Difference between CSIR UGC NET Exam and UGC NET Exam

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

Ans. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) conducts the Joint CSIR UGC NET in the field of Science which includes 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 PhD research and/or university level teaching jobs in the country.

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 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 fellowship 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.