The National Testing Agency (NTA) opened online applications for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 on 7 October 2026, and the last date to apply is 5 November 2026 (11:50 PM). The exam will be held in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026.
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 decides eligibility for three things: the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) with Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor with Ph.D. admission, and Ph.D. admission only. This guide covers the NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 notification, eligibility, application fee, exam pattern, syllabus, and how to apply, based on the official Information Bulletin and Public Notice dated 07.10.2026.
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026: Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of CSIR |
| Purpose | JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Question type | Objective, multiple choice (MCQ) |
| Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Subjects | 5 (Chemical, Earth, Life, Mathematical, Physical Sciences) |
| Medium | English and Hindi |
| Exam dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
| Official website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Important Dates
All deadlines close at 11:50 PM. NTA calls these dates tentative and will notify any change on its website.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application | 7 October to 5 November 2026 |
| Last date to pay fee (regular) | 5 November 2026 |
| Late application with late fee | 6 to 9 November 2026 |
| Last date to pay with late fee | 9 November 2026 |
| Correction window | 10 to 12 November 2026 |
| City intimation slip | To be announced |
| Admit card | To be announced |
| Exam dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
| Shift 1 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon |
| Shift 2 | 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
| Answer key and result | To be announced |
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Application Fee
The fee is paid online by debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI through the SBI or Canara Bank gateways. Bank charges and GST are extra; UPI carries no charge on either gateway.
| Category | Application fee | Late fee (6–9 Nov) |
|---|---|---|
| General | Rs. 1,150 | Rs. 500 extra |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | Rs. 600 | Rs. 500 extra |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | Rs. 325 | Rs. 500 extra |
The fee is non-refundable, except for duplicate payments on the same application, which NTA refunds after fee reconciliation.
Check Official Notice PDF Here
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
You need a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories), or a 4-year bachelor’s degree with 75%. Only Indian nationals can apply.
Educational qualification
| Qualification | General / EWS | OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s degree or equivalent | 55% (no rounding off) | 50% (no rounding off) |
| 4-year / 8-semester bachelor’s degree | 75% aggregate | 70% aggregate (5% relaxation) |
- Result awaited / final year: Master’s students can apply provisionally. They must pass with the required marks within 2 years of the NET result (1 year if qualified for Ph.D. admission only).
- 4-year bachelor’s degree: Holders qualify for JRF and Ph.D. admission only, not Assistant Professor. They may choose any subject, regardless of their degree discipline.
- Ph.D. holders: If the Master’s was completed by 19 September 1991, the cut-off relaxes from 55% to 50%.
- Foreign degrees: Get equivalence from UGC; Indian PG diplomas need AIU equivalence.
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Age Limit
| Category | 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 |
JRF age relaxation is up to 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, Third Gender and women candidates. Research experience in the relevant subject and armed forces service also earn up to 5 years. Total relaxation cannot exceed 5 years on any combination of grounds.
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Every paper carries 200 marks over 3 hours, split into three parts with no break between them. Part A (General Aptitude) is common to all subjects; Part B has subject MCQs; Part C has higher-order analytical questions.
| Subject | Questions (A / B / C) | To attempt (A / B / C) | Marks per correct (A / B / C) | Negative marks (A / B / C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences (701) | 20 / 40 / 60 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 | 0.5 / 0.5 / 1 |
| Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Sciences (702) | 20 / 50 / 80 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 | 0.5 / 0.5 / 1.32 |
| Life Sciences & Bio-Technology (703) | 20 / 50 / 75 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 | 0.5 / 0.5 / 1 |
| Mathematical Sciences (704) | 20 / 40 / 60 | 15 / 25 / 20 | 2 / 3 / 4.75 | 0.5 / 0.75 / 0 |
| Physical Sciences (705) | 20 / 25 / 30 | 15 / 20 / 20 | 2 / 3.5 / 5 | 0.5 / 0.875 / 1.25 |
- If you answer more than the allowed number, only the first ones in each part are evaluated.
- Mathematical Sciences Part C can have one or more correct options; you get credit only if you mark all of them, and there is no negative marking.
- Calculators are not allowed. If the Hindi and English versions differ, the English version is final.
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Subjects and Syllabus
You can apply in only one of five subjects. The detailed syllabus is on the CSIR HRDG website, csirhrdg.res.in; NTA does not send copies to candidates.
| Code | Subject | Specializations |
|---|---|---|
| 701 | Chemical Sciences | Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, Physical Chemistry |
| 702 | Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Sciences | Geology, Geophysics, Meteorology, Oceanography, Physical Geography |
| 703 | Life Sciences & Bio-Technology (LS-BT) | Biochemistry, Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Biotechnology, Botany, Genetics, Microbiology, Physiology, Zoology |
| 704 | Mathematical Sciences | Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Statistics |
| 705 | Physical Sciences | Atomic & Molecular, Classical Dynamics, Condensed Matter, Electromagnetics, Electronics, Nuclear & Particle, Quantum Physics, Thermodynamics |
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) also awards fellowships in Life Sciences & Bio-Technology through NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026, administered by DBT under the same eligibility and age rules.
