CUET Biology Syllabus 2026: Important Chapters, Questions & Books; PDF Download

Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 1 Mar '26 - 24 Mar '26

Nupur
Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial
Updated on Sep 13, 2025 16:28 IST

Are you planning to take the CUET 2026 Biology exam? If yes, read the article below 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 the CUET Biology exam.

CUET Biology Syllabus

CUET Biology Syllabus 2026: CUET is an undergraduate entrance exam held by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for students to gain admission to different universities/colleges across India. Biology is one of the top 10 CUET subjects and requires thorough preparation for the exam. Candidates interested in taking UG courses that require Biology as one of the mapped domain subjects must know the CUET Biology Syllabus. NTA releases the CUET UG syllabus for all 37 subjects in PDF format on its official website. 

The CUET Biology 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 and ensure they meet all the requirements of their target university. NTA will conduct CUET 2026 for UG admissions in the second week of May 2026. The mode of examination will be Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Get the direct CUET Biology Syllabus PDF link and the list of biology books for exam preparation here on this page.

Q:   Is NCERT enough for CUET Biology?
Q:   What is the exam pattern for CUET Biology?
Q:   Can I take Biology as my CUET domain subject for all universities?
Table of content
  • CUET 2026 Biology Syllabus: Highlights
  • CUET UG Biology Syllabus 2026
  • Download CUET Subject-Wise Syllabus and Question Paper PDF
  • Recommended Books for CUET UG Biology 2026

CUET 2026 Biology Syllabus: Highlights

Check out the table below to know the details regarding CUET UG Biology Syllabus 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

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₹2.4 L - 13.2 L
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Zoology,Mathematics,Anthropology,Life Science,Geology,Chemistry,Physics,Electronics,Physical Science (Computer Science),Botany,Physical Science (Chemistry),Computer Science
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CUET UG Biology Syllabus 2026

The CUET Biology Syllabus includes 13 chapters and is distributed among 5 units. Candidates can take a look at the detailed CUET Biology Syllabus here.

Unit I: Reproduction 

Chapter 1:  Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants Flower structure; development of male and female gametophytes; pollination - types, agencies and examples; out breeding devices; pollen-pistil interaction; double fertilization; post fertilization events - development of endosperm and embryo, development of seed and formation of fruit; special modes- apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony; Significance of seed dispersal and fruit formation

Chatpter 2: Human Reproduction Male and female reproductive systems; microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary; gametogenesis -spermatogenesis and oogenesis; menstrual cycle; fertilisation, embryo development upto blastocyst formation, implantation; pregnancy and placenta formation (elementary idea); parturition (elementary idea); lactation (elementary idea).

Chapter 3: Reproductive Health Need for reproductive health and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs); birth control - need and methods, contraception and medical termination of pregnancy (MTP); amniocentesis; infertility and assisted reproductive technologies - IVF, ZIFT, GIFT (elementary idea for general awareness).

Unit II: Genetics and Evolution

Chapter 4: Principles of Inheritance and Variation Heredity and variation: Mendelian inheritance; deviations from Mendelism – incomplete dominance, co-dominance, multiple alleles and inheritance of blood groups, pleiotropy; elementary idea of polygenic inheritance; chromosome theory of inheritance; chromosomes and genes; Sex
determination - in humans, birds and honey bee; linkage and crossing over; sex linked inheritance - haemophilia, colour blindness; Mendelian disorders in humans - thalassemia; chromosomal disorders in humans; Down's syndrome, Turner's and Klinefelter's syndromes.

Chapter 5: Molecular Basis of Inheritance Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic material; Structure of DNA and RNA; DNA packaging; DNA replication; Central Dogma; transcription, genetic code, translation; gene expression and regulation - lac operon; Genome, Human and rice genome projects; DNA fingerprinting.

Chapter 6: Evolution Origin of life; biological evolution and evidences for biological evolution (paleontology, comparative anatomy, embryology and molecular evidences); Darwin's contribution, modern synthetic theory of evolution; mechanism of evolution - variation (mutation and recombination) and natural selection with examples,
types of natural selection; Gene flow and genetic drift; Hardy- Weinberg's principle; adaptive radiation; human evolution

Unit III: Biology and Human Welfare

Chapter 7: Human Health and Disease Pathogens; parasites causing human diseases (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, ascariasis, typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ring worm) and their control; Basic concepts of immunology - vaccines; cancer, HIV and AIDS; Adolescence - drug and alcohol abuse.

Chapter 8: Microbes in Human Welfare. Microbes in food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and microbes as bio-control agents and bio-fertilizers. Antibiotics; production and judiciousus.

Unit IV: Biotechnology and its Applications 

Chapter 9: Biotechnology: Principles and Processes Genetic Engineering (Recombinant DNA Technology).

