NTA merges DBT-BET with Joint CSIR-UGC NET Life Sciences exam from December 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has merged the Department of Biotechnology Eligibility Test (DBT- BET) with the Joint CSIR-UGC NET Life Sciences examination from the December 2026 cycle. A new discipline, Life Sciences and Biotechnology (LS and BT), will be introduced under the CSIR-UGC NET.

The testing agency has also started the registration process for the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (CSIR-UGC NET) December 2026 examination.

The Joint CSIR- UGC NET 2026 December 2026 application portal will be closed on November 5, up to 11:50 pm.

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NTA conducts the Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination to determine eligibility for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor, appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD programmes, and admission to PhD only in Indian universities and colleges.

The Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on December 19, 22 and 27, 2026. The exam will be held in computer-based test (CBT) mode.

The examination will be conducted for 180 minutes, or three hours. The first shift will be held from 9 am to noon, while the second shift will be conducted from 3 pm to 6 pm. The examination will be held in English and Hindi.

The examination city and admit card release dates will be announced separately on the official website. Candidates must rely only on csirnet.nta.nic.in for application or exam related information.