CSIR NET December 2026 registration is now open, and the National Testing Agency (NTA) will hold the Joint CSIR-UGC NET exam on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026. You can apply online until 5 November 2026 (11:50 PM). This test decides eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission in five science subjects. Below, we explain the dates, fee, eligibility, age limit, exam pattern and the full apply process in simple steps.
CSIR NET December 2026: Overview
| Exam name | Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Purpose | JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission |
| Subjects | 5 science subjects (codes 701 to 705) |
| Exam mode | Computer Based Test (CBT), Hindi and English |
| Apply mode | Online only |
| Official website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
Important Dates
The information bulletin lists the following schedule. However, NTA calls these dates tentative, so check the website for any change.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application starts | 7 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply (regular fee) | 5 November 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Late submission with Rs. 500 late fee | 6 to 9 November 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Correction window (one time) | 10 to 12 November 2026, 11:50 PM |
| Exam city intimation slip | To be announced |
| Admit card | To be announced |
| Exam dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
| Shift timings | 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
CSIR NET December 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General | Rs. 1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC (NCL) | Rs. 600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | Rs. 325 |
Also note that bank or gateway charges and GST are extra. A late fee of Rs. 500 applies from 6 to 9 November 2026.
CSIR NET December 2026 Eligibility
First, you need a Master’s degree or equivalent with the minimum marks shown below. Marks are counted without rounding off.
- General / UR / EWS: at least 55% marks.
- OBC (NCL) / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender: at least 50% marks.
- Final-year students: you can apply provisionally if your result is awaited. However, you must meet the required percentage later.
- Four-year bachelor’s degree holders: at least 75% aggregate marks, with a 5% relaxation for eligible categories.
- Ph.D. holders: those who completed their Master’s by 19 September 1991 get a 5% relaxation.
Age Limit for JRF
For JRF, you must not be more than 30 years old as on 1 December 2026. Next, check the relaxation rules:
- Up to 5 years for OBC (NCL), SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, third gender and women candidates.
- Up to 5 years for research experience in the relevant subject, with a valid certificate.
- Up to 5 years for armed forces service.
- The total relaxation cannot go beyond 5 years.
For Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission, there is no upper age limit.
Subjects and Exam Pattern
The CSIR NET December 2026 paper lasts 180 minutes and carries 200 marks. It has three parts. Part A tests general aptitude and is common to all. Part B has subject MCQs. Part C has higher-order analytical questions.
| Code and subject | Questions (A / B / C) | To attempt (A / B / C) | Marks per correct (A / B / C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 701 Chemical Sciences | 20 / 40 / 60 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 |
| 702 Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences | 20 / 50 / 80 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 |
| 703 Life Sciences and Bio-Technology | 20 / 50 / 75 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 |
| 704 Mathematical Sciences | 20 / 40 / 60 | 15 / 25 / 20 | 2 / 3 / 4.75 |
| 705 Physical Sciences | 20 / 25 / 30 | 15 / 20 / 20 | 2 / 3.5 / 5 |
Negative marking is mostly 25% of the marks for a question. However, Earth Sciences Part C has 33% negative marking, and Mathematical Sciences Part C has none. Also, NTA checks only the first allowed number of attempted questions in each part. So, attempt carefully.
Minimum Qualifying Benchmark
The bulletin sets the minimum benchmark at 33% for General, EWS and OBC candidates. For SC, ST and PwD/PwBD candidates, it is 25%. There is no separate cut-off for each part.
How to Apply for CSIR NET December 2026
- First, open the official site csirnet.nta.nic.in.
- Next, click the December 2026 online application link and register with your email and mobile number.
- Then log in and fill in personal, academic and category details.
- Choose your subject and four exam cities in order of preference. Pick cities in the state of your permanent or present address.
- Upload your photograph, signature and any category certificate as asked.
- Pay the fee online and check the payment status.
- Finally, download and save the confirmation page for future use.
If you are also planning other exams, our UGC NET December 2026 guide covers the humanities and commerce NET. You can also read our 2026 exam preparation guide for study planning tips.
Important Links
| Information Bulletin (PDF) | Download |
| Public Notice (PDF) | Download |
| Apply online / official website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
| NTA website | nta.ac.in |
| Syllabus (CSIR HRDG) | csirhrdg.res.in |
For help, NTA lists the helpline numbers 011-40759000 and 011-69227700 and the email csirnet@nta.ac.in.
FAQs on CSIR NET December 2026
When is the CSIR NET December 2026 exam?
NTA has scheduled the exam on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 in two shifts.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date with the regular fee is 5 November 2026. After that, you can apply with a Rs. 500 late fee until 9 November 2026.
What is the age limit for JRF?
You must not be more than 30 years as on 1 December 2026. Eligible categories get up to 5 years of relaxation.
Is there an age limit for Assistant Professor?
No. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission.
Can final-year M.Sc. students apply?
Yes. They can apply provisionally, but they must meet the minimum marks later.
Sources
- National Testing Agency, Information Bulletin, Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026: dates, fee, eligibility, age limit, exam pattern and helpline.
- National Testing Agency, CSIR NET official website: application link and public notices.
- National Testing Agency, nta.ac.in: public notice inviting online applications (8 October 2026).
Always confirm details on the official website before applying.