Updated on Apr 23, 2025
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CSIR NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria: The CSIR NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria determines which students are eligible for JRF, PhD, and to work as Assistant Professor in India.
To be eligible for CSIR NET 2025, candidates must hold an M.Sc or an equivalent degree, such as BS-MS, BS (4 years), B.Tech, B.Pharma, or MBBS, with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks for General, EWS, and OBC candidates. SC/ST/PwD/Transgender candidates need at least 50% aggregate marks. While there is no upper age limit for candidates applying for Assistant Professorship, those applying for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) must be under the age of 30 years. This age limit has been increased from 28 to 30 years for JRF candidates. Reserved category candidates will get age relaxation. OBC candidates will now receive a 5-year age relaxation, an increase from the previous 3 years, while SC/ST, PwD, Third gender, and female candidates are eligible for a 5-year relaxation.
CSIR NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for CSIR-NET 2025, students must check whether they meet the CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria. It specifies that students must fulfil the norms on nationality, age limit, and educational qualifications, among others. Keep reading to get detailed insights into the specifications candidates must meet before appearing for the examination.
CSIR NET 2025 Educational Qualification
In 2025, CSIR NET will be held in June and December. To appear for the examination, students have to ensure that they have the necessary educational qualifications, such as:
- Must have scored 55% in the Master’s Degree examination or equivalent from a recognized institution or university. This applies to candidates belonging to the General Category/ General-EWS/ Unreserved.
- For SC/ ST/ OBC/ PwD/ Third Gender Category, the minimum percentage in the Master’s Degree should be 50%.
- Students who have appeared for their final year exam in the Master’s Degree program are also eligible for CSIR NET 2025.
- The acceptable master’s degree for CSIR NET is BS (4-year program)/ BE/ B.Tech/ MBBS/ B.Pharma/ M.Sc or Equivalent Degree/ Integrated MS-PhD.
- The minimum percentage of 55 and 50 should be considered without rounding off the figures. Students with 55.67% or 55.23% marks cannot specify their percentage marks as 56 but 55 instead.
Read: CSIR NET 2025 Application Form
CSIR NET 2025 Age Limit and Relaxations
CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria also takes into consideration the age of the applicant. Candidates must meet the following upper age limit criteria for CSIR NET 2025:
- For JRF, candidates must not be more than 30 years old on the first day of the exam conclusion month.
- For Assistant Professors, there is no upper-age bar.
- For admission into PhD, there is no upper age limit.
- For JRF, a relaxation of 5 years is given to SC/ ST/ Third Gender/ OBC-NCL/ Women candidates.
- A maximum of 5 years of relaxation is given to students with research experience.
- 5-year relaxation for candidates who served in the armed forces.
CSIR NET 2025 Nationality Criteria
Only those candidates who are Indian nationals can apply for CSIR NET 2025. No foreign national or individuals holding NRI status are eligible to apply and appear for the CSIR NET 2025 examination. Only bonafide Indian citizens, which means only those people who hold legitimate Indian citizenship through descent, birth, or registration, are eligible.
CSIR NET 2025 Other Criteria
In addition to the criteria, as mentioned earlier, a candidate can seek relaxation or concessions through the following means:
- PhD holder candidates who completed their master’s degree on/before 19th September 1991 can seek a 5% relaxation in their minimum aggregate marks. This means that such candidates must have scored 50% on their master’s examination.
- Four-year bachelor's degree students can also appear for the CSIR NET 2025. Such students must have scored 75% in their bachelor’s program and 70% for SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL/ EWS/ Differently-Abled candidates.
Also Check: CSIR NET 2025 Exam Pattern
CSIR NET 2025 Reservation Criteria
CSIR NET 2025 Reservation Criteria are different across categories. For more details, candidates can refer to the table below:
| Category | Relaxation Details |
|---|---|
| OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Women/Third Gender | Up to 5 years of age relaxation |
| Research Scholars | Additional 5 years based on years spent in research |
| Armed Forces Personnel | Up to 5 years based on time spent in service |
| Educational Qualification Relaxation | |
| Master’s Degree | OBC/SC/ST/PwD candidates need 50% marks; Third gender category also needs 50% marks |
| 4-Year Bachelor's Degree | OBC/SC/ST/PwD candidates need 70% marks (instead of 75%) |
| Ph.D. Holders | 5% relaxation for candidates who completed Master’s degree before 19 September 1991 (i.e., 50% marks instead of 55%) |
CSIR NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Can final year students of Master’s Degree be eligible to appear for CSIR NET in 2025?
Yes, Master's degree final year students can also apply for CSIR NET 2025, given that they have appeared for their final year exam and their result is still awaited or is delayed due to some reasons.
What if a student has cleared the CSIR NET examination, but their result is still awaited?
Students who appear for CSIR NET in their final year are provisionally accepted for the exam. However, they are required to complete their Master’s degree within two years from the CSIR NET Result’s date with the minimum percentage.
Does qualifying for the CSIR NET exam mean a person will receive an employment offer?
CSIR NET is a competitive exam used to assess candidates' eligibility for JRF, PhD, or Lectureship. Clearing the examination does not guarantee any sort of subsequent employment or provide job offers.
Can a four-year undergraduate degree student apply for CSIR NET in 2025?
A student with a 4-year and 8-semester bachelor's degree can appear for CSIR NET with the required subjects. He/ she must have scored at least 75% in their qualifying degree exam. Further, such candidates are eligible for JRF and PhD but cannot be appointed as assistant professors.
What is the CSIR NET 2025 Exam Pattern?
CSIR NET is organized in an online mode where students are required to answer the objective type questions within 180 minutes. The exam consists of two papers with a maximum of 200 marks each.
What are the subjects under CSIR NET 2025?
A candidate can appear for CSIR NET and apply for JRF/PhD/ Lectureship in subjects such as Life science, Physical science, Mathematical Science, Chemical science, and Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary science.
What is the mode of examination for CSIR NET 2025?
CSIR NET 2025 will be conducted in two languages, English and Hindi. Students can choose their language while filling out the application form.
Can a student seek relaxation in the age limit if he has research experience in a foreign university?
Yes, a student who has prior research experience in a foreign university can enjoy 5 years of relaxation in the upper age limit eligibility criteria.
In which situation will a candidate be considered disqualified in the CSIR NET examination?
In case a student whose qualifying exam results are delayed or awaited fails to meet the minimum percentage of 55% (50% in case of SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL/ Third gender/ PwD) within two years from the date in which the NET results were released, they will be considered disqualified.
What if a student is found ineligible after the CSIR NET 2025 Results?
If a student is found ineligible at any stage of the CSIR NET process, his/her candidature will be cancelled. Authorities also hold the right to take legal action against these individuals.
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