CSIR UGC NET December 2025 exam today in two shifts; subject-wise question count, marking scheme
Anu Parthiban | December 18, 2025 | 07:50 AM IST | 2 mins read
Joint CSIR UGC NET 2025: Candidates who opted for chemical sciences, mathematical sciences, and physical sciences papers will appear in the afternoon shift from 3 pm to 6 pm.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (CSIR UGC NET) December 2025 today in two shifts. Candidates appearing for the exam are required to carry the CSIR UGC NET 2025 admit card to the venue to be allowed entry.
The Joint CSIR UGC NET exam will be conducted in two shifts – the morning shift from 9 am to 12 noon and the afternoon shift from 3 pm to 6 pm. As per the entry timings, the exam centre will open at 7 am for the morning shift and at 1 pm for the afternoon shift.
Candidates who applied for life sciences and earth atmospheric, ocean and planetary sciences will be appearing in the first shift today. In the afternoon shift, candidates who opted for chemical sciences, mathematical sciences, and physical sciences papers will appear.
Also read CSIR NET cut-off 2025 goes up for mathematical, earth science; 9,232 qualify for PhD admissions
CSIR UGC NET question paper pattern
Subject-wise CSIR UGC NET exam pattern and marking scheme are given below.
|
Chemical Sciences (701) |
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 (Negative marking for part A, B, C is at 25%) |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
|
Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences (702) |
|
|
|
|
|
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 (Negative marking for part A, B, C is at 25%) |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1.32 |
- |
|
Life Sciences (703) |
|
|
|
|
|
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 (Negative marking for part A, B, C is at 25%) |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
- |
|
Mathematical Sciences (704) |
|
|
|
|
|
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 (Negative marking for part A, B, C is at 25%) |
0.5 |
0.75 |
0 |
- |
|
Physical Sciences (705) |
|
|
|
|
|
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 (Negative marking for part A, B, C is at 25%) |
0.5 |
0.875 |
1.25 |
- |
CSIR UGC NET stipend details
Those who are selected through CSIR UGC NET will be eligible for a stipend of Rs 37,000 per month for the first two years. In addition, an annual contingent grant of Rs 20,000 is reimbursed directly to the fellow. If such a student is registered for PhD on completion of two years as JRF, the fellowship will be upgraded to SRF (NET) and the stipend will be increased to Rs 42,000 for the third and subsequent years.
The CSIR UGC NET exam is held to determine the eligibility of candidates for JRF, appointment as assistant professor, and admission to PhD admission in the field of science and interdisciplinary areas of research.
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