CSIR NET December 2026 Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Subject-wise Marks, Revised Life Sciences Units, Exam on 19, 22, 27 Dec
NTA's Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 bulletin sets a 200-mark, 3-hour CBT for five subjects on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026. Check the subject-wise pattern, negative marking and official CSIR HRDG syllabus, including the revised LS&BT units.
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CSIR NET December 2026 Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the Information Bulletin for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026, and online applications are open from 7 October 2026 to 5 November 2026. The exam will be held on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode for five science subjects.
The bulletin gives the full scheme of examination for each subject and says that the syllabus is available on the CSIR HRDG website (csirhrdg.res.in). NTA will not send a copy of the syllabus to individual candidates. This article brings together the subject-wise exam pattern from the bulletin and the unit-wise syllabus from the CSIR HRDG website, so you can start planning your preparation.
Overview: Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam | Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 |
| Purpose | JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission |
| Subjects | 5 (codes 701 to 705) |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT), objective MCQs |
| Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Total marks | 200 in every subject |
| Medium | Hindi and English |
| Exam cities | 209 cities listed in the bulletin |
| Syllabus source | csirhrdg.res.in |
| Official website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application | 7 October 2026 to 5 November 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Late submission with ₹500 late fee | 6 November 2026 to 9 November 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Correction window | 10 November 2026 to 12 November 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| City intimation slip and admit card | To be announced later |
| Exam dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
| Shift timings | 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
Subjects and Paper Structure
Every paper has three parts, all with multiple-choice questions:
- Part A is common to all subjects and covers General Aptitude, with emphasis on logical reasoning, graphical analysis, analytical and numerical ability, quantitative comparison, series formation and puzzles.
- Part B has subject-related conventional MCQs.
- Part C has higher-order questions that test the candidate's knowledge of scientific concepts.
Subject-wise Exam Pattern (CSIR NET December 2026)
| Subject (code) | Questions (A / B / C) | Max. 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 and Planetary Sciences (702) | 20 / 50 / 80 | 15 / 35 / 25 | 2 / 2 / 4 | 0.5 / 0.5 / 1.32 |
| Life Sciences and 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 |
Key points: Total marks are 200 for every subject. Negative marking is 25% in most parts; it is 33% in Part C of Earth Sciences and there is no negative marking in Part C of Mathematical Sciences. In Mathematical Sciences Part C, a question may have one or more correct options, and marks are given only if all correct options are identified. There is no separate cut-off for each part.
Subject-wise Syllabus (from CSIR HRDG)
Part A: General Aptitude (all subjects)
General Science, Quantitative Reasoning & Analysis, and Research Aptitude.
Life Sciences and Bio-Technology (703)
CSIR and DBT have agreed to award fellowships in Life Sciences and BioTechnology (LS-BT), as stated in the bulletin. The CSIR HRDG Life Sciences page now carries a "Syllabus (Revised)" for the LS&BT paper, alongside the older file labelled "Syllabus up to Exam cycle June 2026". The revised syllabus has 14 units, compared with 13 units in the earlier file:
- Structure and Function of Biomolecules
- Cellular Organization
- Fundamental Processes
- Cell Communication and Cell Signaling
- Developmental Biology
- System Physiology – Plant
- System Physiology – Animal
- Inheritance Biology
- Evolution and Diversity of Life Forms
- Ecology and Behavioural Biology
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Biochemical Engineering and Industrial Biotechnology
- Advances in Biotechnology
- Methods in Biology
Chemical Sciences (701)
- Inorganic Chemistry (12 topics)
- Physical Chemistry (14 topics)
- Organic Chemistry (13 topics)
- Interdisciplinary Topics (5 topics)
Physical Sciences (705)
Part A (Core): Mathematical Methods of Physics; Classical Mechanics; Electromagnetic Theory; Quantum Mechanics; Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics; Electronics and Experimental Methods.
Part B (Advanced): All six core areas plus Atomic & Molecular Physics; Condensed Matter Physics; Nuclear and Particle Physics.
Mathematical Sciences (704)
- Unit 1: Analysis; Linear Algebra
- Unit 2: Complex Analysis; Algebra; Topology
- Unit 3: ODE; PDE; Numerical Analysis; Calculus of Variations; Linear Integral Equations; Classical Mechanics
- Unit 4: Descriptive Statistics; Probability; Markov Chains; Distributions; Estimation and Testing; Linear Models; Multivariate Analysis; Sampling; Experimental Design; Reliability; Operations Research
Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences (702)
The detailed syllabus is available as a PDF on the CSIR HRDG Earth Sciences page.
Qualifying Benchmarks and Eligibility in Brief
- Minimum aggregate: 33% for General, EWS and OBC; 25% for SC/ST and PwD/PwBD.
