CSIR NET Exam Pattern: The National Testing Agency releases the CSIR NET Subject Wise Exam Pattern in the official notification PDF. Aspirants must check the paper pattern for a better understanding of the exam requirements and curate top-notch strategies accordingly. The CSIR NET exam typically comprises multiple-choice questions for a total of 200 marks from three sections i.e. Part A, Part B, and Part C.
Part A is based on General Aptitude and there are five subjects included in Part B & Part C i.e. Life Science, Chemical Science, Earth Science, Mathematical Science and Physical Science. However, the CSIR NET Negative Marking and Exam Pattern vary as per the subject requirement. We have provided below the latest CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for all the subjects including marking schemes, important topics, and much more.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 Overview
Here are the key highlights of CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for all the candidates aspiring for the upcoming exam:
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Question Type | Multiple-Choice Questions |
| Medium of Question Paper | English and Hindi |
| Parts | Part A, Part B, Part C |
| Subjects | 5 (Life Science, Chemical Science, Earth Science, Mathematical Science and Physical Science) |
| Number of Questions | Life Science, Chemical Science, Earth Science: 75 questions each Mathematical Science: 60 questions Physical Science: 55 questions |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Maximum Marks | 200 |
| Negative Marking | 25% or 33% marks |
| Official Website | csirnet.nta.ac.in |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Subject Wise
Aspirants must check the subject-wise CSIR NET Exam Pattern before personalising the study schedule. This will allow them to align their strategy based on the exam structure, total questions/maximum marks, and marking system. Here is the CSIR NET subject-wise exam pattern shared below to ease the preparation of the candidates.
- CSIR NET exam is a computer-based test, comprising three sections i.e. Part A, Part B, and Part C.
- Questions from Part A are asked in all the subjects. Part A comprises questions related to the General Aptitude section.
- Part B and Part C cover subjects like Life Science, Chemical Science, Earth Science, Mathematical Science and Physical Science.
- The exam will be held for 3 hours.
- There shall be a negative marking of 25%/33% for each wrong answer in the exam.
- The maximum mark shall be 200 for the question paper of each subject.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Chemical Sciences
The candidates are required to attempt a maximum of 75 questions for 200 marks from Part A, Part B and Part C in the CSIR NET Chemical Science Paper. Part A and Part B hold 2 marks whereas Part C hold 4 marks for each question. A negative marking of 25% mark will be applied for each incorrect answer in all the parts of the exam. Let’s discuss the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Chemical Science below:
| Chemical Science | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 40 | 60 | 120 |
| Maximum Number of Questions to Attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Marks for Each Correct Answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
| Marks for Each Incorrect Answer | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | – |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Earth Sciences
The candidate must answer a total of 75 questions for 200 marks from Part A, Part B and Part C in the CSIR NET Earth Sciences paper. Part A and Part B hold 2 marks whereas Part C hold 4 marks for each question. A negative marking of 25% mark will be applied for each incorrect answer in Parts A & B and 33% in Part C of the exam. Check the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Earth Science below:
| Earth Science | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 50 | 80 | 150 |
| Maximum Number of Questions to Attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Marks for Each Correct Answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
| Marks for Each Incorrect Answer | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.32 | – |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Life Sciences
The candidate must answer a total of 75 questions for 200 marks from Part A, Part B and Part C in the CSIR NET Life Science Paper. Part A and Part B hold 2 marks whereas Part C hold 4 marks for each question. A negative marking of 25% mark will be applied for each incorrect answer in all the parts of the exam. Here is a glimpse of the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Life Science below:
| Life Science | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 50 | 75 | 145 |
| Maximum Number of Questions to Attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Marks for Each Correct Answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
| Marks for Each Incorrect Answer | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | – |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Mathematical Sciences
