CSIR UGC JRF NET Examination Syllabus -

CSIR UGC JRF NET Examination Syllabus

The National Testing Agency (NTA) was created by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), which is now known as the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GOI), as an independent, autonomous, and self-sustaining premier testing organization.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been given the responsibility of conducting the Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination by the CSIR.

Joint CSIR UGC JRF NET examination is conducted in the following subjects:

Subject code	The subject of the test
701	Chemical Sciences
702	Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences
703	Life Sciences
704	Mathematical Sciences
705	Physical Sciences

Subject Code for JRF Examination

Essential Educational Qualifications

M.Sc. or an equivalent degree, integrated BS-MS, BS-4 years, BE, B. Tech, B. Pharma, or MBBS with at least 55% (without rounding off) marks for candidates in the general (UR) and general-EWS categories, and 50% (without rounding off) for candidates who are the third gender, OBC/SC/ST, or who have disabilities (PwD).

Candidates enrolled in M.Sc. programs or who had completed 10+2+3 years of the aforementioned qualifying examination as of the deadline for online application submission are also eligible to apply in the aforementioned subject under the Result Awaited (RA) category, provided they complete their qualifying degree with the required percentage of marks within two years of the date the Joint CSIR-UGC NET Test result is announced; otherwise, they will be treated as having failed the test.

CSIR-UGC JRF NET Examination Detailed Syllabus

The detailed syllabus for the CSIR-UGC JRF NET examination is given below:

Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology
Cellular Organization
Fundamental Processes
Cell Communication and Cell Signaling
Developmental Biology
System Physiology – Plant
System Physiology – Animal
Inheritance Biology
Diversity of Life Forms
Ecological Principles
Evolution and Behavior
Applied Biology
Methods in Biology

1. Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology

(A) Structure of atoms, molecules, and chemical bonds.
(B) Composition, structure, and function of biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and vitamins).
(C) Stabilizing interactions (Van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction, etc.).
(D) Principles of biophysical chemistry (pH, buffer, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, colligative properties).
(E) Bioenergetics, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, coupled reaction, group
transfer, biological energy transducers.
(F) Principles of catalysis, enzymes, enzyme kinetics, enzyme regulation, mechanism of enzyme catalysis, isozymes.
(G) Conformation of proteins (Ramachandran plot, secondary structure, domains, motif, and folds).
(H) Conformation of nucleic acids (helix (A, B, Z), t-RNA, micro-RNA).
(I) Stability of proteins and nucleic acids.
(J) Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids nucleotides, and vitamins.

2. Cellular Organization

(A) Membrane structure and function: (Structure of model membrane, lipid bilayer, and membrane protein diffusion, osmosis, ion channels, active transport, membrane pumps, mechanism of sorting and regulation of intracellular transport, electrical properties of membranes).
(B) Structural organization and function of intracellular organelles (Cell wall, nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes, plastids, vacuoles, chloroplast, structure & function of cytoskeleton and its role in motility).
(C) Organization of genes and chromosomes (Operon, unique and repetitive DNA, interrupted genes, gene families, the structure of chromatin and chromosomes, heterochromatin, euchromatin, transposons).
(D) Cell division and cell cycle (Mitosis and meiosis, their regulation, steps in cell cycle, regulation and control of cell cycle).
(E) Microbial Physiology (Growth yield and characteristics, strategies of cell division, stress response).

3. Fundamental Processes

(A) DNA replication, repair, and recombination (Unit of replication, enzymes involved, replication origin and replication fork, fidelity of replication, extrachromosomal replicons, DNA damage and repair mechanisms, homologous and site-specific recombination).
(B) RNA synthesis and processing (transcription factors and machinery, formation of initiation complex, transcription activator and repressor, RNA polymerases, capping, elongation, and termination, RNA processing, RNA editing, splicing, and polyadenylation, structure, and function of different types of RNA, RNA transport).
(C) Protein synthesis and processing (Ribosome, formation of initiation complex, initiation factors and their regulation, elongation and elongation factors, termination, genetic code, aminoacylation of tRNA, tRNA-identity, aminoacyl tRNA synthetase, and translational proof-reading, translational inhibitors, Post-translational modification of proteins).
(D) Control of gene expression at transcription and translation level (regulating the expression of phages, viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes, the role of chromatin in gene expression, and gene silencing).

