CSIR UGC NET (Science) exam details for JRF & LS eligibility. Check syllabus, exam pattern, age limit, educational qualification & application process.
Conducted by: NTA / CSIR
The CSIR UGC NET (Science) examination is a prestigious national-level test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University Grants Commission (UGC). Its primary purpose is to assess the eligibility of Indian nationals for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship (LS) or Assistant Professorship in various science disciplines within Indian universities and colleges. Success in this examination opens doors to advanced research opportunities and a career in academia. The examination is held in five science subjects: Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Candidates who qualify for JRF become eligible to pursue Ph.D. programs with financial assistance from CSIR or UGC for up to five years, fostering scientific research and innovation across the country. Those who qualify for LS/Assistant Professorship become eligible to apply for teaching positions in universities and degree colleges, thereby contributing to higher education. There are no fixed "vacancies" in the traditional sense for the CSIR UGC NET. Instead, a certain percentage of candidates who appear for the exam are declared qualified based on merit. For JRF, the number of fellowships awarded depends on the availability of slots and the merit list. For LS/Assistant Professorship, qualification simply makes candidates eligible; actual employment depends on university/college recruitment processes. The examination is conducted twice a year, typically in June and December, attracting a large number of science graduates and post-graduates aspiring for a career in research and teaching. Career prospects after qualifying CSIR UGC NET are diverse and rewarding. A JRF qualification is a direct pathway to a Ph.D. program, leading to careers as scientists, researchers, or post-doctoral fellows in national laboratories, universities, and ind
Nationality: Applicant must be an Indian National. Educational Qualification: M.Sc. or equivalent degree/ Integrated BS-MS/ BS-4 years/ BE/ B.Tech/ B.Pharma/ MBBS with at least 55% marks (without rounding off) for General (UR)/General-EWS and OBC (NCL) candidates. For Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/Persons with Disability (PwD) candidates, the minimum marks required are 50%. Candidates enrolled for M.Sc. or having completed 10+2+3 years of the above qualifying examination are also eligible to apply. Candidates with Ph.D. degree are eligible for Lectureship/Assistant Professorship only, subject to fulfilling the other criteria. Age Limit (as on a specific date in the notification, usually the application deadline): Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Maximum 28 years. Lectureship (LS)/Assistant Professorship: No upper age limit. Age Relaxation: Up to 5 years for SC/ST/PwD/Third gender applicants and women applicants. Up to 3 years for OBC (NCL) applicants. Number of Attempts: There is no explicit limit on the number of attempts for the CSIR UGC NET exam for Lectureship/Assistant Professorship. For JRF, eligibility is primarily governed by the age limit.
| Stage | Type | Duration | Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Examination | Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). The paper is divided into three parts: Part 'A' (General Aptitude), Part 'B' (Subject-specific MCQs), and Part 'C' (High-value conceptual and analytical questions). Negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers. | 3 hours | One of the five Science disciplines (Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences) chosen by the candidate, along with General Aptitude. | Total 200 marks |
Registration: Visit the official NTA CSIR UGC NET website and click on "Apply Online". Register by providing basic details such as name, contact number, and email ID to generate login credentials. Fill Application Form: Log in using the generated credentials and carefully fill out the online application form with personal details, educational qualifications, exam subject choice, and preferred exam cities. Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of your recent passport-sized photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size. Ensure the photograph is clear and the signature is legible. Pay Application Fee: Proceed to pay the application fee online using debit card, credit card, or net banking. Application fees vary for different categories (General, EWS, OBC, SC/ST/PwD/Third gender). Review and Submit: Before final submission, review all the entered details to ensure accuracy. Make any necessary corrections. Once satisfied, submit the application form. Print Confirmation Page: After successful submission and payment, a confirmation page will be generated. Download and print a copy of this confirmation page for future reference.
It is a national-level examination conducted to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship (LS)/Assistant Professorship in science subjects in Indian universities and colleges.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the examination on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
JRF qualification makes candidates eligible for research fellowships (Ph.D. with stipend), while LS/Assistant Professorship qualification makes them eligible for teaching positions in universities and colleges.
Yes, there is negative marking for incorrect answers in all three parts (A, B, and C) of the question paper. The exact deduction varies per part and question type.
Yes, candidates can apply for 'JRF and Lectureship' or 'Lectureship Only'. Those who qualify for JRF are also automatically eligible for Lectureship, but not vice-versa.
For JRF, the upper age limit is 28 years (with relaxations for reserved categories and women). There is no upper age limit for Lectureship/Assistant Professorship.
The examination is typically conducted twice a year, usually in June and December.