CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus 2024: Unit-wise Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Preparation Strategy

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test 2024 ( CSIR NET )

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Registration: 9 Dec '24 - 30 Dec '24

Shikha
Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager
Updated on Jul 24, 2024 12:19 IST

The NTA is conducting the Physical Science Exam for June Session on July 25, 2024 in Shift 1 (9 am to 12 noon). The CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus 2024 is provided below for candidates interested in pursuing a career in Physical Science or becoming a Physical Science Researcher or Lecturer. Scroll down for a detailed CSIR NET Physical Science syllabus, exam pattern, preparation strategy, etc.

CSIR NET Physics Syllabus

CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus

CSIR NET 2024: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the CSIR NET exam from July 25 to 27, 2024. The CSIR NET 2024 Physical Science Exam is in Shift 1 (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) on July 25, 2024. Candidates can once go through the syllabus and check if any topic is left for revision. The syllabus is one of the most important aspects that must be considered during preparation for the examination.

Candidates who are preparing for the CSIR NET examination must also be aware of the syllabus for efficient preparation. Here, we are providing a detailed syllabus of CSIR NET Physical Science and an exam pattern that will help candidates build a good preparation strategy. The CSIR NET Physical Science syllabus includes all important sections from which questions are asked. Candidates can plan their studies by reviewing the CSIR NET Physics syllabus. NTA administers the CSIR NET test to establish applicants' eligibility as Assistant Professors and to grant Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) in the Faculty of Science. The CSIR NET 2024 Exam is divided into five sections: Physical Science, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences. Go through the article below to learn about the subjects covered in the CSIR NET Physics Syllabus.

Q:   How many sections are there in CSIR NET exam?

A:
The CSIR NET exam contains three sections- Part A, B and C. Part A contains generic questions and is common for all subjects. Part B and C contain subject-specific questions. The CSIR NET Part A consists of General Aptitude questions that assess the candidates teaching/research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension skills, divergent thinking and general awareness. The CSIR NET Part B and C consist of questions that are based on the subjects chosen by candidates from the following five subjects - Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences.

Q:   Is there a negative marking in the CSIR NET exam?

A:

Yes, there is a negative marking of 25 per cent in the CSIR NET exam for each wrong answer (33 per cent in Part C of Earth Sciences paper). Marking Scheme in CSIR NET 2024 exam varies with different stages of exam. Part A comprises 20 questions, and each question carries 1 mark. Therefore, the total marks allotted for Part A is 20. Part B and Part C comprise subject-specific questions, and each question carries 2 or 4 marks. Part B comprises 40 questions, and the total marks allotted for this section is 80. Part C comprises 60 questions, and the total marks allotted for this section is 120. It's important to note that the negative marking can significantly affect the final score, and the candidates should attempt the questions carefully and only answer those questions for which they are confident about the correct answer. Guesswork should be avoided as it may lead to negative marking and a reduction in the overall score.

Q:   Is there any set pattern of distribution of questions in the CSIR NET exam?

A:
Yes, there is a set pattern of distribution of questions in the CSIR NET exam. The exam pattern may vary slightly depending on the subject, but generally, the distribution of questions is as follows: 1. Part A: This section is common for all subjects and consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). It contains 20 questions, and candidates are required to attempt 15 questions. Each question carries two marks, and there is negative marking for incorrect answers. 2. Part B: This section consists of subject-specific multiple-choice questions. The number of questions in Part B may vary depending on the subject. Each question carries two marks, and there is negative marking for incorrect responses. 3. Part C: This section contains higher-value questions that assess the candidate's analytical and problem-solving skills. The number of questions in Part C may vary depending on the subject, but it generally has a lower number of questions compared to Parts A and B. Each question in Part C carries four or five marks. The total duration of the exam is three hours, and candidates must complete all the sections within this timeframe. It is important for candidates to be familiar with the exam pattern and distribution of questions in their chosen subject to plan their time and preparation effectively.

