Difference Between UGC NET and CSIR NET: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Career Scope
UGC NET and CSIR NET are two different national-level exams that are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and to determine the eligibility of candidates as lecturers. Read further to know the major differences and similarities between UGC NET and CSIR NET exams.
UGC NET and CSIR NET Differences & Similarities
UGC NET and CSIR NET exams are conducted every year allowing aspirants to gain eligibility for lecturership in Indian universities and colleges. Both exams are conducted at the national level and are organised by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Though the motive behind conducting both UGC NET and CSIR NET exams is the same, there are some differences between the two. In this article, we have listed all the major differences and similarities between UGC NET and CSIR NET in order to help candidates gain a complete understanding of both exams. Go through the details below and apply accordingly for the exam.
Also Read: UGC NET Admit Card 2024 Live Updates
The UGC NET June cycle notification was released on April 20, 2024, along with the release of UGC NET notification application window was activated for registration. The candidates can make applications till May 10, 2024. On the other hand, the CSIR NET notification was released on May 1, 2024, and the application window is active for registration from May 1 to 25, 2024.
Also Read:
Similarities between UGC NET & CSIR NET
Before going through the differences between the two exams, let us check the major similarities between UGC NET and CSIR NET below:
- Exam purpose: Both exams are conducted to shortlist candidates for the post of Assistant Professor and JRF
- Frequency of exams: Both exams are conducted twice a year in the months of June and December
- Level of exams: Both exams are conducted at the national level in multiple states and cities across India
- Conducting body: Both exams are conducted by the NTA itself
- Assessment: In both exams, candidates are assessed on their general aptitude as well as subject-knowledge
- Qualifying criteria: In both exams, the top six per cent of qualifying candidates are declared eligible for lectureship, and about two to three per cent of candidates are shortlisted for both JRF and lectureship
Also Read: How to UGC NET Exam Form; Step-by-Step Guide
Difference Between UGC NET and CSIR NET?
The UGC NET and CSIR UGC NET exams are different in terms of applicability, exam subjects, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and other aspects. Check these differences in detail below.
Q: What is the section-wise weightage of Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the UGC NET exam?
Q: How many sections are there in CSIR NET exam?
Q: What is the marking scheme of UGC NET exam?
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Exam Subjects
The UGC NET exam is conducted for a total of 83 subjects from various streams. On the other hand, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test (CSIR NET) is conducted in the subject areas falling under the faculty of Science & Technology only. Have a look at the details below:
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
9 Dec '24
19 Nov '24 - 10 Dec '24
31 Dec '24
22 Jan '25 - 11 Feb '25
15 Dec '24
8 Jan '25
1 Jan '25 - 20 Jan '25
31 Jan '25
31 Jan '25
| Category | UGC NET | CSIR NET |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Subjects | 83 | 5 |
| Name of Subjects | List of UGC NET subjects |
|
Also Read: UGC NET Environmental Science Syllabus
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Eligibility Criteria
The basic difference between the UGC NET and CSIR NET eligibility is mentioned below:
| Parameters |
UGC NET Eligibility |
CSIR NET Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Qualification |
Post-graduation in relevant streams such as Humanities, Social Science, Electronic Science, Computer Science & Applications, etc. with at least 55 per cent aggregate |
Degree in BTech/BE/BPharma/MBBS/BS (4 years)/Integrated BS-MS/MSc with minimum 55 per cent aggregate |
| Age limit |
For JRF, candidates should be maximum of 30 years of age. There is no upper age limit for lectureship. |
For JRF, candidates should be maximum of 28 years of age. There is no upper age limit for lectureship. |
Also Read:
- UGC NET Eligibility – Educational Qualification, Age Criteria, Reservations & More
- CSIR NET Eligibility – Check Educational Qualification, Age Limit, Reservations & More
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Exam Pattern
The exam pattern for UGC NET and CSIR NET exams is different as mentioned below:
UGC NET exam pattern: UGC NET is an online exam that consists of two papers containing objective-type questions. Paper 1 contains 50 questions of 100 marks and paper 2 contains 100 questions of 200 marks. Both papers are conducted in a single duration of three hours.
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.
Q: Is there any set pattern of distribution of questions in the CSIR NET exam?
Q: What is the latest exam pattern for UGC NET 2024 exam?
The UGC NET 2024 exam pattern is outlined in the official notification by the NTA. It consists of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. The duration of the exam is three hours, Both papers consist of objective type multiple-choice questions (MCQs), totaling 150 questions across both papers. Each question weightage is two marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
Q: What is the UGC NET exam pattern?
The UGC NET (National Eligibility Test) is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency NTA on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The exam is conducted twice a year to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of Assistant Professor and for awarding Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The exam is conducted in two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Here are the details of the UGC NET exam pattern: Paper 1: a) Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes combining both papers) b) Total marks: 100 c) Number of questions: 50 d) Type of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) e) Marking scheme: Each question carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. F) Syllabus: Teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness. Paper 2: a) Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes combining both papers) b) Total marks: 200 c) Number of questions: 100 d) Type of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) e) Marking scheme: Each question carries 2 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. f) Syllabus: Based on the subject selected by the candidate. The UGC NET exam is conducted in online mode. The questions in both papers are in English and Hindi except for languages other than English and Hindi. Candidates need to secure the minimum qualifying marks in both papers to be eligible for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
| UGC NET Paper |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 |
50 |
100 |
| Paper 2 |
100 |
200 |
| Total |
150 |
350 |
Also Read:
CSIR NET exam pattern: CSIR NET is an online exam containing objective-type questions of 200 marks. The question paper is divided into three parts – A, B and C. Each part contains a different number of questions. The total number of questions in the CSIR UGC NET exam also varies depending on the subject for which the candidate is appearing. The total duration to complete the exam is three hours.
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Number of Test Takers
The number of candidates appearing in UGC NET exam is much larger than the number of aspirants taking the CSIR NET exam every year. Have a look at the number of applicants and test-takers below:
| Category | UGC NET | CSIR NET | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Number of Applicants | 10, 45,664 | 12,66,509 | 2,03,256 | 2,07,306 |
| Number of Test Takers | 5,44,485 | 6,71,288 | 1,62,084 | 1,59,824 |
UGC NET Vs CSIR NET: Career Scope
Candidates qualifying the UGC NET exam are eligible to work with UGC coordinating institutes. On the other hand, aspirants qualifying the CSIR NET exam are eligible to work with CSIR Research Laboratories.
Read More:
- UGC NET Normalisation of Marks 2024: Result Preparation Criteria
- CSIR NET Normalisation of Marks 2024: Percentile Calculator & Result Preparation
UGC NET vs CSIR NET FAQs
Q: Which is easy UGC NET and CSIR NET?
A: Both exams are taken at national level. So, the difficulty level of the exam lies between moderate to tough. However, the CSIR NET is much tougher than the UGC NET exam.
Q: What is the difference between CSIR and UGC NET JRF?
A: The main difference between the UGC NET and CSIR NET is the UGC NET exam is taken for Arts and Commerce subject whereas the CSIR NET exam is taken for the Science Stream subjects only.
Q: What is the validity of CSIR NET certificate?
A: CSIR NET certificate is valid for 2 years from the effective date mentioned on the certificate.
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