CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus 2025 is carefully structured to evaluate both the theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of candidates in the field of life sciences. The exam is divided into three sections. Part A focuses on general aptitude, testing skills such as logical reasoning, quantitative ability, and analytical thinking. Part B contains subject-specific questions that cover the core areas of life sciences, while Part C presents higher-order analytical questions designed to assess a candidate’s scientific understanding and problem-solving capabilities. To ensure success, aspirants must devote attention to all three sections and prepare comprehensively according to the CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus 2025.
Also check – CSIR NET physics Science Previous Years Question Papers : Download PDFs
CSIR NET December 2025 Notification Key Details
The CSIR NET December 2025 notification is officially out, and aspirants can now start preparing for one of India’s most prestigious examinations in science and research. The exam is scheduled to be held on December 18, 2025, giving candidates a clear timeline to plan their preparation.
Important Dates
- Online Application Start: September 25, 2025
- Application Deadline: October 24, 2025 (till 11:50 PM)
- Exam Date: December 18, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in applying for the CSIR NET December 2025 exam must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- A Master’s degree in a relevant science subject.
- Minimum 55% marks in the Master’s degree (50% for reserved categories).
Application and Exam Details
All applications, admit cards, and results for the CSIR NET December 2025 exam will be available on the official website: csirnet.nta.nic.in. Candidates are advised to check the website regularly for updates and official notifications.
Also check – CSIR NET Previous Year Question Papers Download PDF
CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus 2025 Overview
Aspirants planning for the CSIR NET Life Sciences Exam 2025 should be well aware of the syllabus, exam pattern, and important details. Familiarity with the exam structure helps candidates plan their preparation efficiently and cover all important areas of the CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus 2025.
Exam Details
| Event | Details |
| Exam Name | CSIR NET December 2025 |
| Organized by | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Medium of Examination | Hindi & English |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Date | 18th December 2025 |
| Time Duration | 3 hours |
| Maximum Marks | 200 |
| Number of Questions | 145 |
| Negative Marking | 25% for each wrong answer |
| Exam Pattern | Part A: 20 questions (General Aptitude) – Answer any 15
Part B: 50 questions (Life Sciences) – Answer any 35 Part C: 75 questions (Life Sciences, analytical) – Answer any 25 |
| Age Limit | JRF: 28 years; Relaxation: SC/ST/PH/Female – up to 5 years; OBC (Non-creamy layer) – up to 3 years |
| Official Website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus 2025 PDF
The CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus 2025 is now officially available for download. This syllabus covers all essential topics required for the exam, including Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Cellular Organization, Genetics, Plant and Animal Physiology, Cell Signaling, Evolution, Ecology, Applied Biology, and Methods in Biology. Candidates preparing for the exam should refer to the PDF to get a detailed overview of the syllabus and plan their preparation accordingly.
You can download the CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus PDF 2025 from the official NTA website: csirnet.nta.nic.in.
