CSIR NET Physics — Exam Pattern

Source: official CSIR-HRDG / NTA Information Bulletins.

Overview

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 3 hours (single session)
• Total marks: 200
• Total questions: 75 (you attempt a fixed sub-set per part)
• Language: English & Hindi
• Negative marking: Yes — applies to each part (see below)

Section-wise structure

Syllabus — Part A (General Aptitude)

• Numerical ability — number system, percentages, ratio & proportion
• Quantitative reasoning — averages, time–speed–distance, work, profit & loss
• Data interpretation — tables, bar/line/pie charts
• Series & analogies, coding-decoding, direction sense
• Mensuration — area, volume, surface area
• Basic statistics — mean, median, mode, probability
• Graphical analysis, puzzles and logical reasoning

Syllabus — Part B (Core Physical Sciences)

Direct concept questions on the standard Master's-level Physics syllabus. Core topics from each of the official 10 units:

• Mathematical Methods of Physics — vector calculus; linear algebra & matrices; ODEs (1st/2nd order); special functions (Hermite, Bessel, Laguerre, Legendre); Fourier series; Fourier & Laplace transforms; complex analysis (Taylor/Laurent, residues); elementary probability (binomial, Poisson, normal); central limit theorem.
• Classical Mechanics — Newton's laws; phase space & stability; central force motion; two-body collisions in Lab/CM frames; rigid-body dynamics & inertia tensor; non-inertial frames; Lagrangian & Hamiltonian formalism; conservation laws & cyclic coords; small oscillations & normal modes; special relativity (Lorentz transforms, mass-energy).
• Electromagnetic Theory — Gauss's law; Laplace/Poisson boundary-value problems; Biot-Savart & Ampere; EM induction; Maxwell's equations in vacuum & linear media; boundary conditions; scalar/vector potentials & gauge invariance; EM waves in free space; dielectrics & conductors; reflection, refraction, polarization, Fresnel; interference, coherence, diffraction; charged-particle dynamics in static EM fields.
• Quantum Mechanics — wave-particle duality; Schrödinger equation (TI & TD); particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, tunneling; coordinate & momentum representations; commutators, uncertainty; Dirac notation; central potential, orbital angular momentum algebra, spin, addition of angular momenta; H-atom; Stern-Gerlach; time-independent perturbation theory; variational method; time-dependent perturbation theory & Fermi's golden rule; identical particles & Pauli exclusion.
• Thermodynamic & Statistical Physics — laws of thermodynamics; thermodynamic potentials & Maxwell relations; chemical potential & phase equilibria; phase space, micro/macro states; micro-canonical, canonical, grand-canonical ensembles & partition functions; classical & quantum statistics; ideal Bose & Fermi gases; principle of detailed balance; blackbody radiation & Planck's law.
• Electronics & Experimental Methods — semiconductor devices (diodes, BJTs, FETs, hetero-junctions); opto-electronic devices (solar cells, photo-detectors, LEDs); operational amplifiers & applications; digital techniques (registers, counters, comparators); A/D & D/A converters; microprocessor & microcontroller basics; data interpretation; precision/accuracy; error propagation & least-squares fitting.

Syllabus — Part C (Higher-order Physical Sciences)

Analytical, multi-concept problems. Carries the highest weight and decides the JRF rank in most cycles.