4. Cell communication and cell signaling

(A) Host-parasite interaction: Recognition and entry processes of different pathogens like bacteria, and viruses into animal and plant host cells, alteration of host cell behavior by pathogens, virus-induced cell transformation, pathogen-induced diseases in animals and plants, cell-cell fusion in both normal and abnormal cells.
(B) Cell signaling: Hormones and their receptors, cell surface receptor, signaling through G-protein coupled receptors, signal transduction pathways, second messengers, regulation of signaling pathways, bacterial and plant two-component systems, light signaling in plants, bacterial chemotaxis, and quorum sensing.
(C) Cellular communication: Regulation of hematopoiesis, general principles of cell communication, cell adhesion and roles of different adhesion molecules, gap junctions, extracellular matrix, integrins, neurotransmission, and its regulation.
(D) Cancer: Genetic rearrangements in progenitor cells, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cancer, and the cell cycle, virus-induced cancer, metastasis, interaction of cancer cells with normal cells, apoptosis, therapeutic interventions of uncontrolled cell growth.
(E) Innate and the adaptive immune system: Cells and molecules involved in innate and adaptive immunity, antigens, antigenicity, and immunogenicity. B and T cell epitopes, structure and function of antibody molecules. generation of antibody diversity, monoclonal antibodies, antibody engineering, antigen-antibody interactions, MHC molecules, antigen processing and presentation, activation and differentiation of B and T cells, B and T cell receptors, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, primary and secondary immune modulation, the complement system, Toll-like receptors, cell-mediated effector functions, inflammation, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity, immune response during bacterial (tuberculosis), parasitic (malaria) and viral (HIV) infections, congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, vaccines.

5. Developmental Biology

(A) Basic concepts of development: Potency, commitment, specification, induction, competence, determination, and differentiation; morphogenetic gradients; cell fate and cell lineages; stem cells; genomic equivalence and the cytoplasmic determinants; imprinting; mutants and transgenics in the analysis of development
(B) Gametogenesis, fertilization, and early development: Production of gametes, cell surface molecules in sperm-egg recognition in animals; embryo sac development and double fertilization in plants; zygote formation, cleavage, blastula formation, embryonic fields, gastrulation and formation of germ layers in animals; embryogenesis, the establishment of symmetry in plants; seed formation and germination.
(C) Morphogenesis and organogenesis in animals: Cell aggregation and differentiation in Dictyostelium; axes and pattern formation in Drosophila, amphibian, and chick; organogenesis – vulva formation in Caenorhabditis elegans, eye lens induction, limb development and regeneration in vertebrates; differentiation of neurons, post-embryonic development- larval formation, metamorphosis; environmental regulation of normal development; sex determination.
(D) Morphogenesis and organogenesis in plants: Organization of shoot and root apical meristem; shoot and root development; leaf development and phyllotaxy; transition to flowering, floral meristems, and floral development in Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum
(E) Programmed cell death, aging, and senescence.

6. System Physiology – Plant

(A) Photosynthesis: Light harvesting complexes; mechanisms of electron transport; photoprotective mechanisms; CO2 fixation-C3, C4, and CAM pathways.
(B) Respiration and photorespiration: Citric acid cycle; plant mitochondrial electron transport and ATP synthesis; alternate oxidase; photorespiratory pathway.
(C) Nitrogen metabolism: Nitrate and ammonium assimilation; amino acid biosynthesis.
(D) Plant hormones: Biosynthesis, storage, breakdown, and transport; physiological effects and mechanisms of action.
(E) Sensory photobiology: Structure, function, and mechanisms of action of phytochromes, cryptochromes, and phototropin; stomatal movement; photoperiodism and biological clocks.
(F) Solute transport and photoassimilate translocation: Uptake, transport, and translocation of water, ions, solutes, and macromolecules from soil, through cells, across membranes, through xylem and phloem; transpiration; mechanisms of loading and unloading of photoassimilates.
(G) Secondary metabolites: Biosynthesis of terpenes, phenols, and nitrogenous compounds and their roles.
(H) Stress physiology: Responses of plants to biotic (pathogen and insects) and abiotic (water, temperature, and salt) stresses.

7. System Physiology – Animal

(A) Blood and circulation: Blood corpuscles, hemopoiesis and formed elements, plasma function, blood volume, blood volume regulation, blood groups, hemoglobin, immunity, and hemostasis.
(B) Cardiovascular System: Comparative anatomy of heart structure, myogenic heart, specialized tissue, ECG – its principle and significance, cardiac cycle, heart as a pump, blood pressure, neural and chemical regulation of all above.
(C) Respiratory system: Comparison of respiration in different species, anatomical considerations, transport of gases, exchange of gases, waste elimination, neural and chemical regulation of respiration.
(D) Nervous system: Neurons, action potential, gross neuroanatomy of the brain and spinal cord, central and peripheral nervous system, neural control of muscle tone and posture.
(E) Sense organs: Vision, hearing, and tactile response.
(F) Excretory system: Comparative physiology of excretion, kidney, urine formation, urine concentration, waste elimination, micturition, regulation of water balance, blood volume, blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and acid-base balance.
(G) Thermoregulation: Comfort zone, body temperature – physical, chemical, neural regulation, acclimatization.
(H) Stress and adaptation
(I) Digestive system: Digestion, absorption, energy balance, BMR.
(J) Endocrinology and reproduction: Endocrine glands, the basic mechanism of hormone action, hormones and diseases; reproductive processes, gametogenesis, ovulation, neuroendocrine regulation

