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Syllabus for CSIR NET

CSIR has released the syllabus for CSIR NET for its upcoming NET (National Eligibility Test) in 2021. The detailed syllabus for NET for 2021, published on the official website of CSIR NET, is recommended by the CSIR HRDG Examination Unit for five subjects. Aspirants appearing in this nationwide exam to pursue Junior Research Fellowship and Lectureship must follow the HRDG prescribed syllabus for CSIR NET. Let’s delve deeper into the topic and understand this in detail.

Syllabus for CSIR NET – An Overview

Name of the examCSIR National Eligibility Test (NET)
Conducting bodyNational Testing Agency (NTA)
Purpose of examJunior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship (LR)
Mode of examinationComputed Based Test (CBT)
Number of subjectsFive; Life Science, Math, Earth Science, Physical Science & Chemical Science
Exam sectionsThree parts; Part A, Part B, and Part C
Duration of exam3 Hours
Medium of examEnglish and Hindi
Maximum marks200
Negative marking (if any)25% marks deducted for every wrong answer
Official websitecsirnet.nta.nic.in

CSIR NET Exam Pattern

The CSIR NET question paper is divided into three parts, A, B, and C. While the syllabus for part A is standard for all candidates, the syllabus for parts B and C is entirely based on the subjects chosen by the candidate during the registration. Candidates can check their syllabus for CSIR NET and exam pattern as per the exam cycle and start their preparation. 

As published via an official notification on the website of CSIR, the CSIR NET exam pattern for 2021 is as follows:

  • Part A: This part will carry 20 MCQs from General Sciences, Quantitative Reasoning, Graphical Ability, and Research Aptitude. The candidates must answer any 15 questions. Each question will carry 2 marks.
  • Part B: This part will carry 40 MCQs, covering the topics from subjects opted by the candidates. The candidates are required to answer any 35 questions, with each question carrying 2 marks.
  • Part C: This part shall contain 60 questions designed to test the candidates’ fundamental knowledge of scientific concepts. In this part, candidates are required to answer any 25 questions where each question shall carry 4 marks.

Syllabus for CSIR NET – An In-depth Look

CSIR NET Exam Syllabus for Life Sciences

Life Science is one of the most common subjects opted by CSIR NET aspirants. The syllabus of Life Sciences is usually more lengthy than the rest and therefore requires extensive practice and an in-depth understanding of subjects.

TOPICSCSIR NET LIFE SCIENCES SYLLABUS
System Physiology PlantPhotosynthesis, Respiration and photorespiration, Nitrogen metabolism, Plant hormones, Sensory photobiology, Solute transport, photoassimilate translocation, Secondary metabolites, and physiology.
System Physiology AnimalsBlood and Circulation, Cardiovascular system, Respiratory system, Nervous System, Sense Organs, Excretory system, Thermoregulation, Stress and Adaptation, Digestive System, and Endocrinology
Diversity of Life FormsPrinciples & methods of taxonomy, Levels of structural organization, Outline classification of plants, animals & microorganisms, Organisms of health & agricultural importance, and Organisms of conservation concern
Evolution and BehaviorThe emergence of evolutionary thoughts, Origin of cells and Unicellular Evolution, Paleontology and Evolutionary History, Molecular Evolution, The Mechanisms, Brain, Behavior, and Evolution

CSIR NET Syllabus for Mathematical Sciences

The Mathematical Sciences syllabus is divided into units where the primary topics are analysis, algebra, descriptive statistics, topology, and numerical analysis. The detailed syllabus is given below:

UNITSCSIR NET MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES SYLLABUS
Unit 01Analysis: Elementary set theory, finite, countable, and uncountable sets, Real number system as a complete ordered field, Archimedean property, supremum, infimum. Sequences and series, linear convergence
Unit 02Complex Analysis: Algebra of complex numbers, the complex plane, polynomials, transcendental functions such as exponential, trigonometric, and hyperbolic function, analytic function, Cauchy-Riemann equation.
Unit 03Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs): Existence and uniqueness of solutions of initial value problems for first-order ordinary differential equations, solutions of first-order ODEs, singular system of first-order ODEs.
Unit 04Descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis, Sample space, discrete probability, independent events, Bayes theorem. Random variables and distribution functions (univariate and multivariate)

CSIR NET Syllabus for Earth Sciences

The syllabus of Earth Sciences for the CSIR NET is divided into sections so that candidates can easily understand all the essential topics and subject matters. The in-depth syllabus for CSIR NET Earth Sciences is described below:

TOPICSCSIR NET EARTH SCIENCES SYLLABUS
GeologyMineralogy and Petrology, Structural Geology and Geotectonic, Paleontology and its Applications, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Marine Geology and Paleoceanography, Geochemistry, Economic Geology
Physical GeographyRemote sensing and GIS, Engineering Geology, Mineral Exploration, Hydrogeology, Geomorphology, Climatology, Biogeography, Environmental Geography and Geography of India, environmental sciences
GeophysicsSignal Processing, Field theory, Numerical Analysis and Inversion, Gravity and Magnetics fields of the earth, Plate Tectonics and Geodynamics, Seismology Elastic theory, Gravity and Magnetics Methods, Seismology
MeteorologyClimatology, Physical Meteorology, Atmospheric Electricity, Cloud Physics, Dynamic Meteorology, Numerical Weather Prediction, General Circulation, and Climate Modelling, Synoptic Meteorology

Syllabus for Physical Sciences

The syllabus for CSIR NET Physical Sciences may seem relatively easy compared to mathematics or life sciences but includes complex theoretical and practical concepts. The prescribed syllabus is as follows:

LEVELSCSIR NET PHYSICAL SCIENCES SYLLABUS
Core PhysicsMathematical Methods of Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics and Relativity, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Electronics Theoretical and Experimental Methods
Advanced PhysicsMathematical Methods of Physics, Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electronics, and Experimental Methods, Molecular Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Nuclear and  Atomic Particle Physics

CSIR NET Exam Syllabus for Chemical Sciences

The primary topics for the Chemical Science are categorized into organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, and fundamental interdisciplinary topics. The HRDG recommended syllabus is elaborated below:

TOPICSCSIR NET CHEMICAL SCIENCES SYLLABUS
Inorganic ChemistryChemical Periodicity, VSEPR Theory, Acids and Bases, Main group elements and their compounds, Transition elements and coordination compounds, Inner transition elements, Organometallic compounds
Organic ChemistryIUPAC nomenclature of organic molecules, Aromaticity, Organic transformations, Concepts in organic synthesis, Asymmetric synthesis, Pericyclic reaction, the chemistry of products, and determination
Physical ChemistryBasic principles of quantum mechanics, Approximate methods of quantum mechanics, Atomic structure and spectroscopy, Chemical applications of group theory, Molecular spectroscopy, Chemical thermodynamics,
Interdisciplinary ChemistryChemistry in nanoscience and technology, Catalysis and Green Chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Kinetics, Colloids and surfaces, Solid-state, Polymer chemistry

We hope this detailed post on the CSIR NET exam and the criteria will help aspirants understand the primary preparation-wise requirements for appearing in the CSIR NET as recommended by the Human Resource Development Group. The CSIR NET exam is quite difficult, but all you need is a practical understanding of the syllabus. So, get set and start preparing from today!

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