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What is the Difference Between UGC NET and CSIR NET?

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 13th, 2023

Difference between UGC NET and CSIR NET: The CSIR NET and UGC NET are exams used to assess whether someone is eligible for teaching at the college or university level or to receive the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for pursuing a Ph.D. program or research. Many people apply for and prepare for both exams simultaneously. This is where the question comes in – what is the difference between UGC NET and CSIR NET? Let’s find out by comparing the two exams on different parameters.

Difference between UGC NET and CSIR NET

Understanding the difference between the UGC NET and CSIR NET exams is essential before beginning exam preparation. We have summarized the differences between the two prestigious examinations in this article. The differences have been divided into various subheads, such as exam conducting body, exam mode, career scope, exam pattern, and so on, to facilitate comparison and comprehension.

The major difference between UGC NET and CSIR NET exams is based on the following parameters:

  • Exam Convener Body
  • Exam Subjects
  • Exam Pattern
  • Mode of Examination
  • Eligibility Criteria
  • Career Scope

We will now discuss each of these in-depth to help you understand the difference between CSIR NET and UGC NET. The following points will distinguish the exams of UGC and CSIR NET:

1. CSIR NET vs. UGC NET: The Exam Conducting Body

One of the biggest difference between UGC NET and CSIR NET is that UGC NET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission. On the other hand, CSIR NET (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test) is conducted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Exam Name

Exam Conducting Body

CSIR NET Exam

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

UGC NET Exam

National Testing University (NTA)

Note: Both exams are conducted twice a year.

2. CSIR NET vs. UGC NET: Exam Subjects

The number of subjects covered on the CSIR NET Exam and the UGC NET Exam are two major distinctions. The UGC NET exam covers 84 subjects other than the science stream, whereas the CSIR NET exam covers just 5. CSIR NET is conducted for 5 different subjects of the Science stream. These are:

  1. Chemical Science
  2. Earth Science
  3. Life Science
  4. Physical Science
  5. Mathematical Science

Candidates can go through the list of UGC NET Subjects before applying for the exam.

3. UGC NET vs. CSIR NET: Exam Pattern

Another major difference between UGC NET and CSIR NET is the exam pattern and candidates must have a clear understanding of it. The exam pattern will determine how each exam should be prepared. The UGC NET exam pattern and the CSIR NET exam pattern differ significantly. The UGC NET is an objective-type online exam with two papers and all required questions. There is no negative marking on any of the papers, and the pattern is consistent across all subjects. Here is the detailed pattern for UGC National Eligibility Test.

Paper

Subjects

Marks (2 marks each)

Number of questions

I

General Aptitude (common for all)

100

50

II

The candidate chooses the subject.

200

100

On the contrary, the CSIR NET Exam Pattern consists of only a single paper with three sections (Part A, Part B, and Part C). The marking scheme is different for different subjects. Unlike the UGC NET exam, there is a negative marking of 25% marks for every incorrect answer. The CSIR NET Exam is conducted for 3 hours.

Section

Subject

Total Marks

No. of questions

Marks for each correct question

Negative marking

Maximum no. of questions to be attempted

Part A

General Aptitude

30

20 (for every subject)

2 (For every subject)

0.5 (for every subject)

15 (for every subject)

Part B

Subject Paper

70

25-50 (subject-wise)

2-3.5 (subject-wise)

0.5-0.875 (subject-wise)

20-35 (Subject-wise)

Part C

Scientific Concepts

100

30-75 (subject-wise)

4-5 (subject-wise)

1-1.32 (subject-wise)

20-25 (Subject-wise)

4. UGC NET vs. CSIR NET: Mode of Examination

CSIR NET is conducted offline, i.e., pen/pencil –paper mode. Whereas the UGC NET exam is now conducted online as a computer-based test (CBT). Earlier, it was also conducted in offline mode.

5. CSIR NET vs. UGC NET: Eligibility Criteria

The exam conducting authorities set the eligibility requirements for both exams in different ways.The eligibility criteria for UGC NET is a master’s degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks, while for CSIR NET, a candidate should hold a B.Tech, B.E, B.Pharma, MBBS, or an equivalent degree with at least 55% marks. Read about them in detail below.

UGC NET Eligibility

CSIR NET Eligibility

  • Candidates who have obtained a minimum of 55% marks (General category) and 50% (SC/ST/PwD) in Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognized by UGC in the list of subjects at the Post-graduation level are eligible for this Test.
  • Candidates who are currently in their Master’s degree course or equivalent course or candidates who have appeared for their Master’s degree (final year) examination and whose result is still awaited may also apply for this Test.
  • Upper Age Limit is 30 years (For JRF).
  • Relaxation of up to 5 years for sc/st/OBC-NCL/women/armed forces personnel/PWD/ transgender/ researchers, 3 years for L.L.M degree holder.
  • No upper age limit is set for applying for Assistant Professor.
  • The candidates who have secured at least 55% marks (General category) and 50% (SC/ST/PwD) (without rounding off) in M.Sc. / BS-4 Years / Integrated BS-M, BE/B-Tech / MBBS /B-Pharma.
  • Candidates pursuing their Master’s degree or equivalent course or candidates who have appeared for their Master’s degree (final year) examination and whose result is still awaited may also apply for this Test.
  • Upper Age Limit is 28 years (for JRF).
  • Relaxation of up to 5 years in sc/st/PWD/women and 3 years for OBC-NCl.
  • No upper age limit is set for applying for Assistant Professor.

6. CSIR NET vs. UGC NET: Career Scope

There is a difference in the scope of career opportunities after the UGC NET and CSIR NET exams. Both exams qualify candidates for lectureship positions at colleges and universities. However, the subject areas covered in each exam are different. UGC NET covers a broader range of subjects, including humanities, social sciences, management, and education, while CSIR NET is focused on science subjects.

Lastly, the career scope after qualifying for UGC NET and CSIR NET can vary depending on the subject area, funding agency, and the candidate’s area of interest and specialization. For example, a candidate with a UGC NET qualification in management may have more opportunities in the corporate sector, while a candidate with a CSIR NET qualification in chemical sciences may have more opportunities in research and development roles in the pharmaceutical or chemical industries.

Similarities between UGC NET and CSIR NET Exams

Now that you are aware of the difference between UGC NET and CSIR NET, let us also look at some of the similarities. We have listed a few common characteristics for both exams below.

  1. Purpose: As was previously mentioned, the purpose of both tests is to hire Assistant Professors and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) recipients.
  2. Procedure for Qualification: The process of qualifying for both exams is similar. Candidates are chosen based on how well they did on tests. The top 6% of applicants are considered qualified for the position of Assistant Professor, and the top 2-3% are considered qualified for both the JRF and Assistant Professor positions.
  3. Frequency of Exam: Both exams are conducted twice a year, usually in June/July and November/December.
  4. Assessment: The candidates are assessed based on their General Aptitude Knowledge and Subject Knowledge in both exams.

We hope this article has added some value to your knowledge, and it was able to clear all your doubts and confusion regarding the difference between CSIR NET and UGC NET.

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