CSIR UGC NET December 2026: Apply Online
CSIR UGC NET December 2026: National Testing Agency (NTA) has started the online application process for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination. Eligible candidates can apply online through the official website for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor eligibility and PhD admission, depending on the qualification category achieved.
The online application window opened on 7 October 2026, and the last date to submit the application form with the regular examination fee is 5 November 2026. Candidates who miss the regular deadline can use the late-fee window scheduled from 6 November to 9 November 2026, subject to the official instructions.
A major update for this session is the introduction of Life Sciences and Bio-Technology (LS-BT), combining the CSIR-UGC NET Life Sciences examination with the DBT-BET Biotechnology examination. Candidates should review the updated syllabus before choosing their subject.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Council | Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 7 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 5 November 2026 |
| Late Application Window | 6–9 November 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 10–12 November 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
| Examination Duration | 3 hours |
| Official Website | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
CSIR UGC NET December 2026: Important Dates
Candidates should keep the following dates in mind while completing the application process.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Starts | 7 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 5 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Last Date for Regular Fee Payment | 5 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Application with Late Fee | 6–9 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Late Fee Payment | 9 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Application Correction Window | 10–12 November 2026 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip | To be announced |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| Examination Dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
| Result Date | To be announced |
All dates should be reconfirmed through the official NTA website in case of any subsequent notice.
CSIR UGC NET Application Fee 2026
The examination fee depends on the candidate’s category. The official Information Bulletin lists the following regular application fees:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
| Late Fee | Additional ₹500 |
Applicable payment gateway charges and taxes may be extra. Candidates should pay through the permitted online payment methods and save their payment confirmation.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification Through a Master’s Degree
Candidates holding a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university or institution can generally apply under the following marks criteria:
- General / Unreserved / General-EWS: At least 55% marks.
- OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender: At least 50% marks.
Candidates pursuing their Master’s degree or awaiting final-year results may also apply provisionally, subject to the conditions and deadlines specified in the official Information Bulletin.
2. Eligibility Through a Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree
Candidates who have completed a four-year or eight-semester bachelor’s degree programme may also be eligible under the prescribed rules.
The standard minimum is 75% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade, with applicable relaxations for specified categories. Candidates qualifying through this route can be eligible for JRF and PhD admission but are not eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor on the basis of the four-year bachelor’s degree alone.
Candidates must check the detailed eligibility rules before applying.
3. CSIR NET Age Limit
The age limit depends on the qualification category the candidate seeks.
| Qualification Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Maximum 30 years as of 1 December 2026 |
| Assistant Professor | No upper age limit under the notified criteria |
| PhD Admission Only | No upper age limit under the notified criteria |
Age relaxation is available to eligible categories, including OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD, Third Gender and women candidates, subject to the official rules. Applicable relaxation for research experience and other specified circumstances must also be verified in the Information Bulletin.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Subjects
The December 2026 examination covers the following five subjects:
| Subject Code | Subject |
|---|---|
| 701 | Chemical Sciences |
| 702 | Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences |
| 703 | Life Sciences and Bio-Technology (LS-BT) |
| 704 | Mathematical Sciences |
| 705 | Physical Sciences |
Important Update: Life Sciences and Biotechnology Merger
For the December 2026 cycle, the Life Sciences and Bio-Technology (LS-BT) subject incorporates the merger of DBT-BET with CSIR-UGC NET Life Sciences. Candidates interested in biotechnology or life-sciences research should read the revised syllabus and the fellowship-specific conditions before selecting this subject.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Exam Pattern
The examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The paper consists of three parts, with objective-type questions.
- Part A: General aptitude, including reasoning, numerical ability, analytical ability and related topics.
- Part B: Subject-related questions covering the prescribed syllabus.
- Part C: Higher-order questions that test scientific understanding and the application of concepts.
The total examination duration is 180 minutes, or three hours. The number of questions to be attempted, total marks and negative-marking rules differ by subject. Candidates should check the subject-specific examination scheme in the official Information Bulletin.
The examination is conducted in Hindi and English, subject to the rules specified in the bulletin.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Selection and Qualification Categories
The examination determines eligibility under different qualification categories:
- JRF and Assistant Professor: Candidates qualifying under this category may be eligible for Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor appointments, subject to applicable conditions.