8. Inheritance Biology

(A) Mendelian principles: Dominance, segregation, independent assortment.
(B) Concept of gene: Allele, multiple alleles, pseudoallele, complementation tests
(C) Extensions of Mendelian principles: Codominance, incomplete dominance, gene interactions, pleiotropy, genomic imprinting, penetrance and expressivity, phenocopy, linkage and crossing over, sex linkage, sex limited and sex influenced characters.
(C) Gene mapping methods: Linkage maps, tetrad analysis, mapping with molecular markers, mapping by using somatic cell hybrids, and development of mapping population in plants.
(D) Extra chromosomal inheritance: Inheritance of Mitochondrial and chloroplast genes, maternal inheritance.
(E) Microbial genetics: Methods of genetic transfers – transformation, conjugation, transduction and sex-duction, mapping genes by interrupted mating, fine structure analysis of genes.
(F) Human genetics: Pedigree analysis, lod score for linkage testing, karyotypes, genetic disorders.
(G) Quantitative genetics: Polygenic inheritance, heritability, and its measurements, QTL mapping.
(H) Mutation: Types, causes, and detection, mutant types – lethal, conditional, biochemical, loss of function, the gain of function, germinal verses somatic mutants, insertional mutagenesis.
(I) Structural and numerical alterations of chromosomes: Deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation, ploidy and their genetic implications.
(J) Recombination: Homologous and non-homologous recombination including transposition.

9. Diversity of Life Forms

(A) Principles & methods of taxonomy: Concepts of species and hierarchical taxa, biological nomenclature, classical & quantitative methods of the taxonomy of plants, animals, and microorganisms.
(B) Levels of structural organization: Unicellular, colonial, and multicellular forms. Levels of organization of tissues, organs & systems. Comparative anatomy, adaptive radiation, adaptive modifications.
(C) Outline classification of plants, animals & microorganisms: Important criteria used for classification in each taxon. Classification of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Evolutionary relationships among taxa.
(D) Natural history of the Indian subcontinent: Major habitat types of the subcontinent, geographic origins, and migrations of species. Common Indian mammals, birds. Seasonality and phenology of the subcontinent.
(E) Organisms of health & agricultural importance: Common parasites and pathogens of humans, domestic animals, and crops.
(F) Organisms of conservation concern: Rare, endangered species. Conservation strategies.

10. Ecological Principles

(A) The Environment: Physical environment; biotic environment; biotic and abiotic interactions.
(B) Habitat and Niche: Concept of habitat and niche; niche width and overlap; fundamental and realized niche; resource partitioning; character displacement.
(C) Population Ecology: Characteristics of a population; population growth curves; population regulation; life history strategies (r and K selection); the concept of metapopulation – demes and dispersal, intergenic extinctions, age-structured populations.
(D) Species Interactions: Types of interactions, interspecific competition, herbivory, carnivory, pollination, symbiosis.
(E) Community Ecology: Nature of communities; community structure and attributes; levels of species diversity and its measurement; edges and ecotones.
(F) Ecological Succession: Types; mechanisms; changes involved in succession; the concept of climax.
(G) Ecosystem Ecology: Ecosystem structure; ecosystem function; energy flow and mineral cycling (C, N, P); primary production and decomposition; structure and function of some Indian ecosystems: terrestrial (forest, grassland) and aquatic (freshwater, marine, estuarine).
(H) Biogeography: Major terrestrial biomes; theory of island biogeography; biogeographical zones of India.
(I) Applied Ecology: Environmental pollution;
(J) Global environmental change; biodiversity: status, monitoring, and documentation; major drivers of biodiversity change; biodiversity management approaches.
(K) Conservation Biology: Principles of conservation, major approaches to management, Indian case studies on conservation/management strategy (Project Tiger, Biosphere reserves).

