CSIR NET is one of the most significant competitive exams in India for candidates seeking to pursue research and teaching careers in the fields of Science and Technology. It is conducted twice a year by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of CSIR. CSIR NET exam is held for two major purposes: Junior Research Fellowship and Lectureship. It is crucial for aspirants to understand and meet the CSIR NET eligibility criteria laid out by CSIR to successfully apply for the exam. Here we provide CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria for 2025, as detailed in the official notification.
CSIR NET 2025 Notification
The official CSIR NET Notification 2025 for the June session will be released soon by the NTA, providing all the necessary details regarding CSIR NET eligibility criteria, exam dates, and other important instructions. CSIR NET 2024 exam was conducted from 28th Feb to 2nd march 2025.
CSIR NET exam is organized for five major subjects: Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Earth Sciences. CSIR NET 2025 notification specifies that candidates must fulfill certain requirements in terms of educational qualifications, age limit, and nationality to apply for the exam.
CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria 2025
CSIR NET eligibility criteria 2025 are as follows:
1. Nationality
- Candidates must be Indian citizens.
2. Educational Qualification
CSIR NET eligibility criteria in terms of educational qualifications are one of the most crucial aspects of CSIR NET exam. To apply for the exam, candidates must hold one of the following degrees:
- MSc or Equivalent Degree: Candidates must have an MSc degree or an equivalent qualification in the relevant subject. The degree should be obtained from a recognized university or institution.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Technology or Engineering (BTech/BE): Candidates with a four-year degree in engineering or technology are eligible to apply. This also includes Integrated BS-MS degree holders.
- MBBS/BPharma Degrees: Candidates who have completed their MBBS or BPharma degree are also eligible for the CSIR NET exam.
- Candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree (BS): For candidates pursuing a BS degree (four years) or an Integrated BS-MS degree, eligibility is granted if they meet the criteria of minimum marks.
In all cases, the minimum aggregate marks required are 55% (50% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) in the qualifying degree examination. Candidates in their final year of the qualifying examination are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the qualification requirements at the time of the exam.
3. Age Limit for JRF
CSIR NET eligibility criteria for candidates applying for the Junior Research Fellowship are as following:
- Maximum Age for JRF: The upper age limit for candidates applying for JRF is 28 years as of 1st of January in the year of the exam. This means that candidates must not be older than 28 years on January 1, 2024, to be eligible for JRF.
- Age Relaxation for Reserved Categories: There is a relaxation of 5 years for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) categories. This means that for these candidates, the upper age limit can extend to 33 years.
4. Age Limit for Lectureship (LS)
For candidates applying for the Lectureship (LS), there is no upper age limit. This allows candidates of any age to apply for the Lectureship position, as long as they meet the educational qualification requirements. Candidates applying for LS are those who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching at the college or university level.
5. Number of Attempts
While there is no official mention of the number of attempts for CSIR NET exam, the eligibility in terms of age limit means that there is a practical limit on the number of times a candidate can apply for the JRF. Since the age limit for JRF is 28 years, candidates can only appear for the JRF section of the exam until they reach the upper age limit. Once a candidate exceeds the age limit for JRF, they can no longer apply for it but may still be eligible to apply for the Lectureship section of the exam.
Important Points to Keep in Mind
- Candidates are advised to carefully check their eligibility before filling out the CSIR NET Application Form 2025. Applications from ineligible candidates will be rejected.
- CSIR NET Application Form is expected to be available from May 1 to May 21, 2025, for the June session.
- Candidates must have a valid email address and mobile number to register for the exam.
- The exam will be held in five subjects: Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