Detailed CSIR NET Life Sciences Syllabus 2025
| Unit Name | Topics Covered |
| Cellular Organization | Membrane structure and function, Organization of genes and chromosomes, Microbial physiology, Cell division and cell cycle, Structural organization and function of intracellular organelles |
| Molecules and Their Interaction | Structure of atoms, chemical bonds, and molecules, Principles of biophysical chemistry, Bioenergetics, Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, and vitamins, Composition and stability of proteins and nucleic acids |
| Fundamental Processes | DNA replication, Extrachromosomal replicons, Homologous recombination, RNA synthesis, Control of gene expression, Gene transcription and translation, Protein synthesis and processing, RNA processing |
| Cell Communication and Signaling | Innate and adaptive immune system, Cell signaling pathways, Cancer biology, Host-parasite interaction, Cell communication mechanisms |
| Developmental Biology | Morphogenesis, Basic concepts of development, Organogenesis in animals, Gametogenesis, Fertilization, Early embryonic development |
| Inheritance Biology | Mendelian principles, Human genetics, Gene mapping, Pleiotropy, Quantitative genetics, Extrachromosomal inheritance, Mutation, Microbial genetics |
| System Physiology: Plant | Plant hormones, Photosynthesis, Respiration, Photoprotective mechanisms, Photorespiration, Nitrate and nitrogen metabolism, Ammonium assimilation |
| System Physiology: Animal | Blood and circulation, Nervous system, Cardiovascular system, Heart function, Blood groups, Sense organs, Digestive system, Respiratory system |
| Diversity of Life Forms | Taxonomy, Outline classification of plants, animals, and microorganisms, Adaptive radiation, Natural history of the Indian subcontinent, Levels of organization, Conservation biology |
| Evolution and Behavior | Paleontology and evolutionary history, Molecular evolution, Darwin’s concepts of variation, Brain and behavior studies, Evolutionary mechanisms |
| Applied Biology | Biosensors, Breeding in plants and animals, Bioremediation and phytoremediation, Microbial fermentation, Bioresources and uses of biodiversity |
| Ecological Principles | Environment, Population ecology, Habitat and niche, Conservation biology, Ecological succession, Origin of cells and unicellular evolution, Species interactions, Ecosystem ecology, Biogeography |
| Methods in Biology | Measuring central tendency and dispersal, Fluorescence techniques, Histochemical and immunotechniques, Statistical methods, Molecular biology and recombinant DNA methods, Circular dichroism |
CSIR NET Life Sciences Exam Pattern 2025
A clear understanding of the CSIR NET Life Sciences Exam Pattern 2025 is essential for candidates to plan their preparation effectively. The exam is structured to test general aptitude, subject knowledge, and higher-order analytical skills through three parts: Part A, Part B, and Part C.
Exam Pattern Overview
| Section | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt | Marks per Correct Answer | Negative Marking |
| Part A (General Aptitude) | 20 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 |
| Part B (Life Sciences) | 50 | 35 | 2 | 0.5 |
| Part C (Life Sciences, Analytical) | 75 | 25 | 4 | 1 |
| Total | 145 | 75 | – | – |
| Maximum Marks | – | – | – | 200 |
Key Points About the Exam Pattern
- Part A tests general aptitude, including logical reasoning, quantitative ability, and analytical skills.
- Part B focuses on subject-specific knowledge in core areas of life sciences.
- Part C includes higher-order analytical questions to assess scientific understanding and problem-solving skills.
- Candidates must attempt the required number of questions in each part carefully, keeping in mind the negative marking scheme.
By understanding the CSIR NET Life Sciences Exam Pattern 2025, aspirants can prioritize topics, allocate time efficiently, and develop a strategy to maximize scores in all three sections.
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CSIR NET Life Sciences Exam Preparation Tips
Before you start your study plan, take a look at these essential CSIR NET Life Sciences preparation tips designed to boost your overall performance.
| Preparation Tip | Description |
| Understand the Syllabus | Go through the complete CSIR NET Life Sciences syllabus and divide it into sections such as Part A, Part B, and Part C for systematic study. |
| Focus on Important Topics | Give extra attention to high-weightage subjects like Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, and practice them regularly. |
| Time Management | Create a realistic study schedule, allotting fixed hours to each subject to maintain consistent progress. |
| Practice Previous Papers | Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern and question trends. |
| Make Short Notes | Prepare brief notes on key concepts and formulas to help during last-minute revision. |
| Revise Regularly | Keep a weekly or bi-weekly revision cycle to retain concepts effectively before the exam. |
CSIR NET Life Sciences 3-Month Study Timetable (90 Days)
If you want a structured and result-oriented strategy, this CSIR NET Life Sciences 90 Days Study Plan will guide you through every step of your preparation.