How to Apply for NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026
Apply only online at csirnet.nta.nic.in. Registration also works through MeriPehchaan single sign-on (DigiLocker), and each candidate may submit only one application.
- Register: Enter your own email ID and mobile number, create a password and a security question. Note the Application Number that is generated.
- Fill the form: Log in with the Application Number and password. Add personal details, category, disability details, APAAR ID, subject, four exam city choices, and qualifications.
- Capture a live photo and upload documents: Use a webcam, or scan the on-screen QR code with your phone.
- Pay the fee: Use net banking, debit or credit card, or UPI.
- Download the Confirmation Page: It appears only after the fee is paid. Keep a printout for reference.
Document upload specifications
| Document | Format | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Photograph (colour, 80% face incl. ears, no mask, white background) | JPG/JPEG | 10 KB – 200 KB |
| Signature | JPG/JPEG | 10 KB – 50 KB |
| PwD / UDID certificate | 50 KB – 300 KB | |
| Category certificate (OBC / SC / ST / EWS) | 50 KB – 300 KB | |
| Result Awaited Attestation Form | 50 KB – 300 KB | |
| Identity proof (if not using Aadhaar / DigiLocker) | JPG/JPEG | 10 KB – 200 KB |
Your password must be 8–13 characters, with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one special character. Edits are possible only in the 10–12 November correction window.
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 JRF Stipend, Qualifying Categories and Cut-off
A JRF through NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 earns Rs. 37,000 per month for the first two years, plus an annual contingency grant of Rs. 20,000. After two years, if registered for a Ph.D. and cleared by an expert committee, the fellowship upgrades to SRF at Rs. 42,000 per month.
| Qualified under | JRF | Assistant Professor | Ph.D. admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1: JRF + Assistant Professor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Category 2: Assistant Professor + Ph.D. | No | Yes | Yes |
| Category 3: Ph.D. only | No | No | Yes |
- Category 2 and 3 scores replace university Ph.D. entrance tests and stay valid for one year from the result. Admission weights NET marks at 70% and the interview at 30%.
- The Assistant Professor qualifying certificate never expires.
- There is no sectional cut-off; merit uses the total of Parts A, B and C. The minimum benchmark is 33% for General, EWS and OBC, and 25% for SC, ST and PwD/PwBD.
- Candidates for NFOBC, NFSC and NFPwD fellowships must also apply through NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026; their results come from the respective nodal agencies.
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Exam Day Guidelines
Reach the centre 2 hours before the exam starts; late arrivals after gate closing are not allowed in.
Carry these:
- Printed admit card with the filled self-declaration (A4)
- 2 passport-size photos, same as uploaded
- One original photo ID: Aadhaar/e-Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, passport, driving licence, ration card or bank passbook with photo
- PwD/PwBD certificate, if claiming relaxation or a scribe
- Name-change document, if applicable
- A simple ballpoint pen and a transparent water bottle (diabetic candidates may carry sugar tablets or fruit)
Barred items: mobile phones, earphones, smartwatches and health bands, calculators, log tables, paper of any kind, wallets, belts, caps, jewellery or metal items, and opaque bottles. Carrying any of these counts as unfair means, which can bring up to 3 years’ debarment under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
Exam cities: Choose 4 cities from 209 options across India, limited to the state of your present or permanent address. PwBD candidates eligible for a scribe get 20 minutes of compensatory time per hour (1 hour for this exam).
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026? 5 November 2026 (11:50 PM). With a Rs. 500 late fee, you can apply until 9 November 2026.
When is the NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 exam? On 19, 22 and 27 December 2026, in two shifts: 9 AM–12 noon and 3 PM–6 PM.
What is the NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026 application fee? Rs. 1,150 for General, Rs. 600 for EWS/OBC-NCL, and Rs. 325 for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender.
Can final-year Master’s students apply? Yes, provisionally. They must pass with the required marks within two years of the NET result.
What is the JRF age limit for NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026? 30 years as on 1 December 2026, with up to 5 years’ relaxation for eligible groups. There is no age limit for Assistant Professor or Ph.D. admission.
Is there negative marking in NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026? Yes, 25% in most parts (33% in Earth Sciences Part C). Mathematical Sciences Part C has none.
Can I apply in more than one subject? No. One candidate may submit only one application, in one subject.
Can I edit my form after submitting? Only in the correction window, 10–12 November 2026.
<p>The post NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2026: Check Dates, Eligibility, Fees, Exam Pattern & How to Apply first appeared on Karmasandhan.</p>
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