Detailed Guide & Information
The National Testing Agency has released the CSIR NET December 2026 Exam Date through the NTA Calendar. According to the revised official notice, the exam will be conducted on 20 and 21 December 2026. The exam determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship/Assistant Professor in Science and Technology. The exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Read below to know more about CSIR NET 2026 Exam Date, eligibility, application process, and syllabus.
CSIR NET Mock Test: Click to Attempt
CSIR NET Previous Year Paper: Click to Attempt
CSIR NET December Exam 2026 Out at csirnet.nta.nic.in
CSIR NET December 2026 Exam Revised Date has been released on 26 October 2026. The notification shall also be released soon on the website of CSIR i.e. csir.nic.in. It includes important details such as exam date, eligibility criteria, and syllabus. Candidates can now register online through the application portal. The application process, fee details, and important dates are available in the official notification. The CSIR NET Admit Card and city intimation slip will be released soon online on the official website.
What is CSIR NET?
CSIR NET stands for Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Eligibility Test. It is a national-level examination for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor. The exam is conducted twice a year, usually in June and December. It is organised for science stream candidates. The subjects include Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Meanwhile, candidates can download the CSIR NET June Notification 2026.
CSIR NET June Notification 2026 PDF: Click to Download
| CSIR NET Question Papers PDF for December 2026 Examination | |
| CSIR NET Life Science Question Paper | Download PDF |
| CSIR NET Life Science Question Paper | Download PDF |
| CSIR NET Maths Year Question Paper | Download PDF |
| CSIR NET Maths Year Question Paper | Download PDF |
| CSIR NET Chemical Science Year Paper | Download PDF |
| CSIR NET Chemical Science Year Paper | Download PDF |
| CSIR NET Earth Science Year Question Paper | Download PDF |
| CSIR NET Earth Science Year Question Paper | Download PDF |
| CSIR NET Physical Science Year Paper | Download PDF |
| CSIR NET Physical Science Year Paper | Download PDF |
CSIR NET December Exam 2026 Overview
CSIR NET 2026 is a national-level exam conducted by NTA for science stream candidates. The exam is held to determine eligibility for JRF and Assistant Professor. Check all the important details related to the recruitment process below.
| Particulars | Details |
| Name of the exam | CSIR NET |
| Conducting body | NTA (National Testing Agency) |
| Mode of exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Medium of Exam | English / Hindi |
| Total Test Papers | 1. Chemical Sciences
2. Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Sciences 3. Life Sciences 4. Mathematical Sciences 5. Physical Sciences |
| Exam Duration | 180 Minutes |
| Official website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
CSIR NET December 2026 Application Form Dates
The CSIR NET December 2026 Application Dates will be released on the official website. Candidates can check all important dates related to the application process and exam below. Candidates can refer to the table below for complete details.
| Event | Date |
| CSIR NET December 2026 Notification Release | To be announced |
| Online Application Starts | To be announced |
| Last Date to Apply | To be announced |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | To be announced |
| Correction Window | To be announced |
| City Intimation Slip | TBA |
| Admit Card Release | TBA |
| CSIR NET Exam Date | 20 and 21 December 2026 |
CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational qualifications and age limit are the key CSIR NET eligibility criteria. Candidates must meet both conditions to apply. The required qualifications depend on the subject and category. The age limit mainly applies to JRF applicants. Candidates who do not meet the eligibility criteria may face rejection. It is important to check all details before applying.
CSIR NET Syllabus 2026: Click to Check
Educational Qualifications
Candidates must meet the required educational qualifications to apply for the CSIR NET Notification 2026. Candidates must have a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification in Science, Engineering, or a related field from a recognized university. General and OBC candidates should have at least 55% marks, while SC/ST, PwD, and third gender candidates must secure a minimum of 50% marks.
Age Limit
The CSIR NET Age Limit 2026 mainly applies to candidates applying for JRF. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor and PhD. Candidates can refer to the following table for age criteria and relaxations.
| Criteria | Details |
| Age Limit for JRF | Maximum 30 years |
| Age Limit for Assistant Professor/PhD | No upper age limit |
| Age Relaxation Categories | OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender |
| Additional Relaxation | Women candidates, candidates with research experience |
| Ex-servicemen Relaxation | As per years of service |
| Maximum Total Relaxation | Not exceeding 5 years |
CSIR NET December 2026 Application Process
The application process is conducted online through the official website. Candidates must complete registration, fill out the form, upload documents, and pay the fee within the deadline. Candidates can follow the steps below to apply.
Step 1: Visit the official website csirnet.nta.ac.in.
Step 2: Click on Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026: Registration under the latest section.

