CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Check December Subject-wise Pattern & Negative Marking
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test 2026 ( CSIR NET )
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: The NTA will release the CSIR NET Exam Pattern along with the June session Notification on the official portal at csirnet.nta.nic.in. To understand the exam pattern is very crucial for the candidates in the preparation of an exam. There is a negative marking in the exam and it differs as per the subject. The duration for the completion of an exam is three hours. The CSIR NET Question Paper is divided in to three sections namley A,B and C. Also, there is no break between these three parts in the examination.
The CSIR NET June session exam will be conducted in CBT mode for 5 subjects- Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. A total of 120 questions will be asked in the exam. Check below the exam pattern of the CSIR NET Exam 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. The June session notification is expected in February 2026. 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 |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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 2025 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.
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
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.
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.
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
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 June session application form will be released 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 |
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.
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 June session exam date for the CSIR NET 2026 has not been released yet. It will be conducted in two shifts. The whole exam schedule will be released by the authority. It will be announced at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
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.
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.
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.
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CSIR NET Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 days ago
Candidate can carry valid photo ID proof including Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Driving License etc. any of it along with the admit card for the CSIR NET exam.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
The CSIR NET 2026 June session exam date has not been released yet. The Mathematics subject admit card will be published a few days before the examination date. It will be released on the official portal at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
No. Candidate is required to carry a printed copy of the CSIR NET admit card to the examination centre. Digital copy of the hall ticket is not allowed.
K
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
To download the CSIR NET 2026 admit card for the Life Science subject for the June session, candidates need to go to the official portal at csirnet.nta.nic.in. There he or she need to enter their application number and date of birth to download the hall ticket PDF.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
The CSIR NET 2026 admit card for the Life Science subject is expected to be released in June 2026, a few days before the exam date. The admit card consists of the all the details of the candidates including the exam date, exam time, category, roll number, gender, date of birth, photograph, reporting
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
The CSIR NET 2026 Notification for the June 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.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
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 will be held for five subjects that is Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Earth Sciences.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The authority released the CSIR NET 2025 December session result on the official website at csirnet.nta.nic.in. It has been released in the form of PDF. It also consists of the roll numbers and rank of candidates who qualified the exam.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
List of some the books that are helpful for the CSIR NET Earth Science preparation are mentioned below:
- Environmental Geology by Edward A Keller
- Structural Geology by Haakon Fossen
- Sedimentology and Stratigraphy by Gary Nichols
- Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy by Sam Boggs Jr.
- Vertebrate Pale
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The list of some of the important topics of Mathematical Science paper is mentioned below:
- Analysis
- Numerical & Complex Analysis
- Calculus of Variations
- Linear Integral Equations
- Algebra
- Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs)
- Descriptive Statistics, Exploratory Data
- Classical Mechanics
S
Contributor-Level 6
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
RRB Group D Application Form 2025 (09/2025) 31 Jan '26 - 2 Mar '26 RRB Group D Application Form 2026 (09/2025) 31 Jan '26 - 2 Mar '26
What document should be carried by the candidate along with the CSIR NET admit card?