CSIR NET Physical Sciences Syllabus 2026, PDF Download, Exam Pattern, Core Topics

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official Joint CSIR NET December 2026 Information Bulletin. Online applications remain open from 7 October 2026 to 5 November 2026, with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled for 19, 22, and 27 December 2026 across India.

The examination determines eligibility across three distinct categories:

1. Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor

2. Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.

3. Admission to Ph.D. only

The Physical Sciences paper (Subject Code: 705) evaluates foundational and higher-level concepts of physics. The syllabus is structured into Part A (General Aptitude), Part B (Core Physics), and Part C (Advanced Analytical Physics).

  Join CSIR NET Online Coaching - Enroll Now!

CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus PDF

CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus PDF

CSIR NET Physical Science Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme 2026

The CSIR NET Physical Sciences paper is a single-paper Computer-Based Test (CBT) lasting 3 hours (180 minutes). The total paper carries 200 marks. Candidates choose from 75 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and attempt a maximum of 55 questions.

• Candidates can attempt a maximum of 55 questions across all three sections.

• If a candidate attempts more questions than permitted in any section, the computer system evaluates only the first set of attempted responses up to the allowed limit.

• Unattempted questions carry zero penalty marks.

• Candidates can review the comprehensive [CSIR NET Exam Pattern] to check comparative structures across Life, Chemical, and Mathematical science disciplines.

CSIR NET Physics Syllabus: Core & Advanced Breakdown

The Physical Sciences syllabus is organized into two primary divisions: Core Topics (tested in Part B and fundamental Part C questions) and Advanced Topics (tested in high-scoring Part C questions).

1. Mathematical Methods of Physics

• Core Topics: Dimensional analysis, vector algebra and vector calculus, linear algebra, matrices, Cayley-Hamilton theorem, eigenvalue problems. Linear ordinary differential equations of first and second order, special functions (Hermite, Bessel, Laguerre, and Legendre polynomials). Fourier series, Fourier and Laplace transforms, complex analysis (Cauchy-Riemann conditions, Cauchy integral theorem, residue calculation). Elementary probability theory, random variables, binomial, Poisson, and normal distributions.

• Advanced Topics: Green's functions, partial differential equations (Laplace, wave, and heat equations in Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates). Elements of computational techniques: root finding, interpolation, numerical integration. Simpson's rule, Runge-Kutta method, finite difference methods. Tensors, introductory group theory: SU(2), O(3).

2. Classical Mechanics

• Core Topics: Newton's laws, dynamical systems, phase space dynamics, stability analysis. Central force problems: two-body collisions, scattering in laboratory and centre-of-mass frames. Rigid body dynamics: moment of inertia tensor, non-inertial frames, pseudoforces. Variational principle, Generalized coordinates, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, equations of motion, Poisson brackets, conservation laws, cyclic coordinates.

• Advanced Topics: Periodic motion: small oscillations, normal modes, and normal coordinates. Canonical transformations, Poisson brackets under canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Special theory of relativity: Lorentz transformations, relativistic kinematics, mass-energy equivalence.

3. Electromagnetic Theory

• Core Topics: Electrostatics: Gauss’s law and applications, Laplace and Poisson equations, boundary value problems. Magnetostatics: Biot-Savart law, Ampere's circuital law, electromagnetic induction. Maxwell's equations in free space and linear isotropic media, boundary conditions on fields at interfaces. Scalar and vector potentials, gauge invariance. Electromagnetic waves in free space, dielectric media, and conductors. Reflection, refraction, polarization, Fresnel’s relations, interference, coherence, and diffraction.

• Advanced Topics: Dispersion relations in materials, Lorentz invariance of Maxwell’s equations, transmission lines and wave guides. Radiation from moving charges and dipoles, retarded potentials.

4. Quantum Mechanics

• Core Topics: Wave-particle duality, Schrödinger equation (time-dependent and time-independent). Eigenvalue problems: particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, barrier tunneling, hydrogen atom. Orbital angular momentum, spin angular momentum, addition of angular momenta. Time-independent perturbation theory and applications, variational method.

• Advanced Topics: Time-dependent perturbation theory, Fermi's golden rule, selection rules. WKB approximation, adiabatic and sudden approximations. Scattering theory: phase shifts, partial waves, Born approximation. Identical particles, Pauli exclusion principle, spin-statistics theorem, relativistic quantum mechanics (Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations).

5. Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics

• Core Topics: Laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic potentials, Maxwell relations, chemical potential, phase equilibria. Phase space, microstates and macrostates, microcanonical, canonical, and grand-canonical ensembles, partition functions. Free energy and connection with thermodynamic variables. Classical ideal gas, equipartition theorem.

• Advanced Topics: First- and second-order phase transitions, diamagnetism, paramagnetism, and ferromagnetism. Quantum statistics: ideal Bose and Fermi gases, Bose-Einstein condensation, blackbody radiation, Planck's distribution law, specific heat of solids (Einstein and Debye models). Random walk, Brownian motion, introduction to non-equilibrium processes.

6. Electronics and Experimental Methods

• Core Topics: Semiconductor devices (diodes, junctions, transistors, field effect devices, homo- and hetero-junction devices), device characteristics, frequency response. Optoelectronic devices (solar cells, photodetectors, LEDs). Operational amplifiers and applications. Digital logic and circuits (registers, counters, comparators). A/D and D/A converters.

• Advanced Topics: Microprocessor and microcontroller architecture. Data interpretation and analysis: precision and accuracy, error analysis, propagation of errors, least squares fitting. Transducers (temperature, pressure, magnetic fields, vibration, optical, and particle detectors). Measurement of electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of materials.

7. Atomic & Molecular Physics

• Core Topics: Quantum states of an electron in an atom, electron spin, Stern-Gerlach experiment, spectra of hydrogen, helium, and alkali atoms. Relativistic corrections for energy levels of hydrogen atom, hyperfine structure and isotopic shift, spectral line broadening, LS and JJ coupling. Zeeman, Paschen-Back, and Stark effects.

• Advanced Topics: Franck-Condon principle, Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Rotational, vibrational, vibrational-rotational, and Raman spectra of diatomic molecules. Selection rules. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron spin resonance (ESR), lasers: Einstein coefficients, population inversion, optical resonators, and laser modes.

8. Condensed Matter Physics

• Core Topics: Bravais lattices, crystal structures, Miller indices, X-ray diffraction, structure factor. Bonding in solids, reciprocal lattice, elastic properties, phonons, lattice specific heat. Free electron theory, Drude model of electrical and thermal conductivity. Hall effect and thermoelectric power. Electron motion in a periodic potential, band theory of solids: metals, insulators, and semiconductors.

• Advanced Topics: Superconductivity: type-I and type-II superconductors, Meissner effect, London equations, BCS theory. Optical properties of solids: dielectric function, plasma oscillations, polaritons. Magnetism: dia-, para-, ferro-, and antiferromagnetism, Curie-Weiss law, exchange interactions, magnetic domains.

9. Nuclear and Particle Physics

• Core Topics: Basic nuclear properties: size, shape, charge distribution, spin and parity, binding energy, semi-empirical mass formula, liquid drop model. Nuclear force properties, nucleon-nucleon potential, deuteron problem. Single-particle shell model, validity and limitations. Rotational spectra. Elementary particles: classification, relativistic kinematics, fundamental interactions, conservation laws.

• Advanced Topics: Radioactive decays: alpha, beta, and gamma decays, selection rules. Nuclear reactions, reaction mechanisms, compound nuclei, direct reactions. Quark model: baryons and mesons, Gell-Mann-Nishijima formula. Parity violation in weak interactions, CPT theorem.

Part A General Aptitude Syllabus

Part A is common to all five CSIR NET papers and tests fundamental reasoning:

• Numerical Ability: Number systems, percentages, ratios and proportions, averages, time and work, speed-distance-time, basic probability.

• Logical Reasoning: Series completion, syllogisms, blood relations, coding-decoding, Venn diagrams, logical deductions.

• Graphical Analysis: Bar graphs, line charts, coordinate plots, data interpretation tables, spatial visualization.

High-Weightage Physics Topics for Part C Preparation

Part C carries 100 marks (50% of the paper), with 5 marks awarded per question. Prioritize these high-yield topics to maximize your score:

1. Mathematical Physics: Ordinary differential equations, residue calculus, and Fourier/Laplace transforms.

2. Classical Mechanics: Lagrangian and Hamiltonian equations of motion, normal mode calculations, and central force orbits.

3. Quantum Mechanics: 1D potential wells, perturbation theory, harmonic oscillators, and angular momentum algebra.

4. Electromagnetic Theory: Boundary conditions at dielectric interfaces, Maxwell's equations, and wave propagation in waveguides.

5. Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics: Ensembles, partition functions, Bose-Einstein condensation, and Fermi-Dirac distribution.

Join PW CSIR NET Online Coaching - Enroll Now!