CUET Biology Syllabus 2026: PDF Available; Important Chapters, Question Papers & Books

Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )

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CUET UG 2026 Exam

11 May '26 - 31 May '26

Nupur
Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial
Updated on Apr 7, 2026 16:32 IST
NTA released CUET Biology syllabus 2026 on its official website. Read the below article to get the direct PDF link for CUET Biology Syllabus. Also get the important topics, previous years' question papers, and some recommended books to prepare for Biology exam. CUET 2026 will be conducted in CBT mode from May 11.

Candidates preparing for exam must read the article below to know the CUET Biology Syllabus for 2026-27 admission cycle. Also get exam pattern and recommended books to prepare for exam.

CUET Biology Syllabus

The National Testing Agency released the CUET Biology syllabus for 2026-27 admission cycle on its official website. This year's syllabus is more detailed, making it easier for candidates to know the topics included in each chapter. With Biology, students can get admission to courses like B.Sc. (Hons) in Botany, Zoology, Biology and other specializations. To get good marks in exam, candidates must know the CUET syllabus 2026. Biology is one of the top 10 CUET subjects. Candidates can now download the CUET Biology syllabus PDF from cuet.nta.nic.in and this page.

The syllabus includes topics such as reproduction, biotechnology, ecology and environment, health and disease, and many more. Candidates preparing for the CUET exam must check the CUET eligibility criteria to avoid disqualification during admission. NTA will conduct CUET 2026 for UG admissions between May 11 and May 31, 2026. The mode of examination will be Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The exact exam dates for Biology has been shared by NTA soon.

LATEST UPDATES: CUET 2026 May 12 Exam Day LIVE

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is NCERT enough for CUET Biology?
A: 

Although NCERT is enough to prepare for CUET biology exam, according to the previous years' question papers, NTA may ask some questions that require analytical thinking skills. To be prepare for those questions, candidates can always take reference from books of other authors or publishers. 

However, a candidate is advised to first cover the NCERT biology books, before studying from any other book.

Q:   What is the exam pattern for CUET Biology?
A: 

The CUET Biology exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and candidates must attempt all questions within 60 minutes. Each correct answer carries 5 marks and 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.

Q:   Can I take Biology as my CUET domain subject for all universities?
A: 

Yes, you can take Biology as CUET domain subject for all universities. However, before opting for the subject make sure that your target CUET university's subject requirement for your desired UG course includes Biology.

Q:   What are the career options after CUET for Biology students?
A: 

A biology student can make career in the following fields:

  • Medical Careers
  • Biotechnology and Genetics 
  • Environmental Science 
  • Agriculture and Food Science 
  • Allied Health Sciences
Table of contents
  • CUET Biology Syllabus PDF Download
  • CUET UG Biology Syllabus 2026
  • CUET Biology Exam Pattern
  • Best Books for CUET Biology Preparation
  • CUET Subject List: Syllabus and Question Paper

CUET Biology Syllabus PDF Download

The National Testing Agency has released syllabus PDFs for all subjects for CUET on its official website - cuet.nta.nic.in. Candidates preparing for biology exam can download the CUET Biology Syllabus PDF 2026 from the direct link given below.

Download CUET Biology Syllabus PDF

CUET Biology Syllabus PDF

Also Check:

CUET Biology Question Paper

CUET Science Previous Year Question Paper

CUET UG Biology Syllabus 2026

The CUET Biology Syllabus includes 5 units with multiple chapters. Candidates can take a look at the detailed CUET Biology Syllabus here.

Unit I: Reproduction 

1. Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants: Pre-fertilisation: structure and events - stamen, microsporangium and pollen grain, pistil, megasporangium and embryo sac; Development of male (microsporogenesis) and female gametophyte (megasporogenesis); Pollination – types, agents and examples; Out breeding devices; Pollen-pistil interaction; Double fertilisation; Post fertilisation: structure and events – development of endosperm and embryo; Formation of seed and fruit and parthenocarpy; Significance of seed in angiosperms; Apomixis and polyembryony.