Also Read: 

CSIR NET 2024 Exam Day Live Updates

CSIR NET Shift Timings 2024: Subject-Wise Paper Timing, Exam Date & Instructions

CSIR NET 2024: Latest Updates

CSIR NET 2024 Physical Science Syllabus 

This article is intended to provide the most recent CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus 2024 to individuals who wish to apply for the CSIR NET Physical Science exam. Part A of the syllabus comprises questions on general aptitude, general scientific abilities, and quantitative reasoning and analysis, which is the same for all courses.

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Part B covers the key subjects covered in the CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus. Part C covers analytics questions based on applying physical science theoretical principles.

The CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus covers the following topics:

Part A (General Aptitude)

Parts B and C (Core and Advance)

Also Read: 

CSIR NET Earth Science Syllabus 2024

CSIR NET Physical Sciences Syllabus 2024 - Topics Wise

The CSIR NET Syllabus 2024 for Physical Science is divided into three sections: Parts A, B, and C. We have published the curriculum for each area, including general aptitude, core, and advanced physical science. As previously stated, a thorough comprehension of the CSIR NET Physics syllabus is required to pass any exam.

CSIR NET Physical Sciences Syllabus for Part A:

Candidates can check the CSIR NET Physical Sciences Syllabus for Part A below.

1. Graphical Analysis & Data Interpretation

  • Table
  • Mean, Median, Mode
  • Line & Bar Chart
  • Measures of Dispersion
  • Graph
  • Pie-chart

2. Reasoning

  • Ranking and Arrangement
  • Direction and Distance
  • Series Formation
  • Coding and Decoding
  • Clock and Calendar
  • Puzzle

3. Numerical Ability

  • Compound and Simple Interest
  • HCF and LCM
  • Proportion and Variation
  • Permutation and Combination
  • Time and Work
  • Geometry

Also Read: CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2024

CSIR NET Physical Sciences Syllabus for Part B & Part C:

Candidates can check the CSIR NET Physical Sciences Syllabus for Part B & C below.

CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus: Core

1. Electronics and Experimental Methods

  • Least Squares fitting
  • Precision and accuracy
  • Microprocessor and microcontroller basics
  • Digital techniques and applications (counters, registers, comparators, and similar circuits)
  • Opto-electronic devices (solar cells, photo-detectors, LEDs)
  • Error analysis, propagation of errors
  • Data interpretation and analysis
  • A/D and D/A converters
  • Operational amplifiers and their applications
  • Semiconductor devices (transistors, diodes, junctions, field effect devices, homo- and hetero-junction devices), device characteristics, device structure, frequency dependence, and applications

2. Quantum Mechanics

  • Pauli exclusion principle, spin-statistics connection
  • Time-dependent perturbation theory and Fermi’s golden rule, selection rules
  • Time Independent perturbation theory and applications
  • Motion in a central potential: the addition of angular momenta, angular momentum algebra, orbital angular momentum, spin; Hydrogen atom
  • Commutators and Heisenberg uncertainty principle
  • Tunneling through a barrier
  • Schrödinger equation (time-dependent and time-independent)
  • Identical particles
  • Variational method
  • Stern-Gerlach experiment
  • Dirac notation for state vectors
  • Wave function in coordinate and momentum representations
  • Eigenvalue problems (harmonic oscillator, particle in a box, etc.)
  • Wave-particle duality

Also Read: CSIR NET Preparation Strategy 2024

3. Classical Mechanics

  • Lorentz transformations, relativistic kinematics, and mass-energy equivalence
  • Periodic motion: small oscillations, normal modes
  • Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formalism and equations of motion
  • Variational principle
  • Rigid body dynamics moment of inertia tensor
  • Central force motions
  • Dynamical systems
  • Special theory of relativity
  • Conservation laws and cyclic coordinates
  • Generalized coordinates
  • Non-inertial frames and pseudo-forces
  • Two body Collisions – scattering in the Centre of mass and laboratory frames
  • Phase space dynamics, stability analysis
  • Newton’s laws

4. Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics

  • Blackbody radiation and Planck’s distribution law
  • Ideal Bose and Fermi gases
  • The connection of Free energy with thermodynamic quantities
  • Phase space, micro- and macro-states
  • Thermodynamic potentials
  • Principle of detailed balance
  • Classical and quantum statistics
  • Micro-canonical, grand-canonical and canonical ensembles, and partition functions
  • Maxwell relations, chemical potential, phase equilibria
  • Laws of thermodynamics and their consequences

5. Electromagnetic Theory

  • Fresnel’s law, Reflection and refraction, polarisation, interference, diffraction and coherence. Dynamics of charged particles in uniform electromagnetic and static fields
  • Electromagnetic waves in free space
  • Maxwell’s equations in linear isotropic media and free space; boundary conditions on the fields at interfaces
  • Magnetostatics: Biot-Savart law, Ampere’s theorem
  • Electrostatics: Gauss’s law and its applications
  • Dielectrics and conductors
  • Scalar and vector potentials, gauge invariance
  • Electromagnetic induction
  • Laplace and Poisson equations, boundary value problems

6. Mathematical Methods of Physics

  • Central limit theorem
  • Elementary probability theory, random variables, binomial
  • Elements of complex analysis, analytic functions
  • Special functions (Bessel, Hermite, Laguerre, and Legendre functions)
  • Eigenvalues and eigenvectors
  • Linear algebra
  • Dimensional analysis
  • Poisson and normal distributions
  • Taylor & Laurent series; residues, poles, and evaluation of integrals
  • Fourier series, Fourier, and Laplace transform
  • Linear ordinary differential equations of second and first-order
  • Matrices Cayley-Hamilton Theorem
  • Vector algebra and vector calculus

Also Read: CSIR NET Cut-Off 2024

CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus: Advanced

1. Nuclear and Particle Physics

  • Relativistic kinematics
  • Application of symmetry arguments to particle reactions
  • Quark model, baryons, and mesons
  • Elementary particles and their quantum numbers (parity, charge, spin, isospin, strangeness, etc.)
  • Nuclear reactions, reaction mechanisms, compound nuclei, and direct reactions
  • Elementary ideas of alpha, beta, and gamma decay and their selection rules
  • Evidence of shell structure, single-particle shell model, validity, and limitations
  • Nature of the nuclear force, nucleon-nucleon potential, charge-independence, and charge-symmetry of nuclear forces
  • Basic nuclear properties: shape, size, charge distribution, spin, and parity
  • Parity non-conservation in the weak interaction
  • C, P, and T invariance
  • Gellmann-Nishijima formula
  • Classification of fundamental forces
  • Fission and fusion
  • Rotational spectra
  • Deuteron problem
  • Binding energy, semi-empirical mass formula, liquid drop model

2. Condensed Matter Physics

  • Ordered phases of matter: orientational and translational order, kinds of liquid crystalline order.
  • Quasicrystals
  • Superfluidity
  • Superconductivity: type-I and type-II superconductors
  • Hall effect and thermoelectric power
  • Response and relaxation phenomena
  • Elastic properties, phonons, lattice-specific heat
  • Diffraction and the structure factor
  • Bravais lattices
  • Defects and dislocations
  • Josephson junctions
  • Band theory of solids, Electron motion in a periodic potential: metals, insulators, and semiconductors
  • Drude model of electrical and thermal conductivity
  • Free electron theory and electronic-specific heat
  • Bonding of solids
  • Reciprocal lattice

