CSIR NET December 2026: apply by 5 November, negative marking applies
Online applications for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 close on Thursday, 5 November 2026, at 11:50 PM on csirnet.nta.nic.in. This is the science-stream counterpart of UGC NET: it decides Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor eligibility and PhD admission across five science subjects. The computer-based exam runs on Saturday, 19 December, Tuesday, 22 December and Sunday, 27 December 2026, in two shifts. Unlike UGC NET, CSIR NET uses negative marking in most parts. The rate depends on the subject and part; Mathematical Sciences Part C has no negative marking.
Key dates from the official notice
- Application window: 7 October 2026 to Thursday, 5 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
- Last date to pay the fee: 5 November 2026, 11:50 PM.
- Late submission with Rs 500 late fee: 6 November to Monday, 9 November 2026, 11:50 PM.
- Correction window: 10-12 November 2026, on the website only.
- Exam dates: 19, 22 and 27 December 2026. Two shifts: 9 AM to 12 noon and 3 PM to 6 PM.
- Exam city intimation and admit card dates: to be announced on the website.
These dates are from the NTA public notice dated 7 October 2026, also hosted by CSIR's Human Resource Development Group, and the December 2026 Information Bulletin on csirnet.nta.nic.in.
Subjects covered
Five subjects: Chemical Sciences; Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences; Life Sciences and Bio-Technology; Mathematical Sciences; and Physical Sciences. If your post-graduation is outside these, the main UGC NET (87 subjects, applications closing 28 October) is the parallel exam to check.
Who can apply
- Master's degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (without rounding off) for General and General-EWS candidates.
- At least 50% marks (without rounding off) for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender candidates.
- Final-year Master's students and those awaiting results can apply provisionally. The qualifying degree must be completed with the required marks within two years of the NET result, or within one year for PhD-admission-only eligibility.
- Four-year (8-semester) bachelor's degree holders with at least 75% aggregate (5% relaxation for reserved categories) can apply for JRF and PhD admission only - this route does not make you eligible for Assistant Professor.
Age limits
For JRF, the limit is 30 years as on 1 December 2026, with up to five years' relaxation for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender candidates and for women, plus limited relaxation for research experience. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or for PhD admission only.
Exam pattern - and the negative marking
The test is a single three-hour paper of 200 marks in three parts (A, B and C), all multiple choice, in English and Hindi. Each subject has its own question split - for example, Chemical Sciences sets 120 questions and lets you attempt up to 75. Wrong answers lose 25% of the question's marks in most parts. Earth Sciences Part C deducts 33%. Mathematical Sciences Part C has no negative marking, but a question can have more than one correct option and credit requires selecting all correct options. Check the bulletin's subject table and attempt limits before answering.
Application fee
Rs 1,150 for General and unreserved candidates; Rs 600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL; Rs 325 for SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender candidates. Payment is online only - credit card, debit card, net banking or UPI - and bank or gateway service charges may apply. The late window adds Rs 500.
How to apply
- Open csirnet.nta.nic.in and use the December 2026 application link under Candidate Activity.
- Register and fill the form, choosing your subject and exam cities carefully.
- Upload your photo and signature as the bulletin specifies.
- Pay the fee online before 11:50 PM on 5 November 2026.
- Download the confirmation page after payment succeeds. NTA says candidates need not send any certificates or printouts to it.
- Use the 10-12 November correction window only for genuine mistakes.
Find the December application link
The official portal and application-link page below were checked on 24 October 2026. National emblems are masked. These show where to start, not a completed registration or payment.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not confuse this with the main UGC NET - they are different portals and different subject lists, and the UGC NET deadline (28 October) is earlier. Check the marking and attempt rules for each part rather than applying a blanket guessing rule. Most parts penalise wrong answers, while Mathematical Sciences Part C does not. And finish the payment step; the form counts only after a successful transaction by the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is there negative marking in CSIR NET?
Most parts deduct 25% of the question's marks for a wrong answer; Earth Sciences Part C deducts 33%. Mathematical Sciences Part C has no negative marking, but credit requires selecting all correct options.
Is there an age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility?
No. The 30-year limit applies only to JRF.
Can I apply for both UGC NET and CSIR NET?
They are separate exams on separate portals with separate fees. Science postgraduates typically check which subject list their degree fits; some candidates appear in both cycles.
Sources: Joint CSIR-UGC NET official portal · NTA public notice via CSIR HRDG, 7 October 2026 · Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin · Application live page. Checked 24 October 2026. Explainer by AiCoN - not a government publication. Details can change; check csirnet.nta.nic.in before you apply.