Structure
- Month 1 (Days 1–30): Complete Basics + Core Units
- Month 2 (Days 31–60): Advanced Units + Part-C Focus
- Month 3 (Days 61–90): Revision + PYQs + Mock Tests
Month 1: Foundation & Core Units (Days 1–30)
| Week | Day Plan | Topics Covered |
| Week 1 (Days 1–7) | 3–4 hrs/day | Cellular Organization, Biomolecules, Biophysical Chemistry |
| Week 2 (Days 8–14) | 4 hrs/day | Fundamental Processes: DNA Replication, Transcription, Translation |
| Week 3 (Days 15–21) | 4 hrs/day | Gene Regulation, Operons, RNA Processing |
| Week 4 (Days 22–30) | 4–5 hrs/day | Cell Signaling, Cancer Biology, Immunology (Innate + Adaptive) |
Month 2: Advanced Units + Part-C Mastery (Days 31–60)
| Week | Day Plan | Topics Covered |
| Week 5 (Days 31–37) | 4–5 hrs/day | Developmental Biology: Gametogenesis → Organogenesis |
| Week 6 (Days 38–44) | 4 hrs/day | Inheritance Biology: Mendelian, Linkage, Gene Mapping, Mutations |
| Week 7 (Days 45–51) | 4–5 hrs/day | System Physiology – Plant: Photosynthesis, Respiration, Nitrogen Cycle |
| Week 8 (Days 52–60) | 4–5 hrs/day | System Physiology – Animal: Nervous, Cardiovascular, Respiratory Systems |
Month 3: Mock Tests + PYQs + Full Revision (Days 61–90)
| Week | Day Plan | Focus Area |
| Week 9 (Days 61–67) | 4 hrs/day | Diversity of Life Forms + Ecology + Evolution |
| Week 10 (Days 68–74) | 4–5 hrs/day | Applied Biology + Methods in Biology (scoring) |
| Week 11 (Days 75–82) | 3 hrs/day | Complete Syllabus Revision (Make short notes + charts) |
| Week 12 (Days 83–90) | 2–3 hrs/day | Solve 10 Full-Length Mock Tests + PYQs Analysis |
Daily Timetable
| Time | Task |
| 1 hour | Theory Reading (NPTEL/Books/Notes) |
| 1 hour | MCQs of Part B |
| 1 hour | Part C Numerical/Analytical Questions |
| 30 mins | Revision of previous topics |
| 30 mins | Flashcards/Diagrams/Short Notes Revision |
Weekly Targets
- Complete 1–2 units per week
- Solve 250–300 MCQs weekly
- Do 1 mini mock test every Sunday
CSIR NET life Science Previous Year Question Papers PDF Download
Here is a list of CSIR NET Life Sciences previous year question papers available for download.
| CSIR NET Previous Year Question Papers PDF (2022) | ||
| Subjects | Exam Shift | Download Link |
| Life Science | Shift 1 | PDF Download |
| Shift 2 | PDF Download | |
| CSIR NET Previous Year Question Papers PDF (2020) | ||
| Subjects | Exam Shift | PDF Download Link |
| Life Science | Shift 1 | PDF Download |
| Shift 2 | PDF Download | |
| CSIR NET Previous Year Question Papers PDF (2019) | |
| Subject | PDF Download |
| Life Sciences | PDF Download |
Importance of CSIR NET Previous Year Question Papers
CSIR NET previous year question papers are invaluable for the exam preparation, and the CSIR NET is no exception. Here’s why:
- Understanding the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the question types, marks distribution, and difficulty level, helping in better planning.
- Identifying Repeated Topics: Recognize recurring topics to focus on during preparation, optimizing study time.
- Time Management Practice: Practice solving papers under timed conditions to develop efficient time allocation skills.
- Improving Accuracy: Gain confidence and increase accuracy by understanding the exam format.
- Boosting Confidence: Regular practice simulates exam conditions, reducing anxiety and boosting confidence.
- Self-assessment: Evaluate strengths and weaknesses to adjust the study plan for improvement.
Also Check CSIR NET Notes
CSIR NET life Science Syllabus 2025 FAQs
What topics are covered in CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2025 Part B?
Part B of the CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2025 covers molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, physiology, signaling, developmental biology, evolution, ecology.
What is included in CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2025 Part C?
Part C of the CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2025 tests higher-order skills via analytical questions from all major life science units.
How to prepare for CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2025 effectively?
Follow a 3-month timetable, solve PYQs, practice Part C numericals, revise key units weekly, use MCQs, follow the CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2025 structure.
What are common topics students search in CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2025 PDF free download?
Queries include CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2025 PDF free download, exam pattern, eligibility, topic list, unit-wise syllabus, mock tests, PYQs.