3. Atomic & Molecular Physics

  • Modes of resonators and coherence length
  • Einstein A & B coefficients
  • Born-Oppenheimer approximation
  • Nuclear magnetic resonance, chemical shift
  • Zeeman, Paschen-Bach & Stark effects
  • The spectrum of helium and alkali atoms
  • Quantum states of an electron in an atom
  • Optical pumping, population inversion, rate equation
  • Electronic, vibrational, rotational, selection rules, and Raman spectra of diatomic molecules. Lasers: spontaneous and stimulated emission
  • Frank-Condon principle
  • Electron spin resonance
  • Relativistic corrections for energy levels of the hydrogen atom, hyperfine structure and isotopic shift, width of spectral lines, LS & JJ couplings
  • Electron spin

Also Read: CSIR NET Answer Key 2024

4. Electronics and Experimental Methods

  • High-frequency devices (including generators and detectors)
  • Impedance matching, amplification (Op-amp based, instrumentation amp, feedback), shielding, filtering and noise reduction, and grounding
  • Measurement and control
  • Linear and nonlinear curve fitting, chi-square test
  • Fourier transforms lock-in detectors, box-car integrators, and modulation techniques
  • Signal conditioning and recovery
  • Transducers (magnetic fields, temperature, optical, pressure/vacuum, vibration, and particle detectors)

5. Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics

  • Introduction to nonequilibrium processes
  • Diffusion equation
  • Ising model
  • First- and second-order phase transitions
  • Random walk and Brownian motion
  • Bose-Einstein condensation
  • Diamagnetism, paramagnetism, and ferromagnetism

6. Quantum Mechanics

  • Semi-classical theory of radiation
  • Born in approximation
  • WKB approximation
  • Relativistic quantum mechanics: Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations
  • Elementary theory of scattering: phase shifts, partial waves
  • Spin-orbit coupling, fine structure

7. Electromagnetic Theory

  • Radiation- from moving charges and dipoles and retarded potentials
  • Lorentz invariance of Maxwell’s equation
  • Transmission lines and waveguides
  • Dispersion relations in plasma

8. Classical Mechanics

  • Hamilton-Jacobi theory
  • Poisson brackets and canonical transformations
  • Dynamical systems
  • Symmetry, invariance, and Noether’s theorem
  • Phase space dynamics, stability analysis

9. Mathematical Methods of Physics

  • Introductory group theory: SU(2), O(3)
  • Finite difference methods
  • Elements of computational techniques: the root of functions, extrapolation, interpolation, integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule
  • Green’s function
  • Tensors
  • The solution of the first-order differential equations using the Runge-Kutta method
  • Partial differential equations (Laplace, Wave, and heat equations in three and two dimensions)

Also Read: CSIR NET Exam Dates 2024

How to Prepare CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus?

It is critical to have a complete proof strategy ahead of the test to enhance your chances of passing with flying colours. The following are some CSIR NET Physical Science Preparation Tips:

  • The revision will help you double-check your test preparation and avoid confusion during the exam.
  • Preparing handwritten notes based on your comprehension can help you readily revise the themes and essential aspects at any time. At the last minute, handwritten notes can save time on preparations by removing the need to search for topics in books.
  • It is not enough to cover everything to qualify as a well-prepared subject.

Best Books for CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus

It is essential to learn the themes from books recommended by subject specialists. Books allow you to take notes and record crucial topics all in one spot. The CSIR NET books for Physical Sciences are listed below in the table:

Name of Book

Author

Modern Physics and Solid State Physics

SO Pillai

CSIR-UGC NET/JRF/SET Physical Sciences

Dr Surekha Tomar

Mathematical Physics

HK Dass and Rama Verma

Also Read: CSIR NET Eligibility Criteria 2024

CSIR NET Physical Science Exam Pattern 2024

The exam will be divided into three halves.

Part 'A'

This portion will consist of 20 questions covering General Science, Quantitative Reasoning & Analysis, and Research Aptitude. Candidates will be asked to respond to 15 questions. This part will receive a total of 30 points.

