CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Subject-Wise Pattern and Negative Marking

CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 is important to understand before you start preparing for the exam. The CSIR NET exam is conducted for five subjects, which are Earth Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Each subject has a different paper format and marking scheme. As per the CSIR exam pattern, the question paper is divided into three parts: Part A, Part B, and Part C, where all questions are asked in multiple-choice format.

Having a thorough understanding of the CSIR exam pattern is vital because it also includes negative marking. Therefore, knowing the CSIR NET Syllabus and subject-wise exam format will help you make a better study plan for the upcoming CSIR NET exam.

CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights

The CSIR NET exam is held in computer-based test (CBT) mode. It is conducted to check the eligibility of candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and lectureship in different science subjects.

While filling the form, you have to choose one subject out of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, or Earth Sciences, depending on your academic background.

• The exam is held for a total of 200 marks.

• The total time duration given is 3 hours.

• All the questions are multiple-choice types.

• Each correct answer carries 2 marks.

• For every wrong answer, ¼ mark is going to be deducted.

• The number of questions is different for each subject:

• Life Sciences has around 145 questions.

• Physical Sciences has 75 questions.

• Chemical Sciences has 120 questions.

• Mathematical Sciences has 120 questions.

• Earth Sciences has 150 questions.

• The paper is divided into three parts: Part A, Part B, and Part C. You need to attempt all of them in one sitting without any breaks. 

• You can either take the CSIR NET exam in English or Hindi.

To understand it better, let’s now check the detailed CSIR NET exam pattern for each subject one by one.

Check Out: CSIR - NET Books

Subject Wise CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025

In order to make an effective study plan, understanding the subject-wise CSIR NET exam pattern 2025 is important. Every subject has a different type of question paper, marking scheme, and negative marking. When you know the detailed CSIR exam pattern for your subject, you can plan your preparation around it in a better way. Find out the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for different subjects here:

CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Chemical Sciences

The Chemical Sciences paper in CSIR NET is based on topics from Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Interdisciplinary subjects. If this is your subject, you will have to answer a total of 75 questions combined from Part A, Part B, and Part C. Check the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Chemical Sciences here:

CSIR Exam Pattern for Earth Sciences

CSIR NET Earth Sciences paper includes questions from Geology, Applied Geology, Physical Geography, Geophysics, Meteorology, and Ocean Sciences. You have to attempt 75 questions in total from Part A, Part B, and Part C. Each question in Parts A and B carries 2 marks, while Part C questions carry 4 marks. Find the complete CSIR Exam Pattern for Earth Sciences below:

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CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Life Sciences

The CSIR NET syllabus of Life Sciences covers topics like Photosynthesis, Respiration, Photorespiration, Diversity of Life Forms, Molecules and their Interaction, among others. In the Life Sciences paper, you need to attempt 75 questions from Part A, Part B, and Part C. Each question in Parts A and B is worth 2 marks, while Part C questions carry 4 marks. Here's the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Life Sciences for your reference:

CSIR Exam Pattern for Physical Sciences

The Physical Sciences CSIR NET syllabus is divided into two parts: Core and Advanced. Topics like Classical Mechanics, Mathematical Methods of Physics, Electromagnetic Theory, Thermodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics, Electronics, and Experimental Methods are from the core part.

The Advanced section covers Condensed Matter Physics, Nuclear and Particle Physics, and Atomic and Molecular Physics, along with all topics from Core. In the Physical Sciences paper, there are 75 questions based on the syllabus, out of which you need to attempt 55. Part A questions carry 2 marks each, Part B questions carry 3.5 marks each, and Part C questions carry 5 marks each. Check the complete CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Physical Sciences here:

CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Mathematical Science

The CSIR NET syllabus for the Mathematical Sciences paper is designed to test your understanding of different concepts like Analysis, Linear Algebra, Complex Analysis, Topology, Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, Calculus of Variations, and Mechanics. 

The exam is conducted for 3 hours and includes 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), out of which you need to attempt only 60 questions. Check the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Mathematical Sciences here:

Also read: How to Prepare with Subject Wise CSIR NET PYQ

CSIR Negative Marking Scheme

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) National Eligibility Test (NET) has a negative marking system. It means that for every wrong answer, some marks will be deducted. The CSIR NET negative marking is different for all subjects or sections. So, it becomes even more important for you to answer carefully and avoid guessing. For your ease of understanding, check the subject-wise CSIR NET Negative Marking here:

Study Materials to Understand the CSIR NET Exam Pattern

Understanding the actual CSIR NET exam pattern becomes very easy with the right study materials. Using books that follow the CSIR NET syllabus and provide chapter-wise and year-wise past exam practice questions can help you understand the exam better and improve your preparation. Here are some CSIR NET Books by PW you can check out:

CSIR NET 10 Years Recap For Mathematical Sciences book has chapter-wise and year-wise solved questions, helping you practice step by step. Each solution comes with detailed explanations, so you can understand the concepts clearly.

CSIR NET Recap Physical Sciences Solved PYQs book lets you focus and improve your weak concepts. It includes previous year papers for practice, which helps you get familiar with the CSIR exam pattern.

CSIR NET Recap for Chemical Sciences comes with trend analysis and chapter-wise questions. It is good for understanding the topics that are most important and how questions are generally asked in the exam.

CSIR NET Life Sciences PYQs provides detailed solutions for chapter-wise previous years' questions. It helps you practice smartly and manage your time during the exam.

Using these books as per your subject can give you a clear idea of the CSIR exam pattern, strengthen your preparation, and give you the confidence to solve questions effectively during the final exam.

CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs

Q.1. Is there negative marking in the CSIR NET exam?

Ans. Yes, as per the CSIR NET exam pattern, there is negative marking. For most sections, 25% of the marks are deducted for a wrong answer, and for some parts, it is 33%.

Q.2. How many questions are asked in the CSIR NET Life Sciences exam?

Ans. According to the CSIR exam pattern, the Life Sciences paper includes 145 questions, out of which candidates can answer only 75.

Q.3. How many questions do I need to attempt in the CSIR NET Chemical Sciences paper?

Ans. While a total of 120 questions are asked, candidates can choose to answer only 75 of them, according to the CSIR NET exam pattern.

Q.4. Can I give the CSIR NET exam in Hindi?

Ans. Yes, the CSIR exam allows papers to be attempted in both English and Hindi.

Q.5. What is the CSIR negative marking system for the Earth Sciences paper?

Ans. In the CSIR NET Earth Sciences paper, Part A and Part B have 25% negative marking for wrong answers, while Part C has 33% negative marking.