The window for registration for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (CSIR UGC NET) for the June 2025 session will close on June 26, 2025, at 11:59 PM by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The remaining candidates who have yet to apply should take immediate action, as this is the final chance to submit their forms for one of India’s most sought-after national-level tests for teaching and research position.

This year the deadline was extended once after receiving a series of appeals from those applicants who could not register in time. The extended deadline has helped more candidates, particularly those from rural and remote parts of the country, to fill in their applications. The test plays an important role in deciding meritorious applicants for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for lecturer or assistant professorship in universities and research institutions across the nation.

For registration, candidates should log in to the web portal of CSIR UGC NET at csirnet.nta.ac.in. On arriving at the homepage, candidates should navigate to the Joint CSIR-UGC NET June-2025 page for registration. New candidates will be needed to click on the “New candidate Register here” option, after which they are required to accept an acknowledgement and move to the registration form. Identification authentication is one of the important steps involved in the process, and the candidates can use their Aadhaar card or log in to DigiLocker to confirm their identity. Post this, they would need to complete the application form, filling in personal information and contact address, both temporary and permanent. Successful execution of the registration process assures the candidate of his/her eligibility to sit for the examination.

The payment deadline, as notified by the NTA, is June 27, 2025. Only the candidates paying within the deadline will be treated as valid applications. NTA has further announced that there will be a window of two days, i.e., June 28 to June 29, when candidates can correct mistakes or update application information.

The CSIR UGC NET is to be held on July 26, 27, and 28, 2025. The examination will be held in computer-based mode at different centers across India. The paper will be bilingual in content—English and Hindi—so that it becomes more common and reaches the maximum section of students belonging to diverse language groups. The test is of multiple-choice question, objective-type and consists of a total time of 180 minutes.

CSIR UGC NET tests the candidates in five streams of science that are Chemical Sciences; Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; and Physical Sciences. Every stream has its own syllabus and the testing process, though they both have the same reason of testing scientific aptitude, analytical ability, and knowledge in the subject field of the candidates.

The Junior Research Fellowship provided by this test provides monthly fellowship and research assistance to the chosen applicants seeking research for Ph.D. degrees in the affiliated institutions, national laboratories, and other higher education institutions. In addition to JRF, the test is also a qualifying test for candidates who want to avail college and university teaching posts across India.

The increasing number of applicants year after year is a testament to the popularity of the exam and the distinction it grants to academic and research professionals. With greater and greater focus being placed on scientific research and innovation, Indian higher education, the CSIR UGC NET continues to be an important portal for students and professionals looking to make significant contributions to their respective fields.

Since the last date of registration is approaching and the dates of the test are also drawing near, applicants must cross-check the application details, collect required study material, and look for updates on the NTA official website. Proper planning, regular practice, and acquaintance with the pattern of the computer-based test will greatly enhance the performance on the day of the examination.

With test timings being decided and last-stage preparations in progress, CSIR UGC NET for this year is ready to embrace thousands of aspirants who are ready to take the first step on their intellectual or research path.