- Master's degree: At least 55% for General/EWS (50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and Third Gender). Final-year students can apply provisionally.
- Four-year bachelor's degree: Minimum 75% aggregate, with 5% relaxation for certain categories. Such candidates are eligible for JRF and Ph.D. admission but not for appointment as Assistant Professor.
- Age limit for JRF: Not more than 30 years as on 1 December 2026, with relaxation for certain categories and women. No upper age limit for Assistant Professor or Ph.D.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC (NCL) | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
How to Download the CSIR NET Syllabus PDF
- Visit the CSIR HRDG syllabus page at csirhrdg.res.in.
- Click your subject: Chemical, Earth, Life Science and Biotechnology, Mathematical or Physical Science.
- On the subject page, open the "SYLLABUS" PDF (Life Sciences candidates should choose "Syllabus (Revised)").
- Save the PDF and match each unit with the Part B and Part C pattern given above.
- Apply online at csirnet.nta.nic.in before 5 November 2026.
Important Official Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Information Bulletin December 2026 | Download PDF |
| CSIR HRDG syllabus page | Open |
| LS&BT revised syllabus | Download PDF |
| Chemical Sciences syllabus | Download PDF |
| Physical Sciences syllabus | Download PDF |
| Mathematical Sciences syllabus | Download PDF |
| Official CSIR NET website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
FAQs
When is CSIR NET December 2026?
The exam is scheduled for 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 in two shifts.
Where can I find the official CSIR NET syllabus?
The bulletin says the syllabus and scheme are on the CSIR HRDG website, www.csirhrdg.res.in. NTA does not send copies to candidates.
Is there negative marking in CSIR NET?
Yes, in most parts it is 25%. Part C of Earth Sciences has 33%, and Part C of Mathematical Sciences has no negative marking.
How many units are there in the revised Life Sciences and Biotechnology syllabus?
The revised LS&BT syllabus on the CSIR HRDG website has 14 units, against 13 in the earlier syllabus. It includes units such as Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Biochemical Engineering and Industrial Biotechnology, and Advances in Biotechnology, which are not unit headings in the earlier file.
What is the total marks and duration?
Each subject paper carries 200 marks and lasts 180 minutes.
What is the last date to apply?
5 November 2026 (11:50 PM) with regular fee; 9 November 2026 with a ₹500 late fee.
Conclusion
With the December 2026 cycle open, candidates should download the subject syllabus from CSIR HRDG and study it alongside the exam pattern in the NTA bulletin. Note the attempt limits in each part, as you do not have to answer every question. Life Sciences candidates should use the revised LS&BT syllabus. Complete your application at csirnet.nta.nic.in before 5 November 2026.
References
- https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3efdf562ce2fb0ad460fd8e9d33e57f57/uploads/2026/10/202610071407707951.pdf – NTA, Information Bulletin: Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026, uploaded October 2026 (applications from 7 October 2026)
- https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ – NTA Joint CSIR-UGC NET official website, accessed 9 October 2026
- https://csirhrdg.res.in/Home/Index/1/Default/3485/78 – CSIR HRDG, CSIR-UGC NET Syllabus page, last updated 8 October 2026
- http://csirhrdg.res.in/Home/Index/1/InPage/37/26 – CSIR HRDG, Life Science and Biotechnology syllabus page, accessed 9 October 2026
- https://csirhrdg.res.in/SiteContent/ManagedContent/ContentFiles/20260121115025355Merged_Syllabus_CSIR-DBT_21Jan2026.pdf – CSIR HRDG, Syllabus (Revised) for Life Sciences and Biotechnology (LS&BT), undated PDF
- https://csirhrdg.res.in/SiteContent/ManagedContent/ContentFiles/20260129163159108LS_Sylbs_29Jan2026.pdf – CSIR HRDG, Life Sciences syllabus up to exam cycle June 2026, undated PDF
- https://csirhrdg.res.in/SiteContent/ManagedContent/ContentFiles/20201221135711180chemical_science_syllabus.pdf – CSIR HRDG, Chemical Sciences syllabus, undated PDF
- https://csirhrdg.res.in/SiteContent/ManagedContent/ContentFiles/20201221140202824physicalscience_syllbus.pdf – CSIR HRDG, Physical Sciences syllabus, undated PDF
- https://csirhrdg.res.in/SiteContent/ManagedContent/ContentFiles/20201221140054469mathmeticascience_syllbus.pdf – CSIR HRDG, Mathematical Sciences syllabus, undated PDF
- http://csirhrdg.res.in/Home/Index/1/InPage/36/26 – CSIR HRDG, Earth Sciences syllabus page, accessed 9 October 2026