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CSIR NET 2024 Syllabus: Subject-Wise Topics & Best Books for Preparation

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Updated on Feb 12, 2025

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The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has shared the syllabus for the CSIR NET 2024 exam for the December session on its official website, csirnet.nta.ac.in. The syllabus covers five main subjects: Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; and Physical Sciences. Students who are preparing for the exam should carefully study the syllabus for their chosen subject.

The complete CSIR UGC NET Syllabus for 2024 is given below. Students are advised to go through the syllabus early to prepare well for the exam. A PDF of the syllabus is also available in this article, and students can download it using the link provided.

The CSIR NET 2024 exam is organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to select candidates for two roles: Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship (LS) or Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges.

CSIR NET Syllabus 2024

The CSIR NET Syllabus for all five subjects is given below:

  • Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • Life Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Physical Sciences

CSIR UGC NET Syllabus 2024: Part A

Section Topics
Reasoning Analytical Reasoning Syllogisms Analogies Directions Coding-Decoding Classification Alphabet Series Symbols and Notations Similarities and Differences Number Series Blood Relationships Arrangements Statements Data Sufficiency Non-verbal Reasoning Visual Ability Graphical Analysis Data Analysis
Quantitative Aptitude Simplifications Number System Average Algebra PercentageTime & Work Simple & Compound Interest Time & Speed HCF, LCM Problems Area Profit & Loss Bar Graph, Pictorial Graph, Pie Chart Ratio & Proportion Permutation & Combination
Data Interpretation & Graphical Analysis Mean Median Mode Measures of Dispersion Graphical Analysis: Bar Graph, Line Graph, Pie-Chart and Tabulation

CSIR UGC NET Syllabus 2024: Part B & C

The CSIR NET exam includes two more sections, Part B and Part C, and the syllabus for these parts varies depending on the subject. The detailed syllabus for each subject can be found in this article. Parts B and C are very important as they significantly impact the overall score in the CSIR NET exam.

CSIR NET Life Science Syllabus 2024

Have a look at Part B and C of the CSIR NET Syllabus for Life Science below. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent for each wrong answer.

  • 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

CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus 2024

Have a look at Part B and C of the CSIR NET syllabus for Physical Science below. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent for each wrong answer.

  • Mathematical Methods of Physics
  • Classical Mechanics
  • Electromagnetic Theory
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics
  • Electronics and Experimental Methods

CSIR NET Mathematical Science Syllabus 2024

Have a look at Part B and C of the CSIR NET syllabus for Mathematical Science below. There is a negative marking of 25 percent in Parts A and B and there is no negative marking for Part C.

  • Analysis
  • Linear Algebra
  • Complex Analysis
  • Algebra
  • Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs)
  • Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Calculus of Variations
  • Linear Integral Equations
  • Classical Mechanics
  • Descriptive Statistics, Exploratory Data Analysis

CSIR NET Earth Science Syllabus 2024

Have a look at Part B and C of CSIR NET syllabus for Earth Sciences below. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A and B and 33 percent in Part C for each wrong answer.

Part B

  • The Earth and the Solar System
  • Earth Materials, Surface Features and Processes
  • Interior of the Earth, Deformation and Tectonics
  • Oceans and Atmosphere
  • Environmental Earth Sciences

Part C

  • Geology - Mineralogy and Petrology
  • Geology - Structural Geology and Geotectonics
  • Geology - Paleontology and its Applications
  • Geology - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
  • Geology - Marine Geology and Paleoceanography
  • Geology - Geochemistry
  • Geology - Economic Geology
  • Geology - Precambrian Geology and Crustal Evolution
  • Geology - Quaternary Geology
  • Geology - Applied Geology
  • Geology - Physical Geography
  • Geology - Geophysics
  • Geology - Meteorology
  • Geology - Ocean Sciences

CSIR NET Chemical Science Syllabus 2024

Have a look at Part B and C of the CSIR NET syllabus for Chemical Science below. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent for each wrong answer.

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Chemistry in nanoscience and technology
  • Catalysis and Green Chemistry
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Supramolecular Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry

CSIR NET Subject-wise Syllabus 2024: Download PDF

To know the detailed CSIR UGC NET syllabus for all the subjects and sections, candidates can download the CSIR NET Syllabus PDF for the June session of the respective papers given below.

Paper Name Download PDF
Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences Click_Here
Chemical Sciences Click_Here
Life Sciences Click_Here
Mathematical Sciences Click_Here
Physical Sciences Click_Here

CSIR NET Model Question Paper

Subjects Link 
GENERAL SCIENCES -PART A (COMMON) click here
CHEMICAL SCIENCES-PART B & C click here
EARTH SCIENCES -PART B & C click here
LIFE SCIENCES -PART B & C click here
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES -PART B & C click here
PHYSICAL SCIENCES -PART B & C click here

Subject-Wise CSIR NET Best Books 2024

Since there are many books available in the market, there is a possibility that Students get confused looking at the multiple options. To help students to select the best books for CSIR NET, the list below mentions some good books for CSIR NET preparation 2024.

CSIR NET Best Books for Chemical Sciences

Candidates can CSIR NET Best Books for Chemical Science in the table below.

