The National Testing Agency (NTA) has invited online applications for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University Grants Commission (UGC). The last date to apply online is today, 09 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM, and no late fee is payable. The computer-based test will be held on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026.
The Joint CSIR-UGC NET is a national eligibility test to determine eligibility for (i) the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor, (ii) appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D., and (iii) admission to Ph.D. only. Candidates can apply for one of these three categories in any of the five subjects.
This article covers the complete details of the CSIR UGC NET December 2026 — important dates, eligibility, age limit, application fee, exam pattern and the step-by-step application procedure — all taken from the official NTA public notice and information bulletin.
Recruitment Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of CSIR and UGC |
| Exam Name | Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 |
| Public Notice Date | 07 October 2026 |
| Purpose | Eligibility for JRF and Assistant Professor / Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission / Ph.D. admission only |
| Total Vacancies | None — this is an eligibility test, not a vacancy-based recruitment |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Public Notice Released | 07 October 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 07 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online (revised) | 09 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 09 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Correction Window | 10–12 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM |
| Exam Dates | 19, 22 and 27 December 2026 |
Note: The original last date was 05 November 2026. NTA extended it to 09 November 2026 through a public notice dated 05 November 2026, and the late fee of ₹500 that was to apply from 06 to 09 November has been waived — candidates can now apply by 09 November 2026 at the normal fee. The application correction window will remain open from 10 to 12 November 2026.
Vacancy Details
There are no vacancies in the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026. This is an eligibility test, not a vacancy-based recruitment, so no vacancy number exists in the notification or the information bulletin. Candidates who qualify become eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship and/or appointment as Assistant Professor and/or admission to Ph.D., as per the category they applied for.
The test is conducted in five subjects:
| Subject Code | Subject |
|---|---|
| 701 | Chemical Sciences |
| 702 | Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences |
| 703 | Life Sciences and Biotechnology |
| 704 | Mathematical Sciences |
| 705 | Physical Sciences |
From this cycle, DBT-BET has been merged into the Life Sciences and Biotechnology paper.
Eligibility
- The candidate must hold a Master's Degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks (General / UR / General-EWS) or 50% marks (OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender).
- Final-year Master's students and candidates whose results are awaited may apply provisionally.
- OR the candidate must hold a 4-year / 8-semester Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 75% aggregate marks (with 5% relaxation for SC / ST / OBC-NCL / PwBD / EWS candidates). Candidates qualifying through a 4-year Bachelor's degree are eligible only for JRF and Ph.D. admission, not for Assistant Professor.
- Candidates must choose one of the three eligibility categories at the time of application: (i) JRF and Assistant Professor, (ii) Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D., or (iii) admission to Ph.D. only.
Age Limit
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| JRF — Maximum Age | 30 years as on 01 December 2026 |
| Assistant Professor — Upper Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Admission to Ph.D. only — Upper Age Limit | No upper age limit |
Age relaxation of up to 5 years is available for JRF for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, Third Gender, women, research experience and armed forces service, with total relaxation capped at 5 years.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
The fee must be paid online by 09 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM. The late fee of ₹500 mentioned in the original information bulletin no longer applies after the NTA public notice dated 05 November 2026.
JRF Fellowship
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| JRF Stipend (first 2 years) | ₹37,000 per month + ₹20,000 per year contingent grant |
| Senior Research Fellowship (after 2 years) | ₹42,000 per month |
Selection Process
Selection is through a single Computer Based Test (CBT) only — there is no interview by NTA.
- The test is of 180 minutes duration, conducted in two shifts: 09:00 AM–12:00 Noon and 03:00 PM–06:00 PM.
- The question paper has three parts — Part A, Part B and Part C — with objective-type multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 200 marks.
- There is negative marking of 25% in most parts.
- For Ph.D. admission under categories (ii) and (iii), the NET score carries 70% weightage and the interview conducted by the university or higher education institution carries 30% weightage.
How to Apply
- Visit the official website https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ and click on the link for Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026.
- Register with your personal and contact details and note down the application number generated.
- Fill in the online application form, choose the subject and the eligibility category, and upload the required documents as per the instructions in the information bulletin.
- Pay the application fee online as per your category.
- Submit the application form before 09 November 2026, 11:50 PM. No change will be possible after final submission, so verify all details carefully before submitting.
- If any correction is needed, use the correction window from 10 to 12 November 2026.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF (Public Notice, 07 October 2026) | https://csirhrdg.res.in/SiteContent/ManagedContent/ATContent/Inviting_Online_Application_JoinCSIRUGCNetDec2026_13Oct2026.pdf |
| Information Bulletin — Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 | https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3efdf562ce2fb0ad460fd8e9d33e57f57/uploads/2026/10/202610071407707951.pdf |
| Apply Online (NTA CSIR NET Website) | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| NTA Official Website | https://www.nta.ac.in |
FAQs
Q1. What is the last date to apply for CSIR UGC NET December 2026? The last date to apply online and pay the fee is 09 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM. NTA extended the deadline from 05 November 2026 and waived the ₹500 late fee.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in CSIR UGC NET December 2026? There are no vacancies. CSIR UGC NET is an eligibility test for JRF, Assistant Professor and Ph.D. admission — it is not a vacancy-based recruitment.
Q3. What is the exam date for CSIR UGC NET December 2026? The computer-based test will be held on 19, 22 and 27 December 2026, in two shifts (09:00 AM–12:00 Noon and 03:00 PM–06:00 PM).
Q4. What is the educational qualification required for CSIR UGC NET December 2026? A Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories), or a 4-year Bachelor's degree with at least 75% aggregate marks. Four-year Bachelor's degree holders are eligible only for JRF and Ph.D. admission, not for Assistant Professor.
Q5. What is the age limit for CSIR UGC NET December 2026? For JRF, the maximum age is 30 years as on 01 December 2026, with up to 5 years' relaxation for eligible categories. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or for admission to Ph.D. only.
Q6. What is the application fee for CSIR UGC NET December 2026? ₹1,150 for General, ₹600 for General-EWS / OBC-NCL, and ₹325 for SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender candidates. No late fee applies after the 05 November 2026 notice.
Q7. What is the exam pattern of CSIR UGC NET December 2026? A single computer-based test of 180 minutes with objective MCQs in three parts (A, B and C) for a total of 200 marks, with 25% negative marking in most parts. There is no interview by NTA.
Q8. What is the correction window for CSIR UGC NET December 2026? The application correction window is open from 10 to 12 November 2026, up to 11:50 PM.