About Joint CSIR-UGC Fellowship

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has entrusted the responsibility of conducting Joint CSIR-UGC NET in CBT mode to NTA. Joint CSIR UGC NET is a test being conducted to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for Lectureship (LS) /Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria laid down by UGC. Online applications for JRF/NET are invited twice a year on all India basis through Press Notification of Joint CSIR-UGC NET for JRF and LS/AP. In 2020, the test was conducted only once due to Covid-19 pandemic.

CSIR and UGC provide Research Fellowships for training in methods of research under expert guidance of faculty members/scientists working in University Department/ National Laboratories and Institutions in various fields of Science. Joint CSIR-UGC NET Fellowships are tenable in Universities/IITs/Post Graduate Colleges/Govt. Research Establishments including those of the CSIR, Research & Development establishments of recognized public or private sector industrial firms and other recognized institutions. Only bonafide Indian Citizens are eligible for the test. Joint CSIR-UGC NET Fellowship is tenable in India. The programme is aimed at National Science & Technology Human Resource Development.

A large number of JRFs are awarded each year by CSIR to candidates holding BS-4 years program/ BE/ B.Tech./ B. Pharma/ MBBS/ Integrated BS-MS/M.Sc. or Equivalent degree/ B.Sc. (Hons) or equivalent degree holders or students enrolled in integrated MSPh.D. program with at least 55% marks for General/General-EWS & OBC (50% for SC/ST/Third gender candidates and Persons with Disability) after qualifying the Test conducted by CSIR twice a year in June and December.

This Test also determines the eligibility of candidates for Lectureship/Assistant Professor in Indian University/Colleges. Those who qualify for JRF are eligible for Lectureship/Assistant Professor also, subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria laid down by UGC. Some aspirants are declared successful in eligibility for Lectureship/Assistant Professor only based on their performance in the test.

The award of Joint CSIR-UGC NET Fellowship is for a fixed tenure and does not imply any assurance or guarantee for subsequent employment by CSIR-UGC NET to the beneficiary.

About Junior Research Fellowship Stipend

The stipend of a JRF selected through CSIR- National Eligibility Test (NET) will be Rs.31,000/– p.m for the first two years. In addition, annual contingent grant of Rs.20,000/– per Fellow will be provided to the University / Institution. The Fellowship will be governed by terms and conditions of CSIR, UGC or Research Scheme, as applicable.
On Completion of two years as JRF and if the Fellow is registered for Ph.D, the Fellowship will be upgraded to SRF (NET) and the stipend will be increased to Rs.35,000/– p.m for the 3rd and subsequent years, on the basis of assessment of Fellows’ research progress/ achievements through interview by an Expert Committee consisting of the Guide, Head of the Department and External Member from outside the University/ Institution who is an expert in the relevant field, not below the rank of Professor/ Associate Professor. As far as possible, the External Member should be the chairman of three members Committee. Where the guide happens to be the Head of the Department, the Dean, Faculty of Science or any senior member of the Department may be associated as the third member of the Committee. In the event of the Committee not recommending up-gradation or the fellow has not registered for Ph.D, the candidate will continue as JRF with a stipend of Rs.31,000/- p.m. for the 3rd year or his/her fellowship may be terminated depending upon the recommendation of the Committee and the
decision of CSIR in this regard shall be final. The progress of research work of JRF will be assessed by duly constituted three member assessment committee again at the end
of 3rd year for such up-gradation.
The number of fellowship for each subject is limited.

Upper Age limit:

JRF: Maximum 28 years as on 01/07/2020* {upper age limit may be relaxable up to 5 years in case of SC/ST/Third gender/Persons with Disability (PwD)/female applicants and 03 years in case of OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) applicants}.

• This age limit is applicable for the current examination cycle only.

Lectureship (LS)/ Assistant Professor: No upper age limit.