CSIR NET Eligibility 2025 is one of the most important things which a candidate wants to know before appearing for the CSIR NET. The CSIR National Eligibility Test or NET is an exam which is conducted for the candidates to get eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for the purpose of recruitment of Assistant Professors in various universities and colleges in India. If you are preparing for the CSIR NET, then this article will tell you all about the CSIR NET eligibility.
What is CSIR NET Eligibility?
CSIR NET eligibility stands for the eligibility criteria which a candidate must fulfill to become eligible for the CSIR NET exam. The eligibility for the CSIR NET consists of factors such as age limit, educational qualification, and number of attempts allowed. We will discuss the various eligibility factors of CSIR NET below.
CSIR NET Educational Qualification 2025
Educational Qualification is one of the most basic requirements for any exam. CSIR NET eligibility requires the candidate to have the appropriate educational qualification.
CSIR NET Eligibility For JRF:
- Candidates appearing for the CSIR NET for Junior Research Fellowship must have an M.Sc. degree in the disciplines of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences.
- The candidate must have qualified the M.Sc. degree with a minimum of 55% marks in the case of general category and with 50% marks in the reserved category.
CSIR NET Eligibility For Assistant Professor:
- Candidates appearing for the CSIR NET for the Assistant Professor post must have an M.Sc. degree in Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences.
- There is no percentage criteria mentioned for the Assistant Professor qualification. The candidate will only be eligible for recruitment in colleges and universities on the basis of the CSIR NET exam score.
CSIR NET Age Limit 2025
CSIR NET eligibility also depends upon the age of the candidate. There is an age limit for CSIR NET eligibility which is as follows:
CSIR NET Eligibility Age For JRF:
- Candidates applying for Junior Research Fellowship can apply to CSIR NET with a maximum age of 28 years on the date of the exam. For the reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC) and Women category candidates, there is relaxation in age.
- OBC Candidates: The maximum age for OBC candidates is increased by 3 years which is 31 years.
- SC/ST and Women Candidates: The maximum age for SC/ST and women category candidates is increased by 5 years which is 33 years.
CSIR NET Eligibility Age For Assistant Professor:
- There is no upper age limit for the candidates applying for the post of Assistant Professor.
- Any candidate having the required educational qualification can apply for the post.
CSIR NET Attempts
The number of attempts which a candidate can make for the CSIR NET is also an important eligibility criteria. There is a difference in the number of attempts based on the JRF and Assistant Professor eligibility criteria.
CSIR NET Eligibility Attempts For JRF:
- The number of attempts allowed for the CSIR NET for Junior Research Fellowship is 5 times.
- After 5 attempts, the candidate will no longer be eligible to appear for the exam for Junior Research Fellowship but can appear for the exam for Assistant Professor.
CSIR NET Eligibility Attempts For Assistant Professor:
- There is no limit to the number of attempts for the CSIR NET for Assistant Professor qualification.
CSIR NET Reservation Policy
The CSIR NET follows the reservation policy as stated by the Government of India rules for reservations.
Reservation Policy for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer):
- OBC candidates are provided a relaxation of 3 years on the age limit for CSIR NET eligibility.
Reservation Policy for SC/ST:
- Candidates belonging to SC/ST categories are provided with a relaxation of 5 years in the age limit.
- These candidates are also provided a relaxation in the qualifying marks.
Reservation Policy for PWD (Person with Disabilities):
- Candidates with disabilities are also given a relaxation of 5 years in the age limit and relaxation in qualifying marks.
Reservation Policy for Women Candidates:
- Female candidates are also provided with a relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit for CSIR NET eligibility.
CSIR NET Eligibility 2025
The CSIR NET exam date 2025 is just around the corner, and candidates must know what all to expect before appearing for the exam. As mentioned above, we will be covering the CSIR NET eligibility criteria for the year 2025 session in this section.
CSIR NET Eligibility 2025 is expected to be the same as the previous years. However, it is advised to always check the official CSIR NET website for eligibility and any minute changes to the same.
CSIR NET Qualification Requirements 2025
- As per the above discussion, CSIR NET eligibility 2025 will still require the candidates to have the Master’s degree in the relevant fields as M.Sc. in Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and other such related disciplines.
- The minimum qualifying percentage of the candidate must be 55% for the general category and 50% for the reserved category. This is to ensure that the candidate has met the qualifying standards and that a large number of talented candidates are given a chance to appear for the exam.
CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria 2025
The CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria is as given below:
| Criteria | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Assistant Professor |
| Age Limit (General) | 28 years | No upper age limit |
| Age Limit (OBC) | 31 years | No upper age limit |
| Age Limit (SC/ST/PWD/Women) | 33 years | No upper age limit |
| Educational Qualification | Master’s Degree (M.Sc.) | Master’s Degree (M.Sc.) |
| Number of Attempts | 5 attempts | Unlimited attempts |
CSIR NET 2025 Things to Remember
Following are some things to keep in mind about the CSIR NET exam eligibility:
- Age Relaxation: All the various categories (OBC, SC/ST, Women, PWD) have certain relaxations provided to them on the basis of the age. Check the relaxation guidelines to be sure of the exact age relaxation as per your category.
- Educational Qualifications: Your M.Sc. degree (or any other equivalent) must be from a recognized institution, and you must have qualified the same with the required percentage.
- Eligibility for Assistant Professor: As there is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor, anyone with the required educational qualification can apply for this post even if the candidate has crossed the JRF age limit.
- CSIR NET Attempts: There is a limitation of 5 attempts for the JRF. But once you have completed 5 attempts for JRF, you can attempt CSIR NET exam for the Assistant Professor without any limitations on the number of attempts.
- Reservation: As per the reservation policy, be sure to check the reservation for your particular category to avail all the facilities provided.
CSIR NET Reservation Policy 2025
The CSIR NET Reservation Policy is as follows:
| Category | Age Relaxation | Percentage Relaxation |
| General | No Relaxation | No Relaxation |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years | No Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 years | 5% Relaxation |
| PWD | 5 years | 5% Relaxation |
| Women Candidates | 5 years | No Relaxation |
Conclusion
CSIR NET eligibility 2025 contains the exam’s age limit, educational qualifications, number of attempts allowed, reservation, and other information that you must meet before you can apply for it. Clearing the exam will help you get a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or an Assistant Professor job, so make sure you meet all of the eligibility requirements for the CSIR NET exam before you get started with your preparation.
CSIR NET Eligibility FAQs
Can I apply for CSIR NET without a valid M.Sc. degree?
No, you must hold a valid M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field to be eligible to apply for the CSIR NET exam.
What is the age limit for the CSIR NET exam in 2025?
The age limit for CSIR NET eligibility is 28 years for the JRF (general category), OBC has 31 years, and SC/ST/PWD/Women category have 33 years. There is no age limit for the Assistant Professor eligibility.
How many attempts can I make for CSIR NET exam?
Candidates are allowed to make 5 attempts for CSIR NET for Junior Research Fellowship. For the Assistant Professor category, there is no limit to the number of attempts.
What is the CSIR NET reservation policy?
CSIR NET follows a reservation policy which includes age and percentage relaxations for the various categories like SC/ST, OBC, PWD, and Women candidates. Detailed information about the same is given in the official eligibility guidelines.