Step 3: Now, click on “New Registration” and enter basic details. Create a password and submit the CSIR NET 2026 Application form.

Step 4: Log in using the application number and password.

Step 5: Fill in details such as personal information, category, educational qualification, subject, and exam city preference.
Step 6: Upload the required documents in the prescribed format. Photograph size should be 10 kb to 200 kb, and signature should be 4 kb to 30 kb. Upload other necessary documents also.
Step 7: Pay the application fee through online mode using a debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
Important Instructions for CSIR NET December 2026 Application Form
Candidates should carefully fill out CSIR NET Application form to avoid rejection. All details entered in the form must match the information available in official documents. Applicants should complete the registration process before the last date to avoid technical issues. The following are some important instructions to keep in mind while filling the application form.
- Use valid mobile number & email address for registration
- Enter name, date of birth & category correctly
- Upload photograph & signature in prescribed format
- Check selected subject & exam city carefully
- Keep scanned copies of certificates & ID proof ready before applying
- Pay the application fee
- Download & save CSIR NET December Application Form 2026 for future reference
CSIR NET Application Fees 2026
The Application Fees vary by category. Candidates must pay the application fee online while submitting the CSIR NET application form. Candidates can check the table below for application fees.
| Category | Application Fee |
| Unreserved | Rs 1150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | Rs 600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | Rs 325 |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026
CSIR NET Exam Pattern is divided into three parts namely, Part A, B and C. The total marks for the exam are 200 with different patterns for each subject. Candidates can check combined exam pattern for all subjects in the table below.
| Subject | Part | Total Questions | Max Attempt | Marks (Correct) | Negative Marking |
| Chemical Sciences | A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 |
| B | 40 | 35 | 2 | 0.5 | |
| C | 60 | 25 | 4 | 1 | |
| Earth Sciences | A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 |
| B | 50 | 35 | 2 | 0.5 | |
| C | 80 | 25 | 4 | 1.32 | |
| Life Sciences | A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 |
| B | 50 | 35 | 2 | 0.5 | |
| C | 75 | 25 | 4 | 1 | |
| Mathematical Sciences | A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 |
| B | 40 | 25 | 3 | 0.75 | |
| C | 60 | 20 | 4.75 | 0 | |
| Physical Sciences | A | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 |
| B | 25 | 20 | 3.5 | 0.875 | |
| C | 30 | 20 | 5 | 1.25 |
Practice the Subject-Wise Question Papers for the CSIR NET Examination 2026
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CSIR NET Life Science question paper with solution |
CSIR NET Maths Question Paper |
| Click to Download | Click to Download |
| Click to Download | Click to Download |
| Click to Download | Click to Download |
|
CSIR NET Chemical Science Question Paper |
CSIR NET Earth Science Question Paper |
| Click to Download | Click to Download |
| Click to Download | Click to Download |
| Click to Download | Click to Download |
|
CSIR NET Physical Science Question Paper |
| Click to Download |
| Click to Download |
| Click to Download |
We hope you found the article on the CSIR NET Notification 2026 informative. You can also download our Testbook App and start preparing for other competitive examinations.
CSIR NET Notification 2026 FAQs
Q1. Is CSIR NET December Notification 2026 released?
Ans. Yes, the CSIR notification will be released soon on the official website @csirnet.nta.nic.in.
Q2. What is CSIR NET 2026?
Ans. It is a national level exam conducted by National Testing Agency for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor eligibility in science subjects.
Q3. What is CSIR NET December 2026 application form apply online date?
Ans. The CSIR NET December 2026 Application Form Start date will be announced along with the official notice.
Q4. What is the CSIR NET December Exam Date 2026?
Ans. The exam is scheduled to be held on 20 and 21 July 2026
Q5. In which mode will the exam be conducted?
Ans. The CSIR NET 2026 exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across various centres in India.
Q6. What is the last date of CSIR NET December 2026?
Ans. The last date to submit the application will be announced through the official notice.