2. Human Reproduction: Male and female reproductive systems; microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary; gametogenesis - spermatogenesis and oogenesis; menstrual cycle; fertilisation, embryo development up to blastocyst formation, implantation; pregnancy and embryoni development and placenta; Parturition and lactation.

3. Reproductive Health: Problems and strateies -  amniocentesis; Population stabilisation and birth control – various methods of contraception; Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP); Sexually transmitted infections (STIs); Infertility – Assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, ZIFT, GIFT, ICSI and IUI).

Unit II: Genetics and Evolution

1. Principles of Inheritance and Variation: Mendel’s law of inheritance: Inheritance of one gene – Law of dominance, law of segregation (test and back cross); Deviation from Mendelism – incomplete dominance and co-dominance; Multiple alleles and inheritance of blood groups; Inheritance of two genes – law of independent assortment, dihybrid cross; Chromosomal theory of inheritance; Linkage and recombination; Polygenic inheritance; Pleiotropy; Sex determination in humans, birds and honey bee; Mutation; Genetic disorders – pedigree analysis, Mendelian disorders (colour blindness, haemophilia, sickle-cell anaemia, phenylketonuria and thalassemia), chromosomal disorders in humans (aneuploidy, polyploidy, Down's syndrome, Turner's syndrome and Klinefelter's syndrome).

2. Molecular Basis of Inheritance:  Structure and packaging of DNA helix; Search for genetic material (transforming principle and Hershey-Chase experiment); Properties of genetic material; Replication (Meselson and Stahl’s experiment); Transcription – transcription unit and gene; RNA world – types of RNA and process of transcription; Genetic code and mutations; tRNA; Translation; Regulation of gene expression – Lac operon; Human Genome Project (goals, salient features and applications); DNA fingerprinting (polymorphism and VNTR). 

3. Evolution: Origin of life – Miller’s experiment; Concepts of evolution (Darwin's contribution); Evidences for evolution (embryology, paleontology, comparative anatomy, divergent and convergent evolution and industrial evolution); Adaptive radiation; Biological evolution; Natural selection; Mechanism of evolution; Hardy-Weinberg principle and affecting factors (gene migration, genetic drift, mutation, recombination and natural selection); Evolution of plants and vertebrates through geological periods; Origin and evolution of man.

Unit III: Biology and Human Welfare

1. Human Health and Disease: Introduction about health; Common diseases in humans (typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, malaria, amoebiasis, ascariasis, filariasis and ringworms); Immunity – innate and acquired immunity, active and passive immunity, vaccination and immunisation, allergies, auto-immunity and immune system in human; AIDS; Cancer; Drugs and alcohol abuse - adolescence, addiction, effects of drug abuse, prevention and control. 

2. Microbes in Human Welfare: Microbes in household products; Microbes in industrial products – beverages, antibiotics, enzymes and bioactive molecules; Microbes in sewage treatment and production of biogas, Microbes as biocontrol agents and biofertilisers. 

Unit IV: Biotechnology and its Applications 

1. Biotechnology: Principles and Processes: Principles of biotechnology; Tools of recombinant DNA technology – restriction enzymes, cloning vectors, competent host; Processes of rDNA technology – isolation, amplification of gene (PCR), insertion of rDNA in host and bioreactors; Downstream processing.

2. Biotechnology and its Applications: Application of biotechnology in agriculture – tissue
culture, genetically modified organisms, Bt cotton, RNA interference; Biotechnology in medicine – insulin, gene therapy and molecular diagnosis; Transgenic animals; Ethical issues – biopiracy and patents.

Unit V: Ecology and Environment 

1.  Organisms and Populations: Population attributes - birth and death rate, age pyramids; Population growth – exponential and logistic growth; Life history variation; Population interactions – predation, competition, parasitism, commensalism, mutualism and amensalism.

2. Ecosystem: Structure and function; Productivity; Decomposition; Energy flow – different trophic levels, food chain and food web; Ecological pyramids – pyramid of energy, biomass and number. 

