Exam Pattern and Syllabus
CSIR NET Exam Pattern
CSIR NET is a 3-hour computer-based test with three parts — A, B and C — and no break between them. All questions are objective multiple-choice questions. The total is 200 marks for every subject, but the number of questions, marks per question and negative marking differ by subject. The tables below are from the December 2026 Information Bulletin.
The Three Parts at a Glance
Part | What it tests |
|---|---|
Part A | Common to all subjects: General Aptitude — logical reasoning, graphical analysis, analytical and numerical ability, quantitative comparison, series formation, puzzles |
Part B | Subject-related conventional MCQs covering the topics in the syllabus |
Part C | Higher-order questions testing knowledge of scientific concepts and their application — analytical in nature |
Chemical Sciences (701)
Part A | Part B | Part C | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total questions | 20 | 40 | 60 | 120 |
Max. questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
Marks per correct answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
Negative marks per wrong answer | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | — |
Negative marking is 25% in Parts A, B and C.
Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences (702)
Part A | Part B | Part C | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total questions | 20 | 50 | 80 | 150 |
Max. questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
Marks per correct answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
Negative marks per wrong answer | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.32 | — |
Negative marking is 25% in Parts A and B and 33% in Part C.
Life Sciences and Bio-Technology (703)
Part A | Part B | Part C | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total questions | 20 | 50 | 75 | 145 |
Max. questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
Marks per correct answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
Negative marks per wrong answer | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | — |
Negative marking is 25% in Parts A, B and C.
Mathematical Sciences (704)
Part A | Part B | Part C | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total questions | 20 | 40 | 60 | 120 |
Max. questions to attempt | 15 | 25 | 20 | 60 |
Marks per correct answer | 2 | 3 | 4.75 | 200 |
Negative marks per wrong answer | 0.5 | 0.75 | 0 | — |
Negative marking is 25% in Parts A and B; no negative marking in Part C. In Part C, a question may have one or more correct options, and credit is given only if all correct options are identified.
Physical Sciences (705)
Part A | Part B | Part C | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total questions | 20 | 25 | 30 | 75 |
Max. questions to attempt | 15 | 20 | 20 | 55 |
Marks per correct answer | 2 | 3.5 | 5 | 200 |
Negative marks per wrong answer | 0.5 | 0.875 | 1.25 | — |
Negative marking is 25% in Parts A, B and C.
Rules Every Candidate Must Know
Only the first N answers count: If you answer more than the maximum number of questions in a part, only the first 15 (Part A), first 35/25/20 (Part B) and first 25/20 (Part C), as applicable, are evaluated.
Choose wisely: Because you answer only some of the questions, picking the ones you are sure about matters as much as solving them.
Medium: The paper is bilingual (English and Hindi). If there is any difference between versions, the English version is final.
Physical Sciences: Part B questions are drawn from the core syllabus (Part I), and Part C from both the core and advanced syllabus.
Key Takeaways
180 minutes, 200 marks, Parts A, B and C, CBT mode.
Part A (General Aptitude) is common to all subjects: attempt 15 of 20, 2 marks each.
Negative marking is 25% in most parts; 33% in Earth Sciences Part C; none in Maths Part C.
Only the first N attempted answers in each part are evaluated.
Pro Tip: Do not attempt extra questions “just in case”. Since only the first N answers are evaluated, answering more can mean your best answers are ignored.
Source: Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin, Chapter 3 (Scheme of Examination), NTA; CSIR HRDG scheme pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks is the CSIR NET exam?
200 marks in 180 minutes, divided into Parts A, B and C.
Is Part A common for all CSIR NET subjects?
Yes. Part A is General Aptitude: attempt 15 of 20 questions, 2 marks each, with 0.5 negative marks.
What happens if I answer more questions than allowed?
Only the first N answers in each part are evaluated, so extra answers can mean your best ones are ignored.