If you dream of building a career in research or teaching science in India, the CSIR UGC NET December 2025 by NTA is your gateway
This exam is well-known across the country for selecting eligible candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor posts, and Ph.D. admissions in top universities and research institutes.
Covering five core science subjects and conducted entirely online, CSIR NET is designed to give science graduates and postgraduates a fair chance to prove their knowledge and secure a bright academic future.
In this guide, you’ll find all the essentials for CSIR UGC NET December 2025: eligibility, important dates, application steps, fees, age limit, JRF stipend and professor pay, and the selection process. Whether it’s your first attempt or a repeat.
Table of Contents
NTA CSIR UGC NET December 2025 Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Name | Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2025 |
| Notification Date | 25 September 2025 |
| Total Test Papers | Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Math, Physical Sciences |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Location | All India |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 25 September 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 24 October 2025 (till 11:50 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 25 October 2025 (till 11:50 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 27 to 29 October 2025 (till 11:50 PM) |
| Admit Card Download | Will be notified later |
| Date of Exam | 18 December 2025 |
| Declaration of City, Answer Key, Results | To be announced on the website |
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹1150 |
| OBC – NCL / EWS | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
Age Limit (as on 1 July 2025)
- For JRF: Maximum 30 years, with relaxations (SC/ST/PwD: +5 years; OBC: +3 years)
- For Assistant Professor/ Ph.D.: No upper age limit.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfil the following academic requirements to be eligible for CSIR UGC NET:
- Educational Qualification
- Master’s Degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in the Science stream with at least 55% marks for General / EWS candidates.
- 50% marks required for SC / ST / OBC-NCL / PwD / Third Gender candidates.
- Candidates who have completed BS-4 years / BE / B.Tech / B.Pharma / MBBS / Integrated BS-MS are also eligible.
- Those appearing in the final year of the qualifying exam can also apply, provided they complete their degree within the validity period.
- Nationality
- Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Subject Details
The examination is conducted for the following subjects:
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Eligibility / Qualification | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| LS | Life Sciences | M.Sc. / BS-4 years in Life Sciences | Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Botany, Zoology |
| CS | Chemical Sciences | M.Sc. / B.Tech / BE in Chemistry / Chemical Engg | Organic, Inorganic, Physical, Analytical Chemistry |
| PS | Physical Sciences | M.Sc. / BS-4 years in Physics / Applied Physics | Physics, Electronics, Instrumentation |
| MS | Mathematical Sciences | M.Sc. / BS-4 years in Mathematics / Statistics | Pure & Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science |
| AE | Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences | M.Sc. / BS-4 years in Geology / Meteorology / Oceanography / Planetary Sciences | Earth Science, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography |
Application Process
- Apply online at the official NTA CSIR website.
- Fill the application form, and upload the necessary documents.
- Pay the exam fee online via a secure payment gateway.
- Application corrections can be done during the correction window.
- Admit cards and result updates will be provided on the official website.
Important Links
| Link Type | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | click here |
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Information Bulletin | Check here |
| Official Website | NRAA CSIR official |
How Candidates Are Selected
- Written Exam
- Single-stage computer-based test (CBT) hoti hai.
- Multiple choice questions (MCQs) based on the subject syllabus.
- Merit / Cut-off
- Candidates ka score % ke basis par merit list banta hai.
- Cut-off marks category-wise decide kiye jate hain.
- JRF & Assistant Professor Allocation
- Top candidates JRF qualify karte hain aur stipend ke liye eligible hote hain.
- NET-only qualify karne wale candidates Assistant Professor position ke liye eligible hote hain.
- Document Verification
- Shortlisted candidates ko apne educational & category certificates submit karne hote hain.
CSIR UGC NET Benefit & Career Opportunities
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- Ye ek research-focused fellowship hai.
- JRF qualify karne wale candidates ko monthly stipend diya jata hai (PhD ya research ke liye).
- Stipend approx ₹31,000–₹35,000 per month hota hai (initial stage).
- Ye fellowship candidates ko Ph.D. pursue karne aur research projects me kaam karne ka mauka deti hai.
- Assistant Professor / Lectureship
- NET qualify karne ke baad candidates Assistant Professor ban sakte hain.
- Ye teaching-focused position hai universities aur colleges me.
- Yaha salary UGC scale ke according hoti hai, starting around ₹57,700 per month plus allowances.
- Yaha age limit nahi hoti, bas qualification aur NET clear hona zaroori hai.
- Ph.D. Admissions
- JRF ya NET qualify karne wale students Indian universities / institutes me Ph.D. admission le sakte hain.
- JRF candidates ko admission me preference aur fellowship milti hai.
- NET qualify karne se bhi students lectureship ke saath part-time research ya Ph.D. pursue kar sakte hain.
In short:
- JRF = Research + Stipend
- Assistant Professor = Teaching + Salary
- Ph.D. = Advanced Research + Higher Studies
FAQs: CSIR UGC NET Exam 2025-26
What is the CSIR UGC NET exam for?
The CSIR UGC NET exam is conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and Ph.D. admissions in Indian universities and institutes.
Qualifying for this exam allows candidates to pursue research with fellowship support or take up teaching positions in higher education institutions.
How can I apply for the CSIR UGC NET December 2025 exam?
Candidates can apply online through the official website. They need to fill in the required details, upload necessary documents, pay the application fee, and submit the application form.
What is the exam date for CSIR UGC NET December 2025?
The CSIR UGC NET December 2025 exam is scheduled to be conducted on 18 December 2025 across various test centres in India.
What is the application fee for CSIR UGC NET?
For CSIR UGC NET December 2025, the General / Unreserved candidates pay ₹1,150, OBC–NCL / EWS pay ₹600, and SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender pay ₹300. The fee is paid online via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI and is non-refundable.
What are the application dates for CSIR UGC NET December 2025?
The online application process starts on 25 September 2025 and closes on 24 October 2025. Candidates can pay the application fee until 25 October 2025, and the correction window for application details will be open from 27 October to 29 October 2025.
What is the age limit for JRF?
A3: The maximum age limit for JRF candidates is 30 years as of the exam date, with relaxations of up to 5 years for SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL/ PwD/ Third Gender and female candidates. There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for Assistant Professor positions.
Who conducts the CSIR UGC NET December 2025 exam?
The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for organising it fairly and transparently across India.
Conclusion
The Joint CSIR UGC NET December 2025 is a crucial opportunity for science graduates and postgraduates aiming for research and teaching careers. Make sure to check your eligibility and complete the online application on time.
For candidates also preparing for other competitive exams, you can explore opportunities like GATE Admission 2026 to advance your career in research and higher studies.
