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The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to conduct the CSIR NET exam twice in 2026 — the June session followed by the December session. The CSIR NET 2026 June notification is expected to be released by the NTA on its official portal at csirnet.nta.nic.in, with the exam likely held in mid- to late-2026. The December 2026 session typically follows roughly six months later.
Aspirants are advised to track csirnet.nta.nic.in for the official notification PDF, which will confirm the application window, exam dates, eligibility, syllabus, and fee structure.
By the end of this blog, you will know
- The CSIR NET 2026 exam date and notification status
- The shift timings, exam pattern, and marking scheme for the CSIR NET exam
- The eligibility, syllabus, and application process for CSIR NET 2026
CSIR NET Exam Date 2026: Key Highlights
|
Exam Feature |
Details |
|
Name of Exam |
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Eligibility Test |
|
Conducting Authority |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
|
Exam Level |
National-level examination |
|
Frequency |
Twice a year (June and December sessions) |
|
Mode of Examination |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
|
Application Fee |
General: ₹1,150 OBC/EWS: ₹600 SC/ST/PwD: ₹325 |
|
Question Format |
Objective-type questions |
|
Duration |
3 hours (180 minutes) |
|
Exam Timings |
Morning Session: 9 AM to 12 Noon Afternoon Session: 3 PM to 6 PM |
|
Papers and Marks |
Single paper, 200 marks (Parts A, B, and C combined) |
|
Language of the Exam |
English and Hindi |
|
Purpose |
To determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship/Assistant Professor roles |
|
Official Website |
csirnet.nta.nic.in |
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Eligibility Criteria for CSIR NET 2026
The eligibility criteria for CSIR NET 2026 are essential to consider before applying. Candidates can review the CSIR NET eligibility criteria outlined below.
1. Academic Eligibility
Applicants must hold a degree in one of the following: BTech, BE, BPharma, MBBS, a four-year BS programme, Integrated BS–MS, or MSc. A minimum aggregate score of 55% is required for candidates from General (UR), General-EWS, and OBC categories. Those belonging to SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender categories must have secured at least 50%.
2. Age Criteria
Candidates applying for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) should not exceed 28 years of age (as on the cut-off date specified in the 2026 notification). Age relaxation is applicable: up to 5 years for candidates from SC, ST, Third Gender, PwD, and female applicants, and up to 3 years for OBC candidates (Non-Creamy Layer).
There is no age restriction for those applying for the Lectureship (LS) / Assistant Professor role.
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CSIR NET Exam Date 2026: Important Dates
|
Event |
Expected Date |
|
CSIR NET 2026 June Notification Release |
Expected May 2026 (per NTA) |
|
Release of Application Form (June Session) |
Along with the official notification |
|
Last Date to Pay Application Fee |
To be announced (TBA) |
|
Opening of Application Correction Window |
To be announced (TBA) |
|
CSIR NET June 2026 Admit Card |
Approximately 3 days before the exam |
|
CSIR NET June 2026 Exam Date |
Expected June–July 2026 (to be confirmed by NTA) |
|
CSIR NET December 2026 Notification |
Expected around September 2026 |
|
CSIR NET December 2026 Exam Date |
Expected late 2026 / early 2027 (NTA to confirm) |
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will confirm the CSIR NET Exam Date for the June session via its official notification PDF on csirnet.nta.nic.in. Aspirants should treat all dates above as expected/indicative until the official notification is released.
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CSIR NET 2026 Exam Schedule: Subject-Wise Dates
The complete exam schedule and shift timings for CSIR NET 2026 will be published on the official NTA website along with the notification. Once available, the subject-wise dates will be updated here.
Historically, the CSIR NET examination is conducted over three to four consecutive days across five subjects: Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Life Sciences; and Physical Sciences. Each subject is allotted a dedicated shift.
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CSIR NET 2026 Exam-Day Schedule
A tentative timeline for the CSIR NET 2026 exam-day activities is provided below for both morning and afternoon sessions.
|
Exam Activities |
Morning Session |
Afternoon Session |
|
Exam Duration |
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
|
Total Time Allotted |
3 hours (no breaks) |
3 hours (no breaks) |
|
Reporting Time at Test Centre |
Between 7:00 and 8:00 AM |
Between 1:00 and 2:00 PM |
|
Entry into Examination Hall |
From 8:15 to 8:30 AM |
From 2:15 to 2:30 PM |
|
Admit Card Verification |
8:30 to 8:45 AM |
2:30 to 2:45 PM |
|
Time to Occupy Assigned Seat |
By 8:45 AM |
By 2:45 PM |
|
Instructions Given by Supervisors |
8:45 to 8:55 AM |
2:45 to 2:55 PM |
|
Start of Examination |
9:00 AM |
3:00 PM |
|
End of Examination |
12:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
Notification for CSIR NET 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will publish the CSIR NET 2026 notification for the June session on its official website, csirnet.nta.nic.in. This notification will include all key information about the exam, such as:
- Application procedure
- Exam schedule and important dates
- Eligibility requirements
- Detailed exam pattern and syllabus
- Qualifying marks and cut-off details
- CSIR NET certificate validity
- List of exam centres
- Admit card information
- Eligibility verification process
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Application Form for CSIR NET Exam 2026
The NTA will open the CSIR NET 2026 application process for the June session alongside the release of the official notification. Interested candidates can apply by registering and logging in on the official website using their credentials.
