The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the notification for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2025 examination, marking the beginning of the application process for aspiring researchers and lecturers. The registration window opened on 25 September 2025, and candidates can submit their applications online through the official website – csirnet.nta.nic.in.
According to the notification, the last date to apply is 24 October 2025 (till 11:50 PM), while the deadline to pay the examination fee is 25 October 2025. NTA has also provided an application correction window from 27 to 29 October 2025, allowing candidates to make necessary edits in their forms before the process closes.
The exam is scheduled for 18 December 2025 and will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode. The paper will be held in two shifts – 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with each session lasting 180 minutes. Candidates will be able to download their city intimation slip and admit cards from the official portal in the weeks leading up to the exam.
The CSIR-UGC NET primarily assesses candidates in science and allied disciplines, including Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Earth/Atmospheric/Planetary Sciences. Successful candidates may qualify for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges. While there is an upper age limit of 30 years for JRF aspirants, there is no age restriction for those applying only for Assistant Professor positions.
Meanwhile, the notification for the general UGC NET December 2025 cycle, which covers subjects in humanities, commerce, management, and social sciences, is still awaited. Aspirants are advised to keep a close watch on the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in for the upcoming update.
With the December session now confirmed for the CSIR-UGC NET, experts suggest that candidates should begin or intensify their preparation, keeping in mind the prescribed syllabus and exam pattern, which remains largely unchanged from previous cycles. The December exam is seen as a crucial opportunity for thousands of postgraduates aiming to advance their careers in research and higher education.
