• Updated on 30 Jun, 2026 by Ankita Banerjee
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CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 was released by the National Testing Agency along with the June session notification on the official website csirnet.nta.ac.in. The exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for five subjects and consists of three parts: Part A, Part B, and Part C. There is no break between sections during the exam.
Understanding the exam pattern is important for planning preparation, since the number of questions, marking scheme, and negative marking rules differ across subjects and sections. The total time to complete the CSIR NET 2026 Exam is three hours for all subjects, and the total marks are 200 across all papers. Importantly, the total number of questions in the paper varies by subject, ranging from 75 for Physical Sciences to 145 for Life Sciences.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
Part A is compulsory for all candidates and focuses on General Aptitude. Part B covers subject-specific questions at a moderate level, and Part C covers advanced questions. Candidates can only attempt a fixed number of questions from each part, not all questions in the paper. The table below covers the key highlights of the CSIR NET 2026 exam pattern.
The questions to attempt and the marking scheme vary significantly across subjects. The table below shows the subject-wise overview.
Check: CSIR NET Cutoff 2026
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-wise Breakdown
Each subject follows a different structure in terms of the number of questions available in the paper, the number to be attempted, and the marking scheme for each part. Candidates should study the section-wise rules carefully for their chosen subject to avoid unnecessary negative marking. The detailed breakdowns are given below for each subject.
Life Sciences (703)
The Life Sciences paper contains 145 questions, out of which candidates must attempt a maximum of 75. Each correct answer in Parts A and B carries +2 marks. Part C questions carry +4 marks each. Negative marking in Parts A and B is -0.5 per wrong answer, and -1 in Part C.
Physical Sciences (705)
The Physical Sciences paper contains 75 questions, of which candidates must attempt 55. This is the only subject where the total questions in the paper and the number to attempt are both different from other subjects. Marks increase across parts: +2 in Part A, +3.5 in Part B, and +5 in Part C. Negative marking is 25% of the marks allocated to that section.
Chemical Sciences (701)
The Chemical Sciences paper has 120 questions in total, and candidates must attempt 75. Correct answers carry +2 in Parts A and B, and +4 in Part C. Negative marking is -0.5 in Parts A and B, and -1 in Part C.
Mathematical Sciences (704)
The Mathematical Sciences paper contains 120 questions, and candidates must attempt 60. The marking scheme differs across all three parts: +2 in Part A, +3 in Part B, and +4.75 in Part C. Negative marking applies in Parts A and B but not in Part C.
Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences (702)
The Earth Sciences paper has 130 questions total, with candidates required to attempt 75. Parts A and B carry +2 marks per correct answer. Part C carries +4 marks. Negative marking in Parts A and B is -0.5, and in Part C it is -1.32 per wrong answer. Note that Part C negative marking for Earth Sciences is higher than for Chemical and Life Sciences.
CSIR NET Marking Scheme 2026: Summary
The marking scheme is one of the most important aspects of the CSIR NET exam to understand before sitting the paper. Since candidates have the choice of which questions to attempt from a larger pool, a poor answer can do more damage than leaving a question blank, especially in Part C. The summary table below compares the marking scheme across all five subjects and parts.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Syllabus
The CSIR NET 2026 Syllabus covers subject-specific topics across all five papers and Part A, which tests General Aptitude for all candidates. The table below lists the key topics covered under each subject included in the CSIR NET Syllabus 2026, which can help in planning preparation priorities.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Preparation Tips
Preparing for CSIR NET requires both subject depth and smart exam strategy, especially given the selective attempt structure where candidates choose which questions to answer from a larger pool. These tips can help build a focused and practical preparation approach.
• Set a realistic timetable: Plan study hours subject-unit-wise. Two full mock tests per week are enough to track progress without burning out.
• Start with fundamentals: Build core conceptual clarity before moving to advanced topics. Skipping basics tends to hurt Part B performance.
• Take revision notes: Writing short summaries of each unit while studying aids retention and makes last-week revision much faster.
• Practise previous year papers: Solving 5 to 7 years of CSIR NET Question Papers helps identify recurring topics and understand which units dominate Part C.
• Understand the selective attempt strategy: Since candidates can attempt fewer questions than the paper contains, learning to skip uncertain questions and manage time is as important as subject knowledge.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Recommended Books
Choosing the right study material is important given the depth of topics covered in the CSIR NET. The table below lists subject-wise recommended books that are widely used by by aspirants for CSIR NET Preparation 2026:
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
How many parts are there in the CSIR NET 2026 exam?
The CSIR NET 2026 exam has three parts. Part A is General Aptitude and is compulsory for all candidates. Part B covers subject-specific questions at a moderate level. Part C tests advanced subject knowledge and analytical ability. There is no break between parts during the exam.
What is the total duration of the CSIR NET 2026 exam?
The exam is 3 hours (180 minutes) long for all subjects. There are no separate time limits for each part.
How many questions are in each part of the CSIR NET 2026 exam?
The number varies by subject. For Chemical Sciences and Mathematical Sciences, Part A has 20 questions, Part B has 40, and Part C has 60. For Life Sciences, Part A has 20, Part B has 50, and Part C has 75. For Earth Sciences, Part A has 20, Part B has 50, and Part C has 60. For Physical Sciences, Part A has 20, Part B has 25, and Part C has 30.
How many questions must be attempted in the CSIR NET 2026 exam?
Candidates must attempt 75 questions in Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Life Sciences; 60 questions in Mathematical Sciences; and 55 questions in Physical Sciences. The paper always contains more questions than the required number to attempt.
What is the marking scheme for CSIR NET 2026?
The marking scheme varies by subject and part. For most subjects, Part A and B carry +2 marks per correct answer and Part C carries +3 to +5 marks. Negative marking typically equals 25% of the marks for that section. Mathematical Sciences Part C has no negative marking. Earth Sciences Part C has a higher negative marking of -1.32.
Is it mandatory to attempt all three parts in CSIR NET 2026?
Part A is compulsory for all candidates. Candidates who want to qualify for JRF must attempt all three parts. Candidates who only want to qualify for Lectureship/Assistant Professor are not required to attempt Part C.
In which language is the CSIR NET 2026 exam conducted?
The question paper is available in both English and Hindi. Candidates must answer in the medium they select in the Application Form.
Will practising previous year papers help for CSIR NET 2026?
Yes, practising previous year papers is one of the most effective strategies for CSIR NET preparation. It helps candidates understand the distribution of questions across parts, identify frequently tested topics, and get used to the time pressure of the selective attempt structure.