MPSET Life Science Latest Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility Criteria,Cut-off, Latest Books & Previous year Paper, Comparsion NET Vs MPSET [Complete Details]

The Madhya Pradesh State Eligibility Test (MPSET) is a prestigious state-level examination conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC). It determines the eligibility of candidates for the post of Assistant Professor in various colleges and universities within the state.
For students of Life Science, this exam is a gateway to a teaching career in higher education. The MPSET syllabus closely aligns with the UGC-NET framework, ensuring academic rigor and conceptual depth.
This article provides complete details on the latest MPSET Life Science syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility criteria, cut-off trends, preparation books, and a detailed comparison with the UGC NET/CSIR NET to help aspirants plan their preparation effectively.

🧪 MPSET Life Science 2025 – Exam Overview

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	Madhya Pradesh State Eligibility Test (MPSET) – Life Science
Conducting Body	Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC)
Level of Exam	State Level
Purpose	Eligibility for Assistant Professor (Life Science) in Madhya Pradesh colleges and universities
Mode of Examination	Offline (OMR-based)
Medium of Exam	English and Hindi
Papers	Two – Paper I (General) and Paper II (Life Science)
Total Questions	150 (50 in Paper I + 100 in Paper II)
Total Marks	300 marks (100 + 200)
Type of Questions	Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions)
Duration	3 Hours (1 hour for Paper I + 2 hours for Paper II)
Marking Scheme	+2 marks for each correct answer
Negative Marking	No negative marking
Eligibility Qualification	Master’s degree in Life Science or allied subjects with 55% (UR) or 50% (OBC/SC/ST/PwD)
Age Limit	No upper age limit
Number of Attempts	Unlimited
Exam Frequency	Once a year
Official Website	www.mppsc.mp.gov.in
Expected Cut-off Range (Life Science)	130–140 marks (General Category)
Selection Criteria	Minimum qualifying marks + subject-wise cut-off

1. Eligibility Criteria for MPSET (Life Science)

The Madhya Pradesh State Eligibility Test (MPSET) is conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of Assistant Professor in state universities and colleges.
To apply for MPSET in Life Science, candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions:

1. Educational Qualification The candidate must have completed a Master’s degree or an equivalent postgraduate degree in Life Science or related disciplines such as:

• Botany
• Zoology
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science
• Genetics
• Ecology
• or any allied subject recognized by UGC.
• Candidates belonging to different categories must have the following minimum marks in their qualifying examination:

Category	Minimum Percentage Required
General (UR)	55% aggregate marks
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / SC / ST / PwD	50% aggregate marks

Candidates who are awaiting final semester results or have appeared in their Master’s final examination are also eligible to apply.However, they must produce proof of qualification (Marksheet/Degree) within the specified time after the result declaration to be considered eligible.

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2. Age Limit

• There is no upper age limit for appearing in the MPSET exam for the post of Assistant Professor.
• Candidates of any age who meet the educational qualification can apply.

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3. Nationality and Domicile

• The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
• Domicile requirement:
  • Candidates belonging to Madhya Pradesh will be eligible for reservation benefits as per state government norms.
  • Candidates from other states can also appear for MPSET, but they will be treated as unreserved category (General) for selection and reservation purposes.

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4. Number of Attempts

• There is no restriction on the number of attempts.
  Candidates may appear for MPSET as many times as they wish, provided they meet other eligibility criteria.

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5. Relaxation in Qualification

• A 5% relaxation (from 55% to 50%) is granted to candidates who have completed their Ph.D. degree and whose Master’s degree was completed by September 19, 1991, in accordance with UGC regulations.
• The relaxation applies regardless of category.

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6. Equivalent Degrees

• Candidates holding degrees from foreign universities must ensure their qualification is recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) or UGC as equivalent to a Master’s degree in India.

2. Exam Pattern for MPSET (Life Science)

The MPSET examination consists of two papers, both conducted in Objective (MCQ) format on the same day.

Paper	Subject	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
Paper I	General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude	50	100	1 hour
Paper II	Subject-specific (Life Science)	100	200	2 hours
Total		150	300	3 hours

Marking Scheme:

• Each question carries 2 marks.
• There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
• Both papers are compulsory.
• The exam can be attempted in English or Hindi.

