CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 | AIR 85 Deepika Jain Interview Success Story & Preparation Strategy

Summary

The video is an interview with Deepika Jain about preparing for the CSIR NET Life Science exam. She describes moving from an unsuccessful attempt during her M.Sc. to qualifying after further preparation. Her key lessons are to strengthen concepts, practise questions carefully, revise systematically, and persevere while managing time and other commitments.

Deepika’s Preparation Journey

• Deepika completed her B.Sc. at a college in her hometown and her M.Sc. at a college affiliated with Rajasthan University in Jaipur.
• She began preparing for NET during her M.Sc. and attempted the exam then, but did not qualify.
• Although she felt her initial preparation was reasonably good, she realized her concepts needed greater clarity.
• For her later attempt, after completing her M.Sc., she focused on conceptual understanding, question practice, and avoiding careless errors—especially those caused by reading questions incompletely.
• She planned to prepare 11 units and made notes for all of them. By the end, she had thoroughly completed 10 units and part of the 11th. She attributed this to the unit’s size and limited time for practice and revision.

Preparation Methods and Practical Advice

Complete Each Unit with Practice and Testing

Deepika and the host described a thorough unit-preparation cycle:

1. Study the material and clarify the concepts.
2. Make concise, useful notes.
3. Revise the unit.
4. Practise topic-wise previous-year questions (PYQs) and daily practice questions (DPPs).
5. Take a unit test after completing the unit.

Practise PYQs Alongside Learning

Deepika recommended solving PYQs topic by topic as each subject area is covered, rather than waiting until the end. She said they help students understand the exam’s level and prepare for its lengthy questions and time limits.

Use Short Notes for Final Revision

Deepika made notes after classes, focusing on important points rather than copying everything. In the month before the exam, she reviewed the course PDFs and then revised her short notes, allowing her to revisit the material multiple times.

Practise Part A Consistently

Deepika said she spent about two hours a day on Part A, including roughly an hour for class and additional time for questions. She attempted eight Part A questions in the exam; six were correct and two resulted in negative marks. She felt Part A helped offset negative marks in Parts B and C.

Analyse Practice and Mock Tests

The course resources Deepika used included DPPs, unit tests, mock tests, and revision material. She continued analysing her practice throughout her preparation.

Example of Deepika’s Daily Routine

1. Morning: Started around 7 a.m. and watched three or four recorded classes, often at 2× speed.
2. After lunch: Spent approximately three to four hours preparing short notes from the classes.
3. After dinner: Revised the day’s material and practised questions, including DPPs.

Deepika acknowledged that time often felt limited. The host emphasized the importance of planning and dividing the day into study blocks.

Sacrifices, Support, and Mindset

• Deepika said preparation reduced her social life and social-media use, and she often stayed home to study. She sometimes felt guilty when she had to go out.
• The host described preparation as a trade-off: reduce activities that do not support the goal, but do not neglect essentials such as health and regular meals.
• Deepika credited her family’s encouragement with helping her continue after unsuccessful attempts. They urged her to try once more rather than give up.
• Her advice to discouraged students was to have faith in themselves, make a genuine effort, and not let self-doubt alone determine whether they continue.

Speakers

• Komal: Host and interviewer who introduces the discussion and offers advice on preparation, trade-offs, and persistence.
• Deepika Jain: Interviewee who describes her preparation journey, study routine, and lessons from her attempts.