How to Prepare for CSIR NET Life Science – Study Material, Preparation Tips
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 13th, 2023

How to Prepare for CSIR NET Life Science: NTA conducts the CSIR NET Life Sciences exam for students from Biology backgrounds. The candidates must have a proper preparation strategy and strong determination to pass the Life Science exam. The candidates need to analyze the syllabus, study material, topic-wise weightage, preparation tips, previous year’s question paper, and books to shape their preparation effectively.
Hence, we have provided all the important details the candidates need for CSIR NET Life Science preparation. So, go through this article and elevate your preparation plan and strategy for the upcoming exam.
Table of content
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1.
CSIR NET Life Science 2023 Topic Weightage
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2.
Syllabus of CSIR NET Life Science
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3.
Best Books CSIR NET Life Science Preparation
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4.
Preparation Tips for CSIR NET Life Science Exam
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5.
Study Material for Life Science
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6.
3 Month Study Plan for CSIR NET Life Science
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7.
2 Months Study Plan for CSIR NET Life Science
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8.
How to Prepare for CSIR NET Life Science without Coaching?
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9.
CSIR NET Life Science Paper Analysis
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10.
Questions Asked in CSIR NET Life Science
CSIR NET Life Science 2023 Topic Weightage
The candidates must acknowledge the weightage of each unit included in the life science syllabus to prepare the most effective study plan accordingly. The table below summarizes the topic-wise weightage for the exam. The questions from these topics will be objective type and candidates can go through the detailed CSIR NET Exam Pattern to learn more about the paper structure.
Units | Weightage |
Biochemistry | 8 Questions |
Cellular Organisation | 8 Questions |
Fundamental Processes | 30 Questions |
Cell Communications and Cell Signaling | 12 Questions |
Developmental Biology | 10 Questions |
System Physiology – Plant | 12 Questions |
System Physiology – Animal | 7 Questions |
Inheritance Biology | 10 Questions |
Diversity of Life Forms | 18 Questions |
Ecological Principles | 8-9 Questions |
Evolution and Behavior | 9 Questions |
Applied Biology | 10 Questions |
Methods in Biology | 11 Questions |
Syllabus of CSIR NET Life Science
The candidates must be well aware of the CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus to ensure they do not leave any stone unturned and go through all the units and topics. The table below lists the syllabus in detail for the reference of candidates.
Units | Topic Name |
---|---|
Unit 1 | Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology |
Unit 2 | Cellular Organisation |
Unit 3 | Fundamental Processes |
Unit 4 | Cell Communications and Cell Signaling |
Unit 5 | Developmental Biology |
Unit 6 | System Physiology – Plant |
Unit 7 | System Physiology – Animal |
Unit 8 | Inheritance Biology |
Unit 9 | Diversity of Life Forms |
Unit 10 | Ecological Principles |
Unit 11 | Evolution and Behavior |
Unit 12 | Applied Biology |
Unit 13 | Methods in Biology |
Best Books CSIR NET Life Science Preparation
The candidates must have the best study material to prepare for the examination. The CSIR NET life science books can help candidates gain the most authentic knowledge and clarify their topics and unit concepts. Here is the list of a few books that the candidates can go through in the table given below-
Unit Name and Subject | Book Name |
Unit: Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology Subject: Biochemistry and Metabolism |
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry- Nelson and Cox |
Unit: Cellular Organization Topic: Cell and Molecular Biology |
Molecular Cell Biology- Lodish |
Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments by Gerald Karp | |
Unit: Cell Signalling Subject: Immunology | Kuby Immunology- Owen, Punt, Stanford,7th Ed |
Immunology (Instant notes) by Lydyard | |
Unit: Microbiology | Microbiology by Prescott |
Brock Biology of Microorganisms by Madigan | |
Developmental Biology | Developmental Biology – Scott F. Gilbert |
System Physiology – Plant | Plant Physiology – Taiz and Zeiger |
Plant Physiology by Ross and Salisbury | |
