The CSIR NET examination is a prestigious examination conducted twice a year by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam is for all those aspiring to become Junior Research Fellows and Associate Lecturers in Indian colleges and universities.
The CSIR NET Exam is conducted for students who have completed their higher studies in the Science and Technology field. The NET exam CSIR eligibility and CSIR NET age limit are two of the most frequently asked questions by all candidates.
The following information provided in this article is all you need to get the answers to these common questions.
CSIR NET Eligibility
- The CSIR NET examination can only be taken by bonafide Indian citizens.
- The candidates must have an M.Sc or an equivalent degree/ Integrated BS-MS/BS-4 years/BTech/BE/MBBS/B Pharma.
- The General (UR) and OBC candidates must have at least 55% marks in their degree, whereas SC/ST candidates and Persons with Disability (PwDs) should have at least 50%.
- Candidates who are enrolled for an M.Sc degree or have completed 10+2+3 years of the above qualifying examinations, as on the last date of online submission of CSIR NET application form, are also eligible to apply but should do so under the ‘Result Awaited (RA)’ category. It is on the condition that these candidates complete their qualifying degree with the requisite percentage of marks within two years (validity period) to avail of the fellowship.
- Candidates who have completed B.Sc (Hons) or equivalent degree holders or students enrolled in an Integrated MS-PhD program are also eligible as per NET exam CSIR eligibility rules. They must have scored at least 55% marks for the General (UR) category and OBC candidates, and 50% marks for candidates from the SC/ST, Transgender, and PwD categories.
- Candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree will become eligible for the CSIR fellowship only after they have been registered/enrolled for Ph.D./Integrated Ph.D. program within a validity period of two years.
- Candidates who have completed only their Bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply only for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and are not eligible to apply for the Lectureship (LS).
CSIR NET Upper Age Limit Guidelines
The following are the CSIR NET age limit guidelines that decide the eligibility of applicants:
- For candidates who want to apply for the JRF, the upper/maximum age limit is 31 years, with the following conditions:
- The upper age limit may be relaxed for up to 5 years for SC, ST, PwD, female, and transgender applicants.
- In case of candidates from the OBC (non-creamy layer) category, this age limit is relaxable by up to 3 years.
- For candidates possessing an LLM degree, there is a 3-year relaxation.
- Candidates who have served in the armed forces have a relaxation of up to 5 years.
- For candidates looking to apply for a lectureship, there is no upper age limit specified in the NET exam CSIR eligibility rules.
CSIR NET Number of Attempts
As per the official guidelines given for the CSIR NET examination, there is no limit on the number of attempts a candidate can make in order to clear the examination. However, before appearing for the tests, candidates should have a deeper understanding of the topics to be asked. They can use the exam study planner for preparation.
Conclusion
The CSIR NET examination is the gateway for all students interested in taking up research fellowships and lectureships in esteemed Indian educational institutions. The first step of your application is to get clarity on the prerequisites for the examination, like the CSIR NET age limit and other eligibility criteria.
Ensure you meet all of these criteria to fill the CSIR NET application form with ease! Start your exam preparation with the help of a lms system.
