The official notification for the December 2026 session is yet to be released. Based on the latest official CSIR NET eligibility rules, candidates holding a relevant postgraduate degree or an eligible four-year bachelor’s degree can apply, subject to the required marks and other conditions.
Relevant qualifications may include:
- MSc in Life Sciences
- MSc in Biotechnology
- MSc in Botany
- MSc in Zoology
- MSc in Microbiology
- MSc in Biochemistry
- MSc in Genetics
- MSc in Molecular Biology
- MSc in Environmental Science
- MSc in Biomedical Science
- MSc in Bioinformatics
- Integrated BS-MS
- MBBS
- BPharm
- BE or BTech in a relevant biological or interdisciplinary field
- Any other equivalent qualification accepted under the official CSIR NET rules
Candidates should ensure that their qualification is relevant to Life Sciences and recognised by the appropriate regulatory authority.
Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
Conducting authority | National Testing Agency |
Examination | Joint CSIR-UGC NET |
Subject | Life Sciences – Code 703 |
Nationality | Indian citizen |
General/EWS minimum marks | 55% in Master’s degree or equivalent |
OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/PwBD/Third Gender | 50% in Master’s degree or equivalent |
Four-year bachelor’s degree | Minimum 75% marks or equivalent grade |
JRF age limit | Not more than 30 years, subject to relaxation |
Assistant Professor age limit | No upper age limit |
PhD admission age limit | No upper age limit |
Final-year candidates | Eligible to apply provisionally |
CSIR NET Life Science Age Limit December 2026
The upper age limit for candidates applying for the CSIR NET Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is generally 30 years, subject to the age-calculation date and eligibility conditions specified in the official December 2026 Information Bulletin.
Age relaxation is available to eligible candidates according to the applicable rules. Categories that may qualify for relaxation include:
Women candidates
OBC-NCL candidates
SC and ST candidates
Persons with Disabilities (PwD/PwBD)
Third-gender candidates
Candidates with eligible research experience
Candidates who have served in the armed forces
The permitted relaxation depends on the candidate's category and applicable eligibility conditions. Candidates should refer to the official Information Bulletin to confirm the maximum relaxation and rules for combining different grounds.
Age Limit for Assistant Professor
There is no upper age limit for candidates applying through CSIR NET for Assistant Professor eligibility, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria.
Age Limit for PhD Admission
There is no upper age limit for candidates appearing for CSIR NET solely for PhD admission. However, candidates must satisfy the admission requirements of the concerned university or institution.