UGC NET vs CSIR NET: Differences & Similarities; Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Career Scope
UGC NET and CSIR NET are two different national-level exams that are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and to determine the eligibility of candidates as lecturers. Scroll down to know the major differences and similarities between UGC NET and CSIR NET exams.
UGC NET and CSIR NET Differences & Similarities
UGC NET and CSIR NET exams are conducted every year in two sessions (JUne and December) allowing candidates to gain eligibility for lecturership in Indian universities and colleges. Both exams are conducted at the national level and are organised by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Though the motive behind conducting both UGC NET and CSIR NET exams is the same, there are some differences between the two. In this article, we have listed all the major differences and similarities between UGC NET and CSIR NET in order to help candidates gain a complete understanding of both exams. Go through the details below and apply accordingly for the exam.
Also Read: UGC NET 2025 Preparation
Latest Updates:
The UGC NET 2025 exam for the June session will be conducted from June 21 to June 30, 2025 in an online mode. The whole schedule has not been released yet. The UGC NET 2025 Admit Card will be released soon. On the other hand, the CSIR NET notification for the June session was released on June 3, 2025, and the application window is active for registration from June 3 to June 23, 2025. The last date for fee payment is June 24, 2025. The application correction window will be open on June 25 and June 26, 2025. The CSIR NET 2025 June exam will be conducted on July 26, 27 and 28, 2025.
- Similarities between UGC NET & CSIR NET
- Difference Between UGC NET and CSIR NET?
- UGC NET vs CSIR NET FAQs
Similarities between UGC NET & CSIR NET
Before going through the differences between the two exams, let us check the major similarities between UGC NET and CSIR NET below:
- Exam purpose: Both exams are conducted to shortlist candidates for the post of Assistant Professor and JRF
- Frequency of exams: Both exams are conducted twice a year in the months of June and December
- Level of exams: Both exams are conducted at the national level in multiple states and cities across India
- Conducting body: Both exams are conducted by the NTA itself
- Assessment: In both exams, candidates are assessed on their general aptitude as well as subject-knowledge
- Qualifying criteria: In both exams, the top six per cent of qualifying candidates are declared eligible for lectureship, and about two to three per cent of candidates are shortlisted for both JRF and lectureship
Also Read: How to fill UGC NET Exam Form; Step-by-Step Guide
Difference Between UGC NET and CSIR NET?
The UGC NET and CSIR UGC NET exams are different in terms of applicability, exam subjects, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and other aspects. Check these differences in detail below.
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Exam Subjects
The UGC NET exam is conducted for a total of 83 subjects from various streams. On the other hand, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test (CSIR NET) is conducted in the subject areas falling under the faculty of Science & Technology only. Have a look at the details below:
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
30 Sep '25
24 Sep '25 - 5 Oct '25
12 Oct '25
26 Sep '25 - 16 Oct '25
25 Sep '25 - 24 Oct '25
27 Oct '25 - 31 Oct '25
15 Nov '25 - 16 Nov '25
22 Nov '25 - 23 Nov '25
10 Sep '25 - 30 Sep '25
| Category | UGC NET | CSIR NET |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Subjects | 83 | 5 |
| Name of Subjects | List of UGC NET subjects |
|
Also Read:
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Eligibility Criteria
The basic difference between the UGC NET and CSIR NET eligibility is mentioned below:
| Parameters |
UGC NET Eligibility |
CSIR NET Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Qualification |
Post-graduation in relevant streams such as Humanities, Social Science, Electronic Science, Computer Science & Applications, etc. with at least 55 per cent aggregate |
Degree in BTech/BE/BPharma/MBBS/BS (4 years)/Integrated BS-MS/MSc with minimum 55 per cent aggregate |
| Age limit |
For JRF, candidates should be maximum of 30 years of age. There is no upper age limit for lectureship. |
For JRF, candidates should be maximum of 30 years of age. There is no upper age limit for lectureship. |
Also Read:
- UGC NET Eligibility – Educational Qualification, Age Criteria, Reservations & More
- CSIR NET Eligibility – Check Educational Qualification, Age Limit, Reservations & More
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Exam Pattern
The exam pattern for UGC NET and CSIR NET exams is different as mentioned below:
UGC NET exam pattern: UGC NET is an online exam that consists of two papers containing objective-type questions. Paper 1 contains 50 questions of 100 marks and paper 2 contains 100 questions of 200 marks. Both papers are conducted in a single duration of three hours.
| UGC NET Paper |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 |
50 |
100 |
| Paper 2 |
100 |
200 |
| Total |
150 |
350 |
Also Read:
CSIR NET exam pattern: CSIR NET is an online exam containing objective-type questions of 200 marks. The question paper is divided into three parts – A, B and C. Each part contains a different number of questions. The total number of questions in the CSIR UGC NET exam also varies depending on the subject for which the candidate is appearing. The total duration to complete the exam is three hours.
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Number of Test Takers
The number of candidates appearing in UGC NET exam is much larger than the number of aspirants taking the CSIR NET exam every year. Have a look at the number of applicants and test-takers below:
| Category | UGC NET | CSIR NET | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (June) | 2023 (June) | 2024 (Dec) | Dec 2022-June 2023 | |
| Number of Applicants | 11,21,225 | 6,39,069 | 2,38,451 | 2,74,027 |
| Number of Test Takers | 6,84,224 | 462144 | 1,74,785 | 1,99,890 |
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Career Scope
Candidates qualifying the UGC NET exam are eligible to work with UGC coordinating institutes. On the other hand, aspirants qualifying the CSIR NET exam are eligible to work with CSIR Research Laboratories.
Read More:
- UGC NET Normalisation of Marks 2025: Result Preparation Criteria
- CSIR NET Normalisation of Marks 2025: Percentile Calculator & Result Preparation
UGC NET vs CSIR NET FAQs
Q: Which is easy UGC NET and CSIR NET?
A: Both exams are taken at national level. So, the difficulty level of the exam lies between moderate to tough. However, the CSIR NET is much tougher than the UGC NET exam.
Q: What is the difference between CSIR and UGC NET JRF?
A: The main difference between the UGC NET and CSIR NET is the UGC NET exam is taken for Arts and Commerce subject whereas the CSIR NET exam is taken for the Science Stream subjects only.
Q: What is the validity of CSIR NET certificate?
A: CSIR NET certificate is valid for 2 years from the effective date mentioned on the certificate.
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