The CSIR NET (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test) is a national-level exam conducted twice a year (June and December) to determine eligibility for Junior research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship/ Assistant Professorship in Science and technology.
CSIR NET Highlights
|
Exam Name |
CSIR NET |
|
Full Form |
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test |
|
Most popular for |
Junior research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship/ Assistant Professorship |
|
Level |
National level |
|
Conducting Body |
National Testing Agency |
|
Mode of Exam |
Computer-Based Test |
|
Application Mode |
Online |
|
Application form fee |
General - ₹1150 General EWS/OBC - ₹600 SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender - ₹325 |
|
Medium |
English and Hindi |
|
Website |
https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria
· Educational Qualifications: Candidates must hold a degree in Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, or Earth Sciences. Final-year or "result awaited" (RA) candidates can apply, provided they complete their degree within a specified timeframe (usually two years).
· Age Limit & Relaxation
JRF: Candidate must not exceed the maximum age of 28 years (as of the notification date), with up to 5 years relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/Women/PwD candidates.
Lectureship (LS) / Assistant Professor: No upper age limit applies to the Lectureship category.
· Nationality: Candidates must be Indian nationals, or citizens of Nepal/Bhutan or refugees as per government guidelines..
· Alternative Qualifications: Candidates with a B.Sc. (Hons.) or enrolled in an Integrated MS-Ph.D. program with 55% marks (50% for reserved) are also eligible.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern
The CSIR NET Exam is a 3-hour Computer-Based Test (CBT) worth 200 marks, designed to assess candidates for JRF and Assistant Professorship across 5 subjects (Chemical, Earth, Life, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences).
The paper is divided into three sections (A,B,C) featuring objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with a 25% negative marking for wrong answers, excluding specific sections in certain subjects.
Key Features of CSIR NET Exam Pattern
· Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test).
· Duration: 3 Hours
· Total Marks: 200.
· Language: Bilingual (English and Hindi).
· Negative Marking: Generally 25% (0.25) per wrong answer, but varies by section/subject.
Section-Wise Breakdown
· Part A (General Aptitude): Common to all subjects, testing logical reasoning, graphical analysis, and general science (20 questions).
· Part B (Subject-Specific): Conventional questions covering subject topics (approx. 40 questions).
· Part C (Higher-Order Thinking): Analytical questions testing scientific knowledge and application (approx. 60 questions).
Subject-Specific Highlights
· Mathematical Sciences: 120 total questions (Part A: 20, Part B: 40, Part C: 60).
· Life Sciences: 145 total questions, with 75 questions to be answered, 200 total marks.
· Other Subjects (Chemical, Earth, Physical): Follows a similar A, B, C structure with varying question counts, usually 75 total MCQs for sciences and 55 for physical.
Marking Scheme
· Part A: +2 marks, 0.5 negative.
· Part B: +3.5 to +4 marks (varies by subject), 25% negative.
· Part C: +4 to +5 marks (varies), usually no negative marking in math, 25% in others.
CSIR NET Syllabus
The CSIR NET exam (3 hours, 200 marks) comprises a common Part A for General Aptitude (reasoning, data interpretation, numerical ability) and Parts B/C for subject-specific knowledge in Life, Chemical, Mathematical, Physical, or Earth Sciences. The syllabus is designed to test scientific knowledge, research aptitude and analytical skills with specialized topics varying significantly by discipline.
Subject-Wise Syllabus Highlights
· Life Sciences: Molecules and interaction (biomolecules), Cellular Organization, Fundamental Processes (molecular biology), Cell Signaling, Developmental Biology, System Physiology (Plant/Animal), Inheritance Biology, Diversity of Life Forms, Ecological Principles, Evolution and Behavior, Applied Biology.
· Chemical Sciences: Inorganic Chemistry (bonding, coordination), Organic Chemistry (mechanisms, stereochemistry), Physical Chemistry (thermodynamics, quantum), Medicinal/Environmental/Catalysis Chemistry, and Nanoscience.
· Mathematical Sciences: Analysis, Linear Algebra, Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), Partial Differential Equations (PDEs), Numerical Analysis, Calculus of Variations, Classical Mechanics, Statistics, and Probabililty.
· Physical Sciences: Mathematical Methods, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Statistical Physics, Electronics.
· Earth Sciences: The Earth and Solar System, Earth Materials and Processes, Tectonics and Deformation, Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences.
Exam Pattern and Structure
· Part A (Common): Covers general science, quantitative reasoning, and analysis.
· Part B: Subject-related MCQ questions focusing on core conceptual understanding.
· Part C: Higher-order questions, including analytical/ scientific aptitude, designed to test research capability.
How to Apply
To apply for the CSIR NET exam, visit the official NTA website (csirnet.nta.ac.in), register as a new user, fill in your personal/educational details, upload scanned photo/signature, pay the application fee (approx. ₹1150 for General, ₹600 for OBC-NCL, ₹325 for SC/ST), and download the confirmation page. Only one application is allowed per candidate.
Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Registration: Go to {Link: csirnet.nta.ac.in https://csirnet.nta.ac.in} and click on the "New Registration" link.
2. Fill Details: Register using your name, email, and mobile number to generate a unique Application Number and password.
3. Complete form: Log in using your credentials to complete the application form, including personal details, academic qualifications, and exam center choices.
4. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of a passport-size photo and signature in the specified format.
5. Pay Fee: Pay the application fee online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
6. Submit: Review all details carefully and submit the application. Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Key Requirements
· Registration Fee: General: ₹1150, OBC-NCL: ₹600, SC/ST/PwD: ₹325.
· Validity: Ensure your email and mobile number are valid and your own for communication.
· Documents Needed: Scanned photo, signature, and category/PwD certificates if applicable.
· Correction Window: A correction window is usually provided later to edit details if necessary
Note: Candidates must check the official information bulletin for specific, up-to-date eligibility and deadlines.
