NTA on behalf of CSIR
CSIR JRF Life Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for CSIR Junior Research Fellowship — Life Sciences
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Online (CBT)
Language
English & Hindi
Negative Marking
-0.5
Sections
3
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (General Aptitude) | 48 | +2 | 96 | 60 min |
| Part B (Core Life Sciences) | 48 | +2 | 96 | 60 min |
| Part C (Advanced Life Sciences) | 49 | +2 | 98 | 60 min |
| Total | 145 | — | 200 | 180 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+2
marks
Wrong Answer
-0.5
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
Part A: +2/-0.5; Part B: +3.5/-1; Part C: +5/-1.75
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 87 questions, get 65 correct and 22 wrong:
Score = 65 × 2 − 22 × 0.5 = 119 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 74.5 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 108 min | 102 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 54 min | 29 Qs |
| Review & guess | 18 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 145 | 180 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 145 | 180 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 145 | 180 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~29 Easy | ~58 Medium | ~58 Hard
Based on difficulty level: very-hard. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
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