CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Check December Subject-wise Pattern & Negative Marking
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test 2025 ( CSIR NET )
Registration - 25 Sep '25 - 24 Oct '25
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 will be 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 (MCQs) 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 CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025, 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 exam dates for the Dec session of the CSIR NET 2025 is December 18, 2025. The detailed schedule and exact timings of the examination will be released on the official website.
CSIR NET Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
The authority will release the CSIR NET 2025 result for the December session at csirnet.nta.nic.in. Candidates required an application number and date of birth to view their scorecard. After the CSIR NET result, the candidates who will be qualified for the exam will be provided with the CSIR NET eli
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
As per the information bulletin, there is no end period for the validity of the qualifying certificate of Assistant Professor.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
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 |
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
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 |
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
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
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
The CSIR NET December session application form was released on September 25, 2025 at csirnet.nta.nic.in. The last date to apply is October 24. The last date for successful transaction of the examination fee is October 25. Candidates are advised to read the instructions for payment carefully before
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
The NTA CSIR NET application correction window will open from October 27 to 29 for the December session. It is recommended to the students that they should be cautious while filling out the details in the registration form.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
The last date to apply for the CSIR UGC NET December session is October 24, 2025 (up to 11:50 PM). Candidates who have not yet applied can apply by visiting at csirnet.nta.nic.in. The last date for fee payment is October 25. Candidates can apply for payment through net-banking/debit/credit card/UPI
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
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. It also depends upon the candidate's feasibility a
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
No. The syllabus of CSIR NET is the same for JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) and Lectureship (Assistant Professor). The difference that lies is only in the cut-off marks and not in the syllabus.
S
Contributor-Level 6
RBI Grade B 2025 Phase 1 exam 18 Oct '25
Where will the CSIR NET 2025 December session result be released?