NTA - Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 Online Form

The Joint CSIR-UGC NET is a national-level eligibility test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University Grants Commission (UGC). The examination serves as a gateway for Indian nationals to qualify for the award of Junior Research Fellowship, appointment as Assistant Professor in universities and colleges, and direct admission to PhD programmes across the country. CSIR and UGC jointly provide research fellowships for candidates wishing to pursue research under the guidance of faculty members or scientists in university departments, national laboratories, and other recognized institutions. The fellowship is accepted at universities, IITs, postgraduate colleges, government research establishments including CSIR laboratories, and recognized public or private sector industrial research firms. The test is conducted in five science subjects: Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Candidates qualifying in the JRF category are eligible for fellowship, appointment as Assistant Professor, and PhD admission. Those qualifying in Category 2 are eligible for appointment as Assistant Professor and PhD admission, while Category 3 qualifiers are eligible for PhD admission only. The JRF stipend begins at Rs. 37,000 per month for the first two years, with a contingent grant of Rs. 20,000 per annum, and is upgraded to Rs. 42,000 per month upon registration for PhD and satisfactory assessment by an expert committee.

Only bonafide Indian nationals are eligible to apply for Joint CSIR-UGC NET. General and EWS candidates must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in a Master's degree or equivalent examination from a recognized university or institution. Candidates belonging to OBC Non-Creamy Layer, SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, and Third Gender categories require a minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying Master's degree. Candidates currently pursuing their Master's degree or whose results are awaited may apply provisionally and must complete their degree within two years of the NET result (or one year if qualifying for PhD admission only), failing which they will be treated as disqualified. PhD degree holders whose Master's-level examination was completed by 19 September 1991 are eligible for a 5% relaxation in aggregate marks. Candidates with a four-year or eight-semester Bachelor's degree programme with a minimum of 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) are also eligible; however, they can qualify only for JRF and PhD admission, not for appointment as Assistant Professor. Such candidates may appear in any subject irrespective of their undergraduate discipline. Candidates holding foreign qualifications are advised to obtain equivalence from the University Grants Commission. Post-graduate diploma holders from Indian institutes should verify equivalence with the Association of Indian Universities.

Reservation is applicable as per Government of India instructions. OBC Non-Creamy Layer candidates (as per central list) are entitled to relaxed eligibility marks of 50% and age relaxation of up to 5 years for JRF. SC and ST candidates similarly receive 50% marks eligibility and up to 5 years age relaxation for JRF. PwBD candidates with 40% or more disability are entitled to relaxed eligibility marks and age relaxation up to 5 years for JRF, along with scribe and compensatory time facilities. Third gender candidates receive the same relaxations as SC/ST/PwBD. Women applicants also receive up to 5 years age relaxation for JRF. Candidates with post-PG research experience at recognized institutions may claim up to 5 years additional age relaxation for JRF on production of a certificate. Ex-Servicemen receive age relaxation equal to the length of their armed forces service up to 01-Jul-2026 for JRF eligibility. Total age relaxation on any grounds shall not exceed five years.