Application Process and Fees
CSIR NET Application Fee
Status (as of 16 October 2026): The December 2026 fee below is official, from the NTA Information Bulletin.
CSIR NET December 2026 Application Fee
Category | Application fee |
|---|---|
General / Unreserved | ₹1,150 |
General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹600 |
SC / ST / PwD / Third gender | ₹325 |
Processing charges and GST, as applicable, are payable by the candidate in addition to the fee.
Late Fee
Candidates applying in the late window (6 – 9 November 2026) must pay an additional ₹500 as late fee.
Other Fees in the CSIR NET Cycle
Item | Amount |
|---|---|
Answer key challenge | ₹200 per question challenged (non-refundable, as per NTA’s bulletin) |
Payment Tips
Pay only through the payment gateway on csirnet.nta.nic.in.
If the amount is debited but the status is not updated, wait for the bank to settle before paying again; contact NTA if it does not update.
Keep the payment confirmation and transaction ID safe.
Key Takeaways
General: ₹1,150 · EWS / OBC-NCL: ₹600 · SC / ST / PwD / Third gender: ₹325.
₹500 late fee for applications between 6 and 9 November 2026.
Bank charges and GST are extra.
Pro Tip: Reserved-category candidates should have a valid category certificate. You do not upload all certificates to NTA, but you will need them at the time of JRF joining or PhD admission.
Source: Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 Information Bulletin, NTA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CSIR NET application fee for General candidates?
₹1,150. Bank charges and GST are extra.
What is the fee for OBC and SC/ST candidates?
₹600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL, and ₹325 for SC, ST, PwD and third gender candidates.
Is there a late fee for CSIR NET December 2026?
Yes, ₹500 extra for applications made in the late window from 6 to 9 November 2026.