NSEB Syllabus 2026: Check Biology Topics and Syllabus PDF

The NSEB Syllabus 2026 covers Biology at the senior-secondary level, broadly up to Class 12 of the CBSE curriculum. The syllabus also includes topics from lower classes, while a general understanding of Science up to Class 10 and Mathematics up to Class 12 is expected.

The major Biology areas include diversity of living organisms, structural organisation, cell biology, plant and human physiology, reproduction, genetics and evolution, biotechnology, human welfare, ecology and environmental issues. NSEB questions can be non-conventional and challenging, so students should focus on conceptual understanding and application rather than memorising textbook facts.

NSEB Syllabus at a Glance

The table below provides a quick overview of the main sections covered in the NSEB syllabus. Use it to understand the broad subject areas before studying each topic in detail.

Detailed NSEB Biology Syllabus

The NSEB biology syllabus is divided into nine broad sections. You should study each section carefully because the official document does not provide chapter-wise marks or weightage.

1. Diversity of Living Organisms

This section covers the basic concepts related to the living world and biological diversity.

A. Living World and Classification

• Biodiversity and the living world

• Classification, taxonomy, and systematics

• Species and taxonomical hierarchy

• Binomial nomenclature

• Five-kingdom classification

B. Major Biological Groups

• Monera

• Protista

• Fungi

• Lichens

• Viruses and viroids

C. Plant Kingdom

• Algae

• Bryophyta

• Pteridophyta

• Gymnosperms

• Angiosperms

D. Animal Kingdom

• Major groups of animals

• Non-chordates up to the phylum level

• Chordates up to the class level

2. Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants

This section focuses on the structure and organisation of plants and animals.

A. Plant Morphology

• Roots and their modifications

• Stems and their modifications

• Leaves and their modifications

• Inflorescences

• Flowers

• Fruits

• Seeds

B. Plant Anatomy

• Plant tissues

• Tissue systems

• Structure and functions of plant tissues

C. Animal Structure

• Animal tissues

• Digestive system

• Circulatory system

• Respiratory system

• Nervous system

• Reproductive system

3. Cell Structure and Function

Cell biology covers the structure, components, and major processes of cells.

A. Cell Structure

• Cell theory

• Prokaryotic cells

• Eukaryotic cells

• Plant cells

• Animal cells

• Cell membrane

• Cell wall

• Cell organelles

B. Cellular Respiration

• Glycolysis

• Fermentation

• TCA cycle

• Electron transport system

• ATP production

• Amphibolic pathways

• Respiratory quotient

C. Biomolecules

• Proteins

• Carbohydrates

• Lipids

• Nucleic acids

• Enzymes

D. Cell Division

• Cell cycle

• Mitosis

• Meiosis

• Significance of cell division

4. Plant Physiology

Plant physiology covers transport, nutrition, photosynthesis, respiration, and plant growth.

A. Transport in Plants

• Diffusion

• Facilitated diffusion

• Active transport

• Osmosis

• Plasmolysis

• Water potential

• Transpiration

• Root pressure

• Guttation

• Phloem transport

B. Mineral Nutrition

• Essential minerals

• Macronutrients and micronutrients

• Mineral deficiency symptoms

• Mineral toxicity

• Hydroponics

• Nitrogen metabolism

• Nitrogen cycle

• Biological nitrogen fixation

C. Photosynthesis

• Site of photosynthesis

• Photosynthetic pigments

• Photochemical phase

• Biosynthetic phase

• Photophosphorylation

• Chemiosmotic hypothesis

• Photorespiration

• C3 pathway

• C4 pathway

• Factors affecting photosynthesis

D. Plant Growth and Development

• Seed germination

• Phases of plant growth

• Differentiation

• Plant growth regulators

• Seed dormancy

• Vernalisation

• Photoperiodism

5. Human Physiology

Human physiology includes several systems and processes of the human body.

A. Digestion and Absorption

• Alimentary canal

• Digestive glands

• Digestive enzymes

• Gastrointestinal hormones

• Digestion

• Absorption

• Assimilation

• Digestive disorders

B. Breathing and Exchange of Gases

• Human respiratory system

• Mechanism of breathing

• Gas exchange

• Transport of gases

• Regulation of respiration

• Respiratory volumes

• Respiratory disorders

C. Body Fluids and Circulation

• Blood

• Blood groups

• Blood coagulation

• Lymph

• Heart

• Blood vessels

• Cardiac cycle

• Cardiac output

• ECG

• Double circulation

• Regulation of cardiac activity

D. Excretory System

• Ammonotelism

• Ureotelism

• Uricotelism

• Human excretory system

• Urine formation

• Osmoregulation

• Kidney function

• Dialysis

• Artificial kidney

• Kidney transplantation

E. Neural Control

• Neurons and nerves

• Central nervous system

• Peripheral nervous system

• Nerve impulses

• Reflex actions

• Sensory perception

• Sense organs

F. Chemical Coordination

• Endocrine glands

• Hormones

• Hormone action

• Hormonal disorders

6. Reproduction

The reproduction section covers reproduction in organisms, flowering plants, humans, and reproductive health.

