CSIR UGC NET December 2025 registration ends today; NTA exam on December 18

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will close the registration process today for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (CSIR UGC NET). The online fee payment facility will remain open until October 25 for all registered candidates.

The CSIR UGC NET December 2025 exam will be conducted for five test papers – chemical sciences, earth, atmospheric, ocean and planetary sciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences, and physical sciences – to determine the eligibility for award of Junior Research Fellowship, appointment as assistant professor, and admission to PhD.

The computer-based test will be held for a duration of three hours and in two shifts - the morning shift will be conducted from 9 am to 12 noon and the afternoon shift from 3 pm to 6 pm. As per the CSIR UGC NET exam date 2025, the NTA will administer the test on December 18.

General category candidates will have to pay Rs 1,150 as application fee, general-EWS, OBC-NCL will have to deposit Rs 600, and SC, ST, PwD, and third gender applicants will have to pay Rs 325. Although the registration window will be closed today, the fee payment link will remain open till 11.50 pm on October 25.

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CSIR UGC NET 2025: Eligibility

Only those candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be allowed to appear for the CSIR UGC NET December exam.

Minimum marks for CSIR UGC NET – Candidates holding a four-year UG degree should have scored 75%, while reserved category candidates such as SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD should have secured at least 70%. Those who have a master’s degree should have obtained 55%, and 50% for reserved categories.

The PhD degree holders who have completed their master’s level by September 19, 1991, will be eligible for a relaxation of 5% in aggregate marks.

Age limit - General category candidates should not be more than 30 years of age. Reserved category candidates will be given relaxation of 5 years, ie. up to 35 years.

There is no upper age limit for both assistant professor and PhD admissions. Only minimum qualification criteria (percentage marks + degrees) will be considered to determine eligibility.