3. Detailed Syllabus for MPSET Life Science

The syllabus for MPSET Life Science It covers all major fields of modern biology, from molecular mechanisms to ecology and evolution.

🧬 MPSET Life Science Syllabus

Unit No.	Unit Title	Major Topics Covered
1	Molecules and Their Interaction Relevant to Biology	Structure of atoms, molecules, and bonds; biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins); stabilizing interactions (hydrogen, ionic, van der Waals, hydrophobic); biophysical chemistry (pH, buffers, thermodynamics, kinetics); bioenergetics and metabolism; enzyme kinetics and catalysis; conformation of proteins and nucleic acids; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides.
2	Cellular Organization	Membrane structure and transport; intracellular organelles (nucleus, mitochondria, ER, Golgi, lysosomes, chloroplasts, cytoskeleton); gene and chromosome organization; chromatin structure; operon and transposons; cell division and cell cycle regulation; microbial physiology and stress response.
3	Fundamental Processes	DNA replication, repair, recombination; RNA synthesis, processing, and transport; protein synthesis and post-translational modification; control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; chromatin and gene silencing.
4	Cell Communication and Signaling	Host-pathogen interaction; hormones and receptors; G-protein coupled and tyrosine kinase pathways; bacterial and plant two-component systems; light signaling; cellular communication and adhesion molecules; neurotransmission; hematopoiesis regulation; cancer genetics and signaling; immune system (innate and adaptive), antibodies, antigen presentation, MHC, complement system, hypersensitivity, immunodeficiency, and vaccines.
5	Developmental Biology	Basic concepts (potency, determination, morphogenetic gradients, stem cells); gametogenesis and fertilization in plants and animals; cleavage, gastrulation, embryogenesis; axes and organogenesis in Drosophila, chick, amphibians, C. elegans; plant morphogenesis (shoot, root, leaf, flowering); programmed cell death, aging, and senescence.
6	System Physiology – Plant	Photosynthesis (light reactions, C3, C4, CAM); respiration and photorespiration; nitrogen metabolism; plant hormones (biosynthesis, action, regulation); photobiology (phytochromes, phototropins, circadian rhythms); solute and photoassimilate transport; secondary metabolites; stress physiology (biotic and abiotic).
7	System Physiology – Animal	Blood and circulation; cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory, and digestive systems; nervous system and sense organs; endocrinology and reproduction; thermoregulation; stress and adaptation; energy balance and metabolism.
8	Inheritance Biology	Mendelian principles; gene concept; codominance, linkage, pleiotropy, penetrance; gene mapping, linkage maps, molecular markers; extranuclear inheritance; microbial genetics (transformation, conjugation, transduction); human genetics; quantitative genetics; mutation and chromosomal alterations; recombination mechanisms.
9	Diversity of Life Forms	Principles of taxonomy; classification of plants, animals, and microorganisms; structural levels of organization; adaptive radiation; Indian biodiversity; parasitic organisms; conservation and endangered species.
10	Ecological Principles	Environment and ecosystems; habitat and niche; population ecology (growth curves, r/K selection, metapopulations); species interactions; community structure; ecological succession; ecosystem functions (energy flow, biogeochemical cycles); Indian ecosystems; biogeography and conservation biology; applied ecology and biodiversity management.
11	Evolution and Behaviour	Evolutionary theories (Lamarck, Darwin, Modern Synthesis); origin of cells; paleontology and time scale; molecular evolution and phylogeny; mechanisms of evolution (selection, drift, mutation, gene flow, speciation); behavioural evolution (learning, memory, communication, reproduction, social behavior).
12	Applied Biology	Microbial fermentation and production of biomolecules; immunological applications (vaccines, diagnostics); tissue and cell culture; transgenics; genomics and gene therapy; biodiversity utilization; breeding and marker-assisted selection; bioremediation and biosensors.
13	Methods in Biology	Molecular biology and recombinant DNA techniques; cloning, sequencing, mutagenesis; histochemical and immunotechniques (ELISA, Western blot, FISH, flow cytometry); biophysical methods (spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, NMR, mass spectrometry); statistical analysis; radiolabeling techniques; microscopy (light, EM, confocal); electrophysiological methods (EEG, PET, fMRI); field biology methods (population density estimation, remote sensing, sampling).

