CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Check December Subject-wise Pattern & Negative Marking
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test 2025 ( CSIR NET )
The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 along with the CSIR NET December Notification on the official website at csirnet.nta.nic.in. The CSIR UGC NET 2025 exam for the December session was conducted on December 18, 2025. Five papers are- Earth Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. Each paper of the exam consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions and CSIR NET Total Marks are 200.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 also consist of Negative Marking. CSIR NET Negative Marking differs for different subjects. The CSIR NET Question Paper is divided into three sections- Part A, B and C. There is no break between these three parts. Candidates need to complete the paper in a duration of three hours. Here we have shared the latest exam pattern and structure of the CSIR NET Exam as prescribed by the HRDG for each paper. Read below about the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 and start your preparations accordingly.
- CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights
- CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Subject-Wise
- CSIR NET Negative Marking
- CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Important Points
- CSIR NET Best Books 2025
- CSIR NET 2025 Exam Pattern FAQs
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights
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:
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: 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 2025 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 2025 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 2025 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 2025 - Click Here |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 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 2025 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 |
- |
Also Read: CSIR NET Exam Dates
CSIR NET Negative Marking
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 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.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Important Points
Candidates can read the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 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 2025
CSIR NET Best Books 2025
Candidates can check the subject-wise CSIR NET Best Books 2025 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 2025
CSIR NET 2025 Exam Pattern FAQs
Candidates can check below the CSIR NET 2025 Exam pattern FAQs.
Commonly asked questions
The December session exam of CSIR NET 2025 was conducted on December 18 in two shifts. The whole exam schedule was released by the authority. It was released at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
CSIR NET Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days 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 4 days 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
Answered 4 days ago
The CSIR NET Physical Science Paper consists of the important topics as mentioned below:
- Mathematical Methods of Physics
- Classical Mechanics
- Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics
- Electromagnetic Theory
- Quantum Mechanics
- Electronics and Experimental Methods
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 days ago
Topics that are covered in the CSIR NET Life Science exam are listed below:
- Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology
- Cellular Organization
- Cell Communication and Cell Signaling
- Developmental Biology
- System Physiology – Plant
- System Physiology – Animal
- Fundamental Processes
- Ecological Principles
- Ev
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 days ago
Officially, the CSIR NET Syllabus is available on the official portal at csirhrdg.res.in. It is available subject-wise in the form of PDF. Candidates can downlaod by visiting the official website. The CSIR NET syllabus is also available on this page itself.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
Yes, the NTA has released the CSIR NET 2025 Answer Key on its portal. The candidates are required to login with their credentials to download their subject answer key. The last date to send objections is January 1, 2026.
M
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes. The NTA has released the CSIR UGC NET 2025 Provisional Answer Key for the December session. Candidates can download it by visiting the official portal or via a direct link provided on this page. They required login credentials to check the answer key.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The CSIR NET 2025 exam was conducted on December 18 in two shifts. As per the schedule released, the Mathematical Science exam was held from 3 pm to 6 pm on Dec 18.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month 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
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
Contributor-Level 6
IBPS PO 2025 Mains Scorecard 9 Jan '26 - 14 Jan '26
Which books are useful for Earth Science preparation for the CSIR NET exam?