CSIR-UGC NET

Run by

National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Admits you to

Three outcomes in the sciences: Junior Research Fellowship (JRF, a funded Ph.D. with stipend) plus Assistant Professor eligibility; Assistant Professor eligibility plus Ph.D. admission; or Ph.D. admission only. Subjects: Chemical Sciences; Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; Physical Sciences.

Who can sit

A master's degree (M.Sc or equivalent) with at least 55% (50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and third gender), or final-year master's students provisionally. Students with a four-year bachelor's degree and 75% aggregate (5% relaxation for reserved categories) may also sit, but qualify only for JRF and Ph.D., not Assistant Professor. JRF has an upper age limit of 30 (up to 5 years relaxation for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, third gender and women); Assistant Professor and Ph.D. have no upper age limit.

Pattern

Computer-based test, 180 minutes, with Part A (general aptitude), Part B and Part C (subject questions of rising depth). Negative marking of 25% applies, except in Part C of Mathematical Sciences and some Earth Sciences questions.

When

Twice a year, in June and December cycles (the June 2026 cycle was held in July).

Limits

No attempt limit. JRF: upper age 30 in the month the exam concludes, with relaxations; no upper age for Assistant Professor or Ph.D.

Courses it leads to

• CSIR NET (science JRF, Assistant Professor eligibility and PhD admission)CSIR NET is the science counterpart of UGC NET.Exam, twice a year
• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)A PhD is a research degree: you spend several years answering one original question under a supervisor, and write it up as a thesis that outside…3–6 years