Differences between UGC NET and CSIR UGC NET
Every year, huge number of candidates appear for the NET (National Eligibility Test). The test is conducted for determining the eligibility for college and university level lectureship and for awarding the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to Indian nationals for pursuing their Ph.D or research. But there are many candidates who are confused between UGC NET and CSIR-UGC NET. Although the purpose of conducting both these exams is the same, there is a difference in the subjects involved.
Here are the main differences between UGC NET and CSIR UGC NET.
- CSIR UGC NET, UGC NET
What is CSIR UGC NET ?
CSIR stands for Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). It is a premier national R&D organisation and is among the world’s largest publicly funded R&D organisation. CSIR conducts the Joint CSIR UGC NET, which is a national level entrance examination in the field of Science.
What is CBSE UGC NET ?
UGC (University Grants Commission) is a statutory organisation, which was established by the Union government in 1956. Its main objective is to provide recognition to the Indian universities, and provide funds to such recognised universities and colleges.
CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) now conducts this exam, on behalf of UGC for the post of Lecturer and for providing the JRF for Indian nationals in order to ensure minimum standards for the entrants in the teaching profession and in research.
- Difference in Stream
The CSIR NET conducted for the Science stream, including Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Earth Atmospheric Ocean and Planetary Sciences.
Whereas the UGC NET is conducted for all the other streams, CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) now conducts this exam, on behalf of UGC for the post of Lecturer and for providing the JRF for Indian nationals in order to ensure minimum standards for the entrants in the teaching profession and in research.
The exam is conducted in streams such as Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce, etc.
- Difference in Paper Pattern
Paper pattern of UGC NET
The paper will be divided into three parts:
Paper I: The questions will be general in nature. The duration of the paper will be one hour 15 minutes. It will comprise of 60 questions, out of which the candidates are required to attempt 50 questions. It will carry a total of 100 marks.
Paper II: The questions will be asked from the subject opted by the candidate. The duration of the paper will be one hour 15 minutes. It will consist of 50 questions, all of which are compulsory. It will carry a total of 100 marks.
Paper III: The questions will be asked from the subject opted by the candidate. The duration of the paper will be two hours and 30 minutes. It will comprise of 70 questions, all of which are compulsory. It will carry a total of 150 marks.
Paper pattern of CSIR-UGC NET
The exam is conducted for the following subjects:
Chemical Sciences
Earth Sciences
Life Sciences
Mathematical Sciences
Physical Sciences
The duration of the exam will be three hours.
- Difference in Eligibility
As per the CBSE UGC NET Eligibility Criteria
The candidates should have a post-graduation degree (in the any of the UGC NET subjects) passed with 55% (for General Candidates) or 50% (for ST/SC/PWD/OBC) marks.
Upper Age Limit – 28 Years
As per the CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria
The candidates should have passed M.Sc. / Integrated BS-MS / BS-4 Years / BE/B-Tech / B-Pharma / MBBS with 55% (for General Candidates) or 50% (for ST/SC/PWD/OBC) marks.
Upper Age Limit – 28 Years
- Difference in Minimum Marks to be obtained
CBSE UGC NET Minimum marks to be obtained
The candidates are required to obtain minimum marks separately in Paper-I, Paper-II and Paper –III as given below:
| Category | Minimum Marks (%) to be obtained | ||
| Paper-I | Paper-II | Paper-III | |
| General | 40 (40%) | 40 (40%) | 75 (50%) |
| ST/SC/PWD/OBC | 35 (35%) | 35 (35%) | 60 (40%) |
CSIR UGC NET Minimum marks to be obtained
Candidates to be eligible for Lectureship should secure cutoff score as per category. CSIR will fix cutoff score for each discipline – Chemical Science, Earth Science, Life Science, Mathematical Science and Physical Sciences. Based on the CSIR UGC NET cutoff 2017, the result will be declared. Candidates can check in the table below for CSIR UGC NET cutoff 2017 for Lectureship.
| Lectureship (NET) | |||||
| Subject | Unreserved | OBC | SC | ST | PWD |
| Chemical Sciences | 49.95 % | 43.43 % | 36.22 % | 27.00 % | 25.87% |
| Earth Sciences | 48.35 % | 41.45 % | 34.75% | 29.34 % | 25.00% |
| Life Sciences | 49.50 % | 40.50 % | 33.30 % | 28.35% | 25.00% |
| Mathematical Sciences | 45.34 % | 38.59 % | 30.72 % | 25.00% | 25.00% |
| Physical Sciences | 36.57 % | 31.39 % | 26.32 % | 25.00% | |