CSIR NET Books Authors/ Publications
Joint CSIR-UGC NET Chemical Science (Paper-II & III) Narender Sharma
CSIR-UGC NET/JRF/SET Chemical Sciences Dr Hemant Kulshrestha, Dr Ajay Taneja
Trueman's UGC-CSIR JRF / NET Chemical Sciences (Chemistry) M Gagan
Modern Methods of Organic Synthesis William Carruthers
Inorganic Chemistry Shriver and Atkins
Physical Chemistry Peter Atkins, Julio De Paula
March’s Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms & Structure Michael B Smith
Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure and Reactivity James E Huheey, Ellen A Keiter, Richard L Keiter, Okhil K Medhi
Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds Ernest L Eliel, Samuel H Wilen
Joint CSIR/UGC/NET Chemical Sciences Part- B & C R Gupta
Organic Chemistry Jonathan Clayden, Nick Greeves, Stuart Warren
Principles of Inorganic Chemistry B R Puri, L R Sharma, K C Kalia
Principles of Physical Chemistry B R Puri, L R Sharma, M S Pathania
Molecular Quantum Mechanics Peter W Atkins, Ronald S Friedman
Concepts and Models of Inorganic Chemistry Bodie E Douglas, Darl H McDaniel, John J Alexander
A Logical Approach in Chemistry for CSIR/NET/JRF and GATE (Problems and their Solutions) Jagdamba Singh, Ashutosh Singh, Jaya Singh

CSIR NET Best Books for Physical Sciences

Candidates can CSIR NET Best Books for Physical Science in the table below.

CSIR NET Books Authors/ Publications
CSIR-UGC NET/JRF/SET Physical Sciences Dr Surekha Tomar
Mathematical Physics H K Dass, Rama Verma
Classical Mechanics J C Upadhya
Modern Physics and Solid State Physics (Problems and Solutions) S O Pillai
Solid State Physics Neil W Ashcroft
CSIR-UGC NET (JRF & LS) Physical Science W Malemnganba Chenglei

Important CSIR NET Books for Mathematical Sciences

Candidates can CSIR NET Best Books for Mathematical Science in the table below.

CSIR NET Books Authors/ Publications
CSIR-UGC NET/JRF/SET Mathematical Sciences Alok Kumar (Upkar)
Real Analysis H L Royden
Complex Variables and Applications (Brown and Churchill) Ruel Churchill, James Brown
Contemporary Abstract Algebra Joseph A Gallian
Classical Mechanics Herbert Goldstein 
Fundamentals of Statistics S C Gupta

Important CSIR NET Books for Life Sciences

Candidates can CSIR NET Best Books for Life Science in the table below.

CSIR NET Books Authors/ Publications
Biochemistry Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M Berg
Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant Bernard J Glick, Jack J. Pasternak, Cheryl L Patten
Plant Physiology Ross and Salisbury
Plant Physiology Lincoln Taiz, Eduardo Zeiger
Kuby Immunology Thomas J Kindt 
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology Gerard J Tortora, Sandra R Grabowski 
Prescott's Microbiology Joanne Willey, Linda Sherwood, Christopher J Woolverton
From Genes to Clones E L Winnacker

Important CSIR NET Books for Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences

Candidates can CSIR NET Best Books for Earth Science in the table below.

CSIR NET Books Authors/ Publications
CSIR-UGC NET/JRF Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences Exam Guide Surendra Kumar
An Objective Earth Sciences S Ahmad
Earth Science: The Physical Setting Jeffrey C Callister 
Climatology and Oceanography D S Lal
Physical Geography  Savindra Singh

CSIR NET Syllabus FAQs

Where can the CSIR NET 2024 syllabus be found?

The CSIR NET 2024 syllabus for the December session is available on the official website, csirnet.nta.ac.in.

How many subjects are covered in the CSIR NET syllabus?

The CSIR NET syllabus includes five subjects: Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; and Physical Sciences.

What is covered in Part A of the CSIR NET exam?

Part A is common for all subjects and includes General Science, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analysis and Research Aptitude questions.

Is there negative marking in the CSIR NET exam?

Yes, there is negative marking in Part A and Part B across all subjects. In Part C, some subjects have negative marking, while others do not.

How can students download the CSIR NET syllabus PDF?

The syllabus PDF for all subjects can be downloaded from the official website or through the links provided in this article.

What are the important topics in the CSIR NET Life Sciences syllabus?

Key topics include Cellular Organization, Fundamental Processes, Developmental Biology, Evolution, and Applied Biology.

Which section carries the highest weightage in the CSIR NET exam?

Part C generally carries the highest weightage as it tests higher-order analytical skills and subject knowledge.

What are some recommended books for CSIR NET Chemical Sciences preparation?

Some recommended books include Joint CSIR-UGC NET Chemical Science by Narender Sharma and Physical Chemistry by Peter Atkins.

Is there a separate syllabus for CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences?

Yes, the syllabus includes topics like Linear Algebra, Complex Analysis, Numerical Analysis, and Ordinary Differential Equations.

What is the difficulty level of the CSIR NET exam?

The CSIR NET exam is considered moderately to highly difficult, depending on the subject, as it assesses in-depth conceptual knowledge and problem-solving skills.

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