The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official notification for CSIR UGC NET December 2026 on 7 October 2026. Online applications are open on csirnet.nta.nic.in, and the last date to apply is 5 November 2026. The exam will be held on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
This guide covers everything about CSIR UGC NET December 2026, including the important dates, fee, eligibility, age limit, exam pattern, JRF stipend and the application steps.
What Is CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 is a national-level test that decides whether Indian nationals are eligible for:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor
- Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.
- Admission to Ph.D. only
NTA conducts the exam on behalf of CSIR in five subjects:
- Chemical Sciences (701)
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences (702)
- Life Sciences and Bio-Technology (703)
- Mathematical Sciences (704)
- Physical Sciences (705)
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application starts | 7 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 5 November 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Last date to pay fee | 5 November 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Late submission (with ₹500 late fee) | 6 to 9 November 2026 |
| Last date to pay fee with late fee | 9 November 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Application correction window | 10 to 12 November 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Exam city announcement | To be announced |
| Admit card download | To be announced |
| Exam dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
| Answer key and recorded responses | To be announced |
| Result | To be announced |
The bulletin says these dates are tentative and may change. Check the official website regularly for updates.
Exam Shifts and Timing
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Shift 1 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon |
| Shift 2 | 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
| Medium | English and Hindi |
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC (NCL) | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
| Late fee (all categories) | ₹500 extra |
You can pay by Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking or UPI. Bank or payment gateway service charges and GST are extra.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To appear in CSIR UGC NET December 2026, candidates must meet the following educational and age criteria.
Educational Qualification
| Category | Minimum Marks in Master’s Degree |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved / General-EWS | 55% |
| OBC (NCL) / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | 50% |
- Students in the final year of a Master’s degree, or awaiting their result, can also apply. They are admitted provisionally.
- Provisional candidates must pass with the required marks within two years of the result. For “Admission to Ph.D. only”, the limit is one year.
- Ph.D. holders whose Master’s was completed by 19 September 1991 get a 5% relaxation (55% to 50%).
- Candidates with a 4-year / 8-semester bachelor’s degree need at least 75% marks (5% relaxation for reserved categories). They can get JRF and Ph.D. admission, but cannot be appointed Assistant Professor on that basis.
Age Limit
| Post | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| JRF | 30 years as on 1 December 2026 |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit |
| Ph.D. admission only | No upper age limit |
The JRF age relaxation is up to 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, Third Gender and women applicants. Relaxation is also available for research experience and for armed forces service. The total relaxation cannot exceed 5 years.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern
The paper for CSIR UGC NET December 2026 has three parts, all objective (MCQ), with no break between them.
- Part A: General aptitude (logical reasoning, graphical analysis, numerical ability), common to all subjects
- Part B: Subject-related conventional MCQs based on the syllabus
- Part C: Higher-order analytical questions that test application of scientific concepts
All subjects are scored out of 200 marks. Questions and attempt limits differ by subject.
| Subject | Total Questions (A / B / C) | Max to Attempt (A / B / C) | Marks per Correct Answer (A / B / C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences | 20 / 40 / 60 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 |
| Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Sciences | 20 / 50 / 80 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 |
| Life Sciences & Bio-Technology | 20 / 50 / 75 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 |
| Mathematical Sciences | 20 / 40 / 60 | 15 / 25 / 20 | 2 / 3 / 4.75 |
| Physical Sciences | 20 / 25 / 30 | 15 / 20 / 20 | 2 / 3.5 / 5 |
Negative marking:
- Chemical Sciences and Life Sciences: 25% in all parts.
- Earth Sciences: 25% in Parts A and B, and 33% in Part C.
- Mathematical Sciences: 25% in Parts A and B, with no negative marking in Part C.
- Physical Sciences: 25% in all parts.
If you answer more questions than the limit, only the first attempted questions up to the limit are evaluated. In Mathematical Sciences Part C, a question can have one or more correct options, and credit is given only if all correct options are chosen.
Qualifying Marks and Categories
Based on performance in CSIR UGC NET December 2026, candidates can qualify in three categories:
| Qualified For | JRF | Assistant Professor | Ph.D. Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1: JRF and Assistant Professor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Category 2: Assistant Professor and Ph.D. | No | Yes | Yes |
| Category 3: Ph.D. only | No | No | Yes |
There is no separate cut-off for Parts A, B and C. The cumulative marks are used for the merit list. The minimum benchmark is 33% for General, EWS and OBC, and 25% for SC, ST and PwD/PwBD.
