CSIR NET December 2026 Last Date: Apply Online by November 5, Check Application Fee, Exam Dates and Details
CSIR NET December 2026 Last Date: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to close the regular online registration process for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination on November 5, 2026. Candidates who wish to appear for the examination should complete their application process before the deadline.
The application process started on October 7, 2026. Candidates who miss the regular deadline will get another opportunity to submit their applications from November 6 to November 9 by paying an additional late fee of ₹500.
The December 2026 examination cycle also brings an important change for Biotechnology candidates, as the DBT-BET examination has been merged with CSIR-UGC NET Life Sciences. A new Life Sciences & Biotechnology discipline has been introduced.
Candidates should check the registration deadline, application fee, eligibility requirements, examination schedule and application procedure before submitting the form.
CSIR NET December 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Application Start Date | October 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | November 5, 2026 |
| Late Fee Application Dates | November 6–9, 2026 |
| Additional Late Fee | ₹500 |
| Application Correction Window | November 10–12, 2026 |
| Examination Dates | December 19, 22 and 27, 2026 |
| Examination Duration | 3 Hours |
| Official Website | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
CSIR NET December 2026 Last Date – Important Dates
Candidates should carefully note the important dates related to the December 2026 examination.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Begins | October 7, 2026 |
| Last Date for Regular Application | November 5, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment (Regular) | November 5, 2026 |
| Late Fee Application Window | November 6–9, 2026 |
| Last Date for Late Fee Payment | November 9, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | November 10–12, 2026 |
| CSIR NET Examination | December 19, 22 and 27, 2026 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip | To Be Announced |
| Admit Card Release | To Be Announced |
Important: The regular application deadline is November 5, 2026, at 11:50 PM. Candidates who miss this deadline can use the late registration facility between November 6 and November 9 by paying the additional ₹500 late fee.
CSIR NET December 2026 Application Fee
The application fee differs according to the candidate’s category.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1,150 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹325 |
Candidates applying during the late registration window must pay an additional ₹500 along with the applicable examination fee.
Applicants should verify the final payable amount on the official application portal before making payment.
CSIR NET December 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in applying for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination should satisfy the educational qualification and age requirements mentioned in the official information bulletin.
Educational Qualification
Candidates who have completed or are pursuing a qualifying Master’s degree in relevant science disciplines can apply, subject to the conditions specified in the official notification.
The commonly prescribed minimum marks are:
- General and General-EWS candidates: 55% marks.
- OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and third-gender candidates: 50% marks.
Candidates with a four-year undergraduate degree may also be eligible under the applicable provisions of the notification.
Applicants should check the official information bulletin for detailed qualification requirements and subject-specific conditions.
Age Limit
The age limit depends on the category and the purpose for which the candidate is applying.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): The prescribed upper age limit is generally 30 years, with applicable relaxations.
- Assistant Professor: No upper age limit.
- PhD Admission: No upper age limit under the applicable CSIR-UGC NET provisions.
Candidates should verify the applicable age calculation date and relaxation rules in the December 2026 information bulletin.
Important Update: DBT-BET Merged with CSIR NET Life Sciences
One of the major changes in the December 2026 examination cycle is the merger of the Department of Biotechnology’s Biotechnology Eligibility Test (DBT-BET) with CSIR-UGC NET Life Sciences.
Following this change, a new discipline called Life Sciences & Biotechnology (LS & BT) has been introduced.
This is particularly important for Biotechnology students and candidates preparing for DBT-BET.
Candidates should not rely entirely on previous examination syllabi. They should download and review the revised syllabus and information bulletin before starting their preparation.
CSIR NET December 2026 Subjects
The examination covers five major subject areas:
- Chemical Sciences
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences
- Life Sciences & Biotechnology
- Mathematical Sciences
- Physical Sciences
Candidates should select the appropriate subject while completing their application form and verify the relevant subject code and syllabus.
How to Apply Online for CSIR NET December 2026?