11. Evolution and Behavior

(A) Emergence of evolutionary thoughts: Lamarck; Darwin–concepts of variation, adaptation, struggle, fitness, and natural selection; Mendelism; Spontaneity of mutations; The evolutionary synthesis.
(B) Origin of cells and unicellular evolution: Origin of basic biological molecules; Abiotic synthesis of organic monomers and polymers; Concept of Oparin and Haldane; Experiment of Miller (1953); The first cell; Evolution of prokaryotes; Origin of eukaryotic cells; Evolution of unicellular eukaryotes; Anaerobic metabolism, photosynthesis, and aerobic metabolism.
(C) Paleontology and Evolutionary History: The evolutionary time scale; Eras, periods and epoch; Major events in the evolutionary time scale; Origins of unicellular and multicellular organisms; Major groups of plants and animals; Stages in primate evolution including Homo.
(D) Molecular Evolution: Concepts of neutral evolution, molecular divergence, and molecular clocks; Molecular tools in phylogeny, classification, and identification; Protein and nucleotide sequence analysis; origin of new genes and proteins; Gene duplication and divergence.
(E) The Mechanisms: Population genetics – Populations, Gene pool, Gene frequency; Hardy-Weinberg Law; concepts and rate of change in gene frequency through natural selection, migration, and random genetic drift; Adaptive radiation; Isolating mechanisms; Speciation; Allopatricity and Sympatricity; Convergent evolution; Sexual selection; Co-evolution.
(F) Brain, Behavior, and Evolution: Approaches and methods in the study of behavior; Proximate and ultimate causation; Altruism and evolution-Group selection, Kin selection, Reciprocal altruism; Neural basis of learning, memory, cognition, sleep, and arousal; Biological clocks; Development of behavior; Social communication; Social dominance; Use of space and territoriality; Mating systems, Parental investment and Reproductive success; Parental care; Aggressive behavior; Habitat selection and optimality in foraging; Migration, orientation, and navigation; Domestication and behavioral changes.

12. Applied Biology

(A) Microbial fermentation and production of small and macromolecules.
(B) Application of immunological principles, vaccines, and diagnostics. Tissue and cell culture methods for plants and animals.
(C) Transgenic animals and plants, molecular approaches to diagnosis, and strain identification.
(D) Genomics and its application to health and agriculture, including gene therapy.
(E) Bioresource and uses of biodiversity.
(F) Breeding in plants and animals, including marker–assisted selection.
(G) Bioremediation and phytoremediation.
(H) Biosensors.

13. Methods in Biology

(A) Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA methods:
- Isolation and purification of RNA, DNA (genomic and plasmid), and proteins, different separation methods.
- Analysis of RNA, DNA, and proteins by one and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, Isoelectric focusing gels.
- Molecular cloning of DNA or RNA fragments in bacterial and eukaryotic systems.
- Expression of recombinant proteins using bacterial, animal, and plant vectors.
- Isolation of specific nucleic acid sequences. Generation of genomic and cDNA libraries in the plasmid, phage, cosmid, BAC, and YAC vectors.
- In vitro mutagenesis and deletion techniques, gene knock out in bacterial and eukaryotic organisms.
- Protein sequencing methods, detection of post-translation modification of proteins.
- DNA sequencing methods, strategies for genome sequencing.
- Methods for analysis of gene expression at RNA and protein level, large scale expression, such as microarray-based techniques.
- Isolation, separation, and analysis of carbohydrate and lipid molecules.
- RFLP, RAPD, and AFLP techniques.
(B) Histochemical and Immunotechniques: Antibody generation, Detection of molecules using ELISA, RIA, western blot, immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence microscopy, detection of molecules in living cells, and in situ localization by techniques such as FISH and GISH.
(C) Biophysical Method: Molecular analysis using UV/visible, fluorescence, circular dichroism, NMR, and ESR spectroscopy Molecular structure determination using X-ray diffraction and NMR, Molecular analysis using light scattering, different types of mass spectrometry and surface plasma resonance methods.
(D) Statistical Methods: Measures of central tendency and dispersal; probability distributions (Binomial, Poisson, and normal); Sampling distribution; Difference between parametric and non-parametric statistics; Confidence Interval; Errors; Levels of significance; Regression and Correlation; t-test; Analysis of variance; X2 test; Basic introduction to Muetrovariate statistics, etc.
(E) Radiolabeling techniques: Detection and measurement of different types of radioisotopes normally used in biology, incorporation of radioisotopes in biological tissues and cells, molecular imaging of radioactive material, and safety guidelines.
(F) Microscopic techniques: Visualization of cells and subcellular components by light microscopy, resolving powers of different microscopes, microscopy of living cells, scanning and transmission microscopes, different fixation and staining techniques for EM, freeze-etch and freeze-fracture methods for EM, and image processing methods in microscopy.
(G) Electrophysiological methods: Single neuron recording, patch-clamp recording, ECG, Brain activity recording, lesion and stimulation of the brain, pharmacological testing, PET, MRI, fMRI, CAT.
(H) Methods in field biology: Methods of estimating population density of animals and plants, ranging patterns through direct, indirect, and remote observations, sampling methods in the study of behavior, habitat characterization: ground and remote sensing methods.

CSIR UGC JRF NET Examination Syllabus