System Physiology – Animal | Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology |
Unit: Inheritance Biology Subject: Genetics | Principles of Genetics- D. Peter Snustad, Michael J. Simmons |
Genetics: Principles and Analysis by Daniel L Hartl and Elizabeth W. Jones | |
Bioinformatics | Bioinformatics by Baevanis and Oullette |
Unit: Ecological Principles Subject: Ecology | Ecology by Odum |
Elements of Ecology By Smith and Smith | |
Evolution and Behavior | Evolution by Strickberger |
The Evolution Handbook by Vance Ferrell | |
Theory of Evolution by Dawkins and Maynard | |
Unit: Applied Biology Subject: Biotechnology | Biotechnology-B D Singh |
Genomes 3 by T.A. Brown | |
Introduction To Plant Tissue Culture by Razdan MK | |
Unit: Methods in Biology Subject: Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA Methods | Principles of Gene Manipulation and Genomics-S.B. Primrose and R.M. Twyman |
Biophysical Chemistry (Principles and Techniques) By Upadhyay |
Preparation Tips for CSIR NET Life Science Exam
A few things must be adhered to before you jump into the preparation. Having a well-thought-out study plan for CSIR NET Life science is the best way to approach this. Here are a few tips that will help give you direction during your CSIR NET Life science preparation.
- Clarity of the Syllabus and the Exam Pattern
It is highly recommended that you are thorough with the syllabus as it assists you in planning your preparation efficiently. Understanding the exam pattern further helps you determine how and what to study. It will also give you an insight into the time needed to prepare the complete syllabus.
- Do not skip the Previous Year Paper
Solve a few CSIR NET previous year question papers to determine the grade of questions asked in the examination. You can also choose and categorize the topics per your strengths and weaknesses. This exercise will help you design your 3-month study plan as you can prioritize and revise the weaker subjects.
- Gather your Resources
You must take guidance from your mentors and toppers of the exam to curate a list of books. You must consider the time remaining for your preparation, i.e., three months; therefore, too many can spoil your trial. Keep the book list finite and revise them numerous times. An effective strategy is to focus on qualitative practice rather than quantitative.
- Conceptual Clarity
Do not try to give in to rite learning. The CSIR Exam demands an in-depth conceptual clarity of the topic. You must understand each topic thoroughly. This practice also enables better retention and memorization. If you can recall better in the exam hall, you will be able to speed up the question-solving process and gain better time management.
Study Material for Life Science
We have collected a few essential study materials for the candidates to go through by clicking on the links in the table below and making their preparation more straightforward and enjoyable.
Study Material | Links |
Study Notes for Life Science | Click Here |
Most Imp Questions for Life Science | Click Here |
Mind Maps for Life Science | Click Here |
Complete Study Notes for Part-A of Life Science | Click Here |
CSIR NET MCQ | Click Here |
3 Month Study Plan for CSIR NET Life Science
The key to productive preparation is proper planning. The planning shall begin with analyzing the syllabus to be covered in CSIR NET 2023.
CSIR-UGC (NET) Exam for the awarding of Junior Research Fellowship and Eligibility for Lecturership shall be a Single Paper Test having Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The question paper is divided into three parts.
Part ‘A’
This part carries 20 questions about General Science, Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis, and Research Aptitude, out of which candidates can attempt only 15 questions. Each question is of two marks. The total marks allocated to this section shall be 30 out of 200.
Part ‘B’
This part shall contain 50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) generally covering the topics given in the syllabus. A candidate shall be required to answer any 35 questions with two marks. The total marks allocated to this section shall be 70 out of 200.
Part ‘C’
This part shall contain 75 questions designed to test a candidate’s knowledge and application of the scientific concepts. The questions shall be analytical, where a candidate is expected to apply scientific knowledge to solve the given scientific problem. A candidate shall be required to answer any 25 questions. Each question shall be of four marks. The total marks allocated to this section shall be 100 out of 200.
Note: A negative marking of 25% for each wrong question is applicable.