3. Biodiversity and Conservation: Biodiversity – concept, patterns and importance; Causes of biodiversity loss; Biodiversity conservation – approaches (narrowly utilitarian, broadly utilitarian and ethical); Methods of biodiversity conservation – in situ (endemism, hotspots and sacred groves etc.), ex situ (Wildlife safaris, zoological parks and cryopreservation etc.).

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CUET Biology Exam Pattern

Check out the table below to know the details regarding CUET UG Biology pattern 2026:

Particulars

Details

CUET Exam Conducting Body

National Testing Agency

Mode of the examination

Computer-based test mode

Language of exam

13 languages - English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu

Type of questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Total number of Questions

50 questions (all compulsory)

Duration of Exam

60 minutes

CUET UG Total Marks

250 per subject

Negative marking

Yes

Marking Scheme

+5 for each correct answer

-1 for each incorrect answer

CUET Biology Mapping for Courses

B.Sc. in Biology or Zoology
B.Sc. in Botany
B.Sc. in Microbiology

Must Read: Best UG Courses for Science, Commerce, Arts Stream

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is CUET UG 2026 syllabus released?
A: 

Yes, CUET UG 2026 official syllabus has been released. NTA uploaded the CUET 2026 syllabus PDFs online at cuet.nta.nic.in. Candidates preparing for CUET 2026 exam can download the CUET syllabus. The CUET syllabus is based on class 12th NCERT curriculum. Candidates must prepare well from the class 12th syllabus to ace the entrance examination.

Q:   Does the CUET syllabus also include chapters from Class 11?
A: 

No, class 11th subject syllabus is not included in CUET UG exam. Students who are preparing for CUET 2026 exam must focus on class 12th NCERT curriculum. NTA prescribes the CUET UG syllabus on its official website. Candidates must be familar the detailed syllabus mentioned on the NTA CUET official website- cuet.nta.nic.in. However, for better concepts clarity, candidates may refer to the class 11th resources.

NTA CUET 2026 exam will be scheduled in May/June 2026 tentatively. Candidates preparing for board examinations must prepare well for the CUET exam along.

Q:   What is DU CUET syllabus?
A: 

Common University Entrance Test syllabus for Delhi University consists of three sections- Language, Domain subjects and General Aptitude Test. The syllabus for CUET domain subjects is entirely based on NCERT curriculum. Candidates can check the subject-wise CUET UG syllabus at cuet.nta.nic.in. NTA has prescribed syllabus for 37 subjects. Admission to Delhi University through CUET requires appearing in subjects passed in class 12th.

Q:   Is CUET syllabus based on CBSE syllabus?
A: 

No, CUET syllabus is not based on CBSE syllabus as claimed by Education Ministry in Rajya Sabha. The CUET exam is designed to assess the general understandig of the candidate in subjects he/she has opted for. CUET UG is on of the biggest UG entrance exam carnival conducted for admission in cebtral, state, private and deemed universities.

Candidates preparing for CUET UG exam must check the detailed CUET syllabus and CUET question paper to become familiar with the important topics and type of questions asked in the exam.  

Best Books for CUET Biology Preparation

Biology can be tough, yet the scoring exam. Candidates who have selected Biology in their online form must take reference from CUET books curated specially for Biology exam to prepare and score well. Below are some best books that students can refer for exam preparation:

  • NCERT Class 12 Biology Textbook 
  • Pradeep’s A Text Book of Biology Class 12 by P.S. Dhami 
  • Together with Biology by S. Chand
  • Biology by Campbell and Reece 
  • S. Chand’s Biology for class XII by B.P. Pandey 

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CUET Subject List: Syllabus and Question Paper

National Testing Agency offers 37 subjects through Common University Entrance Test. Find the syllabus and CUET UG Question Papers for the Language Paper, 23 CUET Domain Subjects, and General Test in the table below:

