r/CSIR_UGC_NET_JRF_LS

Hi everyone,

I'm 25M from India, and I'm looking for some honest advice from people who have cleared CSIR NET Chemical Sciences or are currently preparing for it.

I completed my BSc in Chemistry and am currently in the second year of my MSc Chemistry. However, I have a serious problem: my actual understanding of chemistry is nowhere near what it should be at this stage.

To be completely honest, I passed most of my BSc and MSc examinations without properly learning the material. During my BSc, I often relied on cheating than genuinely understanding the concepts. I know this was a terrible decision, and I'm not trying to justify it. I'm now facing the consequences of those choices.

My fundamentals are extremely weak, and I feel like I have accumulated almost eight years' worth of academic backlog. I don't feel confident even with concepts that a chemistry graduate should know.

Recently, I started considering CSIR NET Chemical Sciences as a serious career option. Ideally, I'd like to qualify for JRF and eventually pursue a PhD, but I'm not sure whether I'm being realistic or simply setting myself up for another failure.

I've looked at previous-year questions, particularly from Parts B and C, and honestly, many of them go completely over my head. Sometimes I don't even understand what a question is asking, let alone figure out how to solve it.

This has made me question several things:

1. Is it realistically possible to prepare for CSIR NET from my current level? I'm not talking about someone who just needs revision. I may need to rebuild my understanding of chemistry from the ground up.
2. Where should I start? Should I first study Class 11–12 chemistry, rebuild my BSc fundamentals systematically, and then move to MSc-level topics? Or is there a more efficient approach?
3. How long could it take? If I study consistently for around 3–4 hours a day, what would be a realistic preparation timeline for someone with my background? Should I think in terms of 6 months, 1 year, or longer?
4. Which resources would you recommend for someone with weak fundamentals? I'm considering structured online courses, including PW's CSIR NET batches and other chemistry courses. I need lectures that actually explain concepts from the basics rather than assume I already know everything.
5. How should I approach Part B and Part C PYQs? Should I avoid them initially and focus on learning the theory, or start solving topic-wise questions alongside each chapter?
6. Is pursuing CSIR NET worth it in my situation? I understand that qualifying NET/JRF is competitive and that a PhD doesn't guarantee a job. I'm trying to determine whether this is a viable path for me or whether I should focus on other career options while completing my MSc.

I'm also confused about whether I should continue preparing for government exams like SSC CGL alongside chemistry or temporarily focus on rebuilding my chemistry knowledge. I don't want to waste more years jumping between options without making meaningful progress.

I'm not looking for motivational comments like "anything is possible if you work hard." I'd genuinely appreciate advice from people who have seen students start with very weak fundamentals.

If you were in my position, with a chemistry degree but very little actual conceptual understanding, would you attempt CSIR NET? If so, exactly how would you start, and what milestones would you set before deciding whether to continue?

Thank you.

I'm 22M, currently pursuing masters in zoology (1st sem). I am preparing for csir net life sciences and also managing college and looking for someone who is seriously preparing for csir.

Hey everyone, so I did my MSc last year. I had some health issues, so I was at home and now I am looking for opportunities as Project associate or PTS3 , and it is very hard to get in I have been trying since past few months. Can anybody pls help me or guide me.
I am interested in molecular biology, microbiology, cell, immuno

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I started a PhD at an IIT (one of the first-generation IITs, but I can't say which one) this June. My PhD is not in the Mathematics department, although my academic background up to my Master's has been in Mathematics.

For various personal reasons that I can't really discuss here, I'm considering leaving the PhD in December. Before I make that decision, I'd really like to hear some perspectives from people who have been through something similar.

Over the past few months, I've had the opportunity to interact with some really good mathematics researchers, and that has made me realise that I genuinely want to pursue pure mathematics. Ideally, I'd like to do my PhD at a research-focused institute such as CMI, ISI, HRI, TIFR, or IMSc. I don't particularly want to join a Mathematics department at an IIT.

At the moment, I have a CSIR JRF with AIR 50. I know that this would not be enough to get shortlisted at these institutes right now, as I would need a rank under 20 for the shortlist. Preparing seriously for TIFR/NBHM this December also doesn't seem realistic because I still have academic and research work to finish here. With proper preparation, I think I could attempt them next year.

So, as of now, I see a few options:

1. Leave in December, take a job (or do something else), and prepare seriously for the next admission cycle.

2. Join a Mathematics department at an IIT and give up on the plan of trying for the institutes mentioned above.

3. Join a local/less demanding institute or university using my JRF, so that I don't have to take up a job, and where the academic pressure is relatively low. I could prepare for the entrance exams/admissions while continuing my PhD there.

Can someone suggest some smaller/local institutes or universities where I could join a PhD using my JRF and have relatively manageable academic requirements? I'd really appreciate some suggestions.

I'd especially appreciate advice from people who have gone through a similar situation or have experience with PhD admissions in pure mathematics in India.