CSIR National Eligibility Test — Life Sciences
NTA (National Testing Agency) for CSIR · Online (CBT) · Twice a year
Key Dates
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Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A — General Aptitude (20Q) | 48 | 67 |
| Part B — Subject Core (50Q) | 48 | 67 |
| Part C — Advanced Science (75Q) | 48 | 67 |
| Total | 145 | 200 |
Syllabus Highlights
View full syllabus →Previous Year Cutoff
| Category | Marks | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| General | — | — |
| OBC | — | — |
| SC | — | — |
| ST | — | — |
| EWS | — | — |
Table of Contents
About CSIR National Eligibility Test — Life Sciences (CSIR NET Life Sciences) 2027
The CSIR National Eligibility Test — Life Sciences (CSIR NET Life Sciences) is one of the most competitive entrance exams, conducted by the NTA (National Testing Agency) for CSIR. Preparing for the CSIR NET Life Sciences requires systematic practice, conceptual clarity, and regular self-evaluation. Our platform offers dynamic mock tests, previous years' resolved papers, and AI-enabled analysis to help you secure a top rank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CSIR NET Life Sciences 2027 exam pattern?
CSIR NET Life Sciences has 3 parts in 3 hours. Part A: 20 questions (attempt 15, +2/-0.5), 30 marks. Part B: 50 questions (attempt 35, +3.5/-0.875), 70 marks. Part C: 75 questions (attempt 25, +5/0, no negative), 125 marks. Total: 200 marks. Scores are normalised.
What topics are covered in CSIR NET Life Sciences Part C?
CSIR NET Life Sciences Part C covers advanced and analytical topics: Cellular Organisation, Fundamental Processes (DNA replication, transcription), Cell Communication, Developmental Biology, System Physiology (Animal/Plant), Inheritance Biology, Diversity of Life Forms, Ecological Principles, and Applied Biology.
What is the CSIR NET JRF fellowship amount?
CSIR JRF fellowship is ₹37,000 per month for the first 2 years, upgraded to ₹42,000 per month as SRF (Senior Research Fellow) after PhD registration. HRA is provided based on city category. JRF is valid for 2 years. The fellowship supports PhD research at any CSIR lab or university.
What is the CSIR NET Life Sciences cutoff for JRF?
CSIR NET Life Sciences JRF cutoff (out of 200) for general category is typically 90–105 marks. Lectureship (LS) cutoff is lower at 70–85 marks. The exam is among India's hardest science eligibility tests with success rate below 5% for JRF. The cutoff shifts each cycle.
What career options open up after CSIR NET Life Sciences JRF?
CSIR NET JRF opens: (1) PhD admission with fellowship at IITs, CSIR institutes, IISER, JNU, (2) Eligibility for Scientist recruitment at CSIR-ICAR-ICMR labs, (3) Lecturer/Assistant Professor in life sciences, (4) Post-doctoral positions abroad with CSIR JRF credential.
How to Prepare for CSIR NET Life Sciences
Focus heavily on Part C (125 marks, no negative) — mastering advanced topics in molecular biology, genetics, and ecology is essential
Use standard textbooks: Molecular Biology of the Cell (Alberts), Lehninger Biochemistry, and Campbell Biology for Part B and C preparation
Practise Part A aptitude questions from UGC NET Paper 1 materials — data interpretation, reasoning, and research methods are common
Solve previous 10 years CSIR NET Life Sciences papers; question types in Part C recycle across years with concept variations