Chapter 10: Biotechnology and its Applications Application of biotechnology in health and agriculture: Human insulin and vaccine production, stem cell technology, gene therapy; genetically modified organisms - Bt crops; transgenic animals; biosafety issues, biopiracy and patents.

Unit V: Ecology and Environment 

Chapter 11:  Organisms and Populations Population interactions - mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism; population attributes - growth, birth rate and death rate, age distribution. (Topics excluded: Organism and its Environment, Major Aboitic Factors, Responses to Abioitic Factors, Adaptations)

Chapter 12: Ecosystem Ecosystems: Patterns, components; productivity and decomposition; energy flow; pyramids of number, biomass, energy (Topics excluded: Ecological Succession and Nutrient Cycles).

Chapter 13: Biodiversity and Conservation Biodiversity-Concept, patterns, importance; loss of biodiversity; biodiversity conservation; hotspots, endangered organisms, extinction, Red Data Book, Sacred Groves, biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife, sanctuaries, and Ramsar sites.

Also Download:

CUET Biology Question Paper CUET Biology Syllabus PDF

CUET Science Previous Year Question Paper

Download CUET Subject-Wise Syllabus and Question Paper PDF

Find the CUET Syllabus 2026 and CUET UG Question Papers PDFs for the Language Paper, 23 CUET Domain Subjects, and General Test in the table below:

Subjects

CUET Syllabus PDFs

CUET Question Paper PDFs

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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Recommended Books for CUET UG Biology 2026

The CUET 2026 exam is generally based on the Class 12 syllabus and the NCERT book. However, to prepare well for the exam, students planning to take the CUET Biology 2026 can refer to the CUET books listed below:

  • 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 
Q:   What are the career options after CUET for Biology students?
Q:   How many CUET exam centres can I choose?
Q:   Are NCERT books enough to cover CUET syllabus?
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Nupur is an experienced content writer with a specialized focus on Commerce students. Over the past three years, she has crafted engaging and insightful materials to help learners excel in their studies. Outside of Read Full Bio
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Write here...

Answered 2 days ago

Career College Bhopal provides CUET Scholarships. Students who have appeared for the CUET exam are eligible for this scholarship. Shortlisted students get 10% waiver in the fee under this scholarship.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 2 days ago

The table below shows the top colleges in India accepting CUET scores along with their tuition fees:

Top Colleges

Tuition Fees

Hindu College

INR 86,010

Miranda House

INR 19,014

Hansraj College

INR 540

Kirori Mal College

INR 50,445

ARSD College

INR 540

Disclaimer: This info. is taken from official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

You can't do BBA from CUET with PCB in 12 th as CUET requires the same subjects as in 12th for BBA you need math's English and general test

 

L

Lakshay Garg

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a week ago

No, Bapuji Academy of Management & Research (BAMR) is not under CUET. The academy accepts the scores of certain other entrance exams such as, MAT/PGCET/KMAT. Candidates who have passed graduation with a minimum of 50% aggregate (45% for reserved category) can apply for admission. 

S

Sejal Baveja

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

My fellow junior I am vansh verma from Delhi University ( Central University ) I am  also pursuing B.Com (h) from Shri ram College of commerce and I also studied just accountancy business economics and english and you don't need any maths for B.Com (h) in delhi university but for other Central Unive

...Read more

V

Vansh Verma

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 2 weeks ago

Admission in JNU's B.A. (Hons.) in foreign languages through CUET depends on cut-off scores, category-wise merit list, and number of seats available. For OBC category, the cut-off is generally lower than General, but it still varies each year depending on applicants. With 247 marks, your chances wil

...Read more

M

Muskan Parbin

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, with 98 percentile you have a very good chance to enter North Campus.

 

  • Top colleges like SRCC, St. Stephen's, Hindu, Miranda House usually require 99+.

 

  • Other North Campus colleges may accept students with 97–98+.

 

  • Final admission depends on your category (General vs. reserved), course choice, and

...Read more

N

Neeraj Shukla

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, Terna Global Business School is not under CUET. Rather the college accepts scores of various other entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, MAT, MAH-CET, etc. Candidates are not required to appear for the CUET exam rather they must appear for any of these exams. 

S

Sejal Baveja

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, Chandola Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital is not under CUET. Instead the college accepts the scores of the UPMT exam for admission to the BHMS course. This is the Uttaranchal Pre-Medical Test and is conducted by the State Government of Uttarakhand at different centres. 

S

Sejal Baveja

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, candidatescan take admissions into the Marwadi University BCom courses without appearing for the CUET entrance exam. Candidates who wish togain admissions into the Marwadi University are required to clear their Class 12 board exams and apply for admissions. Candidates can apply for admissions a

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10