CSIR-NET
Qualifies candidates for the CSIR/UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), for Assistant Professor posts and for PhD admission in science subjects. JRF is the standard route into funded PhDs at IISc, IITs, IISERs, CSIR labs and universities.
Eligibility
M.Sc. or integrated BS-MS, BS (4-year), BE, B.Tech, B.Pharma or MBBS with at least 55% (50% for OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/third gender). Final-year students may apply. For JRF the upper age limit is 30 years, relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/third-gender candidates and women. There is no age limit for the Assistant Professor and PhD-only categories.
Age limit: JRF: 30 years (relaxations apply); Assistant Professor/PhD: none
Exam pattern
A 3-hour computer-based test worth 200 marks, held in English and Hindi. Part A (general aptitude, common to all subjects) has 20 questions, of which you answer 15, for 30 marks. Parts B and C test the subject. Part C carries higher-weight analytical questions, and the number of questions you must answer varies by subject (for example 15/35/25 in Chemical and Life Sciences, 15/20/20 in Physical Sciences); only the first required number answered are evaluated. Negative marking is 25% in Parts A and B. In Part C it is 25% in Chemical, Life and Physical Sciences, 33% in Earth Sciences and nil in Mathematical Sciences. The five subjects are Chemical; Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary; Life Sciences & Bio-Technology; Mathematical; and Physical Sciences.
Syllabus at a glance
Part A covers numerical ability, reasoning, graphical analysis and research aptitude. Parts B and C follow the CSIR syllabus for each subject at M.Sc. level. Examples: Life Sciences covers biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, genetics, immunology and ecology. Physical Sciences covers mathematical methods, classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and electronics. Mathematical Sciences covers analysis, linear algebra, complex analysis, algebra, ODEs/PDEs and statistics.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| December 2026 online registration (open now) | 7 Oct – 5 Nov 2026 | confirmed |
| Late-fee window (₹500 extra) | 6–9 Nov 2026 | confirmed |
| Application correction window | 10–12 Nov 2026 | confirmed |
| Advance city intimation slip and admit card | Early – mid Dec 2026 | expected |
| Exam (CBT, two shifts: 9 am–12 noon and 3–6 pm) | 19, 22 and 27 Dec 2026 (subject-wise schedule via city slip) | confirmed |
| Result | Feb 2027 | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry – David L. Nelson & Michael M. Cox (Life Sciences)
- Molecular Biology of the Gene – James D. Watson et al. (Life Sciences)
- Introduction to Quantum Mechanics – David J. Griffiths (Physical Sciences)
- Mathematical Methods for Physicists – George B. Arfken & Hans J. Weber (Physical Sciences)
- Atkins' Physical Chemistry – Peter Atkins & Julio de Paula (Chemical Sciences)
- Introduction to Real Analysis – Robert G. Bartle & Donald R. Sherbert (Mathematical Sciences)
How toppers play it
- Part A is 30 marks of puzzles and data questions with 25% negative marking. Answer only the 15 you are sure of, which takes about 25 minutes. It often decides who clears the JRF cutoff.
- In Parts B and C, only the first required number of questions you answer are evaluated (for example the first 25 in Part C for Chemical or Life Sciences). Choose which questions to attempt before marking anything, because any answers beyond the limit are ignored.
- In Mathematical Sciences, Part C has no negative marking but has one or more correct options with all-or-nothing scoring. Verify every option, using counter-examples.
- Spend at least half your preparation on the high-weight units of your subject. In Life Sciences these are molecular biology, cell signalling and immunology. In Physics they are quantum mechanics, mathematical methods and electrodynamics.
- Solve the last 10 NTA papers. CSIR repeats concepts more than questions, so note recurring themes and target the previous session's JRF cutoff for your category.