The Difference between UGC NET and CSIR NET: A Comparison study
For the granting of the Junior Research Fellowship and to establish the eligibility of the applicants as professors, the National Testing Agency conducts CSIR NET and UGC NET. Read minutely to know the essential variations & the essential similarities between these CSIR NET & UGC NET exams.
CSIR NET and UGC NET exams are typically conducted per year, permitting the aspirants to get the primary selection for the lectureship in the Indian colleges & universities. Both these exams are conducted at the national level by National Testing.
In this blog, we will give you a complete list of all important similarities & differences between this UGC NET & CSIR NET to help the candidates to understand these exams.
UGC NET application process has also every time conducted successfully & the specific dates of this exam are also awaited. This National Testing Agency will also announce the exact dates & the schedule soon. On the other hand, it is expected that the notification of the CSIR exam will be released soon. We will guide you properly for this entire exam.
What are the essential Similarities in UGC NET and CSIR NET
Before going through the main differences between these two exams, let check about the significant similarities between CSIR NET and the UGC NET below:
- Purpose of this Exam: Both these exams are also conducted to the shortlisted candidates for the post of the Assistant professor & JRF
- Exam frequency: These exams are generally conducted two times the year in the 7th & 12th months, which means July and December.
- Level of these exams: These both exams are held in various cities and states in India because this is a national level exam.
- Conducting Body: Both these exams are conducted by NTA itself.
- Assessment: For these exams, the candidates should have a vast knowledge of general aptitude and the specific subject also.
- Quality Criteria: Applicants who score at least a 65% in both tests are typically considered to be qualified for the position of lecturer, and roughly 2% to 3% of the candidates are also considered for the position of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
- CSIR NET VS UGC NET: critical differences between these exams
The UGC NET & the CSIR NET exams are very tough in terms of applicability, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, subjects & some other aspects. So check the main differences given below in detail:
UGC NET vs CSIR NET:
- Exam subjects
The UGC NET exam is organised for eighty-one subjects from different streams. On the other hand, the council of Industrial Research National Eligibility Test is also conducted in specific subject areas that fall under the exact faculty of Technology and science. Check it in detail below:
The number of subjects is 81 in UGC NET and 5 in CSIR NET.
Specific eligibility criteria:
- For Educational qualification for UGC NET, the candidate needs to complete their post-graduation in some relevant streams like Social sciences, Humanities, Computer science & Applications, Electronic Science, etc. With at least 55% aggregate.
- Eligibility criteria for the CSIR NET are to get a degree in BE/B-Pharma/ B-Tech(four-year degrees) with a minimum of 55 per cent marks.
- The age limit for the UGC NET exam is: For the JRF post, the candidate should be thirty years of age. Age limit for CSIR NET: For the post of JRF, the candidate should be twenty-eight years old.
The pattern of this Exam UGC NET & CSIR NET
The specific exam for these UGC NET & CSIR NET exams is very much different, as given below:
- Exam pattern of UGC NET: This UGC NET is an online exam which consists of 2 papers containing objective-type questions. The total marks for the examination are 350 marks which are divided among 150 questions. The first paper consists of fifty marks with two marks for each question. The time given to compete for the entire question paper is three hours.
- Exam Pattern for CSIR NET: The CSIR NET is also an online exam containing some objective questions of two hundred marks. This question of the exams generally appears in three parts- A, B & C. Every aspect has a various number of questions. The total number of these questions in this exam varies typically on the specific subject a candidate appears. Only three hours have been allotted for a candidate to complete this exam.
Number of the aspirants & check the test checkers below:
Number of Test Takers in CSIR EXAM
. WE are providing the details of test-takers below:
- For UGC NET, The number of aspirants in 2019 was 10,34,872 & for 2020, it was 8,60,976. And the number of test-takers in 2019 was 7,93,813, and in 2020, it was 5,26,707
- For CSIR NET, the number of aspirants was 2,82,117 & the number of test-takers was 2,28,411
UGC NET vs CSIR NET: Scope for career
Candidates qualifying for these UGC NET exams can also work with some UGC coordinating institutes. And the aspirants who are preparing for the exam of CSIR NET can get the chance to work with some Research Laboratories of this CSIR.
Lastly:
Whether UGC NET or CSIR NET, one needs to acquire in-depth knowledge to qualify for the examination.


