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CSIR NET Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research NET (JRF / LS)

Sections
5
Topics
28
Sub-topics
280
Stages
2

The CSIR NET (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research NET (JRF / LS)) syllabus is organised into 5 sections: Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness and Professional Knowledge / Domain Awareness. Together they cover 28 topics and 280 sub-topics, tested in CSIR-NET Exam and CSIR-NET Domain Test. Below you will find every section's topics, the exam pattern and answers to common questions.

About the exam and pattern

CSIR-NET is conducted for JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) and Lectureship (LS) eligibility in Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Per CSIR-NET notification: Part A (General Aptitude — 20 Q) + Part B (Subject-related — 40-50 Q) + Part C (Higher-level — 60-75 Q). Tests research aptitude and subject expertise.

Exam pattern: Online CBT (Part A + B + C) — CSIR-NET

Where the marks are

Share of total marks by section

CSIR-NET Exam

  • Reasoning25%25 marks · 25 Qs
  • English Language25%25 marks · 25 Qs
  • Quantitative Aptitude25%25 marks · 25 Qs
  • General Awareness25%25 marks · 25 Qs

Tap a sub-topic to start studying it.

  • Puzzles & Arrangements (Seating, Floor, Scheduling)

    ~2 marks
  • Syllogism, Inequality & Statement-Conclusion

    ~2 marks
  • Coding-Decoding, Series, Analogy & Classification

    ~2 marks
  • Blood Relations, Direction Sense & Order Ranking

    ~2 marks
  • Input-Output, Scheduling & Calendar/Clock

    ~2 marks
  • Data Sufficiency, Critical Reasoning & Misc Reasoning

    ~2 marks
Take a mock test

Exam pattern at a glance

Online CBT (Part A + B + C) — CSIR-NET

High-weightage CSIR NET topics

  1. 1Puzzles & Arrangements (Seating, Floor, Scheduling)Reasoning~2 marks
  2. 2Syllogism, Inequality & Statement-ConclusionReasoning~2 marks
  3. 3Coding-Decoding, Series, Analogy & ClassificationReasoning~2 marks
  4. 4Blood Relations, Direction Sense & Order RankingReasoning~2 marks
  5. 5Input-Output, Scheduling & Calendar/ClockReasoning~2 marks
  6. 6Data Sufficiency, Critical Reasoning & Misc ReasoningReasoning~2 marks
  7. 7English GrammarEnglish Language~2 marks
  8. 8English GrammarEnglish Language~2 marks

CSIR NET section-wise syllabus

Reasoning

CSIR-NET Exam · 6 topics · 60 sub-topics

  • Puzzles & Arrangements (Seating, Floor, Scheduling)
  • Syllogism, Inequality & Statement-Conclusion
  • Coding-Decoding, Series, Analogy & Classification
  • Blood Relations, Direction Sense & Order Ranking
  • Input-Output, Scheduling & Calendar/Clock
  • Data Sufficiency, Critical Reasoning & Misc Reasoning
Full Reasoning syllabus

General Awareness

CSIR-NET Exam · 6 topics · 60 sub-topics

  • Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
  • Indian Geography (Physical, Climate, Resources)
  • Indian Polity & Constitution
  • Indian Economy (Planning, Agriculture, Industry, Banking)
  • General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
  • Current Affairs & Static GK
Full General Awareness syllabus

Frequently asked questions

What is the CSIR NET syllabus?

The CSIR NET syllabus has 5 sections: Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness and Professional Knowledge / Domain Awareness. Together they cover 28 topics and 280 sub-topics.

What is the CSIR NET exam pattern?

Online CBT (Part A + B + C) — CSIR-NET. Stages: CSIR-NET Exam, CSIR-NET Domain Test.

How many questions come from each CSIR NET section?

Reasoning: 25 questions (25 marks); English Language: 25 questions (25 marks); Quantitative Aptitude: 25 questions (25 marks); General Awareness: 25 questions (25 marks); Professional Knowledge / Domain Awareness: 50 questions (50 marks). Numbers can change with each notification.

Which CSIR NET topics carry the most marks?

By weightage in the syllabus data: Puzzles & Arrangements (Seating, Floor, Scheduling) (Reasoning, ~2 marks), Syllogism, Inequality & Statement-Conclusion (Reasoning, ~2 marks), Coding-Decoding, Series, Analogy & Classification (Reasoning, ~2 marks), Blood Relations, Direction Sense & Order Ranking (Reasoning, ~2 marks), Input-Output, Scheduling & Calendar/Clock (Reasoning, ~2 marks).

How can I prepare for CSIR NET on Topicly?

Open any CSIR NET topic on this page and choose how to study it: step-by-step chat, quizzes, mock tests, formula sheets or a voice call with Sia, your personal teacher. Your progress is saved topic by topic, and it's free to start.

Is this the official CSIR NET syllabus?

It is compiled from the official CSIR NET notification and exam pattern for study purposes. The conducting body can change the syllabus, so always confirm with the latest official notification.

Compiled from official notifications for study purposes. Always confirm with the conducting body's latest notification.