The National Testing Agency (NTA) will soon release the provisional answer key for the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (CSIR UGC NET) December 2025 examination. Candidates who appeared for the exam can download this key directly from the official website, csirnet.nta.nic.in . The CSIR UGC NET qualifies candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and PhD admissions in scientific disciplines.
The provisional answer key for the December 2025 examination will be available in PDF format . To access and download the document, candidates must use their valid application number, date of birth, and the security pin generated during the application process. This allows candidates to compare their responses against official correct answers, aiding in an initial performance assessment.
CSIR UGC NET December 2025 Examination Overview
The CSIR UGC NET December 2025 examination took place on December 18, 2025 . The National Testing Agency conducted the test in two distinct shifts. The morning session ran from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. An afternoon session followed, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
The examination was conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode. Candidates answered questions on a computer system. The total duration for completing the exam was three hours. The paper carried a maximum of 200 marks. The examination covered five core scientific subjects: Earth Sciences , Chemical Sciences , Life Sciences , Mathematical Sciences , and Physical Sciences . All questions presented in the examination were objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
CSIR UGC NET December 2025 Marking Scheme
The CSIR UGC NET employs a tiered marking scheme, allocating different point values and negative marking policies across its three distinct parts: Part A, Part B, and Part C. Understanding this structure is crucial for score evaluation.
| Part | Marks Per Correct Answer | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | 2 marks | 25% penalty |
| Part B | 3 to 3.5 marks | 25% penalty |
| Part C | 4 to 5 marks | No negative marking |
For both Part A and Part B, an incorrect answer results in a 25% deduction of the marks allotted for that question. A wrong answer in Part A reduces the score by 0.5 marks. Part C questions carry higher individual marks. Candidates can attempt these questions without negative scoring penalties.
Steps to Download CSIR UGC NET December 2025 Answer Key
Candidates can follow these direct steps to download the provisional answer key and their response sheets once released:
- Navigate to the official National Testing Agency CSIR NET portal at csirnet.nta.nic.in .
- Locate and click on the link titled “CSIR UGC NET December 2025 – Answer Key”. This link will become active upon official release.
- A new page will prompt for credentials. Candidates must enter their valid application number, date of birth, and the displayed security pin.
- After entering all details accurately, click the “Submit” button to proceed.
- The provisional answer key and individual candidate response sheet will download in PDF format . Save this document for reference.
Objections and Final Answer Key
Following the release of the provisional answer key, the NTA opens a limited window for candidates to raise objections against any question or answer they believe is incorrect. Challenges must be submitted online, typically incurring a processing fee per objection. Subject matter experts review all submitted objections.
Based on the expert review, necessary corrections are made to the provisional key. The NTA then publishes the final answer key . This final key serves as the definitive version, forming the basis for score calculation and final results. No further objections are accepted after its release.