Subjects

CUET Syllabus

CUET Question Paper

Section - I (Language)
English CUET English Syllabus CUET English Question Paper
Section - II (Domain Subjects)
Biology CUET Biology Syllabus CUET Biology Question Paper
Accountancy/ Book Keeping CUET Accountancy Syllabus CUET Accountancy Question Paper
Business Studies CUET Business Studies Syllabus CUET Business Studies Question Paper
Chemistry CUET Chemistry Syllabus CUET Chemistry Question Paper
Computer Science/ Informatics Practices CUET Computer Science Syllabus CUET Computer Science Question Paper
Economics/ Business Economics CUET Economics Syllabus CUET Economics Question Paper
Geography/Geology CUET Geography Syllabus CUET Geography Question Paper 
Home Science CUET Home Science Syllabus CUET Home Science Question Paper 
Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India CUET Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India Syllabus CUET Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India Question Paper
Environmental Science CUET Environmental Science Syllabus CUET Environmental Science Question Paper
Mathematics CUET Mathematics Syllabus  CUET Mathematics Question Paper
Physical Education/ NCC /Yoga CUET Physical Education Syllabus CUET Physical Education Paper
Physics CUET Physics Syllabus  CUET Physics Question Paper
Political Science CUET Political Science Syllabus CUET Political Science Question Paper
Psychology CUET Psychology Syllabus CUET Psychology Question Paper 
Sociology CUET Sociology Syllabus  CUET Sociology Question Paper 
Agriculture CUET Agriculture Syllabus  CUET Agriculture Question Paper 
Mass Media/ Mass Communication CUET Mass Media/ Mass Communication Syllabus  CUET Mass Media/ Mass Communication Question Paper
Anthropology CUET Anthropology Syllabus  CUET Anthropology Question Paper
Fine Arts/ Visual Arts (Sculpture/ Painting)/Commercial Arts CUET Fine Arts Syllabus CUET Fine Arts Question Paper 
Performing Arts CUET Performing Arts Syllabus  CUET Performing Arts Question Paper 
Sanskrit CUET Sanskrit Syllabus CUET Sanskrit Question Paper 
History CUET History Syllabus  CUET History Question Paper
Section - III (General Test)
General Test CUET General Test Syllabus  CUET General Test Question Paper

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered Yesterday

The exam is conducted in May. It is conducted in many shifts. Students can fill application form from January. The application deadline is generally February first week. The dates may change as per the latest schedule.

B

Bipasha Jha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Online offer admission based on merit in last qualifying exam. The institute offer courses such as: BCom, MCom and MA. CUET is not compulory for admission in these courses at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Online.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Pratibha College of Commerce and Computer Studies offer merit-based admission in the UG and PG courses based on merit in last qualiying exam. Therefore, CUET is not compulsory for taking admission in Pratibha College of Commerce and Computer Studies.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

As per the website of Parul University, Goa, candidates are selected for admission based on their qualifying exam marks. Hence, aspirants do not have to pass CUET for admission. Aspirants must meet the eligibility criteria.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 3 days ago

For most domain subjects, NCERT books are the primary preparation source for CUET UG. However, mock tests and question banks are also important for practice.

N

Nishtha Datta

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 days ago

Students should begin with understanding the syllabus and exam pattern. Start studying NCERT Class 12 topics and gradually move towards mock tests and previous year papers.

78471350
Shruti Garg

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

The best strategy includes:

  • Completing NCERT thoroughly
  • Revising regularly
  • Solving previous year papers
  • Attempting mock tests consistently
  • Improving speed and accuracy

M

Mamona Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 days ago

No, CUET is not mandatory for Noble College admissions. The college offers seats on a merit basis only. Hence, no entrance test including CUET is needed for admission to any of the programmes. Students simply have to meet the basic eligibility.

U

Upasana Harsha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

No, Swami Vivekananda University Barrackpore BA admissions are not based on CUET-UG scores. Any candidate who applies of admission will be selected based on last qualifying exam. Thus, candidates can apply for BA at Swami Vivekananda University Barrackpore right after getting their Class 12 board ex

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore has not mentioned any entrance exams that it accepts for BBA admissions. Therefore, candidates who have appeared for CUET-UG might still be evaluated based on their Class 12 board exam results ifor BBA admissions.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10