• Mathematical Methods (Advanced) — Green's functions; PDEs (Laplace, wave, heat in 2D/3D); computational techniques (root finding, interpolation, trapezoid/Simpson integration, Runge-Kutta, finite-difference); tensors; introductory group theory: SU(2), O(3).
• Classical Mechanics (Advanced) — dynamical systems & phase-space stability; 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 & dipoles; retarded potentials.
• Quantum Mechanics (Advanced) — spin-orbit coupling & fine structure; WKB approximation; elementary scattering theory (phase shifts, partial waves, Born approximation); relativistic QM (Klein-Gordon, Dirac); semi-classical theory of radiation.
• Thermodynamic & Statistical Physics (Advanced) — 1st & 2nd order phase transitions; diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism; Ising model; Bose-Einstein condensation; diffusion equation; random walk & Brownian motion; non-equilibrium processes.
• Electronics & Experimental Methods (Advanced) — linear/non-linear curve fitting, chi-square; transducers (temperature, pressure, magnetic, optical, particle detectors); signal conditioning & recovery; impedance matching; instrumentation amplifiers & feedback; filtering, noise reduction, shielding & grounding; Fourier transforms; lock-in & box-car detection; modulation; high-frequency devices.
• Atomic & Molecular Physics — quantum states of atomic electrons; electron spin; spectra of He & alkali atoms; relativistic corrections in H-atom; hyperfine structure & isotopic shift; line widths; LS & jj coupling; Zeeman, Paschen-Bach, Stark effects; ESR; NMR & chemical shift; Franck-Condon principle; Born-Oppenheimer; electronic/rotational/vibrational/Raman spectra of diatomics & selection rules; lasers (Einstein A/B coefficients, optical pumping, rate equations, modes & coherence).
• Condensed Matter Physics — Bravais & reciprocal lattices; diffraction & structure factor; bonding; elastic properties, phonons, lattice specific heat; free-electron theory & electronic specific heat; response & relaxation; Drude model; Hall effect & thermo-power; band theory (metals, insulators, semiconductors); superconductivity (Type-I/II), Josephson junctions; superfluidity; defects & dislocations; liquid crystals & quasi-crystals.
• Nuclear & Particle Physics — nuclear size/shape/charge, spin & parity; binding energy & semi-empirical mass formula; liquid drop model; nucleon-nucleon potential, charge symmetry; deuteron; single-particle shell model & limitations; rotational spectra; α/β/γ decay & selection rules; fission, fusion; nuclear reactions (compound nucleus, direct reactions); fundamental forces; elementary particles & quantum numbers (charge, spin, parity, isospin, strangeness); Gell-Mann–Nishijima; quark model, baryons & mesons; C, P, T invariance; parity non-conservation in weak interaction; relativistic kinematics.

Eligibility

Educational qualification

• M.Sc. or equivalent in Physical Sciences (Physics, Applied Physics, Biophysics, etc.) with at least 55% marks for General/EWS/OBC and 50% for SC/ST/PwBD/Third-gender candidates.
• B.E. / B.Tech / B.Pharma / MBBS / Integrated BS-MS / B.S. (4-year) candidates with the same marks criteria are also eligible.
• Candidates appearing in the final year / awaiting result may apply as Result Awaited (RA); the qualifying degree must be completed within two years of result declaration.

Age limit (as on 1st of the month of exam)

• JRF (NET): Upper age limit 30 years; 5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwBD/Third-gender/Female candidates and 3 years for OBC-NCL.
• Lectureship / Assistant Professorship (NET): No upper age limit.
• PhD-only (NET): No upper age limit.

Award & eligibility — three categories

1. JRF (Junior Research Fellowship): Top scorers within the JRF cutoff — qualifies for CSIR fellowship and PhD admission across UGC-recognised universities and CSIR labs.
2. Lectureship / Assistant Professorship: Separate, lower cutoff — eligibility for Assistant Professor recruitment in Indian universities & colleges.
3. PhD-only admission NEW — newly introduced separate cutoff for PhD admission in central universities and institutes (replaces UGC NET's earlier "PhD only" stream). Candidates qualifying only this band are eligible for PhD admission but not for JRF or Lectureship.

Exam dates — Dec 2025 & July 2026 cycles

Always cross-check with the official notification on csirnet.nta.ac.in.

Exam cities

CSIR-UGC NET December 2025 was conducted across 222 cities in India (Appendix-VIII of the official NTA Information Bulletin). The full state-wise list:

Candidates choose up to four preferred cities while applying; the final allocation is decided by NTA based on availability.