If you’re planning to become an Assistant Professor or qualify for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in India, you’ve probably come across two major national-level exams:
While both serve similar purposes, they cater to different academic domains and are conducted by different bodies.
In this blog, let’s break down the key differences between UGC NET and CSIR NET, eligibility, subjects, conducting bodies, and which one’s right for your career goal.
UGC NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the UGC. It’s held twice a year and determines eligibility for:
Professor Academy offers expert-led online coaching for all UGC NET subjects.
CSIR UGC NET (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – NET) is conducted specifically for science stream candidates.
The exam is jointly conducted by CSIR and NTA, primarily for:
Ideal for students from B.Sc, M.Sc, and other science backgrounds aiming for a research or teaching career in STEM.
| Criteria | UGC NET | CSIR UGC NET |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | NTA on behalf of CSIR |
| Eligibility Fields | Humanities, Commerce, Arts, Management | Science and Engineering Streams |
| Subjects Covered | 85 subjects | 5 science subjects |
| Exam Pattern | 2 papers: General + Subject Specific | Part A (general aptitude), Part B and Part C (both subject-specific) |
| JRF/Assistant Prof. Negative Marks |
Yes, for both Not there |
Yes, for both Negative marks will be there |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to High | High, with more emphasis on core science |
If you hold a postgraduate degree (MA, MCom, MBA, M.Ed, LLM, etc.) in non-science disciplines and aspire to become a college lecturer or researcher, UGC NET is for you.
Example: A Commerce postgraduate aiming for an Assistant Professor post in a university.
If you’re a science stream candidate (MSc or equivalent) in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, etc., and dream of working in research labs or teaching in science departments, choose CSIR NET.
Example: An MSc Physics student aiming to do a PhD and later teach in IITs or universities.
Both exams offer excellent academic and research opportunities:
| Choose UGC NET if… | Choose CSIR UGC NET if… |
| You’re from a non-science background (Arts, Commerce, Law, etc.) | You have a Science/Engineering background |
| You want to teach in colleges or pursue a PhD in humanities or management | You can work in any CSIR NET subject related colleges or teach in technical institutions |
Whether it’s UGC NET or CSIR NET, Professor Academy offers 100% online coaching, detailed study plans, mock tests, and expert mentorship to help you crack the exam with top ranks.
New CSIR NET August Batch & UGC NET December Batch Now Enrolling!
Live + Recorded Classes | Notes | Daily Tests | Full-Length Mock Tests
Visit: https://professoracademy.com
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