Part 'B'

This section will have 25 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) covering the subjects covered in Part 'ACORE' of the syllabus. Each question will be worth 3.5 points. This section will receive a total of 70 points. Candidates must respond to 20 questions.

Part 'C'

This section will consist of 30 questions drawn from Parts 'B' (Advanced) and 'A' to assess a candidate's understanding and application of scientific principles. The questions will be analytical, with the applicant asked to apply scientific knowledge to answer a scientific problem. Each question will be worth 5 points. This part will receive a total of 100 points.

CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus 2024 PDF Download

The CSIR NET Physical Science PDF file can be downloaded from the URL below. Candidates must review the most recent syllabus, which was just posted by the council on the official website in portable document format. Download the CSIR NET Physics PDF file to study the entire curriculum.

CSIR NET Physical Science 2024 PDF Download - Click_Here 

Read More:

CSIR NET Exam Centre List 2024

CSIR NET Physical Science Syllabus FAQs

Q. What is the Syllabus of CSIR NET Physical Sciences?

A. Have a look at the CSIR NET syllabus for Physical Sciences below. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent for each wrong answer.

  • Mathematical Methods of Physics
  • Classical Mechanics
  • Electromagnetic Theory
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics
  • Electronics and Experimental Methods

Q. What is the CSIR NET Physical Science Exam Pattern?

A. There is a negative marking of 25 per cent in Part A, B and C for each wrong answer. Here is the detailed exam pattern.

Particulars

Part A

Part B

Part C

Total

Total Questions

20

25

30

75

Max no of questions to attempt

15

20

20

55

Marks for each correct answer

2

3.5

5

200

Negative marking of 25%

0.5

0.875

1.25

-

Q. What type of questions are asked in the CSIR NET exam?

A. The objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are asked in the CSIR NET exam. There are no subjective questions. The CSIR UGC NET syllabus contains topics from all five subjects- Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. Candidates need to go through the topics of their respective  CSIR NET subjects to prepare for the exam.

Q. When will the CSIR NET 2024 Physical Science exam be conducted?

A. The CSIR NET 2024 Physical Science Exam will be conducted on July 25, 2024. It will be held in Shift 1, and the duration of the exam is three hours, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The authority released the CSIR NET 2024 admit card. Candidates must check the syllabus of Physical Science to see if any of the topics are left for revision. Sray calm and confidence.

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Answered 6 days ago

The December session of the CSIR NET 2024 exam will take place from February 16 to February 28, 2025. The detailed schedule and exact timings of the examination will be released on the official website closer to the CSIR NET 2024 exam date.

S

Shikha Shukla

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 4 weeks ago

The CSIR NET 2024 December cut off will be released by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in an online mode on the official website. It will be released subject-wise separately for the CSIR UGC NET 2024 December exam. The cut-off for CSIR NET is the minimum marks required by th

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Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Based on your score of 28 percentile in CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences, you are unfortunately not qualified for the Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) roles in the current CSIR NET cutoffs. 

 

To be eligible for the Assistant Professor role through CSIR NET, candidates must meet a

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Tejas Bodhankar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The NTA released the CSIR NET 2024 application form for the December session in an online mode on the official website at csirnet.nta.ac.in. Candidates are advised to check the eligibility criteria before applying for the application form. Those candidates who have successfully filled out the applic

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Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

 The CSIR NET City Intimation Slip 2024 for the December session will be released in PDF format and candidates are advised to take a print-out of the CSIR NET City Intimation Slip for future purposes. CSIR NET Exam City Intimation Slip helps candidates to know about their CSIR NET Exam Cities in adv

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Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

CSIR NET City Intimation Slip 2024 for the December session will be released on the official website csirnet.nta.ac.in to facilitate the candidates where the exam city and centre are located for the exam. To download the exam city slip candidates are required their application number and date of bir

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Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The CSIR NET is a prestigious examination conducted by the National Testing Agency twice a year. The CSIR NET 2024 notification for the December session released on December 9, 2024 on the official website.

S

Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10