The CUET PG Zoology [SCQP28] Exam 2026 is a crucial gateway for students aspiring to pursue higher studies and build a professional career in Zoology and allied life sciences. Conducted under the Common University Entrance Test (CUET PG) framework, this exam provides admission opportunities into various central, state, and deemed universities across India. With Zoology being one of the most sought-after subjects in the life sciences domain, the exam not only tests subject knowledge but also analytical, conceptual, and research-oriented skills.In this article, we will cover the latest syllabus, updated exam pattern, recommended books, career opportunities, previous year question papers (PYQ), exam analysis, expected cut-off, and preparation strategies for CUET PG Zoology 2026. This comprehensive guide will help aspirants understand the exam in detail, streamline their preparation, and enhance their chances of securing admission to prestigious universities.

🧬 CUET PG Zoology [SCQP28] Exam 2026 – Detailed Overview

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	CUET PG Zoology [SCQP28] Exam 2026
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Level	National-level Entrance Test
Purpose	Admission to M.Sc./M.A./Integrated Zoology programs in Central, State & Deemed Universities
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test (CBT) – Online
Exam Duration	90 Minutes
Total Questions	75 Questions
Total Marks	300 Marks
Marking Scheme	+4 for each correct answer; -1 for each incorrect answer
Medium of Exam	English & Hindi (Bilingual)
Question Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Eligibility Criteria	Bachelor’s degree in Zoology/Life Sciences or related field with minimum 50–55% marks (varies by university)
Frequency	Once a year
Official Website	cuet.nta.nic.in

📘 CUET PG Zoology [SCQP28] – Detailed Chapter-wise Topics (Expanded)

Chapter	Expected Topics
1. Cell Biology	Cell theory, Prokaryotic & eukaryotic cells, Plasma membrane structure & transport (active, passive, endocytosis/exocytosis), Cell organelles (ER, Golgi, Lysosomes, Mitochondria, Peroxisomes), Nucleus, Chromatin & chromosomes, Cell cycle & checkpoints, Mitosis & Meiosis, Apoptosis, Cell signaling pathways, Membrane receptors, Cytoskeleton (microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments), Cellular junctions
2. Biochemistry	Structure and function of carbohydrates, monosaccharides & polysaccharides, Lipid types & metabolism, Proteins & amino acids, Enzyme classification, kinetics, allosteric regulation, enzyme inhibition, Vitamins & coenzymes, Nucleic acids (DNA & RNA structure), Nucleotide metabolism, Energy metabolism (glycolysis, TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation), Hormones and chemical messengers
3. Molecular Biology	DNA structure & replication (semi-conservative), RNA types & processing, Transcription in prokaryotes & eukaryotes, Translation, Genetic code, Post-transcriptional modifications, Operon models (lac, trp), Gene regulation (prokaryotic & eukaryotic), Epigenetics, Molecular markers (RFLP, RAPD, SSR), Recombinant DNA technology basics
4. Ecology	Population ecology (growth models, carrying capacity), Community ecology (diversity indices, species interactions), Ecosystem structure & functions, Energy flow & food chains/webs, Biogeochemical cycles (C, N, P, S), Ecological succession, Habitat types & zonation, Ecological disturbances, Environmental pollution (air, water, soil), Conservation ecology, Climate change impacts on animals
5. Evolution	Theories of evolution (Darwin, Lamarck), Evidence of evolution, Mechanisms of evolution (mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow), Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, Speciation types (allopatric, sympatric), Phylogenetics & tree construction, Molecular evolution, Evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-Devo), Adaptive radiation, Co-evolution, Human evolution
6. Biodiversity & Environment Conservation	Levels of biodiversity (genetic, species, ecosystem), Threats to biodiversity, Endangered & endemic species, Biodiversity hotspots in India & world, Conservation strategies (in-situ, ex-situ), Wildlife sanctuaries & national parks, Environmental laws & policies, Sustainable development, Role of NGOs & gene banks, Red data book, CITES, IUCN categories
7. Immunology	Innate vs adaptive immunity, Antigens & haptens, Antibody structure & types, B-cell & T-cell mediated immunity, Major histocompatibility complex (MHC), Cytokines & complement system, Vaccines & immunization, Hypersensitivity reactions, Autoimmunity, Immunodeficiency diseases, Monoclonal antibodies, Immunotechniques (ELISA, Western blot)
8. Genetics	Mendelian inheritance & ratios, Multiple alleles & co-dominance, Linkage & crossing over, Chromosomal aberrations, Sex determination & sex-linked traits, Pedigree analysis, Extra-chromosomal inheritance (mitochondrial, chloroplast), Quantitative & population genetics, Gene mapping, Genetic disorders in humans, Epistasis, Molecular genetics techniques
9. Biotechniques	Microscopy (light, phase-contrast, electron), Centrifugation, Chromatography (TLC, HPLC), Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE, agarose), PCR & RT-PCR, Blotting techniques (Southern, Northern, Western), Spectrophotometry, Radioisotope labeling, Flow cytometry, CRISPR basics, Protein purification methods
10. Vertebrates and Invertebrates	Classification of major phyla & classes, Comparative anatomy & physiology, Exoskeleton & endoskeleton, Organ systems (digestive, circulatory, nervous), Life cycles, Evolutionary adaptations, Parasitology basics, Zoogeography, Endangered species & conservation relevance, Functional morphology
11. Developmental Biology	Gametogenesis, Fertilization, Cleavage, Gastrulation, Organogenesis, Morphogen gradients, Developmental genes (HOX, PAX), Stem cells & their types, Regeneration, Model organisms (Drosophila, C. elegans, Zebrafish, Xenopus), Teratology, Aging & senescence
12. Biostatistics	Descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, SD, variance), Probability theory, Sampling methods, Hypothesis testing, Chi-square test, t-tests, ANOVA, Regression & correlation analysis, Statistical software basics (R, SPSS), Graphical representation of data, Experimental design, Error analysis
13. Animal Physiology	Homeostasis, Tissue types, Nervous system & neurophysiology, Muscle contraction, Endocrine glands & hormones, Circulatory & respiratory physiology, Excretory system, Osmoregulation, Digestive system, Reproductive physiology, Thermoregulation, Neuroendocrine integration
14. Recombinant DNA Technology	Gene cloning, Restriction enzymes, DNA ligase, Vectors (plasmids, cosmids, phages), Transformation & transfection, Screening & selection of recombinants, Genomic & cDNA libraries, Applications in medicine (gene therapy, vaccines) & agriculture (GMOs), CRISPR & genome editing, Bioinformatics basics

