CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2026, Total Questions, Marking Scheme
CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2026 includes 145 questions divided into Parts A, B, and C for 200 marks. Candidates need to attempt 75 questions in 3 hours in the Life Sciences paper. There is negative marking for wrong answers (Part A: 0.5, Part B: 0.5, Part C: 1 mark).
CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2026: National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the CSIR NET June 2026 Notification for Life Science. The exam will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode for a total of 200 marks. The paper includes Part A, Part B, and Part C with multiple-choice questions covering aptitude, subject knowledge, and analytical skills. Candidates must attempt 75 questions out of 145 within 3 hours. Online registration is open from 27 May 2026 to 19 June 2026, and the exam will be held on 17th and 18th July 2026. Interested candidates can apply online at csirnet.nta.nic.in.
CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2026
CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2026 follows a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. The total time given to complete the paper is three hours (180 minutes). The total marks for the paper are 200. The entire question paper is divided into three different sections: Part A, Part B, and Part C. All questions are in Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) format. Candidates must plan their time well across these three parts.
| CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2026 | ||||
| Particulars | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
| Total Questions | 20 | 50 | 75 | 145 |
| Max no of questions to attempt | 15 | 35 | 25 | 75 |
| Marks for each correct answer | 2 | 2 | 4 | 200 |
| Negative marking of 25% in Parts A, B & C | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | - |
CSIR NET Life Science Total Questions
CSIR NET Life Science Total Questions asked in the CSIR NET Life Science paper is 145. However, candidates only need to attempt a maximum of 75 questions to reach the total score of 200 marks. Each section has a specific number of questions that a candidate must attempt.
| CSIR NET Life Science Total Questions | ||
| Section | Total Questions Asked | Maximum Questions to Attempt |
| Part A | 20 | 15 |
| Part B | 50 | 35 |
| Part C | 75 | 25 |
| Total | 145 | 75 |
CSIR NET Life Science Marking Scheme
CSIR NET Life Science Marking Scheme varies for each section. Part A and Part B carry less weightage per question, while Part C questions are worth more marks because they are more analytical. A clear understanding of the marking scheme is important for the candidate to decide which questions to attempt first.
| CSIR NET Life Science Marking Scheme | ||
| Section | Marks for Each Correct Answer | Total Marks in Section |
| Part A | +2 Marks | 30 |
| Part B | +2 Marks | 70 |
| Part C | +4 Marks | 100 |
| Grand Total | 200 | |
CSIR NET Life Science Negative Marking
Negative marking is an important part of the CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2026. Wrong answers lead to marks being deducted, so candidates should only attempt questions they are sure about. The negative marking is 25% of the marks assigned to that question in all three parts. Candidates can refer to the table regarding CSIR NET Life Science Negative Marking information.
| CSIR NET Life Science Negative Marking | |||
| Section | Marks for Correct Answer | Negative Marking | Percentage Deduction |
| Part A | 2 | 0.5 | 25% |
| Part B | 2 | 0.5 | 25% |
| Part C | 4 | 1.0 | 25% |
CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
What is the CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2026?
What topics are covered in Part A of the Life Science paper?
Is there any negative marking in the exam?
How many questions must a candidate attempt in Part C?
What is the maximum score a candidate can get in the CSIR NET paper?
