a number of preparation books available in the market, it often gets difficult to choose the right ones. Check out some of the points to be considered while choosing the best books for preparation:
- Opt for books by renowned authors or reputed publishing houses only
- Always check the year of publication and edition of the book
- Choose books with lots of CSIR NET previous years’ question papers and sample papers
Read More: CSIR NET Exam Centres List 2026
Commonly asked questions
Yes, category affects the CSIR NET cutoff. The CSIR NET cutoff marks vary by category and subject. As per the official notification, candidates must score at least 33% in the General, EWS, and OBC categories and a minimum of 25% in the SC, ST, and PwD categories to qualify for both Fellowship and Lectureship/Assistant Professor.
The CSIR NET stands for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test. It determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for the 'award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor.' Also, appointment as 'Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.' and 'admission to Ph.D. only' in several Indian universities and colleges.
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.
CSIR NET 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs
Candidates can check below the CSIR NET 2026 Exam pattern FAQs.
Commonly asked questions
The CSIR NET 2026 certificate is valid for lifetime for Assistant Professor. On the other hand, the award of JRF is for a fixed tenure and does not imply an assurance or guarantee for subsequent employment. The CSIR NET JRF certificate is valid for two years from the date mentioned on the certificate.
CSIR NET merit list released on the official website at csirnet.nta.ac.in where candidate can access it via logging in with their credentials.
If a candidate finds any discrepancies in the CSIR NET certificate, then he or she should download the certificate again from the official website. But if the same issue persists again, contact the examination authority for assistance.
The CSIR NET 2026 December session exam is schedule to be conducted on December 20 and 21. It will be conducted in two shifts. The whole exam schedule will be released by the authority at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
Explore top JRF, Lectureship exams
8 Oct '26 - 28 Oct '26 | UGC NET Dec 2026 Exam |
14 Dec '26 - 19 Dec '26 | UGC NET Dec 2026 Exam Date |
Feb '26 | TS TET Result 2026 |
30 Jan '26 | TSTET Initial Answer Key 2026 |
8 Oct '26 - 6 Nov '26 | RRB NTPC 2026 Graduate Posts (... |
14 Oct '26 | RRB NTPC 2026 Under Graduate P... |
17 Dec '25 | OTET Exam Date |
10 Dec '25 | OTET Admit Card |
15 Feb '26 | RRB Group D 2025 Answer Key |
31 Jan '26 - 2 Mar '26 | RRB Group D Application Form 2... |
21 Nov '25 | KSET 2025 Cut Off Marks |
21 Nov '25 | KSET 2025 Result |
Nov '26 | SBI Clerk 2026 Mains Exam Date |
3 Oct '26 | SBI Clerk 2026 Prelims Exam Da... |
29 Sep '25 | KTET Answer Key |
18 Sep '25 - 19 Sep '25 | KTET Exam Date |
10 Oct '26 - 11 Oct '26 | IBPS Clerk 2026 Prelims Exam |
27 Dec '26 | IBPS Clerk 2026 Mains Exam |
Aug '25 | Kerala SET 2025 July Exam |
12 Jun '25 | Kerala SET 2025 July Applicati... |
9 Jun '25 | SSC CGL 2025 Notification |
4 Feb '25 - 25 Feb '25 | SSC GD 2025 Exam Dates |
4 Oct '25 - 6 Oct '25 | Application Correction |
1 Oct '25 - 3 Oct '25 | HP TET Nov 2025 Application Wi... |
Oct '26 | SBI PO 2026 Mains Result |
12 Sep '26 | SBI PO Mains 2026 |
7 Sep '25 | JK SET Exam |
1 Sep '25 | Release of admit card |
1 Feb '26 | IBPS RRB Clerk 2025 Mains Exam |
28 Dec '25 | IBPS RRB 2025 Single Online Ex... |
26 Jun '25 | MH SET 2025 Provisional Answer... |
15 Jun '25 | MH SET 40th Exam 2025 |
4 Oct '26 | IBPS PO 2026 Mains Exam |
22 Aug '26 - 23 Aug '26 | IBPS PO 2026 Prelims Exam |
19 Dec '25 | SSC JE Tier 1 Provisional Answ... |
19 Dec '25 - 22 Dec '25 | SSC JE Tier 1 Answer Key Objec... |
24 May '24 | Result Declaration |
1 May '24 - 3 May '24 | Release of APSET answer key |
CSIR NET Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
No. The authority is expected to release the CSIR NET 2026 December session application form tentatively in September or October. It will be released at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Students can prepare for UGC NET CSIR NET and similar competitive exams while pursuing MA Mathematics at LPU because the course builds a strong base in core subjects such as Algebra Analysis Topology and Differential Equations which are important for these exams. Regular academic guidance library re
S
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 2 months ago
You can download the CSIR NET Life Sciences 2026 question paper by logging into CSIR NET official website hosted by National Testing Agency.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes. The admit card for the CSIR NET 2026 June session was released on the official portal at csirnet.nta.nic.in on July 13. The exam was held on July 17 and 18.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
IBPS Clerk 2026 Prelims Exam 10 Oct '26 - 11 Oct '26 RRB NTPC 2026 Under Graduate Posts (07/2026) Notification 14 Oct '26 SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I Exam Dates 30 Sep '26 - 30 Oct '26 TNPSC Group 4 2026 Application Dates 6 Oct '26 - 5 Nov '26
Is CSIR NET 2026 December session application form be released?