CUET PG Zoology Weightage Topic Wise in Exam form 2022 to 2025

📊 CUET PG Zoology – Core Section Analysis (2022–2025)

Year	Overall Difficulty	Question Type	Key Topics	Topic-wise Weightage / Trends	Student Feedback
2022	Moderate to Difficult	MCQs, Conceptual & Application-based	Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Animal Physiology, Ecology, Biostatistics, Genetics	Molecular Biology (20%), Physiology (15%), Genetics (15%), Ecology (15%), Biostatistics (10%), Others (25%)	Mixed reviews; high conceptual questions in Molecular Biology & Ecology were tricky
2023	Moderate	MCQs, Mostly Direct	Cell Biology, Genetics, Evolution, Physiology, Ecology	Genetics & Cell Biology (20% each), Evolution (15%), Physiology (15%), Ecology (15%), Others (15%)	Balanced paper; most questions from syllabus; application-based few
2024	Easy to Moderate	MCQs, Mostly Direct	Molecular Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolution, Animal Physiology	Molecular Biology & Genetics (25%), Ecology (20%), Evolution (15%), Physiology (15%), Others (25%)	Considered easiest in 4 years; direct questions, fewer calculations
2025	Moderate	MCQs, Mix of Direct & Analytical	Molecular Biology, Animal Physiology, Ecology, Biostatistics, Genetics	Molecular Biology (20%), Physiology (20%), Genetics (15%), Ecology (15%), Biostatistics (10%), Others (20%)	Fairly balanced; application-based questions present; moderate time pressure

Seats Available in Central Universities for Zoology [PG] Through CUET PG Exam

University / Institution	PG Programme	Seats for Zoology / Related (Recent)
Central University of Kerala	M.Sc. Zoology	38
Central University of Punjab (CUP)	M.Sc. Zoology	30
University of Delhi (DU)	M.Sc. Zoology	116
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)	M.Sc. Life Science	38

CUET PG Zoology – Eligibility Criteria (University-wise)

