

CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2025: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) National Eligibility Test (NET) is a very important test for science graduates. This exam determines the eligibility of candidates for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lecturership/Assistant Professor posts in Indian universities. For any candidate preparing for the examination, understanding the CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2025 is the first step to success. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The CSIR NET Exam Pattern remains the same for both June and December sessions.
CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2025 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 2025 | ||||
| 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 | - |
The detailed structure of the CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2025 is released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in its official information bulletin. Candidates can download the official PDF from the NTA website. This document contains the full syllabus, detailed exam scheme, and marking rules. Candidates should keep the official CSIR NET December 2025 exam PDF. It is a reliable resource providing the exam pattern details.
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 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 | |
Negative marking is an important part of the CSIR NET Life Science Exam Pattern 2025. 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% |