CSIR NET 2026 Exam Date & Official Schedule: Latest Updates & Pattern

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test (CSIR NET), administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), determines candidate eligibility for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF), Assistant Professor roles, and PhD admissions across Indian universities. The JOINT CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 examination is officially scheduled for July 17th and 18th, 2026. The test will be conducted in two shifts at designated examination centers nationwide. 

CSIR NET Exam Date 2026 Out

Following the release of the official notification, the NTA has confirmed the CSIR NET June 2026 exam dates. The exam will take place on July 17th and 18th, 2026, in a computer-based test (CBT) format, with shifts running from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Further specifics regarding exam venues and reporting times will be provided in the official admit card. 

CSIR NET Question Paper 2026 - Access Latest Papers Here

CSIR NET 2026 Overview

Organized biannually by the National Testing Agency, the CSIR NET is a critical examination held every June and December. Review the key highlights of the 2026 examination summarized below to streamline your preparation and understand the core requirements of this eligibility test.

CSIR NET 2026- Important Dates

The NTA has published the full examination schedule alongside the official notification PDF. The CSIR NET June 2026 examination will be conducted on July 17th and 18th, 2026. Refer to the table provided below for all essential dates and milestones.

CSIR NET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

For JRF applicants, the upper age limit is 30 years. Conversely, there is no stipulated age limit for candidates applying specifically for Assistant Professor positions or PhD admissions through the CSIR NET examination.

CSIR NET 2026 Application Fee

The examination fee must be paid exclusively through online channels, including credit cards, debit cards, or net banking. Please refer to the official portal for the specific fee structure applicable to your candidate category.

Steps to Apply for CSIR NET June 2026

To register for the June session of the CSIR NET, candidates should follow the streamlined application process outlined in these steps.

STEP 1: Online Registration

1. Register on the official website to get your Application Number.
2. Enter basic details as per your Class 10 certificate:
3. Full Name (No prefixes like Mr./Ms..), Mother’s and Father’s Name, Date of Birth (Format: dd/mm/yyyy), Use your own mobile number and email ID (only one per application).
4. Email and phone number can’t be changed later, so be careful.

STEP 2: Submission of Application Form

1. You can edit your form before final submission.
2. The form can be filled in multiple steps, you can save it as a draft and complete it later before the last date.
3. Upload documents, pay the fee, and print the Confirmation Page.
4. Form is considered submitted only after fee payment is successful.
5. OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) should refer to the central list on www.ncbc.nic.in
6. Enter gender, address with PIN Code, subject of the exam, and preferred exam cities carefully these cannot be changed later.

STEP 3: Document Uploads

Ensure that all scanned documents are clear, legible, and meet the official file specifications.

Candidate Photograph

1. Clear face, no cap/goggles, white background, 80% face visible.
2. JPG/JPEG format only, 10 kb to 200 kb.
3. Spectacles allowed if worn regularly.
4. No computer-generated or altered photos.

Scanned Signature

1. Full signature in running handwriting.
2. Use blue/black pen on white paper.
3. JPG/JPEG format, 10 kb to 50 kb.

STEP 4: Payment of Examination Fee

1. Pay via Net Banking / Credit Card / Debit Card / UPI.
2. Save a copy of the payment receipt for future reference.

CSIR NET 2026 Exam Pattern

The CSIR UGC NET 2026 will be held as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) featuring objective-type multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into two daily sessions. Shift 1 is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, while Shift 2 will be held from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 

The assessment covers five key disciplines: Chemical, Earth/Atmospheric/Ocean/Planetary, Life, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences, offered in both English and Hindi. Review the comprehensive CSIR NET 2026 exam pattern overview in the table provided below.

Each subject assessment is structured into three distinct parts; full details regarding the CSIR UGC NET marking scheme are provided below. 

1. Each exam will be conducted for a total of 200 marks.
2. There will be three sections - Part A, Part B and Part C in each exam.
3. The marking system for each exam differs. We have provided the exam pattern for each exam below.

Download CSIR NET Syllabus 2026 - Click Here

Complete CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 - View Details

CSIR NET 2026 Answer Key

Post-examination, the NTA will publish provisional answer keys on its official portal. Candidates may challenge the answer keys by paying a fee of Rs. 1,000 per question. After verifying submitted challenges, the NTA will release the final answer keys; these final determinations are binding and cannot be contested. 

CSIR NET 2026 Result

Fellowships are awarded based on the CSIR merit list. Only candidates meeting the qualifying cut-off scores will be featured on the final merit list. The NTA releases separate merit lists for JRF and Lectureship. Candidates qualifying for JRF are also eligible for Assistant Professor roles. Note that the CSIR NET results are final and not subject to re-evaluation. 

CSIR UGC NET Cut Off 2026

The CSIR NET 2026 cut-off marks will be released by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research alongside the official results. These scores are categorized subject-wise and by reservation category. Please check the section below to view the latest cut-off trends for JRF and Lectureship positions. 

CSIR NET June 2026 JUNE Cut Off 

CSIR NET 2026 Exam Centres

Comprehensive lists of examination cities across all states and Union Territories hosting the CSIR NET 2026 are available for reference.