University	Eligibility Criteria
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)	B.Sc./B.Sc. (Hons) in Zoology under 10+2+3 system with at least 50% marks in aggregate. Candidate must have studied Zoology in all three years (or as Hons subject). Chemistry required as one subject at UG level.
University of Delhi (DU)	B.Sc. (Hons) Zoology with minimum 55% marks OR B.Sc. Program with Zoology as one subject and 60% aggregate. For reserved categories relaxation as per rules.
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)	B.Sc. (Hons) Zoology with minimum 55% marks OR B.Sc. with Zoology as subsidiary subject with minimum 55% aggregate in Zoology.
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)	B.Sc. in Zoology or Life Sciences with at least 50% marks. Preference to candidates with Zoology as main subject.
University of Hyderabad (UoH)	Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with at least 60% marks in aggregate. Zoology must be part of UG degree.
Central University of Kerala (CUK)	B.Sc. degree in Zoology or Biological Sciences with at least 50% marks. Candidates with allied life sciences backgrounds also eligible.
Central University of Punjab (CUP)	Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences (Zoology, Botany, Biotech, etc.) with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD).
Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (HNBGU)	B.Sc. with Zoology as a subject. Minimum 45% marks in aggregate for General/OBC/EWS. Relaxation for SC/ST as per rules.
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (GGU), Bilaspur	B.Sc. with Zoology as one subject with minimum 50% marks. Reservation/relaxation as per government norms.
Central University of Odisha (CUO)	B.Sc. degree with Zoology as one subject and at least 50% marks. Candidates with allied biological science degrees considered.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)	JNU offers M.Sc. in Life Sciences (not separate Zoology). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in Biological, Physical, Agricultural, Veterinary, or Allied Sciences with minimum 55% marks.

📚 CUET PG Zoology 2025: Chapter-wise Book Recommendations

Chapter	Recommended Book	Author(s)	Publisher	Price (₹)
1. Cell Biology	Cell Biology	P.K. Gupta	Rastogi Publications	₹800
2. Biochemistry	Biochemistry	U. Satyanarayana	Books & Allied	₹1200
3. Molecular Biology	Molecular Biology of the Gene	Watson et al.	Pearson	₹1500
4. Ecology	Fundamentals of Ecology	Odum	Thomson Brooks/Cole	₹1400
5. Evolution	Evolutionary Biology	M.J. Stearns	Oxford University Press	₹1300
6. Biodiversity & Environment	Biodiversity and Conservation	K.K. Sharma	Rastogi Publications	₹1100
7. Immunology	Immunology	Kuby	W.H. Freeman	₹1800
8. Genetics	Principles of Genetics	Gardner et al.	Wiley	₹1600
9. Biotechniques	Molecular Cloning	Sambrook & Russell	Cold Spring Harbor Lab Press	₹2000
10. Vertebrates & Invertebrates	Invertebrate Zoology	Ruppert & Barnes	Oxford University Press	₹2200
11. Developmental Biology	Developmental Biology	Gilbert	Sinauer Associates	₹2500
12. Biostatistics	Biostatistics: A Foundation for Analysis in the Health Sciences	Wayne W. Daniel	Wiley	₹1700
13. Animal Physiology	Animal Physiology	Hill, Wyse & Anderson	Sinauer Associates	₹2100
14. Recombinant DNA Technology	Molecular Cloning	Sambrook & Russell	Cold Spring Harbor Lab Press	₹2000

📘 CUET PG Zoology 2025 – Exam Pattern

Parameter	Details
Mode of Examination	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Duration	90 minutes
Total Number of Questions	75
Question Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks	300
Marking Scheme	+4 for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect answer 0 for unattempted questions
Language Medium	Bilingual (English and Hindi)
Syllabus Coverage	Entire CUET PG Zoology syllabus as per NTA guidelines

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📌 Key Points

• No General Section: The general section (Part A) has been removed, and the exam now focuses solely on domain-specific questions. –
• Bilingual Question Paper: Candidates can choose between English and Hindi as the medium for the question paper during registration. –
• Compulsory Questions: All 75 questions are compulsory, with no optional questions

📊 DU & JNU Cut-off For CUET PG Zoology

University	Category	Cut-off Marks (2025)
DU	UR	165
	EWS	151
	OBC	121
	SC	125
	ST	83
JNU	UR	71
	SC	62.67
	ST	50.67
	OBC	66
	EWS	68.67

Career Scope After PG Zoology – Table Format

Career Path	Job Roles / Designations	Employers / Sectors	Eligibility / Requirements	Expected Salary (₹/Year)
Academia & Teaching	Lecturer, Professor, School Teacher, Coaching Instructor	Colleges, Universities, Schools, Coaching Institutes	PG in Zoology + NET/JRF for colleges; B.Ed for school	3–12 LPA
Research & Higher Studies	Research Scientist, Ph.D. Scholar, Post-Doc Fellow	CSIR, ICAR, DBT, ICMR, ZSI, National Research Labs	PG in Zoology + NET/JRF; Ph.D. admission criteria	4–15 LPA
Wildlife & Conservation	Wildlife Biologist, Conservation Officer, Ecologist	Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, NGOs, Govt	PG in Zoology, fieldwork experience, UPSC/State Forest Exam	3–10 LPA
Biotechnology & Pharma	Molecular Biologist, Geneticist, R&D Scientist, QC Analyst	Biotech Firms, Pharmaceutical Companies, Research Labs	PG in Zoology / Biotechnology / Molecular Biology	4–20 LPA
Public Sector / Government	Civil Services, IFS Officer, Govt Lab Scientist	UPSC, State PSC, ICAR, CSIR, FRI, DRDO, BARC	PG in Zoology + UPSC/PSC qualification	6–18 LPA
Science Communication	Science Writer, Journalist, Content Creator, Trainer	Media Houses, Educational Platforms, NGOs	PG in Zoology; Communication Skills / Certifications	2–8 LPA
Entrepreneurship	Eco-Tourism Owner, Biotech Startup Founder, Edupreneur	Self-Employment, Startups, Educational Ventures	PG in Zoology + Business acumen	Variable: 3–25 LPA+