Follow the steps below to complete the CSIR NET 2026 application form:
- Begin by registering online on the official CSIR NET portal at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
- Log in to apply for CSIR NET using the credentials created during registration.
- Upload the required scanned documents (photograph, signature, and category certificate if applicable).
- Once the form is filled out and the documents are uploaded, complete the process by paying the application fee online.
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Exam Pattern for CSIR NET 2026
The CSIR NET 2026 exam pattern follows the standard structure used by the NTA. The question paper is divided into three sections — Part A, Part B, and Part C — all containing objective-type, multiple-choice questions with no scheduled breaks between sections.
Part A
This section is common to all subjects and contains up to 20 questions on General Aptitude. Candidates are required to answer 15 questions, with each carrying 2 marks. The total marks for this section are 30 out of 200. The questions cover topics such as logical reasoning, analytical and numerical ability, quantitative comparison, series formation, puzzles, and aptitude for teaching and research.
Parts B and C
These sections contain questions based on the subject chosen by the candidate from the following five subjects: Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; and Physical Sciences.
Subject-wise Exam Scheme:
- Chemical Sciences (701)
|
Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|
Total Questions |
20 |
40 |
60 |
120 |
|
No. of Questions to Attempt (Maximum) |
15 |
35 |
25 |
75 |
|
Marks (for Each Correct Answer) |
2 |
2 |
4 |
200 |
|
Negative Marking (25%) |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
- |
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences (702)
|
Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|
Total Questions |
20 |
50 |
80 |
150 |
|
No. of Questions to Attempt (Maximum) |
15 |
35 |
25 |
75 |
|
Marks for Each Correct Answer |
2 |
2 |
4 |
200 |
|
Negative Marking (25% in Part A & B, 33% in Part C) |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1.32 |
- |
- Life Sciences (703)
|
Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|
Total Questions |
20 |
50 |
75 |
145 |
|
No. of Questions to Attempt (Maximum) |
15 |
35 |
25 |
75 |
|
Marks for Each Correct Answer |
2 |
2 |
4 |
200 |
|
Negative Marking (25% in Parts A, B & C) |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
- |
- Mathematical Sciences (704)
|
Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|
Total Questions |
20 |
40 |
60 |
120 |
|
No. of Questions to Attempt (Maximum) |
15 |
25 |
20 |
60 |
|
Marks for Each Correct Answer |
2 |
3 |
4.75 |
200 |
|
Negative Marking (25% in Part A & B, No Negative in Part C) |
0.5 |
0.75 |
0 |
- |
- Physical Sciences (705)
|
Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|
Total Questions |
20 |
25 |
30 |
75 |
|
No. of Questions to Attempt (Maximum) |
15 |
20 |
20 |
55 |
|
Marks for Each Correct Answer |
2 |
3.5 |
5 |
200 |
|
Negative Marking (25% in Parts A, B & C) |
0.5 |
0.875 |
1.25 |
- |
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Syllabus for CSIR NET 2026
Candidates can find the CSIR NET 2026 syllabus for all five subjects below: Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; and Physical Sciences.
CSIR NET 2026 Part A Syllabus
The syllabus for Part A is the same for all five subjects and includes topics related to General Science, Quantitative Reasoning, and Research Aptitude.
CSIR NET Syllabus: Parts B & C
The syllabus is subject-specific for Parts B and C and offers a detailed framework for each of the five subjects.
Earth Sciences topics include Geology, Applied Geology, Physical Geography, Geophysics, Meteorology, and Ocean Sciences.
For Chemical Sciences, the syllabus includes Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Interdisciplinary topics.
The Life Sciences syllabus comprises Molecules and Their Interactions, Cellular Organisation, Developmental Biology, Diversity of Life Forms, Cell Communication and Signalling, Ecological Principles, and additional topics.
For Mathematical Sciences, candidates will cover topics such as Analysis, Linear Algebra, Complex Analysis, Algebra, Topology, Numerical Analysis, Calculus of Variations, ODEs, PDEs, Linear Integral Equations, Classical Mechanics, Statistics, and Exploratory Data Analysis.
The Physical Sciences syllabus includes Mathematical Methods of Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Electronics and Experimental Methods, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Nuclear and Particle Physics.
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CSIR NET Admit Card 2026
The CSIR NET Admit Card 2026 will be released approximately three days before the exam. Candidates can download the admit card from the official website. The admit card will include essential details such as the exam centre, exam date, schedule, and exam timing.
Answer Key for CSIR NET 2026
The NTA will publish the CSIR NET Provisional Answer Key 2026 on the official website, csirnet.nta.nic.in. The Answer Key will be released in two phases: the provisional answer key and the final answer key (post-objections).
CSIR NET 2026 Result
Based on the final results, the CSIR NET e-certificate 2026 will be issued. The CSIR NET cut-off 2026 will also be published on the official website.
CSIR NET 2026 Certificate
Candidates who pass the exam and qualify for JRF or Lectureship will receive the CSIR NET Certificate, downloadable from the official CSIR NET portal.
CSIR NET 2026 Cut-Off
Candidates can download the subject-wise CSIR NET Cut-Off from the official website once released. The NTA publishes the cut-off in PDF format.
How to Check the CSIR NET Cut-Off 2026?
- Visit the official website of CSIR: csirhrdg.res.in
- Click on the ‘Cutoff’ link in the News & Announcement section.
- Download and save the CSIR NET cut-off list.
Now that you know the CSIR NET 2026 exam date and structure, it’s time to start planning your course.
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