CSIR NET is a highly competitive examination for determining the eligibility of candidates for the position of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship (LS) in various universities and colleges across India. CSIR NET exam primarily assesses candidates in five subjects: Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
CSIR NET syllabus is designed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge, analytical skills, and research aptitude in the respective subjects. Below is an in-depth look at the CSIR NET syllabus for each subject.
CSIR NET Syllabus 2025
CSIR NET syllabus 2025 is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge, analytical reasoning, and research aptitude across five major disciplines. Candidates preparing for CSIR NET 2025 should adopt a strategic approach by understanding the detailed CSIR NET syllabus, mastering core topics, and practicing previous year papers to boost confidence and accuracy in the examination.
CSIR NET Syllabus Subject Wise
CSIR NET Syllabus covers five subjects: Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences.
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CSIR NET Syllabus Life Sciences
CSIR NET syllabus for Life Sciences evaluates candidates’ understanding of biological sciences, including topics like biochemistry, genetics, ecology, molecular biology, and biotechnology. CSIR NET Syllabus Life Sciences is broadly divided into four major sections:
Section A: General Science
- Biochemistry: Structure and function of biomolecules, enzymes, metabolic pathways, and bioenergetics.
- Cell Biology: Cell structure and function, molecular basis of inheritance, cell signalling, and cell division.
- Genetics and Evolution: Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics, population genetics, and principles of evolution.
- Physiology and Biochemistry of Plants and Animals: Basic metabolic pathways, plant physiology, and physiology of organ systems in humans and animals.
Section B: Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Genetics
- Molecular Biology: DNA replication, transcription, translation, gene regulation, and recombinant DNA technology.
- Genetics: Mendelian inheritance, chromosomal disorders, and gene mapping.
- Cell Biology: Structure and function of cell organelles, the cell cycle, and molecular mechanisms of cellular processes.
Section C: Biotechnology, Microbiology, and Biochemical Techniques
- Microbiology: Structure, classification, and growth of microorganisms, and principles of microbiological techniques.
- Biotechnology: Principles and applications of genetic engineering, bioreactors, industrial microbiology, and bioinformatics.
- Biochemical Techniques: Chromatography, electrophoresis, and molecular imaging techniques.
Section D: Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Environmental Science
- Ecology: Ecosystem structure and function, population ecology, conservation biology, and environmental pollution.
- Evolutionary Biology: Darwinism, mechanisms of evolution, and speciation.
- Environmental Science: Biodiversity, environmental issues, and sustainability.
2. CSIR NET Syllabus Chemical Sciences
CSIR NET Syllabus for Chemical Sciences focuses on organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. It includes topics ranging from atomic structure to chemical kinetics and reaction mechanisms. The key sections include:
Section A: Physical Chemistry
- Atomic and Molecular Structure: Quantum chemistry, molecular orbital theory, and atomic structure.
- Chemical Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy, and phase equilibria.
- Chemical Kinetics: Rate laws, reaction mechanisms, and catalysis.
- Electrochemistry: Electrochemical cells, Nernst equation, and batteries.
- Spectroscopy: Principles of UV-Vis, IR, NMR, and mass spectrometry.
Section B: Organic Chemistry
- Reaction Mechanisms: Types of reactions, reaction intermediates, and rearrangements.
- Stereochemistry: Isomerism, chirality, and stereochemical concepts in reactions.
- Organic Synthesis: Synthetic routes, reagents, and techniques in organic chemistry.
- Functional Group Chemistry: Reactions of hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids.
Section C: Inorganic Chemistry
- Periodic Table and Periodicity: Trends in the periodic table and properties of elements.
- Chemical Bonding: Types of bonds, molecular orbital theory, and hybridization.
- Coordination Chemistry: Ligands, coordination compounds, and crystal field theory.
- Solid State Chemistry: Crystalline solids, unit cells, and defects in solids.
Section D: General Chemistry
- Molecular Spectroscopy: Interaction of light with matter, absorption, emission, and scattering of light.
- Nuclear Chemistry: Radioactivity, fission, and fusion reactions.
- Applications of Chemical Reactions: Industrial and biological applications of chemical reactions.
3. CSIR NET Syllabus Earth Sciences
CSIR NET syllabus for Earth Sciences assesses candidates on topics related to geology, meteorology, oceanography, and environmental science. CSIR NET syllabus for Earth Sciences is divided into the following key sections:
Section A: Geology
- Mineralogy: Types of minerals, crystallography, and properties of minerals.
- Petrology: Classification of rocks, rock-forming minerals, and igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
- Structural Geology: Geological structures, folds, faults, and earthquakes.
- Palaeontology: Fossil identification, principles of palaeontology, and geological time scale.
Section B: Geophysics and Meteorology
- Seismology: Earthquake waves, seismic data interpretation, and plate tectonics.
- Atmospheric Science: Composition of the atmosphere, weather, and climate patterns.
- Oceanography: Ocean currents, marine ecosystems, and oceanographic surveys.
Section C: Environmental Science
- Ecology: Environmental management, conservation, and environmental policy.
- Hydrology: Water resources, precipitation, and groundwater systems.
4. CSIR NET Syllabus Physical Sciences
CSIR NET syllabus for Physical Sciences section examines candidates’ understanding of physics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. The key areas of focus include:
Section A: Classical Mechanics
- Newtonian Mechanics: Kinematics, laws of motion, and work-energy theorem.
- Rotational Dynamics: Torque, angular momentum, and rigid body motion.
- Fluid Mechanics: Fluid statics, dynamics, and hydrodynamics.
Section B: Electromagnetism and Optics
- Electrostatics and Magnetostatics: Coulomb’s law, electric fields, and magnetic fields.
- Electromagnetic Waves: Wave equations, propagation of waves, and waveguides.
- Optics: Reflection, refraction, interference, and diffraction.
Section C: Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics
- Quantum Mechanics: Wave-particle duality, Schrödinger equation, and quantum states.
- Statistical Mechanics: Distribution functions, thermodynamic potentials, and phase transitions.
- Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, entropy, and thermodynamic systems.
Section D: Solid State Physics and Nuclear Physics
- Solid State Physics: Crystal structure, electronic properties, and semiconductor physics.
- Nuclear Physics: Nuclear models, radioactivity, and nuclear reactions.
5. CSIR NET Syllabus Mathematical Sciences
CSIR NET syllabus for Mathematical Sciences focuses on subjects like calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and probability theory. The major sections in Mathematical Sciences CSIR NET syllabus include:
Section A: Mathematical Methods
- Calculus: Limits, continuity, differentiation, and integration.
- Linear Algebra: Matrix theory, vector spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
- Complex Analysis: Functions of complex variables, contour integration, and residue theorem.
Section B: Algebra, Analysis, and Differential Equations
- Abstract Algebra: Groups, rings, fields, and vector spaces.
- Real Analysis: Convergence, sequences, and series of real numbers.
- Differential Equations: Ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, and methods of solution.
Section C: Probability and Statistics
- Probability Theory: Random variables, distributions, and Bayes’ theorem.
- Statistical Methods: Estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis.
