Nupur
Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial
Updated on Jun 19, 2025 14:10 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?
A:

NCERT is essential for CUET Biology preparation, but is not always sufficient. The NCERT books cover the fundamental concepts, forming the base of the CUET UG syllabus, but the exam often includes application-based questions that require deeper understanding of the topic. To maximize CUET score, candidates are advised to supplement NCERT with MCQ practice papers, previous years' qestion papers, and mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. 

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 a domain subject in CUET for many universities. However, each university has specific requirements for different programmes. It is essential to review the university's eligibility criteria and subject mapping guidelines to ensure that Biology is accepted for the course you're applying for. Universities offering life sciences, biotechnology, and medical-related programmes are more likely to accept Biology as a domain subject. Always check the CUET subject mapping for the specific university before applying.

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

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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?
A:

After taking CUET exam, biology students can pursue various career options depending on the courses they choose for higher education. Some of the common career paths include:

  • Medical Careers – MBBS, BDS, Nursing, Pharmacy, or Ayurvedic Medicine.
  • Biotechnology and Genetics – Research and Development, Genetic Engineering, or Biotechnology roles.
  • Environmental Science – Careers in Ecology, Wildlife Conservation, and Environmental Policy.
  • Agriculture and Food Science – Careers in Agricultural Research, Food Science, or Nutrition.
  • Allied Health Sciences – Physiotherapy, Radiology, or Laboratory Technology.

These options lead to roles in hospitals, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and government sectors.

Q:   How many CUET exam centres can I choose?
A:

Candidates can choose upto two exam cities of their choice while filling the CUET application form. NTA will make the best efforts to allot the city of examination to the candidates in the order of preference opted by them in their CUET 2026 application form. However, due to administrative/logistic reasons, a different city can be allotted to the candidates. Choice of CUET 2026 centre city will be limited to the State of Permanent Address or State of Present Address only. In case, there are very few candidates from a particular CUET exam centre city, the NTA reserves the right to merge one, two, or more cities.

Candidates will have the oppurtunity to choose the exam city while filling the CUET application form 2026. Candidates must carefully choose the exam cities. No request for change in exam centre will be entertained once the admit cards are issued.

Q:   Are NCERT books enough to cover CUET syllabus?
A:

NTA has mentioned that CUET UG 2026 syllabus will adhere to NCERT syllabus. Hence, it can be safely assumed that the NCERT books are enough to cover the syllabus of the exam. Candidates must note that, CUET exam tests students' understanding of the concepts and ability to apply them in various situations.

Therefore, to prepare well and get a good score, it is advised that students refer to other study materials and books designed for national level competitive entrance exams. The CUET UG syllabus is in tune with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus. The chapters and topics are similar to Class 12 syllabus. Unlike other UG entrance exams, CUET UG syllabus does not include Class 11 syllabus.

Q:   is it enough to learn from NCERT textbooks to clear CUET?
A:

Since the CUET UG 2025 syllabus is in line with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus, it can be safely assumed that the NCERT books are enough to clear CUET UG 2025 exam. Candidates must note that, CUET exam tests students' understanding of the concepts and ability to apply them in various situations. Therefore, to prepare well and get a good score, it is advised that students refer to other study materials and books designed for national level competitive entrance exams. The CUET UG syllabus is in tune with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus. The chapters and topics are similar to Class 12 syllabus. Unlike other UG entrance exams, CUET UG syllabus does not include Class 11 syllabus.

Q:   Are there any recommended books for CUET KTPI Exam?
A:

Yes, there are several recommended books for the CUET Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India (KTPI) exam. These include:

  • NCERT books on Indian History, Culture, and Tradition.
  • "Knowledge Traditions and Practices of India" by CBSE, which offers comprehensive material on various knowledge
  • systems.
  • Indian Heritage and Culture textbooks for Class XI-XII, focusing on India's intellectual and cultural traditions.
  • Specialized guides and previous year papers for KTPI-specific preparation.

These resources can help candidates understand India's ancient traditions and practices, which are the focus of the CUET KTPI paper.

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How to Prepare for CUET Biology Exam 2026

Listed below are some points that candidates preparing for the CUET 2026 Biology exam should keep in mind to attain a good score in CUET UG 2026 exam and get admission to the CUET participating college of their choice.

  • Know the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: The first and foremost preparation strategy for any exam or subject is to know the exam pattern and syllabus. Once you do, deciding on the preparation strategy will be easier.
  • Know the Important Chapters and Topics: Go through the CUET Previous Years’ Question Papers and CUET UG Exam Analysis to understand the question types, important topics, and topics with higher weightage. These will help you understand the difficulty level of CUET exam.
  • Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: After completing the syllabus, identify your areas of strength and weakness. Based on that, decide which chapters to prepare thoroughly and which to leave out. Ideally, you should focus more on the areas of strength and leave out those in which you are not confident. However, before deciding on the topics to leave out, check the CUET Biology Chapter-wise weightage or importance of those areas. If your weak areas carry a high weightage, you must try to improve them. In case of a lower weightage, you can leave them and concentrate on preparing for the stronger areas.
  • Practice and Solve Mock Tests and Question Papers: After completing the syllabus, the next step for CUET Biology preparation is to practice by taking regular CUET UG Mock Tests and solving the previous year’s question papers. Practice alone is not enough. After taking tests, get those analyzed by mentors or teachers to understand the areas of improvement and how to be more accurate and manage time more effectively.

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About the Author
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Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial

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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Ashwin Yadav

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A CUET score of 697 comfortably surpasses cutoffs at central universities for integrated M.Tech in CSE/EE/ECE. You’re well within range for programs at Karnataka, Jharkhand, or Haryana central universities—just ensure you follow their choice-filling and counseling procedures during admissions.

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RISHAV Kumar

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RISHAV Kumar

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RISHAV Kumar

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Disha Sharma

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Answered 13 hours ago

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ABHINAV SRIVASTAVA

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Shailja Rawat

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Indrani Tyagi

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