• Structure of atoms, molecules, and chemical bonds.
• Composition, structure, and function of biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and vitamins).
• Stabilizing interactions (Van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction, etc.).
• Principles of biophysical chemistry (pH, buffer, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, colligative properties).
• Bioenergetics, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, coupled reaction, group transfer, biological energy transducers.
• Principles of catalysis, enzymes and enzyme kinetics, enzyme regulation, mechanism of enzyme catalysis, isozymes.
• Conformation of proteins (Ramachandran plot, secondary structure, domains, motif, and folds).
• Conformation of nucleic acids (helix (A, B, Z), t-RNA, micro-RNA).
• Stability of proteins and nucleic acids.
• Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, and vitamins.

A. DNA Replication, Repair, and Recombination

• Unit of replication
• Enzymes involved
• Replication origin and replication fork
• Fidelity of replication
• Extrachromosomal replicons
• DNA damage and repair mechanisms
• Homologous and site-specific recombination

B. RNA Synthesis and Processing

• Transcription factors and machinery
• Formation of initiation complex
• Transcription activator and repressor
• RNA polymerases
• Capping, elongation, and termination
• RNA processing
• RNA editing, splicing, and polyadenylation
• Structure and function of different types of RNA
• RNA transport

C. Protein Synthesis and Processing

• Ribosome
• Formation of initiation complex
• Initiation factors and their regulation
• Elongation and elongation factors
• Termination
• Genetic code
• Aminoacylation of tRNA
• tRNA-identity
• Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase and translational proofreading
• Translational inhibitors
• Post-translational modification of proteins

D. Control of Gene Expression at Transcription and Translation Level

• Regulating the expression of phages, viruses, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic genes
• Role of chromatin in gene expression and gene silencing

A. Recognition and Entry Processes of Pathogens

• Recognition and entry processes of different pathogens like bacteria, viruses into animal and plant host cells
• Alteration of host cell behavior by pathogens
• Virus-induced cell transformation
• Pathogen-induced diseases in animals and plants
• Cell-cell fusion in both normal and abnormal cells

B. Cell Signaling

• Hormones and their receptors
• Cell surface receptor
• Signaling through G-protein coupled receptors
• Signal transduction pathways
• Second messengers
• Regulation of signaling pathways
• Bacterial and plant two-component systems
• Light signaling in plants
• Bacterial chemotaxis and quorum sensing

C. Cellular Communication

• Regulation of hematopoiesis
• General principles of cell communication
• Cell adhesion and roles of different adhesion molecules
• Gap junctions
• Extracellular matrix
• Integrins
• Neurotransmission and its regulation

D. Cancer

• Genetic rearrangements in progenitor cells
• Oncogenes
• Tumor suppressor genes
• Cancer and the cell cycle
• Virus-induced cancer
• Metastasis
• Interaction of cancer cells with normal cells
• Apoptosis
• Therapeutic interventions of uncontrolled cell growth

E. Innate and Adaptive Immune System

• Cells and molecules involved in innate and adaptive immunity
• Antigens, antigenicity, and immunogenicity
• B and T cell epitopes
• Structure and function of antibody molecules
• Generation of antibody diversity
• Monoclonal antibodies
• Antibody engineering
• Antigen-antibody interactions
• MHC molecules
• Antigen processing and presentation
• Activation and differentiation of B and T cells
• B and T cell receptors
• Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses
• Primary and secondary immune modulation
• The complement system
• Toll-like receptors
• Cell-mediated effector functions
• Inflammation
• Hypersensitivity and autoimmunity
• Immune response during bacterial (tuberculosis), parasitic (malaria), and viral (HIV) infections
• Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies
• Vaccines

A. Basic Concepts of Development

• Potency, commitment, specification, induction, competence, determination, and differentiation
• Morphogenetic gradients
• Cell fate and cell lineages
• Stem cells
• Genomic equivalence and cytoplasmic determinants
• Imprinting
• Mutants and transgenics in analysis of development

