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CSIR UGC NET Physical Sciences — Complete Guide
JRF • Lectureship • Exam Pattern • Full Syllabus 2026
The Joint CSIR-UGC NET determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) — ₹37,000/month for PhD — and Lectureship / Assistant Professorship in universities and colleges. Conducted twice a year (June & December) by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of CSIR. CSIR NET December 2025 was held on December 18, 2025. June 2026 notification expected soon.
Overview
What is the CSIR UGC NET Physical Sciences Examination?
The Joint CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University Grants Commission (UGC). It determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship / Assistant Professorship in the faculty of Science & Technology across Indian universities and colleges.
CSIR NET Physical Sciences covers Physics comprehensively — tested in three parts (A, B, C) totalling 200 marks over 3 hours. The exam is conducted twice a year — typically in June and December. CSIR NET December 2025 was conducted on December 18, 2025. The June 2026 notification is expected at csirnet.nta.ac.in.
Two outcomes flow from qualifying CSIR NET: JRF candidates receive a fellowship of ₹37,000 per month (+ HRA) to pursue PhD at any Indian research institution. Lectureship qualifiers become eligible for Assistant Professor positions in colleges and universities. JRF requires a higher rank — it goes to the top scorers among those who clear the cutoff.
💡 Why CSIR NET + IIT JAM Together?
CSIR NET Physical Sciences and IIT JAM Physics share approximately 75% of their syllabus. A student who clears IIT JAM and joins MSc at an IIT simultaneously builds CSIR NET preparation — the natural next step. Pravegaa’s preparation builds both exam foundations simultaneously, using the same physics depth for both targets.
Conducting Body
National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of CSIR + UGC
Frequency
Twice a year — June & December sessions
Dec 2025 Exam Date
December 18, 2025
June 2026 Notification
Expected March–April 2026 at csirnet.nta.ac.in
Exam Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT) — online at NTA centres
Duration
3 Hours — single paper, three parts
Total Marks
200 marks — Part A (30) + Part B (70) + Part C (100)
JRF Fellowship
₹37,000 per month + HRA — for PhD
Age Limit — JRF
Maximum 28 years (relaxation: +5 SC/ST/PwD/Female, +3 OBC)
Age Limit — Lectureship
No upper age limit
Negative Marking
−25% (¼ mark) for each wrong answer in all parts
Official Website
csirnet.nta.ac.in
Exam Pattern
CSIR NET Physical Sciences — Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
CSIR NET Physical Sciences is a single-paper CBT with three parts totalling 200 marks. All questions are MCQs. Negative marking of 25% (¼ mark) applies to all parts. Part C carries the highest per-question value — it is where JRF ranks are decided.
Part A Strategy
15 compulsory out of 20. General science + aptitude. Attempt with high accuracy. Minimum 10–12 correct needed. Low-difficulty — don’t leave marks on the table.
Part B Strategy
20 out of 25 required. Each worth 3.5M. Target 80–85% of questions you’re confident about. Strong physics foundation converts directly here.
Part C Strategy
20 out of 30 required, worth 5M each. JRF rank is decided here. Never attempt with less than 80% confidence — the ₹1.25M penalty is severe. Deep conceptual preparation is the only path.
Eligibility
CSIR NET Physical Sciences — Eligibility Criteria
🏫 Educational Qualification
🎻 Age Limit
JRF (NET)
Maximum 28 years as on the last date of application
Age Relaxation — SC/ST/PwD/Female
+5 years (up to 33 years)
Age Relaxation — OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
+3 years (up to 31 years)
Lectureship (NET)
No upper age limit
💡 Verify current age relaxation rules at csirnet.nta.ac.in before applying — rules may be updated.
Complete Syllabus
CSIR NET Physical Sciences — Official Syllabus 2026
The CSIR NET Physical Sciences syllabus is divided into Part A (Core) and Part B (Advanced). Part A core topics are tested in Part B of the exam; Part B advanced topics appear in Part C. No fundamental syllabus changes for the June 2026 exam — preparation based on existing material is fully valid.