- Assistant Professor and PhD Admission: Candidates qualifying under this category may be eligible for Assistant Professor appointments and PhD admission but not for JRF on the basis of this category.
- PhD Admission Only: Candidates qualifying under this category may use their result for PhD admission according to the applicable university or institutional rules.
Qualifying in CSIR-UGC NET does not guarantee a job, fellowship award or PhD admission. Final eligibility and selection remain subject to the relevant rules of the fellowship authority, university or institution.
Documents Required for CSIR UGC NET Application
Keep the following details and documents ready before starting the online application:
- Active email address and mobile number
- Personal and educational information
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Live photograph, as required by the application portal
- Scanned signature
- Identity details or documents, where applicable
- Category certificate, if applicable
- PwD/PwBD or UDID certificate, where applicable
- Result-awaited attestation form, if applicable
- Online payment details
Photograph, signature and document file-size requirements should be checked in the official Information Bulletin before uploading.
How to Apply Online for CSIR UGC NET December 2026
Follow these steps to complete the application:
- Visit the official CSIR-UGC NET website: https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/
- Open the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 application link.
- Complete the online registration using your own email address and mobile number.
- Generate and save your application number and login credentials.
- Log in and fill in the personal, educational and category details.
- Select the appropriate subject and examination city preferences.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and other applicable documents.
- Pay the examination fee through an available online payment method.
- Review the application carefully before final submission.
- Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
Submit only one application for the examination, as instructed by NTA. Use your own contact details so that important notices can reach you.
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 Important Links
| Link Description | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Official CSIR NET Website | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| Apply Online | https://examinationservices.nic.in/ExamSys27/root/Home.aspx?enc=Ei4cajBkK1gZSfgr53ImFvSzsiU0N2QIZeKq%2FcbFBgqeJZQh |
| Official Information Bulletin PDF | https://cdnbbsr.ss.gov.in/s3e7/uploads/2026/10/20207951.pdf |
| Official Public Notices | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/document-category/2026-public-notices/ |
| NTA Official Website | https://www.nta.ac.in/ |
| Sarkari Result Reference | https://www.sarkariresult.com/railway/nta-csir-ugc-net-dec2026/ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for CSIR UGC NET December 2026?
The regular application deadline is 5 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM. The late-fee application window is scheduled for 6–9 November 2026.
2. When will the CSIR NET December 2026 exam be conducted?
The examination is scheduled for 19, 22 and 27 December 2026. The subject-wise date and shift should be confirmed through official notices and the admit card.
3. What is the CSIR UGC NET application fee?
The regular fee is ₹1,150 for General, ₹600 for General-EWS/OBC-NCL and ₹325 for SC/ST/PwD/PwBD/Third Gender candidates. Additional late fee of ₹500 applies during the late application window.
4. What is the age limit for CSIR NET JRF?
The maximum age for JRF is 30 years as of 1 December 2026, subject to the relaxations specified in the official Information Bulletin.
5. Is there an age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD-only eligibility?
The official bulletin states that there is no upper age limit for applying under the Assistant Professor and PhD-admission-only categories.
6. Which subjects are included in CSIR NET December 2026?
The five subjects are Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences and Bio-Technology, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
7. What is the new LS-BT subject?
LS-BT stands for Life Sciences and Bio-Technology. introduced for the December 2026 cycle following the merger of DBT-BET with CSIR-UGC NET Life Sciences.
8. Where can candidates download the official notification?
Candidates can visit https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/document-category/2026-public-notices/ or use the direct Information Bulletin PDF link listed above.
Conclusion
CSIR UGC NET December 2026 is an important examination for eligible science postgraduates and candidates pursuing the permitted four-year bachelor’s degree route. Applicants should complete registration before the regular deadline, check the subject-specific syllabus and understand the eligibility requirements for JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD admission.
For the latest application instructions, correction-window updates, examination city information and admit card announcements, rely on the official CSIR-UGC NET website.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Eligibility, examination dates, fee details and application procedures are governed by the official NTA/CSIR Information Bulletin and subsequent notices. Candidates should verify the latest official information before applying.