Eligible candidates can complete the application process through the official NTA website.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official CSIR NET website: https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/
Step 2: Find and click on the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 application link.
Step 3: Complete the registration process by entering the required personal details, mobile number and email address.
Step 4: Log in using the registration credentials generated during the application process.
Step 5: Fill in the application form with your educational qualifications, subject details, category and other required information.
Step 6: Upload the required photograph, live photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
Step 7: Pay the examination fee through the available online payment options.
Step 8: Review all the information carefully and submit the application form.
Step 9: Download the confirmation page and keep a printed copy for future reference.
Candidates should ensure that the application form is successfully submitted and the fee payment is completed. Merely completing registration does not mean that the application process is finished.
Documents Required for CSIR NET Application
Candidates should keep the following details and documents ready before filling out the online application form:
- Valid mobile number and email address.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
- Live photograph, as required by the application portal.
- Scanned signature.
- Educational qualification details.
- Category certificate, wherever applicable.
- Identity and other supporting details as requested in the application form.
Ensure that uploaded documents follow the size, format and other specifications mentioned in the official information bulletin.
CSIR NET December 2026 Exam Date and Pattern
The National Testing Agency will conduct the CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 examination in Computer-Based Test mode.
The examination is scheduled for December 19, 22 and 27, 2026.
The examination duration is three hours (180 minutes). It will be conducted in two shifts:
- First Shift: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Second Shift: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
The question paper will be available in Hindi and English.
Candidates should check the official website regularly for subject-wise examination schedules, exam city information and admit card announcements.
CSIR NET Application Correction Window 2026
NTA will provide an opportunity to correct specified details in submitted application forms.
The correction window is scheduled from November 10 to November 12, 2026.
Candidates who identify mistakes in their submitted applications should use this facility within the permitted period.
However, not every field may be editable. Applicants should check the correction notice before making changes.
What Should Candidates Do Before the November 5 Deadline?
With the regular application deadline approaching, candidates should complete the following checklist:
- Verify their eligibility criteria.
- Keep educational and personal details ready.
- Check the photograph and signature specifications.
- Select the correct examination subject.
- Complete the application form carefully.
- Pay the examination fee before the deadline.
- Download the final confirmation page.
Candidates should avoid waiting until the final hours because payment failures, technical issues or heavy website traffic could create problems.
Important Links – CSIR NET December 2026
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| Official Website | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
| Information Bulletin | Available on the official website |
| Exam Notifications | https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for CSIR NET December 2026?
The last date for regular online registration is November 5, 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
2. Can I apply for CSIR NET after November 5, 2026?
Yes. NTA has scheduled a late application window from November 6 to November 9, 2026. Candidates must pay an additional late fee of ₹500.
3. What is the CSIR NET December 2026 examination date?
The examination is scheduled to be conducted on December 19, 22 and 27, 2026.
4. What is the CSIR NET application fee for General candidates?
The application fee for General category candidates is ₹1,150, excluding any applicable late fee.
5. What is the CSIR NET application fee for SC and ST candidates?
The application fee for SC and ST candidates is ₹325, excluding any applicable late fee.
6. When will the CSIR NET December 2026 correction window open?
The application correction window is scheduled from November 10 to November 12, 2026.
7. What is the official website to apply for CSIR NET 2026?
Candidates can submit their applications through the official website: https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/
8. What is the new change in CSIR NET December 2026?
The DBT-BET examination has been merged with CSIR-UGC NET Life Sciences, and a new Life Sciences & Biotechnology discipline has been introduced.
Conclusion
The CSIR NET December 2026 examination is an important opportunity for candidates seeking Junior Research Fellowship, Assistant Professor eligibility and PhD admission opportunities.
With the regular registration deadline set for November 5, candidates should complete their applications as early as possible. Those who miss the regular deadline can use the late application facility from November 6 to November 9 by paying the additional fee.
Candidates are advised to check the official NTA website regularly for the latest notifications, examination city information, admit cards and other updates.
