CSIR NET Life Sciences December 2026: Dates, Exam Pattern and Cut-off Trend
CSIR NET December 2026 Life Sciences dates, last date to apply, exam pattern, marking scheme and the June 2026 JRF cut-off, in one simple guide.
10/27/20262 min read
The CSIR-UGC NET is the exam that decides who gets a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for a PhD in life sciences, and who becomes eligible to teach as an Assistant Professor. The December 2026 cycle is now open. Here is everything you need, in one place.
Important dates
Notification released: 7 October 2026
Last date to apply: 5 November 2026 (till 11:50 PM)
Late applications (with a ₹500 late fee): 6 to 9 November 2026
Correction window: 10 to 12 November 2026
Exam: reported for 19, 22 and 27 December 2026, as a computer-based test in two shifts
Apply only on the official website, csirnet.nta.nic.in. Check the information bulletin for your exact exam date and city.
Exam pattern for Life Sciences
The paper is 3 hours long and carries 200 marks. It has three parts:
Part A (General Aptitude): 20 questions, attempt any 15, 2 marks each. 30 marks.
Part B (Life Sciences basics): 50 questions, attempt any 35, 2 marks each. 70 marks.
Part C (Higher-level, analytical): 75 questions, attempt any 25, 4 marks each. 100 marks.
Every wrong answer costs 25% of the marks for that question, so guessing blindly is risky. Part C carries half the marks and rewards concept-based thinking, not memorising.
The cut-off is rising
In the June 2026 session the Life Sciences JRF cut-off for the General category was 66.5%. In June 2025 it was 51.5%. That is a jump of about 15 percentage points in one year, so aim well above last year's mark.
June 2026 JRF cut-offs by category: General 66.5%, EWS 59.25%, OBC 58%, SC 49.5%, ST 44.75%, PwD 30.75%. (As reported from the NTA result; always check the official notice.)
How to use the next 8 weeks
Weeks 1–3: finish the high-weight units first: molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and physiology.
Weeks 4–6: solve at least five previous papers under exam timing. Our past papers page has question papers and answer keys.
Weeks 7–8: revise your mistakes, practise Part A aptitude daily, and take a full mock every 3 days.
Free resources on Zoology Student Hub
CSIR-NET exam guide, syllabus and recommended books: zoologystudenthub.com/csir-dbt-net
Past papers and answer keys: zoologystudenthub.com/csir-pyqs
Free practice quizzes: zoologystudenthub.com/quizzes
Join our free student forum on Telegram to ask doubts and get updates the day they come out: zoologystudenthub.com/community
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