2 Months Study Plan for CSIR NET Life Science
Here is the week-wise Study Plan for CSIR NET Life Science that has helped many candidates outperform in the exam. Divide your day judiciously, keeping the end of the day for revision. You must begin your day with the previous day’s work and end your day with the revision of the present day’s work. This way the entire syllabus can be divided into 13 to 14 weeks.
Day |
Topic to be covered for CSIR NET Life Sciences |
Week 1 |
Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology |
Week 2 |
Cellular Organization |
Week 3 |
Fundamental Processes |
Week 4 |
Cell Communication and Cell Signaling |
Week 5 |
Developmental Biology |
Week 6 |
System Physiology – Plant |
Week 7 |
System Physiology – Animal And Inheritance Biology |
Week 8 |
Diversity of Life Forms |
Week 9 |
Ecological Principles |
Week 10 |
Evolution and Behavior |
Week 12 |
Applied Biology |
Week 13 |
Methods in Biology |
How to Prepare for CSIR NET Life Science without Coaching?
Preparing for CSIR NET Life Science without coaching may seem daunting, but with a well-planned study strategy and dedication, it is certainly achievable. Here are some tips on how to prepare for CSIR NET without coaching.
- Divide the syllabus into manageable portions and allocate specific time for each topic. Craft a study plan for CSIR NET Life Science that suits your learning pace, ensuring systematic coverage of the entire syllabus.
- Gather appropriate study materials such as textbooks, previous years’ question papers, and online resources that are up-to-date.
- Evaluate your preparation level by taking mock tests. This helps identify areas that require improvement and provides a real exam-like experience.
- Enrolling in CSIR NET online coaching can be advantageous, offering convenience and guidance from experts to achieve your goal.
CSIR NET Life Science Paper Analysis
Going through the Life Science exam analysis is a significant step before starting your preparation. The CSIR NET Exam Analysis helps the students to make a proper strategy to prepare for the examination. The table below contains the difficulty level of each section of the exam-
S.No | Topic | Difficulty Level For Group 1 |
1 | Reasoning | Easy |
2 | Quantitative Aptitude/ Numerical Ability | Moderate |
3 | General Easy | Easy |
Questions Asked in CSIR NET Life Science
The students must go through the Life Science Previous year question paper for the CSIR NET Life Science Exam to acknowledge the type of question and exam pattern followed by the NTA for the life science exam. It will also help the candidates to analyze their knowledge for the examination.
CSIR NET Life Science Question Papers with Answers Key | ||
CSIR NET Life Science Question Paper | Question Paper PDF | Answer Key PDF |
CSIR NET 2019 – SET A | Life Science Question Paper PDF | Life Science Answer Key PDF |
CSIR NET 2019 Life Science Question Paper – SET B | Download PDF | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2019 Life Science Question Paper – SET C | Download PDF | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2018 – SET A | Life Science Question Paper PDF | Life Science Answer Key PDF |
CSIR NET 2018 Life Science Question Paper – SET B | Download PDF | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2018 Life Science Question Paper – SET C | Download PDF | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2017 – SET A | Life Science Question Paper PDF | Life Science Answer Key PDF |
CSIR NET 2017 Life Science Question Paper – SET B | Download PDF | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2017 Life Science Question Paper – SET C | Download PDF | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2016 – SET A | Life Science Question Paper PDF | Life Science Answer Key PDF |
CSIR NET 2016 Life Science Question Paper – SET B | Download Now | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2016 Life Science Question Paper – SET C | Download Now | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2015 – SET A | Life Science Question Paper PDF | Life Science Answer Key PDF |
CSIR NET 2015 Life Science Question Paper – SET B | Download Now | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2015 Life Science Question Paper – SET C | Download Now | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2018 – SET A | Life Science Question Paper PDF | Life Science Answer Key PDF |
CSIR NET 2018 Life Science Question Paper – SET B | Download Now | Download Now |
CSIR NET 2018 Life Science Question Paper – SET C | Download Now | Download Now |