Shikha GoyalAssistant Manager
The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 along with the CSIR NET December Notification on the official website at csirnet.nta.ac.in. The CSIR UGC NET 2024 December exam will be conducted from February 16 to February 28, 2025. The CSIR UGC NET 2024 June exam was conducted on July 25, 26 and 27, 2024. Five papers are- Earth Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. Each paper of the exam consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and CSIR NET Total Marks are 200. Candidates read the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 below in this article.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 also consist of Negative Marking. CSIR NET Negative Marking differs for different subjects. The CSIR NET Question Paper is divided into three sections- Part A, B and C. There is no break between these three parts. Candidates need to complete the paper in a duration of three hours. Here we have shared the latest exam pattern and structure of the CSIR NET Exam as prescribed by the HRDG for each paper. Read below about the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 and start your preparations accordingly.
Q: How many questions are there in each part of the CSIR NET exam?
Upvote 
Q: Is there a negative marking in the CSIR NET exam?
Yes, there is a negative marking of 25 per cent in the CSIR NET exam for each wrong answer (33 per cent in Part C of Earth Sciences paper). Marking Scheme in CSIR NET 2024 exam varies with different stages of exam. Part A comprises 20 questions, and each question carries 1 mark. Therefore, the total marks allotted for Part A is 20. Part B and Part C comprise subject-specific questions, and each question carries 2 or 4 marks. Part B comprises 40 questions, and the total marks allotted for this section is 80. Part C comprises 60 questions, and the total marks allotted for this section is 120. It's important to note that the negative marking can significantly affect the final score, and the candidates should attempt the questions carefully and only answer those questions for which they are confident about the correct answer. Guesswork should be avoided as it may lead to negative marking and a reduction in the overall score.
Upvote Q: What is the duration of the CSIR NET exam?
CSIR UGC NET exams are conducted for five papers - Earth Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. The total marks students can obtain in CSIR UGC NET is 200. Students must note that there is a negative marking on the exam. The time duration of CSIR Net is 180 minutes. CSIR UGC NET is conducted nationally twice a year.
Upvote CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024: Highlights
Before going through the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024, let us have a look at the major highlights of the exam below.
| Particulars |
CSIR Exam Pattern Highlights |
|---|---|
| Exam mode |
Online |
| Exam duration |
3 hours |
| Number of subjects |
5 |
| Name of subjects |
|
| Total questions to attempt |
|
| Type of questions |
MCQs; 4 options with only 1 correct option |
| Total marks |
200 |
| Marking scheme |
|
| Language of paper |
English and Hindi |
Also Read:
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024: Subject-Wise
The CSIR NET exam pattern varies for all five subjects. The subject-wise exam pattern of the CSIR NET Question Paper 2024 is given below:
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 for Chemical Sciences
In the CSIR NET Chemical Sciences paper, candidates need to attempt a total of 75 MCQs combinedly from Part A, B and C. Each question in Part A and B carries two marks weightage and each question in Part C carries four marks. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent for wrong answers. Have a look at the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Chemical Sciences below.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
40 |
60 |
120 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
35 |
25 |
75 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
2 |
4 |
200 |
| Negative marking of 25% |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
- |
Also Read: CSIR NET Syllabus 2024
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 for Earth Sciences
In the CSIR NET Earth Sciences paper, candidates need to attempt a total of 75 MCQs combinedly from Part A, B and C. Each question in Part A and B carries two marks and each question in Part C carries four marks. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A and B and 33 per cent in Part C for each incorrect answer. Have a look at the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Earth Sciences below.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
50 |
80 |
150 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
35 |
25 |
75 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
2 |
4 |
200 |
| Negative marking- 25% in Part A & B and 33% in Part C |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1.32 |
- |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 for Life Sciences
In the CSIR NET Life Sciences paper, candidates need to attempt a total of 75 MCQs combinedly from Part A, B and C. Each question in Part A and B carries two marks and each question in Part C carries four marks. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A, B and C for each incorrect answer. Have a look at the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Life Sciences below.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
50 |
75 |
145 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
35 |
25 |
75 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
2 |
4 |
200 |
| Negative marking of 25% in Part A, B & C |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
- |
| Download CSIR NET Syllabus 2024 - Click Here |
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 for Mathematical Sciences
CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences paper contains 120 MCQs out of which candidates need to attempt 60 questions. Candidates need to complete the exam in three hours duration. Each question in Part A carries 2 marks, each question in Part B carries 3 marks and each question in Part C carries 4.75 marks. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A and B for each incorrect answer and there is no negative marking in Part C. Have a look at the CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Mathematical Sciences below.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
40 |
60 |
120 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
25 |
20 |
60 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
3 |
4.75 |
200 |
| Negative marking in Part A & B of 25% and no negative marking in Part C |
0.5 |
0.75 |
0 |
- |
Also Read: CSIR NET Admit Card 2024
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 for Physical Sciences
CSIR NET Physical Sciences paper contains 75 MCQs out of which candidates need to attempt 55 questions. Each question in Part A carries two marks marks weightage and each question in Part B and C carries a weightage of 3.5 and five marks, respectively. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A, B and C for each wrong answer. Here is the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern for Physical Sciences.
| Particulars |
Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions |
20 |
25 |
30 |
75 |
| Max no of questions to attempt |
15 |
20 |
20 |
55 |
| Marks for each correct answer |
2 |
3.5 |
5 |
200 |
| Negative marking of 25% |
0.5 |
0.875 |
1.25 |
- |
Also Read: CSIR NET Exam Dates 2024
CSIR NET Negative Marking
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 contains a Negative Marking in the exam. CSIR NET Negative Marking varies for different subjects. Candidates can check the subject-wise CSIR NET Negative Marking in the subject-wise CSIR NET exam pattern provided in this article.
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024: Important Points
Candidates can read the CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024 Important Points below.
- Questions in Part-A are common for all subjects. This part contains questions on topics/subjects such as logical reasoning, graphical analysis, analytical and numerical ability, quantitative comparison, series formation, puzzles etc.
- Part B of the CSIR UGC NET exam contains subject-related multiple-choice questions. The questions in this part generally cover the topics given in the syllabus
- Questions in Part C test candidates' knowledge of scientific concepts and/or application of the scientific concepts. The questions are analytical in nature in which candidates are required to apply scientific knowledge to arrive at the solution to the given problem
- If a candidate attempts more than the required number of questions, only the first set of the required questions is considered for scoring
- The CSIR UGC NET question paper is set in both Hindi and English languages
Also Read: CSIR NET Preparation Tips 2024
CSIR NET Best Books 2024
Candidates can check the subject-wise CSIR NET Best Books 2024 in the table below which can help candidates prepare for the exam.
| Subject | Book Name | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Sciences | UGC-CSIR JRF/ NET Chemical Sciences (Chemistry) | Trueman’s |
| Earth Sciences | Joint CSIR-UGC NET Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences | R. Gupta’s |
| Life Sciences | UGC CSIR NET/ SET (JRF & LS) Life Sciences | Arihant |
| Mathematical Sciences | CSIR-UGC NET/ SET (JRF & LS) Mathematical Sciences | Khanna Publishers |
| Physical Science | CSIR-UGC NET/ JRF/ SET Physical Sciences | Upkar’s |
Read More: CSIR NET Exam Centres List 2024