What is Joint CSIR-UGC NET?
The CSIR UGC NET June 2026 is a national-level examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research CSIR NET June 2026 notification. It determines the eligibility of Indian nationals in science disciplines for three distinct career pathways.
For Category 2 and 3, NET scores can replace separate university Ph.D. entrance exams. These scores are valid for one year from the result date. NET scores carry 70% weightage and interview/viva voce carries 30% at the time of Ph.D. admission.
Important Dates for CSIR NET exam 2026
| Event | Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens | 27 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | 19 June 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 20 June 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | 22–23 June 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| City Intimation Slip | To be announced on website |
| Admit Card Download | To be announced on website |
| Examination Dates | 17th and 18th July 2026 |
| Shift 1 Timing | 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon |
| Shift 2 Timing | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Answer Key Display | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
All updates, admit cards, answer keys, and results will be published at: https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/
Application Fee Structure
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
Payment can be made via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI through SBI or ICICI payment gateways. Bank service charges are additional. No fee refund is permitted once paid.
Eligibility Criteria for CSIR NET eligibility criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
| Category | Minimum Marks in Master’s Degree |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 55% (without rounding off) |
| OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | 50% (without rounding off) |
| Ph.D. holders (Master’s before 19 Sept 1991) | 50% (5% relaxation applies) |
| 4-year Bachelor’s — General | 75% aggregate |
| 4-year Bachelor’s — Reserved Categories | 70% aggregate |
Candidates appearing for or awaiting results of their qualifying Master’s degree can apply provisionally. They must complete their degree within two years of the NET result (or one year if qualifying only for Ph.D. admission), failing which they will be disqualified.
Age Limit
| Category / Purpose | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| JRF — General | Max 30 years (as on 1 July 2026) |
| JRF — OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Women | Max 35 years (5-year relaxation) |
| JRF — Research Experience | Up to 5 years additional relaxation |
| JRF — Ex-Servicemen | Relaxation up to length of service |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit |
| Admission to Ph.D. | No upper age limit |
Subjects Offered
The exam is conducted in five science subjects. Candidates must select one subject at the time of application.
Detailed syllabus for each subject is available at the CSIR HRDG website: www.csirhrdg.res.in. NTA does not provide individual copies of the syllabus.
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The exam is a 3-hour Computer Based Test (CBT) consisting of three parts — all objective-type MCQs. There is no break between parts.
Part A — General Aptitude (Common to All Subjects)
20 questions total, attempt any 15. Covers logical reasoning, graphical analysis, numerical ability, quantitative comparison, series formation, and puzzles. Each correct answer = 2 marks; each wrong answer = −0.5 marks.
Part B — Subject-Based MCQs
Conventional multiple-choice questions covering the subject syllabus. Negative marking of 25% applies.
Part C — Higher-Order Analytical Questions
Tests application of scientific knowledge to real problems. Questions are analytical in nature requiring scientific reasoning.
| Subject | Part A (Attempt) | Part B (Attempt) | Part C (Attempt) | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences (701) | 15 of 20 | 35 of 40 | 25 of 60 | 200 |
| Earth Sciences (702) | 15 of 20 | 35 of 50 | 25 of 80 | 200 |
| Life Sciences (703) | 15 of 20 | 35 of 50 | 25 of 75 | 200 |
| Mathematical Sciences (704) | 15 of 20 | 25 of 40 | 20 of 60 | 200 |
| Physical Sciences (705) | 15 of 20 | 20 of 25 | 20 of 30 | 200 |
Each question may have ONE or MORE correct options. Credit is awarded only when ALL correct options are identified. There is NO negative marking in Part C of Mathematical Sciences.
Qualifying Cutoff
There is no separate cutoff for individual parts. The cumulative marks across all three parts determine the merit list. Minimum benchmark: 33% for General/EWS/OBC and 25% for SC/ST/PwD/PwBD categories — applicable for both Fellowship and Assistant Professor eligibility.
The paper is bilingual (Hindi and English). In case of any discrepancy between versions, the English version is treated as final.
JRF Stipend & Fellowship Details
Plus annual contingency grant of ₹20,000 directly reimbursed
Upgraded after Ph.D. registration and expert committee assessment
No end period for the validity of qualifying certificate
The award of JRF is for a fixed tenure and does not guarantee subsequent employment by CSIR/UGC. The number of fellowships per subject is limited and may vary between exam cycles.
How to Apply CSIR NET application form 2026 Step-by-Step Process
The entire application process is online at https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/. No physical documents are required to be sent to NTA.
Only ONE application per candidate is allowed. Multiple submissions will result in only the first being considered. The application cannot be withdrawn after submission. The exam city chosen cannot be changed after the correction window closes.
Admit Card & Examination Day Instructions
Admit cards will be available for download from the NTA website only — they will NOT be sent by post. Candidates must carry the following documents to the exam centre:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Printed Admit Card | Downloaded from NTA website (mandatory) |
| Passport-size Photo | Same as uploaded on application form, for attendance sheet |
| Original Government Photo ID | Aadhaar, PAN, Driving Licence, Voter ID, or Passport (valid & non-expired) |
| PwD/PwBD Certificate | Only for candidates claiming disability relaxation |
| Name Change Document | Marriage Certificate, Gazette Notification, etc. (if name differs from application) |
Entry to the exam centre is stopped 30 minutes before the start of the examination. Candidates arriving late will not be allowed entry under any circumstances. Plan your travel in advance and familiarise yourself with the exam centre location.
Prohibited Items in Exam Hall
In CSIR UGC NET June 2026 Exam, The following are strictly not allowed inside the examination hall: mobile phones, calculators, Bluetooth devices, electronic watches, log tables, textbooks, written notes, food or drinks (except plain water in a transparent bottle), chocolate, candy, sandwiches, and any metallic or electronic gadgets.
Note: Diabetic candidates may carry sugar tablets, fruits (banana, apple, or orange), and a transparent water bottle. Packed foods like chocolate or sandwiches are not permitted.
Result & Answer Key Process
After the exam, NTA will display recorded responses and provisional answer keys on the official website for 2–3 days. Candidates can challenge any answer key by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹200 per question. The final result is declared based on verified answer keys reviewed by subject experts.
The score card will include total percentile score and marks. There is no provision for re-evaluation or re-checking of results. Records are preserved for 90 days from the date of result declaration.
No grievance regarding answer keys will be entertained after the declaration of results.
Key Rules & Unfair Means Policy
NTA has a strict policy against Unfair Means Practices (UFM). The following are considered UFM: impersonation, carrying prohibited materials, changing allotted seat or room, communicating with others during the exam, manipulating documents, using a scribe without genuine disability entitlement, and having multiple application numbers.
Penalty: Debarment for up to 3 years from future NTA examinations and criminal action under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
All disputes related to the examination fall under the jurisdiction of Delhi/New Delhi only. Legal questions must be raised within 30 days of result declaration.
Contact & Helpdesk
| Purpose | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Official Website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
| NTA Email | csirnet@nta.ac.in |
| NTA Phone | 011-40759000 / 011-69227700 |
| CSIR Fellowship Queries | Deputy Secretary (EMR), CSIR-HRDG, Library Avenue, Pusa, New Delhi – 110012 |
| UGC Fellowship Queries | Under Secretary, Selection & Award Bureau, UGC South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi – 110021 |
| Assistant Professor Eligibility | Education Officer, UGC South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi – 110021 |
This article is based on the official Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 Information Bulletin published by NTA. For the most current information, always refer to csirnet.nta.nic.in.