The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the CSIR NET Notification 2025 for the December cycle. The notification provides complete details regarding the application process, important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and other essential instructions for candidates. With the release of the notification, the online application process has already commenced, and eligible aspirants are advised to go through the document carefully before applying.
CSIR NET Notification Out
The CSIR NET Notification 2025 was released by NTA on 25th September 2025 for the December cycle. The examination is scheduled to be held on 18th December 2025. The official CSIR NET Notification 2025 PDF is available on the NTA website, offering a comprehensive guide for those preparing to appear in the examination.
CSIR NET Important Dates
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official schedule for the CSIR NET December 2025 examination. Candidates must carefully track the important dates related to the application, corrections, admit card, and exam to avoid missing deadlines.
| Activity | Date / Details |
| Online Submission of Application Form | 25th September 2025 to 24th October 2025 (up to 11:50 p.m.) |
| Last Date for Successful Transaction of Fee | 25th October 2025 (up to 11:50 p.m.) |
| Correction in Particulars of Application Form | 27th October 2025 to 29th October 2025 (up to 11:50 p.m.) |
| Announcement of Examination City | To be intimated later on the website |
| Downloading of Admit Cards | To be intimated later on the website |
| Date of Examination | 18th December 2025 |
| Duration of Examination | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Examination Timings | Shift 1: 09:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
Shift 2: 03:00 p.m. to 06:00 p.m. |
| Display of Recorded Response & Provisional Answer Key | To be intimated later on the website |
| Medium of the Paper | English and Hindi |
| Total Test Papers | 1. Chemical Sciences
2. Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Sciences 3. Life Sciences 4. Mathematical Sciences 5. Physical Sciences |
| Official Websites | csirnet.nta.nic.in, nta.ac.in |
| Declaration of Result | To be intimated later on the website |
CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria
CSIR NET Notification will also contain detailed information on the CSIR NET eligibility criteria, which candidates must meet in order to appear for the exam. These criteria include:
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Educational Qualifications
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- For JRF: Candidates should have completed an MSc or equivalent degree in the relevant subject. They must have secured a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
- For Lectureship (LS): A candidate who holds a Master’s degree with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) can apply.
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Age Limit
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- For JRF: The upper age limit is typically 28 years, although this may vary for candidates from reserved categories and those with prior research experience.
- For LS: There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for the Lectureship.
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Nationality
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- Candidates must be Indian nationals or citizens from other countries, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and have appropriate documentation.
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Subject Specialization
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- CSIR NET is conducted in five subjects, and candidates must choose the subject that aligns with their academic background.
Application Process
CSIR NET Notification will provide detailed instructions on how to apply for the exam. The application process is primarily online, and candidates must follow these steps:
- Online Registration: Candidates need to register on the official website of CSIR NET or NTA to create an account.
- Fill the Application Form: Once registered, candidates can fill out the application form by entering their personal, academic, and contact details.
- Upload Documents: Candidates must upload scanned copies of their passport-sized photograph, signature, and other necessary documents in the required format.
- Application Fee Payment: The application fee must be paid online through various available payment modes (credit/debit card, net banking, etc.). The fee varies depending on the category:
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- General Category: Rs. 1000
- OBC-NCL: Rs. 500
- SC/ST/PwD: Rs. 250
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- Submit Application: After filling out the application form and making the payment, candidates must submit their form. It is advised to take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern and Syllabus
CSIR NET exam pattern is an essential part of the CSIR NET Notification, as it provides the structure of the test and guides candidates in their preparation. The CSIR NET exam consists of three parts:
Part A (General Aptitude)
- This section tests candidates on general science and aptitude, including reasoning, comprehension, and mathematical skills.
- The questions are multiple-choice format, and the section contains 20 questions.
Part B (Subject-Specific Knowledge)
- Part B assesses candidates’ subject knowledge in the relevant field (e.g., Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, etc.).
- This section includes 50 multiple-choice questions, focusing on scientific concepts and theories.
Part C (Advanced Level Questions)
- Part C is designed to test the candidates’ analytical abilities in the subject. The questions in this section are more complex and require a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- This section consists of 75 multiple-choice questions.
Each question in all parts carries different marks, and there is a negative marking system. A certain number of marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
CSIR NET Syllabus
The CSIR NET Notification includes the CSIR NET syllabus for each subject. The syllabus is extensive, covering a wide range of topics in the respective field of science. Aspirants should go through the detailed syllabus and prepare systematically to ensure they do not miss out on any essential topics.
CSIR NET Admit Card and Exam Day Guidelines
Once the application process is completed, CSIR NET Notification will provide a timeline for the availability of CSIR NET admit cards. Candidates can download their admit cards from the official website by entering their application number and date of birth. The admit card will contain important details like:
- Candidate’s name and photograph
- Roll number and exam center
- Exam date and time
- Instructions for exam day
On the day of the exam, candidates must carry their admit card along with a valid photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar card, passport, etc.).
CSIR NET Result
CSIR NET result is typically declared a few weeks after the exam. The CSIR NET 2025 final result for the June session was declared on September 4, 2025, by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates who appeared in the exam held on July 28, 2025, can check their results and download the scorecard from the official website csirnet.nta.ac.in by entering their application number and date of birth.
The CSIR NET December 2025 exam is scheduled to be held on December 18, 2025. The exam will be conducted in two shifts on the same day. The application window is open from September 25 to October 24, 2025. Candidates who wish to appear for the December session should apply within this period and prepare accordingly.
CSIR NET Cutoff
The CSIR NET cutoff for 2025 has been officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and varies based on subject and category. For the general, EWS, and OBC categories, the minimum qualifying percentage is 33%, while for SC, ST, and PwD categories, it is 25%.
| June 2025 Cutoff Marks (JRF) | ||||||
| Subject | UR (%) | EWS (%) | OBC (%) | SC (%) | ST (%) | PwD (%) |
| Chemical Sciences | 50.75 | 45.00 | 43.75 | 33.25 | 28.00 | 25.50 |
| Earth Sciences | 61.29 | 54.00 | 53.13 | 44.99 | 43.38 | 26.70 |
| Life Sciences | 51.50 | 44.00 | 43.75 | 37.25 | 35.75 | 25.00 |
| Mathematical Sciences | 53.38 | 46.00 | 43.38 | 35.38 | 30.75 | 25.13 |
| Physical Sciences | 51.19 | 42.00 | 43.38 | 31.63 | 29.19 | 25.13 |
CSIR NET Notification 2025 FAQs
What is the exam date for the CSIR NET December 2025 session?
The CSIR NET December 2025 exam is scheduled to be held on 18th December 2025. The exam will be conducted in two shifts — Shift 1 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon) and Shift 2 (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
What is the application window for the CSIR NET December 2025 exam?
Candidates can submit their online applications from 25th September 2025 to 24th October 2025 (up to 11:50 p.m.). The last date for the successful transaction of the application fee is 25th October 2025.
What are the eligibility criteria for the CSIR NET 2025 exam?
To apply for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), candidates must have an MSc or equivalent degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) and must be below 28 years of age (age relaxation applicable). For the Lectureship/Assistant Professor, there is no upper age limit.