Part A — Core Syllabus (tested in Part B of exam — 70 marks)
Part B — Advanced Syllabus (tested in Part C of exam — 100 marks)
Mathematical Methods (Advanced)
- Green’s function; PDEs — Laplace, wave, heat equations
- Computational techniques — Runge-Kutta, finite difference
- Tensors; Introductory group theory — SU(2), O(3)
Classical Mechanics (Advanced)
- Poisson brackets & canonical transformations
- Symmetry, invariance & Noether’s theorem
- Hamilton-Jacobi theory
Electromagnetic Theory (Advanced)
- Dispersion relations in plasma
- Lorentz invariance of Maxwell’s equations
- Transmission lines & waveguides; Radiation from moving charges
Quantum Mechanics (Advanced)
- Spin-orbit coupling & fine structure; WKB approximation
- Scattering theory — phase shifts, partial waves, Born approximation
- Relativistic QM — Klein-Gordon & Dirac equations
Thermodynamics & Stat Physics (Advanced)
- First- & second-order phase transitions
- Diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism; Ising model
- Bose-Einstein condensation; Diffusion equation; Brownian motion
Atomic & Molecular Physics
- Spectrum of helium & alkali atoms; Relativistic corrections, hyperfine structure
- LS & JJ couplings; Zeeman, Paschen-Bach & Stark effects
- Rotational, vibrational & Raman spectra; Selection rules
- Lasers — Einstein A & B coefficients, population inversion
Condensed Matter Physics
- Bravais lattices; Reciprocal lattice; Diffraction & structure factor
- Free electron theory; Band theory — metals, insulators, semiconductors
- Superconductivity type-I & II; Josephson junctions; Superfluidity
Nuclear & Particle Physics
- Nuclear size, shape, spin & parity; Semi-empirical mass formula
- Shell model; Alpha, beta & gamma decays & selection rules
- Classification of fundamental forces; Quark model & Standard Model basics
Exam Schedule
CSIR NET Physical Sciences — 2025–2026 Key Dates
📅 Preparation timeline: To be ready for June 2026, begin structured preparation by April 2026 at the latest. Pravegaa’s April 14 batch gives exactly the right preparation window — 8–10 weeks of focused study before June. Book the free demo class →
JRF vs Lectureship
CSIR NET Outcomes — JRF vs Lectureship / Assistant Professorship
JRF — Junior Research Fellowship
Higher rank threshold — most competitiveLectureship / Assistant Professorship
Lower rank threshold — no age limit💡 Key insight: Every CSIR NET exam produces both JRF and Lectureship qualifiers. The distinction is rank — top scorers get JRF, all others above cutoff get Lectureship. Pravegaa’s preparation specifically targets Part C depth — the section that determines JRF rank. AIR 1 in CSIR NET JRF has come from Pravegaa’s programme.
Pravegaa Programmes
CSIR NET Physical Sciences Preparation — Pravegaa Courses
Physics-only institute. Taught by JNU and IIT Delhi alumni. 8,000+ selections. AIR 1 in CSIR NET JRF. Free demo class before any payment.
FAQ
CSIR NET Physical Sciences — Frequently Asked Questions
JRF vs Lectureship, exam pattern, syllabus, 2026 dates, and Pravegaa preparation — answered.
What is the CSIR NET Physical Sciences exam and who should appear for it?
What is the difference between CSIR NET JRF and CSIR NET Lectureship?
What is the CSIR NET Physical Sciences exam pattern for 2026?
When is the CSIR NET June 2026 exam?
What is the CSIR NET Physical Sciences syllabus?
How does Pravegaa prepare students for CSIR NET Physical Sciences?
Related Examinations
Other Physics Competitive Examinations
Free Resources
Free Resources for CSIR NET Physical Sciences
CSIR UGC NET Physical Sciences — Complete Examination Guide 2026
The Joint CSIR-UGC NET (National Eligibility Test) for Physical Sciences is conducted twice a year (June and December) by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of CSIR and UGC. It determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF — ₹37,000/month stipend for PhD) and Lectureship / Assistant Professorship. CSIR NET December 2025 was held on December 18, 2025. June 2026 notification expected March–April 2026 at csirnet.nta.ac.in.
CSIR NET Physical Sciences exam pattern: 200 marks in 3 hours. Part A (30 marks — 15 of 20 questions, 2M each), Part B (70 marks — 20 of 25 questions, 3.5M each, core physics), Part C (100 marks — 20 of 30 questions, 5M each, advanced physics). Negative marking 25% across all parts. Eligibility: MSc Physics / equivalent with 55% (General/OBC) or 50% (SC/ST/PwD). JRF age limit: 28 years (+5 SC/ST/PwD/Female, +3 OBC). No age limit for Lectureship.
Pravegaa Education (28B/7, Jia Sarai, Near IIT Delhi, New Delhi 110016) offers CSIR NET Physics coaching: Online Live ₹28,000, Evening+Weekend ₹28,000, Recorded ₹12,000, Crash Course ₹5,000, Test Series ₹750–₹2,000. Faculty: Atul Gaurav (JNU) and Dr. Alok Shukla (IIT Delhi). 8,000+ selections. AIR 1 CSIR NET JRF. Free demo class — call 8920759559.
Start CSIR NET Preparation
CSIR NET JRF — ₹37,000/month.
The Fellowship That Funds Your Physics Career.
A CSIR NET JRF rank funds your entire PhD — ₹37,000/month for up to 5 years. No other route to a funded PhD in Physics in India is as direct. Pravegaa has produced AIR 1 in CSIR NET JRF and 8,000+ selections. Attend the free demo class and start the programme that gets you there.
📞 8920759559 | 8076563184 • ✉ info@pravegaa.com • 🏦 28B/7 Jia Sarai, Near IIT Delhi