CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Check December Subject-wise Pattern & Negative Marking

Updated on Jan 12, 2026 00:39 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

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.

Table of contents

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	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 for some parts)
Language of paper	English and Hindi

Also Read:

CSIR NET Exam Date

Commonly asked questions

Q: What are CSIR NET subjects?

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 are the topics to revise in the CSIR NET Chemical Science?

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	-

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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

Q: What is the full form of CSIR NET?

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.

Q: Can I clear CSIR NET in 3 months?

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.

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

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

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.

Q: Can a candidate apply for more than one subject in the CSIR NET exam?

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

Q: Is the CSIR NET 2026 June session form out?

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.

Q: What is the upper age limit to apply for the CSIR NET exam?

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.

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

Q: Does category affect the CSIR NET cutoff?

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.

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

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.

View list of Books

CSIR NET 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs

Candidates can check below the CSIR NET 2026 Exam pattern FAQs.

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the date for CSIR NET June 2026 exam?

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.

Q: What is the validity of the CSIR NET 2025 certificate?

The CSIR NET 2025 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.

Q: What happens if a candidate notices an error in the CSIR NET certificate?

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.

Q: Where will the CSIR NET merit list be released?

CSIR NET merit list will be released on the official website at csirnet.nta.ac.in where candidate can access it via logging in with their credentials.