Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026

Applications for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 are open. 

Key Dates

• Apply online: 7 Oct to 5 Nov 2026 (till 11:50 PM) at csirnet.nta.nic.in
• Late submission: 6 to 9 Nov, with a ₹500 late fee
• Correction window: 10 to 12 Nov (one-time only)
• Exam dates: 19, 22 and 27 December 2026
• Shifts: 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Application Fee

Category	Fee
General	₹1,150
General-EWS / OBC-NCL	₹600
SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender	₹325

Bank or gateway charges are extra. Fees once paid are not refunded, except for duplicate payments.

Who Can Apply

• 55% in Master’s for General/EWS and 50% for OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender
• Final-year and result-awaited students can apply, provisionally
• Age limit for JRF: 30 years, with up to 5 years’ relaxation for reserved categories and women
• No age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD-only
• Candidates with a 4-year bachelor’s need 75% (5% relaxation for reserved categories)

Exam Pattern

• Computer-based test with MCQs, 3 hours, 200 marks, in Hindi and English
• Five subjects: Chemical Sciences, Earth/Atmospheric/Ocean/Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences
• Three parts: A (general aptitude), B (subject MCQs), C (higher-order questions)
• Negative marking: 25% in most papers. Maths Part C has none. Earth Sciences Part C is 33%.
• Calculators are not allowed

What You Get

• JRF stipend: ₹37,000/month for 2 years, plus a ₹20,000 yearly contingency grant
• SRF upgrade: ₹42,000/month from the 3rd year
• Three qualifying categories: JRF + Assistant Professor + PhD, Assistant Professor + PhD, or PhD only

Do’s and Don’ts

• Apply only once. Duplicate forms can lead to cancellation and unfair-means action.
• Use your own email and mobile number, since all updates go there.
• Choose 4 exam cities in your state. Allotment isn’t guaranteed.
• Photo: 10 to 200 KB JPG. Signature: 10 to 50 KB JPG. A live photo is required during the application.
• Reach the centre 2 hours early. Bring the printed admit card, a photo ID, 2 passport photos and a ball-point pen.
• No phones, watches, calculators or bags inside the hall.
• No re-test if you miss the exam.
• Answer key challenges cost ₹200 per question.

Helpdesk

csirnet@nta.ac.in | 011-40759000 / 69227700

Dates are tentative, so keep checking the official NTA website for updates.

Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Applications for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 are open. NTA’s information bulletin runs to 80+ pages, so here are the points that matter.

Key Dates

• Apply online: 7 Oct to 5 Nov 2026 (till 11:50 PM) at csirnet.nta.nic.in
• Late submission: 6 to 9 Nov, with a ₹500 late fee
• Correction window: 10 to 12 Nov (one-time only)
• Exam dates: 19, 22 and 27 December 2026
• Shifts: 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Application Fee

Category	Fee
General	₹1,150
General-EWS / OBC-NCL	₹600
SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender	₹325

Bank or gateway charges are extra. Fees once paid are not refunded, except for duplicate payments.

Who Can Apply

• 55% in Master’s for General/EWS and 50% for OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender
• Final-year and result-awaited students can apply, provisionally
• Age limit for JRF: 30 years, with up to 5 years’ relaxation for reserved categories and women
• No age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD-only
• Candidates with a 4-year bachelor’s need 75% (5% relaxation for reserved categories)

Exam Pattern

• Computer-based test with MCQs, 3 hours, 200 marks, in Hindi and English
• Five subjects: Chemical Sciences, Earth/Atmospheric/Ocean/Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences
• Three parts: A (general aptitude), B (subject MCQs), C (higher-order questions)
• Negative marking: 25% in most papers. Maths Part C has none. Earth Sciences Part C is 33%.
• Calculators are not allowed

What You Get

• JRF stipend: ₹37,000/month for 2 years, plus a ₹20,000 yearly contingency grant
• SRF upgrade: ₹42,000/month from the 3rd year
• Three qualifying categories: JRF + Assistant Professor + PhD, Assistant Professor + PhD, or PhD only

Do’s and Don’ts

• Apply only once. Duplicate forms can lead to cancellation and unfair means action.
• Use your own email and mobile number, since all updates go there.
• Choose 4 exam cities in your state. Allotment isn’t guaranteed.
• Photo: 10 to 200 KB JPG. Signature: 10 to 50 KB JPG. A live photo is required during the application.
• Reach the centre 2 hours early. Bring the printed admit card, a photo ID, 2 passport photos and a ball-point pen.
• No phones, watches, calculators or bags inside the hall.
• No re-test if you miss the exam.
• Answer key challenges cost ₹200 per question.

Helpdesk

csirnet@nta.ac.in | 011-40759000 / 69227700

Dates are tentative, so keep checking the official NTA website for updates.