B. Gametogenesis, Fertilization, and Early Development

• Production of gametes
• Cell surface molecules in sperm-egg recognition in animals
• Embryo sac development and double fertilization in plants
• Zygote formation, cleavage, blastula formation, embryonic fields, gastrulation, and formation of germ layers in animals
• Embryogenesis and establishment of symmetry in plants
• Seed formation and germination

C. Morphogenesis and Organogenesis in Animals

• Cell aggregation and differentiation in Dictyostelium
• Axes and pattern formation in Drosophila, amphibians, and chick
• Organogenesis: vulva formation in Caenorhabditis elegans, eye lens induction, limb development, and regeneration in vertebrates
• Differentiation of neurons
• Post-embryonic development: larval formation, metamorphosis
• Environmental regulation of normal development
• Sex determination

D. Morphogenesis and Organogenesis in Plants

• Organization of shoot and root apical meristem
• Shoot and root development
• Leaf development and phyllotaxy
• Transition to flowering
• Floral meristems and floral development in Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum

A. Photosynthesis

• Light harvesting complexes
• Mechanisms of electron transport
• Photoprotective mechanisms
• CO2 fixation - C3, C4, and CAM pathways

B. Respiration and Photorespiration

• Citric acid cycle
• Plant mitochondrial electron transport and ATP synthesis
• Alternate oxidase
• Photorespiratory pathway

C. Nitrogen Metabolism

• Nitrate and ammonium assimilation
• Amino acid biosynthesis pathway

D. Plant Hormones

• Biosynthesis, storage, breakdown, and transport
• Physiological effects and mechanisms of action

E. Sensory Photobiology

• Structure, function, and mechanisms of action of phytochromes, cryptochromes, and phototropins
• Stomatal movement
• Photoperiodism and biological clocks

F. Solute Transport and Photoassimilate Translocation

• Uptake, transport, and translocation of water, ions, solutes, and macromolecules
• Mechanisms of loading and unloading of photoassimilates
• Transpiration

G. Secondary Metabolites

• Biosynthesis of terpenes, phenols, and nitrogenous compounds
• Their roles

H. Stress Physiology

• Responses of plants to biotic (pathogen and insects) and abiotic (water, temperature, and salt) stresses

A. Blood and Circulation

• Blood corpuscles, haemopoiesis, and formed elements
• Plasma function and blood volume regulation
• Blood groups and haemoglobin
• Immunity and haemostasis

B. Cardiovascular System

• Comparative anatomy of heart structure
• Myogenic heart and specialized tissue
• ECG - principle and significance
• Cardiac cycle and heart as a pump
• Blood pressure and regulation

C. Respiratory System

• Comparison of respiration in different species
• Anatomical considerations and gas transport
• Exchange of gases and waste elimination
• Regulation of respiration

D. Nervous System

• Neurons and action potential
• Gross neuroanatomy of the brain and spinal cord
• Central and peripheral nervous system
• Neural control of muscle tone and posture

E. Sense Organs

• Vision, hearing, and tactile response

F. Excretory System

• Comparative physiology of excretion
• Kidney, urine formation, and concentration
• Waste elimination, micturition
• Regulation of water balance, blood volume, blood pressure
• Electrolyte balance and acid-base balance

G. Thermoregulation

• Comfort zone and body temperature regulation
• Physical, chemical, and neural regulation
• Acclimatization

H. Stress and Adaptation

I. Digestive System

• Digestion, absorption, and energy balance
• BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)

J. Endocrinology and Reproduction

• Endocrine glands and hormone action mechanism
• Hormones and diseases
• Reproductive processes, gametogenesis, ovulation
• Neuroendocrine regulation