A. Reproduction in Flowering Plants

• Flower structure

• Male gametophyte

• Female gametophyte

• Pollination

• Pollen-pistil interaction

• Double fertilisation

• Embryo development

• Seed formation

• Fruit formation

• Apomixis

• Parthenocarpy

• Polyembryony

• Seed dispersal

B. Human Reproduction

• Male reproductive system

• Female reproductive system

• Spermatogenesis

• Oogenesis

• Menstrual cycle

• Fertilisation

• Embryo development

• Implantation

• Pregnancy

• Parturition

• Lactation

C. Reproductive Health

• Sexually transmitted diseases

• Birth control

• Contraception

• Medical termination of pregnancy

• Infertility

• Assisted reproductive technologies

7. Genetics and Evolution

Genetics covers inheritance, molecular biology, and the basic principles of evolution.

A. Principles of Inheritance

• Mendelian inheritance

• Incomplete dominance

• Codominance

• Multiple alleles

• Blood group inheritance

• Pleiotropy

• Polygenic inheritance

• Chromosome theory of inheritance

• Linkage

• Crossing over

• Sex-linked inheritance

• Mendelian disorders

B. Molecular Basis of Inheritance

• DNA

• RNA

• DNA packaging

• DNA replication

• Transcription

• Genetic code

• Translation

• Gene expression

• Gene regulation

• Lac operon

• Genome

• DNA fingerprinting

C. Evolution

• Origin of life

• Evidence for evolution

• Darwin's contribution

• Modern synthetic theory

• Mutation

• Recombination

• Natural selection

• Gene flow

• Genetic drift

• Hardy-Weinberg principle

• Adaptive radiation

• Human evolution

8. Biology and Human Welfare

This section connects Biology with human health, agriculture, food production, and microbes.

A. Human Health and Diseases

• Pathogens and parasites

• Malaria

• Dengue

• Chikungunya

• Filariasis

• Ascariasis

• Typhoid

• Pneumonia

• Common cold

• Amoebiasis

• Ringworm

• Basic immunology

• Vaccines

• Cancer

• HIV and AIDS

• Substance abuse during adolescence

B. Food Production

• Plant breeding

• Tissue culture

• Single-cell protein

• Biofortification

• Apiculture

• Animal husbandry

C. Microbes in Human Welfare

• Food processing

• Industrial production

• Sewage treatment

• Energy generation

• Biocontrol

• Biofertilisers

• Antibiotics

9. Biotechnology and Ecology

This section covers biotechnology, ecology, biodiversity, and environmental issues.

A. Biotechnology

You should study the following topics:

• Genetic engineering

• Recombinant DNA technology

• Applications of biotechnology in health

• Applications of biotechnology in agriculture

• Human insulin

• Vaccine production

• Stem cell technology

• Gene therapy

• Genetically modified organisms

• Bt crops

• Transgenic animals

• Biosafety

• Biopiracy

• Patents

B. Organisms and Populations

This part focuses on the relationship between organisms and their surroundings.

• Habitat

• Niche

• Adaptations

• Population interactions

• Population growth

• Population characteristics

C. Ecosystem

You should understand the major components and processes of an ecosystem.

• Ecosystem components

• Productivity

• Decomposition

• Energy flow

• Ecological pyramids

• Nutrient cycles

• Ecological succession

D. Biodiversity and Conservation

This section covers biodiversity and its conservation.

• Biodiversity

• Biodiversity patterns

• Importance of biodiversity

• Biodiversity conservation

• Biodiversity loss

• Endangered organisms

• Extinction

E. Environmental Issues

The syllabus also includes major environmental concerns.

• Air pollution

• Water pollution

• Agrochemicals

• Solid waste

• Radioactive waste

• Greenhouse effect

• Climate change

• Ozone layer depletion

• Deforestation

NSEB Syllabus PDF

The official NSEB syllabus PDF provides the detailed syllabus for the National Standard Examinations and Indian National Olympiads. The Biology section starts with diversity of living organisms and continues through ecology and environmental issues.

You can use the syllabus document as a checklist during your preparation. Mark each topic after completing its study and revision. This can help you track your progress.

The syllabus also states that topics covered in lower classes are included. Therefore, you should not ignore the basic Biology concepts that you studied before Class 11.

Download NSEB Syllabus PDF

Preparation Resource:

• NSEB Registration

• NSEB PYQs

• NSEB Biological Classification Important Questions

• NSEB Body Fluid Important Questions

• NSEB Test Series

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