The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) conducts the National Eligibility Test (NET) annually to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship positions. Aspiring candidates looking to build a career in research and higher education must familiarize themselves with the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026. The examination is conducted in bilingual formats (English and Hindi) over a duration of 3 hours, carrying a total of 200 marks through multiple-choice questions.
For comprehensive preparation, candidates should refer to the official CSIR NET Syllabus 2026- Click to check. Once the examination concludes, examinees can also check official updates via the CSIR NET Answer Key 2026 Out – Click to Download link.
CSIR NET 2026 Exam Overview
The CSIR UGC NET 2026 consists of a single paper divided into three distinct sections: Part A, Part B, and Part C. While Part A is common across all disciplines and assesses general aptitude, Parts B and C are core subject-specific sections that vary depending on the candidate's chosen field.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Council of Scientific Research National Eligibility Test |
| Papers | Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences |
| Total Questions | Chemical Science - 75 out of 120 Life Science - 75 out of 145 Mathematical Science - 60 out of 120 Earth Sciences - 75 out of 150 Physical Science - 55 out of 75 |
| CSIR NET Exam Date 2026 | 17th and 18th July 2026 |
| Exam Time | 3 hours |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Paper Language | English and Hindi |
| Total Parts | 3 |
| Negative marking | Varies per subjects |
CSIR NET 2026 Exam Subjects Checklist
The examination covers five major scientific disciplines. Candidates must choose their primary discipline upon registration:
- Chemical Science
- Earth Science
- Life Science
- Mathematical Science
- Physical Science
For focused preparation in specific disciplines, candidates can also explore resources like the CSIR NET Chemical Science Syllabus 2026 - Click to Check and the CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2026 - Click to Check.
Discipline-Wise Exam Structures and Marking Schemes
1. Chemical Sciences
The Chemical Science test paper comprises 120 total questions, out of which candidates can attempt a maximum of 75. Negative marking applies at 1/4th of the assigned marks for incorrect responses.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 20 | 40 | 60 | 120 |
| Max. number of questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Per Question Marks | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
2. Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences features 150 total questions with a maximum attempt limit of 75. Negative marking is set at 25% for Parts A and B, and 33% for Part C.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 20 | 50 | 80 | 150 |
| Max. number of questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Per Question Marks | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
3. Life Sciences
The Life Science exam includes 145 total questions with a maximum of 75 attempts permitted. Negative marking is uniformly 25% across all parts.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 20 | 50 | 70 | 145 |
| Max. number of questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Per Question Marks | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
4. Mathematical Sciences
Mathematical Sciences features 120 total questions with a maximum of 60 to attempt. Negative marking is 25% for Parts A and B, with no negative marking applied in Part C.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 20 | 40 | 60 | 120 |
| Max. number of questions to attempt | 15 | 25 | 20 | 60 |
| Per Question Marks | 2 | 3 | 4.75 | 200 |
5. Physical Sciences
Physical Sciences consists of 75 total questions with a maximum attempt limit of 55. Negative marking is set at 25% across Parts A, B, and C.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 20 | 25 | 30 | 75 |
| Max. number of questions to attempt | 15 | 20 | 20 | 55 |
| Per Question marks | 2 | 3.5 | 5 | 200 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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