The CSIR NET Life Sciences syllabus is one of the most detailed and diverse among all NET subjects. It covers molecular biology, genetics, physiology, ecology, evolution, biotechnology, and applied biology. Knowing the syllabus of CSIR NET Life Sciences in detail is crucial for preparing effectively.
Here, we present the complete Life Sciences CSIR NET syllabus, with every unit explained, followed by a unit-wise weightage table for quick reference.
📌 CSIR NET Life Sciences Exam Structure
- Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Paper Pattern:
- Part A (General Aptitude) – Common for all subjects (Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Quantitative Ability)
- Part B (Subject-related, conceptual questions)
- Part C (Higher-order analytical questions from Life Sciences)
📝 CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus – Unit-Wise
🔹 Unit 1: Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology
- Structure of atoms, molecules, and chemical bonds
- Principles of biophysical chemistry (pH, buffer, redox potential)
- Biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides
- Vitamins, hormones, secondary metabolites
- Principles of catalysis, enzymes, enzyme kinetics, enzyme regulation
- Biochemistry of metabolic pathways (glycolysis, TCA, oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis)
🔹 Unit 2: Cellular Organization
- Structure and function of prokaryotic & eukaryotic cells
- Subcellular organelles: nucleus, mitochondria, ER, Golgi, lysosomes, chloroplast
- Plasma membrane: transport, signaling, ion channels
- Cytoskeleton: microtubules, actin filaments, intermediate filaments
- Cell cycle: regulation, checkpoints, mitosis, meiosis
- Cell junctions, extracellular matrix
🔹 Unit 3: Fundamental Processes
- DNA replication, repair, recombination
- Transcription in prokaryotes & eukaryotes
- RNA processing: capping, splicing, polyadenylation
- Translation: genetic code, ribosomes, tRNA, factors involved
- Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes (lac operon, trp operon)
- Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes (epigenetics, chromatin remodeling, transcription factors)
🔹 Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Signaling
- Hormones, receptors, and signal transduction pathways
- GPCRs, receptor tyrosine kinases, MAPK pathways
- Calcium signaling, cyclic AMP, IP3 pathways
- Signaling in immune cells, growth factors, oncogenes, tumor suppressors
- Apoptosis, necrosis, programmed cell death
🔹 Unit 5: Developmental Biology
- Gametogenesis, fertilization, early embryonic development
- Pattern formation, body axes in Drosophila, C. elegans, vertebrates
- Organogenesis in model systems: eye, heart, brain, limb development
- Stem cells: embryonic and adult
- Plant development: meristems, seed development, photoperiodism, vernalization
🔹 Unit 6: System Physiology – Plant
- Photosynthesis, respiration, photorespiration
- Plant hormones: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, ABA
- Plant–pathogen interaction
- Nitrogen fixation and transport in plants
- Secondary metabolites in plants
🔹 Unit 7: System Physiology – Animal
- Nervous system: neurons, synapses, neurotransmitters
- Circulatory system: heart, blood, blood clotting
- Respiratory system: transport of gases, oxygen dissociation curves
- Digestive system: enzymes, absorption of nutrients
- Excretory system: nephron, osmoregulation
- Endocrine glands and hormones
- Reproductive system and physiology of reproduction
🔹 Unit 8: Inheritance Biology
- Mendelian genetics: laws, alleles, dominance, segregation, independent assortment
- Linkage, recombination, genetic mapping
- Extrachromosomal inheritance
- Quantitative genetics: heritability, genetic variance
- Human genetics: pedigree analysis, genetic disorders
🔹 Unit 9: Diversity of Life Forms
- Classification of organisms: bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes
- Viruses and viroids
- Protists, fungi, algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, angiosperms
- Animal diversity: invertebrates and vertebrates
- Paleontology and evolutionary history
🔹 Unit 10: Ecological Principles
- Ecosystem structure, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles
- Population ecology: growth models, life history strategies
- Species interactions: competition, predation, parasitism, symbiosis
- Community ecology: succession, biodiversity
- Conservation biology, global change ecology
🔹 Unit 11: Evolution and Behavior
- Origin of life theories
- Molecular evolution, neutral theory, molecular clocks
- Mechanisms of evolution: mutation, selection, drift, migration
- Speciation and phylogenetics
- Animal behavior: communication, social behavior, learning
🔹 Unit 12: Applied Biology
- Microbial fermentation and production of biomolecules
- Plant tissue culture, animal cell culture
- Transgenic plants and animals
- Bioprocess technology, vaccines, antibiotics
- Biofuels, bioremediation, biosensors
🔹 Unit 13: Methods in Biology
- Spectroscopy (UV, IR, NMR, Mass spectrometry)
- Chromatography (HPLC, GC, affinity chromatography)
- Electrophoresis (PAGE, agarose gel, 2D)
- Microscopy (light, fluorescence, confocal, electron)
- Flow cytometry, FISH, immunotechniques (ELISA, western blot)
- Molecular techniques: PCR, RT-PCR, sequencing, CRISPR, DNA microarrays
📊 CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus – Unit-Wise Weightage
| Unit | Key Areas | Weightage (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Molecules & Interactions | Enzymes, biomolecules, metabolic pathways | 8–10 Qs |
| Unit 2: Cellular Organization | Organelles, cytoskeleton, cell cycle | 8–10 Qs |
| Unit 3: Fundamental Processes | Replication, transcription, translation, gene regulation | 10–12 Qs |
| Unit 4: Cell Signaling | GPCRs, MAPK, apoptosis | 6–8 Qs |
| Unit 5: Developmental Biology | Model organisms, organogenesis, stem cells | 6–8 Qs |
| Unit 6: Plant Physiology | Photosynthesis, hormones, nitrogen fixation | 6–8 Qs |
| Unit 7: Animal Physiology | Circulation, respiration, endocrine system | 10–12 Qs |
| Unit 8: Inheritance Biology | Mendelian genetics, linkage, human genetics | 6–8 Qs |
| Unit 9: Diversity of Life | Classification, viruses, protists, fungi, animals | 6–7 Qs |
| Unit 10: Ecology | Ecosystem, populations, species interactions | 6–8 Qs |
| Unit 11: Evolution & Behavior | Molecular evolution, speciation, animal behavior | 6–7 Qs |
| Unit 12: Applied Biology | Biotech, vaccines, biofuels | 5–7 Qs |
| Unit 13: Methods in Biology | Spectroscopy, PCR, microscopy | 8–10 Qs |
✅ Final Thoughts
The CSIR NET LS syllabus is vast, covering molecular biology, genetics, physiology, ecology, and biotechnology. To prepare effectively:
- Focus on high-weightage areas: Molecular Biology, Fundamental Processes, Cell Biology, Animal Physiology.
- Practice previous year questions to understand patterns.
- Strengthen Methods in Biology, as it is both conceptual and experimental.
By covering the Life Sciences CSIR NET syllabus systematically, you’ll not only excel in the exam but also build a strong foundation for research and academic careers.
