CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Subject-wise Pattern & Negative Marking
The CSIR NET exam pattern 2025 has been released by the National Testing Agency along with the notification. The CSIR NET exam consists of five subjects as per the candidate's preference. The subjects are Earth Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. The marking scheme and paper pattern differ for each of the subjects in the exam. Here we have have discussed the CSIR NET exam pattern with marking scheme, negative marking in great detail to strategise your preparation for the exam.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has prescribed the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 along with the CSIR NET Notification that has been released on the official website. The CSIR UGC NET 2025 exam is held for five papers- Earth Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. Each paper of the exam consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for a total marks are 200.
There is variation in the CSIR NET exam pattern as well for each of the five subjects listed in the notification. CSIR NET Question Paper is divided into three sections- Part A, B and C with no break between these three parts. Candidates need to complete the paper in a duration of three hours. In this post, we have shared the latest exam pattern and structure of the CSIR NET Exam.
Latest: CSIR NET application form 2025
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights
| Particulars | CSIR Exam Pattern Highlights |
| Exam mode | Online |
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Number of subjects | 5 |
| Name of subjects |
|
| Type of questions | MCQs; 4 options with only 1 correct option |
| Total marks | 200 |
| Marking scheme |
|
| Language of paper | English and Hindi |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025: Subject-Wise
There are five subjects in the CSIR NET exam 2025. The subjects are as follows:
- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Physical Sciences
The exam pattern for each of the subjects vary. We have shared the details regarding the CSIR NET exam pattern below for all of the subjects in CSIR NET exam.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Chemical Sciences
The CSIR NET Chemical Sciences paper consists of a total of 75 multiple choice questions in total from Part A, B and C. Each question in Part A and B carries 2 marks and each question in Part C carries four marks. A negative marking of 25% is applicable for each incorrect answer marked by the candidate. Check below the details for the CSIR NET Chemical Sciences exam pattern.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 40 | 60 | 120 |
| Max no of questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Marks for each correct answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
| Negative marking of 25% | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | – |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Earth Sciences
In the CSIR NET Earth Sciences paper, there are a total of 75 multiple choice questions in total from Part A, B and C. Each question in Part A and B carries two marks and each question in Part C carries four marks. There is a negative marking of 25% in Part A and B and 33% in Part C for each incorrect answer. Have a look at the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Earth Sciences below.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 50 | 80 | 150 |
| Max no of questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Marks for each correct answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
| Negative marking- 25% in Part A & B and 33% in Part C | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.32 | - |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Life Sciences
The CSIR NET Life Sciences paper consists of a total of 75 MCQs in total from Part A, B and C. Each question in Part A and B is for two marks and each question in Part C carries four marks. There is a negative marking of 25% in Part A, B and C for each incorrect answer. Check below the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Life Sciences below.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 50 | 75 | 145 |
| Max no of questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Marks for each correct answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
| Negative marking of 25% in Part A, B & C | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | - |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Mathematical Sciences
CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences paper carries a total of 120 MCQs out of which candidates need to attempt 60 questions. The exam is for a total of three hours duration. Each question in Part A carries 2 marks, each question in Part B carries 3 marks and each question in Part C carries 4.75 marks. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A and B for each incorrect answer and there is no negative marking in Part C. Check the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Mathematical Sciences below.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 40 | 60 | 120 |
| Max no of questions to attempt | 15 | 25 | 20 | 60 |
| Marks for each correct answer | 2 | 3 | 4.75 | 200 |
| Negative marking in Part A & B of 25% and no negative marking in Part C | 0.5 | 0.75 | 0 | - |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2025 for Physical Sciences
CSIR NET Physical Sciences paper contains 75 MCQs out of which candidates need to attempt 55 questions. Each question in Part A carries two marks weightage and each question in Part B and C carries a weightage of 3.5 and five marks, respectively. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A, B and C for each wrong answer. Here is the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Physical Sciences.
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 25 | 30 | 75 |
| Max no of questions to attempt | 15 | 20 | 20 | 55 |
| Marks for each correct answer | 2 | 3.5 | 5 | 200 |
| Negative marking of 25% | 0.5 | 0.875 | 1.25 | - |
CSIR NET Marking Scheme & Negative Marking
The marking scheme for the CSIR NET exam varies for each of the subjects listed in the CSIR NET exam. With variation in the marking scheme, there is variation in negative marking as well. Check the table below to know about the CSIR NET exam marking scheme. This is useful for the candidates to plan a strategy to attempt questions in the exam.
| CSIR NET Marks Distribution | |||
| Subject | Total Weightage | Negative Marking | Marking Scheme |
| Chemical Science | 200 | Part A: -0.5 | Part A: +2 |
| Part B: -0.5 | Part B: +2 | ||
| Part C: -1 | Part C: +4 | ||
| Earth Science | 200 | Part A: -0.5 | Part A: +2 |
| Part B: -0.5 | Part B: +2 | ||
| Part C: -1 | Part C: +4 | ||
| Life Science | 200 | Part A: -0.5 | Part A: +2 |
| Part B: -0.5 | Part B: +2 | ||
| Part C: -1 | Part C: +4 | ||
| Mathematical Science | 200 | Part A: -0.5 | Part A: +2 |
| Part B: -0.75 | Part B: +3 | ||
| Part C: No Negative Marking | Part C: +4.75 | ||
| Physical Science | 200 | Part A: -0.5 | Part A: +2 |
| Part B: -0.875 | Part B: +3.5 | ||
| Part C: -1.75 | Part C: +5 | ||
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- Who can apply for CSIR NET 2023 Exam?+The candidates who fulfill the CSIR NET eligibility criteria such s age limit, educational qualification, etc can apply for the CSIR NET 2023 exam. According to CSIR JRF, Eligibility Criteria, the age limit is 28 years and candidates must have an MSc/BE/Integrated BS-MS/BS four-year degree/B. Pharma/BTech/MBBS with a minimum of 55%.
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