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4. MPSET Qualifying Marks and Cut-off Trends

Minimum Qualifying Marks:

• General (UR): 40% aggregate (both papers combined)
• OBC/SC/ST/PwD: 35% aggregate

Cut-off Trends (Life Science – Approximate Range):

Year	Exam	Category	Cut-off / Qualifying Marks	Basis	Remarks / Observation
2022	MPSET	General (UR)	Around 130–135 marks	Raw marks	Moderate difficulty; actual subject-wise data not fully released officially.
		OBC	Around 120–125 marks	Raw marks	Usually 8–10 marks lower than General.
		SC / ST	Around 110–115 marks	Raw marks	Lowest range among categories.
2023	MPSET	General (UR)	Around 132 marks	Raw marks	Consistent with 2022 trends; small increase due to higher participation.
		OBC	Around 122 marks	Raw marks	Generally stable cut-off range.
		SC / ST	Around 110–118 marks	Raw marks	Follows state reservation norms.
2024	MPSET	General (UR)	132–138 marks	Raw marks	Expected cut-off for Life Science based on previous patterns.
		OBC	120–130 marks	Raw marks	Slight increase due to competition.
		SC / ST	110–120 marks	Raw marks	Relatively stable trend across years.
2022	CSIR-UGC NET	General (UR)	JRF: ~98.8 percentile Assistant Professor: ~97.5 percentile	Percentile	Very high competition; only top 1–2% candidates qualify.
2023	CSIR-UGC NET	General (UR)	JRF: ~98.9 percentile Assistant Professor: ~97.8 percentile	Percentile	Cut-off increased slightly due to higher difficulty.
2024	CSIR-UGC NET	General (UR)	JRF: ~99.08 percentile Assistant Professor: ~98.34 percentile	Percentile	One of the highest recorded cut-offs for Life Science in recent years.

Note: Cut-offs depend on factors such as exam difficulty, number of candidates, and vacancies. Scoring 150+ marks is generally considered safe for General category aspirants.

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5. Recommended Books for MPSET Life Science

📚 Recommended Books for MPSET Life Science (Chapter-wise)

Unit No.	Chapter / Unit Title	Book Title	Author(s)	Publication / Publisher	Edition	Approx. Price (INR)
1	Molecules and Their Interaction Relevant to Biology	Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry	David L. Nelson & Michael M. Cox	W.H. Freeman & Co.	8th Edition	₹3,500
2	Cellular Organization	Molecular Biology of the Cell	Bruce Alberts et al.	Garland Science	7th Edition	₹4,000
3	Fundamental Processes	Molecular Biology of the Gene	James D. Watson et al.	Pearson Education	7th Edition	₹3,000
4	Cell Communication and Signaling	Kuby Immunology	Judith A. Owen, Jenni Punt, Sharon A. Stranford	W.H. Freeman & Co.	7th Edition	₹2,800
5	Developmental Biology	Developmental Biology	Scott F. Gilbert	Sinauer Associates	11th Edition	₹3,200
6	System Physiology – Plant	Plant Physiology and Development	Lincoln Taiz, Eduardo Zeiger, Ian Max Møller	Sinauer Associates	6th Edition	₹3,500
7	System Physiology – Animal	Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology	Kim E. Barrett et al.	McGraw Hill Education	26th Edition	₹1,500
8	Inheritance Biology	Principles of Genetics	D. Peter Snustad & Michael J. Simmons	Wiley India Pvt. Ltd.	7th Edition	₹2,200
9	Diversity of Life Forms	A Textbook of Zoology (Mammalia Series)	R.L. Kotpal	Rastogi Publications	Latest Indian Edition	₹600
10	Ecological Principles	Fundamentals of Ecology	Eugene P. Odum & Gary W. Barrett	Cengage Learning	5th Edition	₹950
11	Evolution and Behaviour	Evolution	Douglas J. Futuyma	Sinauer Associates	4th Edition	₹3,000
12	Applied Biology	Biotechnology: Expanding Horizons	B.D. Singh	Kalyani Publishers	4th Edition	₹800
13	Methods in Biology	Biophysical Chemistry: Principles and Techniques	Upadhyay, Upadhyay & Nath	Himalaya Publishing House	4th Edition	₹900