The candidate must attempt a total of 60 questions for 200 marks from Part A, Part B and Part C in the CISR NET Mathematical Science paper. Part A holds 2 marks, Part B holds 3 marks whereas Part C comprises 4.75 marks for each question. A negative marking of 25% mark will be applied for each incorrect answer in Part A & B exam whereas there is no penalty for wrong answers in Part C. Have a look at the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Mathematical Science below:
| Mathematical Science | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 40 | 60 | 120 |
| Maximum Number of Questions to Attempt | 15 | 25 | 20 | 60 |
| Marks for Each Correct Answer | 2 | 3 | 4.75 | 200 |
| Marks for Each Incorrect Answer | 0.5 | 0.75 | 0 | – |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Physical Sciences
The candidate must answer a maximum of 55 questions for 200 marks from Part A, Part B and Part C in the CSIR NET Physical Science Paper. Part A comprises 2 marks, Part B hold 3.5 marks whereas Part C weighs 5 marks for each question. A negative marking of 25% mark will be applied for each incorrect answer in all the parts of the exam. Check the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Physical Science below:
| Physical Science | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 25 | 30 | 75 |
| Maximum Number of Questions to Attempt | 15 | 20 | 20 | 55 |
| Marks for Each Correct Answer | 2 | 3.5 | 5 | 200 |
| Marks for Each Incorrect Answer | 0.5 | 0.875 | 1.25 | – |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Negative Marking
There shall be negative markings in the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025. However, the negative marking in the CSIR NET exam is applicable subject-wise. Let’s discuss the CSIR NET negative marking scheme for all the subjects in the table below:
| Subject | Part A | Part B | Part C |
| Physical Science | 0.5 | 0.875 | 1.25 |
| Mathematical Science | 0.5 | 0.75 | 0 |
| Life Science | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Earth Science | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.32 |
| Chemical Science | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Qualifying Cut Off
There shall be no separate CSIR NET Cut Off for Parts A, B, and C. The cumulative scores of all the parts are counted when preparing the merit list. The minimum qualifying marks for each category vary for both fellowship and Assistant Professor. Check the details below.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
| General, EWS, and OBC | 33% |
| SC, ST and PWD | 25% |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Important Topics
The CSIR NET exam is divided into three parts such as Part A, Part B, and Part C. Part A is common for all subjects and focuses on General Aptitude Questions whereas Part B and Part C comprise subject-related questions from Life Science, Chemical Science, Earth Science, Mathematical Science and Physical Science. Mentioned below are the important topics for the candidates’ knowledge regarding the subject-wise CSIR NET.
| Subject | Syllabus PDF | Important Topics |
| Life Science | Click Here | Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology, Cellular Organization, Fundamental Processes, Cell Communication and Cell Signaling, Developmental Biology, System Physiology-Plant & Animal, Inheritance Biology, etc |
| Physical Science | Click Here | Mathematical Methods of Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics, and Electronics and Experimental Methods |
| Mathematical Science | Click Here | Analysis, Linear Algebra, Complex Analysis, Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), Partial Differential Equations (PDEs), Numerical Analysis, Calculus of Variations, Linear Integral Equations, Classical Mechanics, etc. |
| Earth Science | Click Here | The Earth and the Solar System, Earth Materials, Surface Features and Processes, Interior of the Earth, Deformation and Tectonic, Geology |
| Chemical Science | Click Here | Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemistry in nanoscience and technology, Catalysis and Green Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, etc. |
| Reasoning | – | Analytical Reasoning, Syllogisms, Classification, Alphabet Series, Analogies, Directions, Coding-Decoding, Symbols and Notations, Similarities and Differences, etc |
| Quantitative Aptitude | – | Simplifications, Number System, Average, Time & Speed, HCF, LCM Problems, Algebra, Percentage, Time & Work, Simple & Compound Interest, etc. |
| Data Interpretation & Graphical Analysis | – | Mean, Median, Mode, Measures of Dispersion, Bar Graph, Line Graph, Pie-Chart and Tabulation |
FAQs
What is the exam pattern of CSIR NET?
The CSIR NET exam typically comprises multiple-choice questions for a total of 200 marks.
How many papers are in the CSIR NET exam?
There are three parts of the CSIR NET exam such as Part A, Part B, and Part C. Part A is based on General Aptitude and Part B & Part C cover subjects like Life Science, Chemical Science, Earth Science, Mathematical Science and Physical Science.
What are the qualifying marks for the CSIR NET exam?
The minimum qualifying marks for the CSIR NET exam shall be 33% for General, EWS, and OBC and 25% for SC, ST, and PWD.
Is there any negative marking in CSIR NET?
There shall be a negative marking of 25% (33% for a few parts) for each incorrect answer in the exam.