Full Breakdown
CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Exam: Registration Opens and New Life Sciences & Biotechnology Discipline Introduced
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened online registration for the Joint CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for the December 2026 session. Candidates may apply through the official portal csirnet.nta.nic.in. The same announcement confirms that the DBT-BET (Biotechnology) paper has been merged with the existing Life Sciences paper, creating a single “Life Sciences & Biotechnology” (LS & BT) discipline for the December 2026 cycle.
Background & Context
Previously, the DBT-BET examination was conducted as a separate biotechnology test. The NTA’s latest information bulletin states that, effective from the December 2026 examination, biotechnology and life-sciences topics will be assessed together under the LS & BT discipline. The revised syllabus is available in the CSIR information bulletin, and candidates are advised to review it before preparing.
Timeline
- October 7, 2026 – Registration portal opens (occurred).
- November 5, 2026 – Final date to submit the application and pay the examination fee (scheduled).
- November 6 – 9, 2026 – Late-fee window; a Rs 500 surcharge applies (deadline).
- November 10 – 12, 2026 – Application correction window (deadline).
- December 19, 22 and 27, 2026 – Computer-based test dates announced by most sources (scheduled).
- December 9, 2026 – Alternate exam date reported by a subset of sources (occurred).
Data & Statistics
- Examination mode: Computer-Based Test (Computer Based Test (CBT)).
- Shifts: Two daily shifts – Shift 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Shift 2 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (both 180 minutes).
- Languages: Question papers available in English and Hindi.
- Subjects: Chemical Sciences; Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences; Life Sciences & Biotechnology; Mathematical Sciences; Physical Sciences.
- Eligibility categories: Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor appointments, and Ph.D. admission (general and “Ph.D. only” streams).
- Application fee (general category): Rs 1,150; General-EWS/OBC(NCL): Rs 600; SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender: Rs 325.
- Late-fee surcharge: Rs 500 for applications submitted between November 6 and November 9.
Official Statements & Responses
The NTA’s official notice, posted on the CSIR-UGC NET website, outlines the registration schedule, fee structure, and the merger of the biotechnology paper into the LS & BT discipline. The notice also directs candidates to the information bulletin for the revised syllabus and to the portal for updates on exam-city announcements and admit-card releases.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact exam dates. Most outlets list the test days as December 19, 22, and 27, 2026, while one source cites December 9, 22, and 27, 2026. The NTA has not issued a clarification reconciling this discrepancy, leaving candidates uncertain about the earliest test day.
What’s Next
Candidates should complete their applications by November 5, 2026, or use the late-fee window if necessary. The correction period (November 10-12) allows limited edits. Final exam-city allocations, admit-card releases, and the provisional answer key will be posted on the NTA website in the weeks leading up to the scheduled test dates.