CSIR NET Life Science – Complete Exam Details
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Eligibility Test (CSIR NET) is conducted for awarding Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship (LS) in various science disciplines, including Life Sciences.
- Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Number of Questions | 145 (Only 75 need to be answered) |
| Question Types | MCQs (Single Correct & Multiple Correct) |
| Negative Marking | Yes |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (June & December) |
| Eligibility | M.Sc., B.Tech., Integrated M.Sc. |
| Age Limit | JRF: ≤ 28 years (relaxation for reserved categories) LS: No age limit |
| Purpose | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professorship (LS) |
- Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
CSIR NET Life Science Paper Structure
The exam is divided into three parts (A, B, C):
| Part | Topics Covered | Number of Questions | Questions to Attempt | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
| Part A | General Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Numerical Ability | 20 | 15 | 2 | 30 | -0.5 |
| Part B | Direct Conceptual Questions (Life Science Topics) | 50 | 35 | 2 | 70 | -0.5 |
| Part C | Analytical & Application-Based Questions | 75 | 25 | 4 | 100 | -1 |
✅ Total Marks = 200
✅ Total Questions = 145
✅ Attempt Any 75 Questions
- Syllabus Breakdown
CSIR NET Life Science syllabus covers 13 Units:
| Unit No. | Topics | Weightage |
| Unit 1 | Molecules and their Interaction | High |
| Unit 2 | Cellular Organization | High |
| Unit 3 | Fundamental Processes (Replication, Transcription, Translation) | Very High |
| Unit 4 | Cell Communication & Signaling | High |
| Unit 5 | Developmental Biology | Medium |
| Unit 6 | System Physiology – Animal | Medium |
| Unit 7 | System Physiology – Plant | Medium |
| Unit 8 | Inheritance Biology (Genetics) | High |
| Unit 9 | Diversity of Life Forms | Low |
| Unit 10 | Ecological Principles | Medium |
| Unit 11 | Evolution & Behavior | Medium |
| Unit 12 | Applied Biology (Biotech, Disease, Vaccines) | High |
| Unit 13 | Methods in Biology (Techniques) | Very High |
📌 High-Yield Units: Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 8, Unit 12, Unit 13
📌 Conceptual Units: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 5
📌 Theoretical Units: Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 9, Unit 10, Unit 11
- Eligibility Criteria
✅ Educational Qualification:
- M.Sc. in Life Sciences/Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Microbiology/Genetics/Botany/Zoology/Physiology/Bioinformatics or related fields.
- B.Tech. (Biotech)/B.Pharm./MBBS candidates can apply for JRF.
- Final-year students are also eligible.
✅ Age Limit:
| Category | JRF Age Limit | LS Age Limit |
| General/OBC | ≤ 28 Years | No Age Limit |
| SC/ST/PwD/Female | ≤ 33 Years | No Age Limit |
- Marking Scheme
✅ Part A & B: -0.5 per wrong answer
✅ Part C: -1 per wrong answer
✅ No marks deducted for unanswered questions
- Exam Difficulty Level
| Exam Section | Difficulty Level | Conceptual vs. Analytical |
| Part A (Aptitude) | Moderate | 70% Analytical, 30% Conceptual |
| Part B (Conceptual) | Moderate to Hard | 60% Conceptual, 40% Analytical |
| Part C (Analytical) | Hard | 30% Conceptual, 70% Analytical |
📌 CSIR NET Life Science is one of the toughest competitive exams in India.
- Exam Dates (Tentative for 2025)
| Event | June 2025 Exam | December 2025 Exam |
| Notification Release | March 2025 | September 2025 |
| Application Start | April 2025 | October 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | May 2025 | November 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | June 2025 | December 2025 |
| Exam Date | June 2025 | December 2025 |
| Result Declaration | July 2025 | January 2026 |
- Preparation Strategy
✅ 1. Focus on High-Weightage Topics
- Molecular Biology (Replication, Transcription, Translation)
- Cell Communication & Signaling Pathways
- Genetics & Inheritance Patterns
- Methods in Biology (PCR, Electrophoresis, Spectroscopy)
✅ 2. Solve Previous Year Question Papers
- Helps understand question trends
- Boosts time management
✅ 3. Master Part C (Analytical Section)
- Practice graph-based, experimental, and case-study questions
- Improve logical thinking & data interpretation skills
✅ 4. Attempt Mock Tests
- Simulate real exam conditions
- Identify weak areas
- Career Opportunities After CSIR NET Life Science
✅ For JRF Qualified Candidates
For JRF Qualified Candidates
- 🎓 Ph.D. Admissions: Direct Ph.D. entry in IITs, IISc, CSIR labs, ICMR, DBT, DRDO, BARC
- 💰 Research Fellowships:
- ₹37,000/month + HRA for the first 2 years (JRF)
- ₹42,000/month + HRA for the next 3 years (SRF)
- 🎯 Contingency Grant:
- ₹12,000/year for Science scholars
For LS (Lectureship) Qualified Candidates
- 🏫 Assistant Professor Jobs: Teaching positions in colleges & universities
- 📝 Postdoctoral Fellowships: Research opportunities in national & international institutes
- 🏢 Government R&D Jobs: Positions in ICMR, CSIR, DBT, DRDO, BARC, ISRO
Other Career Paths
- 🧪 Industry R&D Jobs: Biotech, Pharma, Agriculture, Biomedical sectors
- 🏛️ Scientific Officer Positions: Research-based roles in government organizations
- 📚 Entrepreneurship & Startups: Biotech, Healthcare, and Life Science-based ventures