Science postgraduates aiming for a research fellowship or a lecturer's post have a new deadline to note. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened online registration for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 exam on its official website, csirnet.nta.nic.in. Applications opened on October 7 and will close on November 5, and the computer-based test is scheduled for December 19, 22 and 27, 2026.
The exam decides eligibility for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as Assistant Professor, and admission to PhD programmes in science subjects across Indian universities and research institutes.
CSIR NET December 2026: important dates
| Registration opens | October 7, 2026 |
| Last date to apply and pay fee | November 5, 2026 (11:50 pm) |
| Late application window | November 6 to 9, 2026 (late fee Rs 500) |
| Correction window | November 10 to 12, 2026 |
| Exam dates | December 19, 22 and 27, 2026 |
| Exam city slip, admit card, result | To be announced |
| Official website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
Application fee
The fee depends on your category. According to the details published with the notification, general (unreserved) candidates pay Rs 1,150, General-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates pay Rs 600, and SC, ST and third gender candidates pay Rs 325. Persons with disabilities are exempted from the fee. Candidates who miss the November 5 deadline can still apply during the late window from November 6 to 9 by paying an extra Rs 500.
Subjects covered
The exam is held in five science subjects:
- Chemical Sciences
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences
- Life Sciences (including Biotechnology)
- Mathematical Sciences
- Physical Sciences
Who can apply
Candidates need an M.Sc. or an equivalent degree with at least 55 percent marks for the general category, with relaxation to 50 percent for reserved categories as per the rules. Holders of B.E., B.Tech, integrated BS-MS, four-year BS, B.Pharm or MBBS degrees are also eligible. Final-year students and those awaiting results can apply provisionally, but must complete the qualifying degree with the required marks within two years of their result.
Age limit
For JRF, the upper age limit is 30 years, with relaxation for reserved categories, women and certain other groups as per the notification. There is no upper age limit for candidates applying only for Assistant Professor eligibility or PhD admission.
Exam pattern
The test is a three-hour computer-based exam with multiple-choice questions divided into Parts A, B and C. Part A tests general aptitude, while Parts B and C focus on the chosen subject. The paper is available in English and Hindi, and the exam runs in two shifts: 9 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 6 pm.
How to apply for CSIR NET December 2026: step by step
- Go to the official website, csirnet.nta.nic.in.
- Click on the registration link for Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026.
- Register with your basic details, mobile number and email ID to create login credentials.
- Log in and fill in the application form with your educational details, subject choice and preferred exam cities.
- Upload your photograph, signature and any required category certificates in the specified format.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for your records.
What it means for candidates
CSIR NET is one of the most important exams for science graduates in India. A JRF award gives a monthly fellowship for doctoral research at universities, IITs, IISERs and CSIR laboratories, while qualifying for Assistant Professor opens doors to teaching jobs in colleges and universities. Every year, lakhs of candidates take the exam, and competition for JRF in particular is intense.
With around ten weeks between the registration deadline and the exam, candidates have a solid window for revision. It is a good idea to apply early instead of waiting for the last day, when the website tends to slow down, and to check that your name and category details match your documents exactly.
What happens next
After the application window closes, NTA will open a correction window from November 10 to 12. The exam city intimation slip and admit cards will be released closer to the exam dates in December. Candidates should keep checking csirnet.nta.nic.in for official notices, as NTA announces all updates, including any change in the schedule, on its website.
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