The CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2025 provides a deep look into how the exam was structured, its level of difficulty, and how well students performed. The exam was held from 28th February to 2nd March 2025 by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It followed the same pattern as previous years, with exams held in two shifts daily across five subjects. Each subject paper had three sections: Part A (General Aptitude), Part B (Subject-related questions), and Part C (Analytical and application-based questions).
Let’s explore the CSIR NET 2025 exam in detail, including shift-wise and subject-wise analysis, difficulty level, good attempts, and marking scheme.
CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2025 Overview
The CSIR NET December 2024 session, which was conducted in early 2025, aimed to test the understanding of students in core science fields. The exam was online, and candidates appeared for it across various centers in India. Each paper lasted 3 hours and was available in both English and Hindi.
Here is a quick overview of the CSIR NET 2025 exam structure:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | CSIR NET December 2024 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Dates | 28 February to 2 March 2025 |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Shifts | Shift 1: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Shift 2: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Medium of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Subjects Covered | Earth, Chemical, Life, Mathematical, Physical Sciences |
| Official Website | csirnet.nta.ac.in |
Also Read: CSIR NET Exam Date
CSIR NET Physical Science Exam Analysis 2025
The Physical Science paper was held on 2nd March 2025 in Shift 1. Students found the Part A (aptitude) easier compared to the rest. However, Parts B and C were more conceptual and required deep understanding. Some numerical questions in Part C were reported as time-consuming.
| Part Name | Total MCQs | Total Questions Attempted | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
| Part A | 20 | 15 | 10-13 | Easy to Moderate |
| Part B | 25 | 20 | 15-17 | Moderate |
| Part C | 30 | 20 | 11-17 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Total | 75 | 55 | 37-43 | Moderate |
CSIR NET Life Science Exam Analysis 2025
The Life Science paper saw balanced question distribution. The Part A section was easier, but the Part B and C sections included more data-based and concept-based questions.
| Part Name | Total MCQs | Max Questions to Attempt | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
| Part A | 20 | 15 | 11-13 | Easy to Moderate |
| Part B | 50 | 35 | 22-29 | Moderate |
| Part C | 75 | 25 | 17-20 | Moderate |
| Total | 145 | 75 | 50-62 | Moderate |
CSIR NET Mathematical Science Exam Analysis 2025
This exam was conducted in the morning shift on 28 February 2025. Students found the Part A easier. The main challenge was in Part C, where some questions needed long calculations. Time management was important for this subject.
| Part Name | Total MCQs | Total Questions Attempted | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
| Part A | 20 | 15 | 10-13 | Easy to Moderate |
| Part B | 40 | 25 | 21-22 | Moderate |
| Part C | 60 | 20 | 12-16 | Moderate |
| Total | 120 | 60 | 43-52 | Moderate |
CSIR NET Earth Science Exam Analysis 2025
Held on 28 February 2025, the Earth Science paper had a good mix of conceptual and fact-based questions. Part B was considered the toughest by many students, while Part A was again easier to solve.
| Part Name | Total MCQs | Max Questions to Attempt | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
| Part A | 20 | 15 | 12-13 | Easy to Moderate |
| Part B | 50 | 35 | 25-31 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Part C | 80 | 25 | 18-22 | Moderate |
| Total | 150 | 75 | 55-66 | Moderate |
CSIR NET Chemical Science Exam Analysis 2025
The Chemical Science paper showed a mix of theory-based and application-based questions. Part C was more analytical, and Part B had many conceptual questions. Overall, the paper was well-balanced.
| Part Name | Total MCQs | Max Questions to Attempt | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
| Part A | 20 | 15 | 10-12 | Easy to Moderate |
| Part B | 40 | 35 | 25-32 | Moderate |
| Part C | 60 | 25 | 17-20 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 120 | 75 | 60-63 | Easy to Moderate |
CSIR NET Exam 2025 Marking Scheme
The CSIR NET 2025 marking scheme changes slightly depending on the subject. Each part has different marks for correct and incorrect answers. This makes it important for students to be careful while attempting questions.
Here is a clear table showing how the marks are given and deducted for each subject:
| Subject | Total Marks | Negative Marking | Positive Marks |
| Mathematical Science | 200 | A: -0.5, B: -0.75, C: 0 | A: +2, B: +3, C: +4.75 |
| Physical Science | 200 | A: -0.5, B: -0.875, C: -1.25 | A: +2, B: +3.5, C: +5 |
| Chemical Science | 200 | A: -0.5, B: -0.5, C: -1 | A: +2, B: +2, C: +4 |
| Earth Science | 200 | A: -0.5, B: -0.5, C: -1 | A: +2, B: +2, C: +4 |
| Life Science | 200 | A: -0.5, B: -0.5, C: -1 | A: +2, B: +2, C: +4 |
Also Read: CSIR NET Syllabus
Conclusion
The CSIR NET Exam 2025 was conducted smoothly across all subjects and shifts. Most students found the exam moderate in difficulty, with Parts B and C posing greater challenges. Success in this exam required clear concepts, strong problem-solving skills, and good time management. Students who practiced sample papers and followed the syllabus closely performed well.
This detailed CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2025 will help future candidates understand the exam pattern and prepare better.
CSIR NET Exam Analysis 2025 FAQs
How many good attempts are needed to qualify the CSIR NET exam?
Good attempts vary by subject, but generally, 50 to 65 questions answered correctly can lead to a good score, depending on accuracy.
Which part of the paper was easiest across subjects?
Part A (General Aptitude) was the easiest in almost all subjects. It included basic math and logical reasoning questions.
Is there negative marking in CSIR NET 2025?
Yes, there is negative marking in all parts except Part C of Mathematical Science. The amount of deduction varies by subject and section.
How is the CSIR NET exam conducted?
The exam is conducted online in a computer-based format by the National Testing Agency (NTA) across two shifts each day.
