CSIR NET is a national test in India. It helps students get Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and become eligible for teaching jobs like Lecturers or Assistant Professors in science fields.
Subjects
The CSIR NET Syllabus is divided into three parts:
Part A: This section has questions about basic math, logic, and problem solving. Everyone has to attempt this part.
Part B: This part has questions about the subject you choose, like Physics, Chemistry, etc.
Part C: This is an advanced part that checks how good you are at understanding and solving research-based questions.
Subjects You Can Choose
You can choose to take the exam in any one of these five subjects:
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Chemical Sciences
Earth Sciences
Mathematical Sciences
What Each Subject Covers (In Simple Words)
Subject
What It Covers (In Simple Words)
Life Sciences
Study of living things – like cells, genes, body functions, and growth.
Physical Sciences
Mostly physics – topics like motion, heat, light, and electricity.
Chemical Sciences
Learn about chemicals, reactions, and how matter is made and changed.
Earth Sciences
Study of Earth – including oceans, weather, rocks, and the planet’s systems.
Mathematical Sciences
Focus on math – like algebra, calculus, and solving difficult math problems.
How the Exam Works
Mode: Online computer test
Time: 3 hours (180 minutes)
Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Parts: A, B, and C
Total Marks: 200
Negative Marks: Yes (for wrong answers in Part A and B in most subjects)
CSIR NET Chemical Sciences – Exam Pattern
Part
What’s Inside
Total Questions
Questions to Answer
Marks Each
Total
A
Basic science and reasoning
20
15
2
30
B
Chemistry topics
40
35
2
70
C
Advanced science questions
60
25
4
100
Total
–
–
75
–
200
Wrong Answer Penalty: 25% marks cut for each wrong answer in A & B.
CSIR NET Earth Sciences – Exam Pattern
Part
What’s Inside
Total Questions
Questions to Answer
Marks Each
Total
A
Basic science and reasoning
20
15
2
30
B
Earth science topics
50
35
2
70
C
Advanced earth science
80
25
4
100
Total
–
–
75
–
200
Wrong Answer Penalty: 25% in A & B, 33% in C.
CSIR NET Life Sciences – Exam Pattern
Part
What’s Inside
Total Questions
Questions to Answer
Marks Each
Total
A
Basic science and reasoning
20
15
2
30
B
Life science topics
50
35
2
70
C
Advanced life science
75
25
4
100
Total
–
–
75
–
200
Wrong Answer Penalty: 25% in A & B.
CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences – Exam Pattern
Part
What’s Inside
Total Questions
Questions to Answer
Marks Each
Total
A
Basic science and reasoning
20
15
2
30
B
Math topics
40
25
3
75
C
Advanced math problems
60
20
4.75
95
Total
–
–
60
–
200
Wrong Answer Penalty: 25% in A & B, No penalty in C.