A. Mendelian Principles

• Dominance
• Segregation
• Independent assortment

B. Concept of Gene

• Allele
• Multiple alleles
• Pseudoallele
• Complementation tests

C. Extensions of Mendelian Principles

• Codominance
• Incomplete dominance
• Gene interactions
• Pleiotropy
• Genomic imprinting
• Penetrance and expressivity
• Phenocopy
• Linkage and crossing over
• Sex linkage
• Sex limited and sex influenced characters

D. Gene Mapping Methods

• Linkage maps
• Tetrad analysis
• Mapping with molecular markers
• Mapping by using somatic cell hybrids
• Development of mapping population in plants

E. Extra Chromosomal Inheritance

• Inheritance of mitochondrial and chloroplast genes
• Maternal inheritance

F. Microbial Genetics

• Methods of genetic transfers - transformation, conjugation, transduction, and sex-duction
• Mapping genes by interrupted mating
• Fine structure analysis of genes

G. Human Genetics

• Pedigree analysis
• Lod score for linkage testing
• Karyotypes
• Genetic disorders

H. Quantitative Genetics

• Polygenic inheritance
• Heritability and its measurements
• QTL mapping

I. Mutation

• Types, causes, and detection
• Mutant types - lethal, conditional, biochemical, loss of function, gain of function
• Germinal versus somatic mutants
• Insertional mutagenesis

J. Structural and Numerical Alterations of Chromosomes

• Deletion
• Duplication
• Inversion
• Translocation
• Ploidy and their genetic implications

K. Recombination

• Homologous and non-homologous recombination including transposition

A. Principles & Methods of Taxonomy

• Concepts of species and hierarchical taxa
• Biological nomenclature
• Classical & quantitative methods of taxonomy of plants, animals, and microorganisms

B. Levels of Structural Organization

• Unicellular, colonial, and multicellular forms
• Levels of organization of tissues, organs & systems
• Comparative anatomy, adaptive radiation, adaptive modifications

C. Outline Classification of Plants, Animals & Microorganisms

• Important criteria used for classification in each taxon
• Classification of plants, animals, and microorganisms
• Evolutionary relationships among taxa

D. Natural History of Indian Subcontinent

• Major habitat types of the subcontinent
• Geographic origins and migrations of species
• Common Indian mammals and birds
• Seasonality and phenology of the subcontinent

E. Organisms of Health & Agricultural Importance

• Common parasites and pathogens of humans, domestic animals, and crops

F. Organisms of Conservation Concern

• Rare, endangered species
• Conservation strategies

A. The Environment

• Physical environment
• Biotic environment
• Biotic and abiotic interactions

B. Habitat and Niche

• Concept of habitat and niche
• Niche width and overlap
• Fundamental and realized niche
• Resource partitioning
• Character displacement

C. Population Ecology

• Characteristics of a population
• Population growth curves
• Population regulation
• Life history strategies (r and K selection)
• Concept of metapopulation - demes and dispersal, interdemic extinctions, age structured populations

D. Species Interactions

• Types of interactions
• Interspecific competition
• Herbivory
• Carnivory
• Pollination
• Symbiosis

E. Community Ecology

• Nature of communities
• Community structure and attributes
• Levels of species diversity and its measurement
• Edges and ecotones

F. Ecological Succession

• Types
• Mechanisms
• Changes involved in succession
• Concept of climax

G. Ecosystem Ecology

• Ecosystem structure
• Ecosystem function
• Energy flow and mineral cycling (C, N, P)
• Primary production and decomposition
• Structure and function of some Indian ecosystems: terrestrial (forest, grassland) and aquatic (fresh water, marine, estuarine)

H. Biogeography

• Major terrestrial biomes
• Theory of island biogeography
• Biogeographical zones of India

I. Applied Ecology

• Environmental pollution
• Global environmental change
• Biodiversity: status, monitoring, and documentation
• Major drivers of biodiversity change
• Biodiversity management approaches

J. Conservation Biology

• Principles of conservation
• Major approaches to management
• Indian case studies on conservation/management strategy (Project Tiger, Biosphere reserves)