CSIR UGC NET June 2026 — Apply by 19 June, Exam on 17–18 July
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened applications for the Joint CSIR UGC NET June 2026 session. This is a national-level test for science graduates seeking eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Lectureship / Assistant Professorship in Indian universities and research institutes. The exam will be held on 17–18 July 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. Last date to apply: 19 June 2026 at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
JRF vs Lectureship: CSIR NET qualifiers with rank in the top ~28% get JRF — a paid fellowship (₹37,000/month) to pursue PhD. Remaining qualifiers get Lectureship eligibility to apply for Assistant Professor posts in colleges. JRF has an age limit (max 30 yrs). Lectureship has no age limit.
5 Subjects — Which One is Yours?
CSIR NET is conducted in five science subjects. Choose the one that matches your postgraduate specialisation:
- Chemical Sciences (Code 701) — BSc/MSc Chemistry, Biochemistry, Applied Chemistry
- Earth Sciences (Code 702) — Geology, Geography, Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean Sciences
- Life Sciences (Code 703) — Biology, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry
- Mathematical Sciences (Code 704) — Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Mathematics
- Physical Sciences (Code 705) — Physics, Applied Physics, Astrophysics, Material Science
You can apply for only one subject per application. If you're in Life Sciences, note that it's the most competitive of all five subjects — lakhs of students appear every session.
Eligibility — Education & Marks
To be eligible for CSIR UGC NET, you must hold (or be appearing in final year of) an MSc, BS-MS integrated, BE/BTech, BPharma, or MBBS degree in a relevant science subject. The minimum marks requirement is 55% for General/EWS category and 50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD candidates. Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor's degree (like BS from IISc/IISERs) need at least 75% (70% for reserved categories). Ph.D. holders who completed their Masters before 19 September 1991 get a 5% relaxation.
Exam Pattern — 3 Parts, 200 Marks
The CSIR NET exam is 3 hours long and divided into Part A, Part B, and Part C. Part A (30 marks) tests general aptitude — common for all subjects. Part B and Part C test subject-specific knowledge at increasing levels of difficulty. Part B has short conceptual questions; Part C tests higher-order analytical and application-based questions. Total marks: 200. Negative marking: 0.5 marks per wrong answer in Parts A and B, and 1 mark in Part C (for most subjects). Mathematical Sciences has a slightly different marking scheme with no negative marking in Part C.
Fellowship Amounts
If you qualify for JRF, you receive a ₹37,000/month fellowship for the first two years, plus a ₹20,000 annual contingency grant for lab expenses, books, and conferences. After two years, upon registration for a PhD and satisfactory assessment by an Expert Committee, the fellowship upgrades to SRF at ₹42,000/month. This makes CSIR JRF one of the most financially rewarding pathways for science research in India — better than most private sector entry-level salaries for fresh graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can final year MSc students apply?
Yes. Candidates appearing in the final year of their qualifying exam can apply provisionally. However, you must submit proof of passing with the required minimum marks before the fellowship or appointment is activated. If you appear for the exam and clear it before your results, you'll need to provide the final marksheet within the stipulated time.
Q: Is there any attempt limit for CSIR NET?
There is no limit on the number of attempts for Lectureship eligibility. For JRF, you can attempt until you cross the age limit of 30 years. After age 30, you can still appear for Lectureship eligibility — just select LS instead of JRF in the form.
Q: What happens after qualifying CSIR NET JRF?
After qualifying JRF, you need to secure a PhD admission in an ICAR/DBT/DST-recognised research institution or university within 2 years of the fellowship award. The fellowship is disbursed only after you join a recognised PhD programme. You can apply to CSIR labs, IISER, IISc, universities, and central research institutions.
Q: What is the cut-off percentage to qualify CSIR NET?
CSIR NET does not have a fixed percentage cut-off — the qualifying marks change each session based on difficulty and the number of candidates. Historically, qualifying marks in Life Sciences have ranged from 50–60% of the maximum marks for the General category. For Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the range is similar but varies. NTA announces subject-wise cut-offs with the result.
Q: Can I use one CSIR NET certificate for both JRF and Lectureship?
Yes. Your CSIR NET certificate will specify both qualifications — JRF and LS — if your rank qualifies for JRF. If you qualify for LS only, the certificate mentions only Lectureship eligibility. The JRF certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of issue for taking up fellowship; the LS certificate is valid for life (with no time restriction for applying to Assistant Professor posts).