CUET Biology Syllabus 2023: Chapter-Wise Syllabus, Exam Pattern & More

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) provides equal opportunity to students to get admission to various undergraduate programmes in reputed universities. Earlier, colleges used to accept candidates based on their class 12th marks. However, this national-level entrance exam opens doors for applicants from distant and remote areas to apply to top colleges. The CUET exam is administered in an online format across India. Several CUET Test Practise Centres (TPCs) have been set up at various locations to help aspirants prepare for the exam. It’s conducted in 13 languages to make it accessible to a wider range of applicants.

Students who want to pursue an academic programme in Biology will also have to give CUET to secure a seat in their favourite college. No wonder it’s a challenging stream with ample professional opportunities, and thousands of candidates are expected to appear this year for CUET Biology. To prepare efficiently, the first step is to get familiar with the syllabus and exam pattern. Well, let us help you get through this stage. Here is a detailed CUET Biology syllabus with chapter names, important topics, and other details. 

Overview of CUET 2023

CUET, previously known as CUCET, is conducted for admission to UG programmes in central universities. It ensures more transparency, equal opportunities, and a standardised evaluation of candidates’ competency. The exam is conducted in 13 different languages- English, Hindi, Odia, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, Telugu, Urdu, Punjabi, Assamese, Malayalam, Gujarati, and Kannada. CUET is divided into three sections- language test, domain-specific, and general test. The first two sections are mandatory. Lakhs of students appear for the exam, and the same is expected for this year. The CUET Biology consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, out of which candidates must attempt 40. We’ll discuss the CUET Biology exam pattern further, but before that, let’s take a look at the CUET 2023 Biology syllabus.

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CUET Biology Syllabus 2023

CUET Biology syllabus included five modules, each with different chapters and topics. As candidates prepare for the entrance exam, they must know the in-depth syllabus to ensure they don’t overlook an important section or topic. Also, it ensures that they are moving in the right direction while preparing. Once they have a syllabus, candidates can decide which topics to cover first and which ones to learn later based on their convenience. They can create a suitable study plan that ensures regularity and practice. So, let’s start with the units covered in the Biology syllabus.

Unit	Unit Name	Chapters
I	Reproduction	Reproduction in organisms Sexual reproduction in flowering plants Human reproduction Reproductive health
II	Genetics and Evolution	Heredity and variation Molecular basis of inheritance Evolution
III	Biology and Human Welfare	Health and disease Improvement in food production Microbes in human welfare
IV	Biotechnology and Its Applications	Principles and processes of biotechnology Application of biotechnology in health and agriculture
V	Biotechnology Applications	Organisms and environment Ecosystems Biodiversity and its conservation Environmental issues

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Detailed Unit-wise Syllabus of Biology CUET

Now, let’s dive deeper and have a look at the topics covered in each chapter.

Unit I- Reproduction

Chapters	Topics Covered
Reproduction In Organisms	Modes of reproduction – asexual and sexual. Reproduction – a characteristic feature of all organisms for the continuation of species. Modes – Binary fission, Fragmentation, Sporulation, Gemmule, and Budding. Asexual reproduction. Vegetative propagation in plants.
Sexual reproduction in flowering plants	Development of male and female gametophytes. Flower structure. Double fertilisation. Special modes – polyembryony, parthenocarpy, apomixis. Outbreeding devices. Pollination – types, examples, and agencies. Post fertilisation events – Endosperm and embryo development, seed development, and fruit formation. Pollen – Pistil interaction. Significance of seed and fruit formation.
Human Reproduction	Fertilisation, embryo development upto blastocyst formation, implantation. Lactation. Microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary. Pregnancy and placenta formation. Parturition. Menstrual cycle. Male and female reproductive systems. Gametogenesis- oogenesis & spermatogenesis.
Reproductive health	Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and the need for reproductive health. Amniocentesis. Contraception and Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP). Birth control – Need and Methods, Infertility and assisted reproductive technologies – ZIFT, IVF, GIFT.

