CSIR NET — At a Glance
About CSIR NET
Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 by NTA decides JRF fellowships, Assistant Professor eligibility and PhD admission in five science subjects. Check dates, eligibility, age limit, pattern, syllabus, fees, cutoffs and results.
CSIR NET December 2026 Overview
The Joint CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (CSIR NET) is India’s main national test for science postgraduates who want a career in research and teaching. It decides three things: who gets a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) funded by CSIR or UGC, who becomes eligible for Assistant Professor posts in Indian universities and colleges, and who can use the score for PhD admission. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the results are processed by the CSIR Human Resource Development Group (HRDG).
CSIR NET is held twice a year, in a June and a December cycle. In the June 2026 cycle, 1,87,739 candidates registered and 1,50,057 appeared — and only a few thousand were awarded JRF, which shows how competitive the fellowship is.
Status (as of 16 October 2026): The December 2026 cycle is open. NTA released the Information Bulletin on 7 October 2026. Applications are accepted till 5 November 2026, and the exam will be held on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026.
CSIR NET December 2026: Highlights
Particular | Details |
|---|---|
Exam name | Joint CSIR-UGC NET (National Eligibility Test) |
Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of CSIR |
Result and fellowship | CSIR Human Resource Development Group (HRDG); JRFs shared between CSIR and UGC |
Frequency | Twice a year (June and December cycles) |
Exam dates (December 2026) | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
Application window | 7 October – 5 November 2026 (late window 6–9 November with ₹500 late fee) |
Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours), no break between parts |
Total marks | 200 (Parts A, B and C) |
Medium | English and Hindi (English version prevails in case of doubt) |
Subjects | 701 Chemical Sciences · 702 Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences · 703 Life Sciences and Bio-Technology · 704 Mathematical Sciences · 705 Physical Sciences |
Negative marking | Yes in most parts (no negative marking in Mathematical Sciences Part C) |
Application fee | ₹1,150 (General) · ₹600 (EWS / OBC-NCL) · ₹325 (SC / ST / PwD / Third gender) |
Exam cities | 209 cities listed in the December 2026 bulletin |
Official websites | csirnet.nta.nic.in · csirhrdg.res.in |
What’s New in December 2026
From the December 2026 cycle, the CSIR NET Life Sciences paper and the DBT-BET (Biotechnology Eligibility Test) have been merged into a joint CSIR-UGC-DBT JRF/NET. Subject 703 is now called Life Sciences and Bio-Technology, with a revised 14-unit syllabus and optional questions from both areas. As per the CSIR HRDG notice, the merger does not affect the total number of fellowships.
Why CSIR NET Matters
Funded PhD: A JRF pays ₹37,000 per month for the first two years and ₹42,000 per month as SRF thereafter (subject to assessment), plus a ₹20,000 yearly contingency grant.
Lifetime teaching eligibility: The Assistant Professor eligibility certificate is valid for life.
PhD admission: Universities can use NET marks for PhD admission (70% weight to the NET score and 30% to the interview, as per the bulletin).
Prestige: JRF-NET is one of the most respected credentials for a research career in India.
Who Should Take CSIR NET?
Students in the final year of M.Sc. or an equivalent degree in a science subject
Postgraduates in science who want to pursue a PhD with a fellowship
Candidates aiming for Assistant Professor posts in science departments
Students with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree (with at least 75%) who want JRF or PhD admission
Key Takeaways
CSIR NET is conducted by NTA twice a year for JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD eligibility.
December 2026 exam: 19, 22 and 27 December; apply by 5 November 2026.
Five subjects, 180-minute CBT, 200 marks, negative marking in most parts.
Life Sciences is now merged with Biotechnology (subject 703) from December 2026.
Pro Tip: Apply early in the window. City choices and the correction window are limited, and the late window charges an extra ₹500.
Official Websites
NTA CSIR NET portal: csirnet.nta.nic.in
CSIR Human Resource Development Group: csirhrdg.res.in
National Testing Agency: nta.ac.in
Need Help with CSIR NET and PhD Admissions?
Not sure which subject to choose, how to plan for JRF, or where to apply for a PhD with your NET score? Eduspray’s counsellors can help you plan your preparation and research career. Reach out to the Eduspray team for personalised guidance.
Source: Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin and public notice (NTA, 07.10.2026); CSIR HRDG notices; NTA press release on June 2026 exam (18.07.2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joint CSIR-UGC NET the same as CSIR NET?
Yes. Joint CSIR-UGC NET, CSIR UGC NET and CSIR NET are the same exam, conducted by NTA on behalf of CSIR. It is different from UGC NET, which covers humanities, social sciences, commerce and similar subjects.
When is CSIR NET December 2026?
The exam will be held on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 in computer-based mode, in two shifts: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
How many times is CSIR NET held in a year?
Twice a year — in a June cycle and a December cycle.