CUET PG Zoology – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is CUET PG Zoology?

CUET PG Zoology is the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses in Zoology, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to M.Sc. Zoology in participating universities like DU, JNU, BHU, Jamia Millia Islamia, and others.

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2. Who is eligible to appear for CUET PG Zoology?

• Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology or equivalent from a recognized university.
• Minimum marks required: Usually 50% for General, 45% for OBC, 40% for SC/ST (varies by university).
• Some universities may have age limits or additional eligibility criteria—check individual university notifications.

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3. What is the CUET PG Zoology exam pattern?

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Number of Questions: 75 MCQs (Core Zoology only)
• Marks: 300 (4 marks per correct answer, -1 for wrong answer)
• Medium: English and Hindi (bilingual)
• Topics: Molecular Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolution, Animal Physiology, Cell Biology, Biostatistics, Immunology, Biodiversity & Conservation, Developmental Biology, Biotechnology.

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4. What is the difficulty level of the CUET PG Zoology exam?

• 2022: Moderate to Difficult
• 2023: Moderate
• 2024: Easy to Moderate
• 2025: Moderate
• Questions include a mix of direct recall, conceptual understanding, and application-based MCQs.

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5. Which topics should I prioritize?

• High-weightage topics: Molecular Biology, Genetics, Animal Physiology, Ecology
• Medium-weightage topics: Cell Biology, Evolution, Biostatistics, Immunology
• Minor topics (~10–15%): Developmental Biology, Biotechnology, Biodiversity & Conservation

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6. What is the marking scheme?

• Correct answer: +4 marks
• Wrong answer: -1 mark
• Unattempted: 0 marks

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7. How is the CUET PG Zoology rank calculated?

• Ranks are based on raw score (marks obtained in MCQs).
• Tie-breakers: Number of correct answers, marks in high-weightage sections, age criteria (older candidate preferred).

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8. What is the cutoff for admission?

• Delhi University (DU): UR ~167/300 (2025), OBC ~121, SC ~125, ST ~83
• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU): UR ~71/300 (2025), OBC ~66, SC ~62.67, ST ~50.67
• Cutoffs vary every year and depend on number of applicants, difficulty, and seat availability.

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9. Can I prepare from previous years’ CUET PG Zoology papers?

Yes, practicing PYQs from 2022–2024 helps understand:

• Question types
• Topic-wise weightage
• Time management strategies

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10. Recommended books for preparation

Topic	Books
Molecular Biology	Molecular Biology of the Gene – Watson, Molecular Biology – Alberts
Genetics	Principles of Genetics – Gardner, Genetics: A Molecular Approach – Russell
Ecology	Fundamentals of Ecology – Odum, Ecology: Theories & Applications – M.C. Dash
Animal Physiology	Animal Physiology – Hill, Wyse & Anderson
Biostatistics	Biostatistics – Wayne W. Daniel, S.K. Gupta & V.K. Kapoor
Cell Biology	Cell Biology – P.K. Gupta, Cell & Molecular Biology – Alberts

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11. How to prepare for CUET PG Zoology?

• Make a chapter-wise study plan according to syllabus weightage.
• Focus on high-weightage and core topics first.
• Solve previous year questions and take mock tests.
• Revise formulas, diagrams, and important concepts regularly.
• Time management is crucial: 1.2–1.5 minutes per question on average.

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12. What are career options after CUET PG Zoology?

• Academia: Lecturer, Professor, School Teacher
• Research: Ph.D., R&D Scientist, National Labs
• Wildlife & Conservation: Zoologist, Ecologist, Forest Officer
• Biotech & Pharma: Molecular Biologist, Geneticist, QC Analyst
• Public Sector/Govt: IFS, UPSC/PSC roles, Government Lab Scientist
• Science Communication: Science Writer, Content Creator
• Entrepreneurship: Eco-tourism, Biotech Startups, Educational Ventures