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Unit II- Genetics and Evolution

Chapters	Topics Covered
Heredity and Variation	Mendelian Inheritance. Elementary idea of polygenic inheritance. Sex determination – In humans, honeybees, and birds. Mendelian disorders in humans– Thalassemia. Deviations from Mendelism– Multiple alleles, Incomplete dominance, Codominance, and Inheritance of blood groups, Pleiotropy. Sex-linked inheritance – Haemophilia, Colour blindness. Down’s Syndrome, Klinefelter’s and Turner’s Syndromes. Chromosome theory of inheritance. Chromosomal disorders in humans. Chromosomes and Genes. Linkage and crossing over
Molecular Basis of Inheritance	Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic material. DNA packaging. Transcription, translation, genetic code. Structure Of DNA and RNA. Central dogma. DNA replication. DNA fingerprinting. Gene Expression and regulation–Lac Operon. Genome and human genome project.
Evolution	Origin of life. Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution, Darwin’s contribution. Human evolution. Mechanism of evolution – Natural Selection and Variation (Recombination and Mutation) with examples, types of natural selection. Gene flow Genetic Drift. Biological evolution and evidence for biological evolution (Embryology, comparative anatomy, paleontological, and molecular evidence). Adaptive Radiation. Hardy-Weinberg’s Principle.

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Unit III- Biology & Human Welfare

Chapters	Topics Covered
Health and Disease	Pathogens. Basic concepts of immunology – vaccines. Adolescence, alcohol abuse, and drugs. HIV, Cancer, and AIDs. Parasites cause human diseases (Pneumonia, Malaria, Filariasis, Ringworm, Ascariasis, Amoebiasis, Typhoid, and common cold).
Improvement in food production	Apiculture and Animal Husbandry.  Plant breeding, single-cell protein, tissue culture, Biofortification.
Microbes in human welfare	In-household food processing, energy generation, industrial production, microbes as biocontrol agents and biofertilizers, and sewage treatment.

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Unit IV- Biotechnology & Its Applications

Chapters	Topics Covered
Application of Biotechnology in health and agriculture	Transgenic Animals. Human insulin and vaccine production, gene therapy. Genetically modified organisms – Bt crops. Biosafety issues – Patents and Biopiracy.
Process and Principles of Biotechnology	Genetic engineering (Recombinant DNA technology).

Unit V- Ecology & Environment

Chapters	Topics Covered
Organisms and environment	Niche and Habitat. Population attributes – growth, death rate, birth rate, age distribution. Population Interactions – mutualism, predation, competition, parasitism. Population and ecological adaptations.
Ecosystems	Patterns, components. Biomass energy, Pyramids of numbers. Nutrient cycling (carbon and phosphorus). Productivity and decomposition Ecological Services – Carbon fixation, oxygen release,  pollination,. Energy flow. Ecological Succession.
Biotechnology & its Applications	Red Data Book, Hotspots, biosphere reserves, endangered organisms, extinction, National parks, and sanctuaries. Biodiversity conservation.
Environmental issues	Air pollution and its control. Radioactive waste management. Agrochemicals and their effects. Water pollution and its control. Ozone depletion. Solid waste management. Any three case studies as success stories addressing environmental issues. Deforestation. Greenhouse effect and global warming.

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CUET Biology Exam Pattern

As we mentioned earlier, CUET Biology exam consists of three sections

• Language Test
• Domain-specific Test
• General Test

Each section has different syllabus, duration, and number of questions. We have explained the entire format below:

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	CUET (Common University Entrance Test)
Medium of Exam	13 languages
Frequency of Exam	Once a year
Duration of Biology Exam	45 minutes
Total Questions	50
Questions to be Attempted	40
Maximum Marks	200
Marking Scheme	5 marks awarded for every correct answer 1 mark deducted for every wrong answer 0 mark for unattempted answer

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Conclusion

Most candidates start studying for CUET Biology without even understanding the entire syllabus. If you are committing the same mistake, it’s time you stop doing that. You must understand that to perform well in the exam and secure top scores. You need to have a thorough knowledge of the CUET Biology exam syllabus and pattern. We are sure this blog has informed you of everything you need to know regarding the entrance exam. As you prepare, solve the previous year’s paper and give several mock tests. Solve as many sample papers as you can to build confidence and improve your chances of success. Good Luck!