Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) About CSIR UGC NET

Ques 1. What is CSIR UGC NET Exam? How is it different from UGC NET Exam?

Ans 1.  The National Educational Testing Bureau of University Grants Commission (UGC) conducts National Eligibility Test (NET) to determine eligibility for lectureship and for award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for Indian nationals in order to ensure minimum standards for the entrants in the teaching profession and research. The Test is conducted in Humanities (including languages), Social Sciences, Forensic Science, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science and Applications and Electronic Science.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) conducts the UGC-CSIR NET for other Science subjects, namely, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Earth Atmospheric Ocean & Planetary Sciences jointly with the UGC. It is a national level entrance examination for postgraduate candidates of science and engineering discipline who wish to qualify for admission in Ph.D research and/or university level teaching jobs in the country.
The tests are conducted twice in a year generally in the months of June and December. For candidates who desire to pursue research, the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is available for five years subject to fulfillment of certain conditions. UGC has allocated a number of fellowships to the universities for the candidates who qualify the test for JRF. JRFs are available only to the candidates who opt for it in their application forms.
The results of the test are also used to determine the eligibility of candidates for appointment of Lecturers (NET) in certain subject areas falling under the faculty of Science & Technology.

Ques 2. Who can apply for CSIR UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)?

Ans 2. Only bonafide Indian citizen residing in India are eligible for the award of Junior Research fellowships. The  
JRFs are awarded each year by CSIR/UGC to those holding the required degree, with a minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates and PH/VH candidates),  and who qualify the Joint CSIR-UGC Test for Junior Research Fellowship and Eligibility for Lectureship- National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by CSIR twice in a year.

The fellowships are tenable in Universities / IITs/ Post Graduate Colleges /Government Research Establishments including those of the CSIR, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Research & Development establishments of recognized public or private sector industrial firms and other recognized institutions.

Ques 3. Is there a provision of stipend for those who qualify for JRFs?

Ans 3. The stipend of a JRF selected through CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) will be Rs 16000/ p.m for the first two years. On Completion of two years as JRF and if the fellow is registered for PhD, the fellowship will be upgraded to SRF (NET) and the stipend will be increased to Rs. 18000/- p.m for the 3rd and subsequent years.

Ques 4. What is the maximum term for JRF?

Ans 4. The total tenure as JRF plus SRF(NET) will not exceed five years. This will include the tenure of Fellowship awarded by UGC/DST/DBT/ICMR/ICAR etc or any other funding agency/Institution.

Ques 5. What is the maximum age for appearing in CSIR UGC NET Exam?

Ans 5. The upper age limit for applying for the award of JRF shall be 28 years, which is relaxed up to 5 years for candidates belonging to Schedule Castes/Schedule Tribes, Women, Physically Handicapped and OBCs.
However, there is no upper age limit for those applying for Lectureship.

Ques 6. What are the subjects for which the  test is conducted?

Ans 6. The Test is conducted for following subjects:
1. Chemical Sciences
2. Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences  
3. Life Sciences
4. Mathematical Sciences
5. Physical Sciences
6. Engineering Sciences

Ques 7. What are the modes to apply for CSIR UGC NET Exam 2012?

Ans 7. Candidates seeking admission to the CSIR UGC NET Exam 2012 can obtain prescribed application form and apply by either of the three ways:  

(i)     By Hand: The Information Bulletin and Application form can be obtained from the notified branches of the Indian Bank from 21 August, 2012 till 18 September, 2012 by paying Rs 400 in cash (OBC-NC candidates - Rs. 200 and SC / ST/ PH/ VH candidates - Rs. 100)

(ii)    By Post: The information Bulletin and Application Form can also be obtained through post from the Indian Bank, 3/1, West Patel Nagar, New Delhi-110 008 (Ph. No. 011-25888257) by sending a crossed DD for Rs.400 / Rs.200 / Rs.100 (as the case may be) drawn in favour of “Indian Bank, West Patel Nagar, New Delhi.”

For this purpose, the candidate should send a request to the Bank with TWO address slips clearly mentioning the address at which the Information Bulletin and Application Form has to be sent by Value Payable Post (VPP). The Bank will entertain the request for forms through post between 21 August, 2012 and 10 September, 2012.

(iii)    Online: Candidates can also apply for this test Online through a link available at CSIR, HRDG website.  

To apply Online, candidates are required to download Bank challan Performa from the website and deposit the requisite examination fee in any of the Indian Bank branches throughout the country and then fill the online application form.

After successfully submitting application online, candidates are required to take a print out of the Application Form, paste his/her recent black & white photograph, put his/her signature at the required space, attach requisite certificates and CSIR copy of Bank Challan and send it in an envelope super scribed with Subject Code, Centre Code & Medium Code to Sr. Controller of Examination.

Ques 8. Do I need to submit my fee before applying online?

Ans 8. While filling the online application, all candidates are required to provide details of their fee payment. These details include Journal No., Branch code etc. which will be provided by the bank after making the payment. It is therefore, important to make the fee payment before applying.

Ques 9. Which documents do I need to send?

Ans 9. Enclosures required to be sent along with the application form:
•    One black and white passport size recent photograph. The photo should be pasted on the application form and signed across by the candidate.
•    An attested copy of PHYSICALLY or VISUALLY HANDICAP or SC/ST/OBC certificate in the prescribed form (App II or III as the case may be), wherever applicable.
•    CSIR’s copy of the Bank Challan slip. (Only those who apply online).

Ques 10. Can I edit my information after submitting?

Ans 10. Data once entered cannot be edited. Care should therefore be taken that only correct information is entered in the application form.

A PREVIEW button is given at the end of the page. Click on it to check that the data is correct. In case you find that anything needs to be changed, click on the EDIT button given at the end of the preview page to go back and make the necessary changes.

Once you are sure that the information is in order, Click on SAVE AND SUBMIT to save the changes. Thereafter no further changes can be made in the application form.

Please note that once the data is saved any requests for change of mailing address, examination centre / category / discipline etc as declared in the online application, will not be entertained.