Now Reading: NTA explains key differences between UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC NET exams
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NTA explains key differences between UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC NET exams
The Story in Brief
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released a detailed explanation of the differences between the UGC NET and the Joint CSIR-UGC NET to help candidates choose the right exam. Both tests determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor appointments, and PhD admissions, but they differ in subject coverage, structure, and marking.
The CSIR-UGC NET is for five science disciplines: Chemical, Earth, Life, Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Its exam has three parts with subject-specific negative marking. The UGC NET covers 87 subjects in Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce and Languages, and consists of two sections with 50 and 100 questions each, for a total of 300 marks over 3 hours.
The CSIR-UGC NET for December 2026 will be held on 19, 22, and 27 December 2026. The UGC NET will be held from 14 to 18 December 2026. Candidates can check the official websites for further details.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The NTA’s clarification shows that many prospective candidates confuse the two NET exams, which are meant for different academic streams. For science graduates, choosing between the CSIR-UGC NET and the UGC NET matters because the subject list and marking scheme are not the same: the five-science scope of CSIR-UGC NET carries negative marking, while the UGC NET covers 87 subjects with no negative marking mentioned. The split also affects how many study fields a candidate from a non-science background can enter. The next step is for candidates to check the official CSIR-UGC NET and UGC NET websites for further details, and to note that the CSIR-UGC NET will be held on 19, 22, and 27 December 2026, while the UGC NET runs from 14 to 18 December 2026.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