For Category 2 and 3 candidates, Ph.D. admission carries 70% weightage for the exam marks and 30% for the interview. These marks are valid for one year from the result date.
JRF Stipend and Benefits
A JRF selected through CSIR UGC NET December 2026 receives the following support:
| Fellowship | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| JRF (first 2 years) | ₹37,000 |
| SRF (3rd year onwards, after upgrade) | ₹42,000 |
| Annual contingent grant | ₹20,000 |
The upgrade from JRF to SRF depends on registration for Ph.D. and a review of research progress by an expert committee.
How to Apply for CSIR UGC NET December 2026
Follow these steps to apply for CSIR UGC NET December 2026 online:
- Go to the official website csirnet.nta.nic.in.
- Register with your own email ID and mobile number (registration is enabled through MeriPehchaan single sign-on). Note down your Application Number and password.
- Fill in the application form: personal details, subject, educational qualification and four exam cities in order of preference.
- Upload the required documents:
- Live photograph (via webcam or QR code on mobile)
- Photograph: JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 200 KB, white background, 80% face visible
- Signature: JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 50 KB
- Disability/UDID, category or result-awaited certificate (if applicable): PDF, 50 KB to 300 KB
- Pay the fee online.
- Download and save the Confirmation Page. It is generated only after successful payment.
Tips:
- Submit only one application. Each email ID and mobile number can be used for one application only.
- NTA does not accept corrections by post, fax, WhatsApp, email or in person. Use the online correction window (10 to 12 November 2026) only.
- Exam city choices are limited to the state of your permanent or present address.
- The password must be 8 to 13 characters, with upper case, lower case, a number and a special character.
Documents to Carry on Exam Day
Carry these items to the exam centre for CSIR UGC NET December 2026:
- Admit card with the filled Self Declaration (clear A4 printout)
- A simple ball-point pen
- 2 additional passport-size photographs (same as in the application)
- One original, valid photo ID (PAN, Driving Licence, Voter ID, Passport, Aadhaar, and similar)
- PwD/PwBD certificate and UDID, if claiming relaxation
- A transparent water bottle
Mobile phones, calculators, handbags, written or printed material, and electronic gadgets are not allowed. Reach the centre about 2 hours before the exam starts.
Answer Key Challenge
After the exam of CSIR UGC NET December 2026, NTA will display recorded responses and the provisional answer key on the website for two to three days. You can challenge an answer by paying ₹200 per question (non-refundable). The result is based on the final answer key, and no grievances are entertained after the result is declared.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply online: official website for CSIR UGC NET December 2026 | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| NTA official website | https://nta.ac.in/ |
| Information Bulletin (PDF) | Download Here |
| Syllabus (CSIR HRDG) | www.csirhrdg.res.in |
| NTA helpdesk email | csirnet@nta.ac.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
The last date is 5 November 2026 (up to 11:50 PM). With a ₹500 late fee, you can apply until 9 November 2026.
2. When is the exam going to be held?
The exam will be held on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 in two shifts: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
3. What is the application fee?
It is ₹1,150 for General, ₹600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL, and ₹325 for SC, ST, PwD, PwBD and Third Gender.
4. What is the minimum qualification required?
You need a Master’s degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender). Final-year students can apply provisionally.
5. What is the age limit for JRF?
The upper limit is 30 years as on 1 December 2026, with up to 5 years’ relaxation for eligible categories. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or Ph.D. admission only.
6. Is there negative marking?
Yes. It is 25% in most parts. Earth Sciences Part C has 33%, and Mathematical Sciences Part C has no negative marking.
7. Which subjects are available?
Chemical Sciences, Earth/Atmospheric/Ocean/Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences and Bio-Technology, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
8. In which language is the paper conducted?
The paper is bilingual, in English and Hindi. If the two versions differ, the English version is final.
9. Can I correct my application form after submitting it?
Yes, but only during the correction window from 10 to 12 November 2026, and only the fields enabled for correction.
10. What is the JRF stipend?
It is ₹37,000 per month for the first two years, plus a ₹20,000 annual contingent grant. It rises to ₹42,000 per month as SRF from the third year, subject to review.
11. Can final-year Master’s students apply?
Yes. They are admitted provisionally and must complete the degree with the required marks within the time limit stated in the bulletin.
12. How many exam cities can I choose?
You choose four cities in order of preference. NTA may still allot a different city for administrative reasons.