🧪 MPSET Life Science Exam Analysis (2022–2024)

Year	Overall Difficulty Level	Paper I (General Aptitude)	Paper II (Life Science)	Good Attempts (Approx.)	Major Topics Asked	Key Observations / Trends
2022	Moderate	Easy to Moderate – Questions from teaching aptitude, logical reasoning, and ICT were direct.	Moderate – Conceptual and factual mix, emphasis on molecular biology and plant physiology.	100–110 questions out of 150	Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Ecology, and Genetics dominated.	Pattern was similar to CSIR NET; numerical questions were limited; moderate difficulty with balanced distribution across 13 units.
2023	Moderate to Slightly Difficult	Moderate – Few tricky reasoning and higher education questions.	Moderate to Difficult – More conceptual questions, requiring analytical understanding.	95–105 questions out of 150	Genetics, Cell Biology, Evolution, and Biotechnology had higher weightage.	Increase in assertion-reason type questions; several integrated concept questions; application-based items from immunology and ecology.
2024	Moderate	Moderate – Included 2–3 comprehension-based reasoning sets and more data interpretation.	Moderate to Slightly Difficult – Focus on molecular pathways, signaling, and experimental biology.	100–115 questions out of 150	Developmental Biology, Cell Signaling, Biotech, and Ecology had higher representation.	Difficulty slightly increased compared to 2023; many questions matched the CSIR-NET trend; more analytical than factual.

7. Comparison: MPSET vs CSIR NET (Life Science)

Feature	MPSET	UGC NET / CSIR NET
Level	State level (Madhya Pradesh)	National level
Conducting Body	MPPSC	NTA (UGC NET) / CSIR-HRDG (CSIR NET)
Purpose	Assistant Professor in MP Colleges	Assistant Professor & JRF across India
Papers	Paper I & II (Objective)	PART A,B & C (Objective)
Negative Marking	None	Yes (for CSIR NET)
Difficulty Level	Moderate	High
Scope of Eligibility	Within Madhya Pradesh	All India
Competition	State-specific	National
Career Opportunities	State government colleges and universities	National institutions, JRF, PhD fellowships
Exam Frequency	Once per year	Twice per year

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8. Preparation Tips for MPSET Life Science

1. Understand the syllabus deeply – avoid selective study.
2. Divide study time between Paper I and Paper II strategically.
3. Prepare concise notes for quick revision.
4. Solve MCQs daily to build conceptual clarity.
5. Revise key diagrams, pathways, and cycles in Life Science.
6. Use standard reference books over guidebooks for concepts.
7. Take mock tests regularly to assess progress.
8. Stay updated with current scientific developments and environmental issues.

🧪 MPSET Life Science Previous Year Paper Record (2017–2024)

The previous year papers of MPSET Life Science (2017–2024) provide valuable insights into exam trends, question patterns, and topic weightage. Practicing these papers helps candidates understand recurring concepts, manage time effectively, and improve accuracy for upcoming exams.

Year	Question Paper / PDF Link
2017	Click Here
2018	Click Here
2019	Click Here
2020	Click Here
2021	Click Here
2022	Click Here
2023	Click Here
2024	Click Here

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Conclusion

The MPSET Life Science Examination is a crucial opportunity for postgraduate students aspiring to become Assistant Professors in Madhya Pradesh. With its well-structured syllabus and moderate difficulty level, consistent and focused preparation can ensure success.

While UGC NET/CSIR NET opens national-level teaching and research opportunities, MPSET offers a state-focused pathway with equally rewarding prospects. Candidates aiming for a teaching career within Madhya Pradesh should approach MPSET with a strong conceptual foundation in Life Science, mastery of Paper I aptitude, and thorough practice with previous year papers.

A combination of conceptual clarity, regular revision, and mock test practice will help you clear MPSET Life Science confidently.