Biology Syllabus for NEET 2026: PDF with Unit-wise Division

Biology helps you understand the changes in the human body. If you study biology with complete dedication, then you can also aspire for various domains like doctor, nurse, psychologist, scientist, teacher, etc. Along with Biology, NEET Physics and Chemistry are crucial subjects that play a significant role in exam preparation. 

Important Update: The official NEET 2026 syllabus has not yet been released by the NTA and is expected to be announced around December 2025. Until then, students are advised to continue preparing using the 2025 NEET syllabus, as no major changes have been observed in recent years. Once released, the detailed NEET-UG 2026 syllabus will help students identify key chapters and topics to focus on, ensuring a well-balanced and organized preparation strategy. 

NEET Bio Syllabus 2026

As NEET 2026 syllabus is not released yet, you can download and go through the NEET Biology  2025 syllabus from the link below.

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Detailed NEET Bio Syllabus paper trend is given below, go through this until the NEET 2026 Syllabus Biology is released officially:

NEET-UG Biology Syllabus

Unit I: Diversity in Living World:-

• What is living? ; Biodiversity; Need for classification;; Taxonomy & Systematics;

Concept of species and taxonomical hierarchy; Binomial nomenclature;

• Five kingdom classification; salient features and classification of Monera; Protista and Fungi into major groups; Lichens; Viruses and Viroids.
• Salient features and classification of plants into major groups-Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms (three to five salient and distinguishing features and at least two examples of each category);
• Salient features and classification of animals-nonchordate up to phyla level and chordate up to classes level (three to five salient features and at least two examples).

 Unit II: Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants:-

• Morphology and modifications; Tissues; Anatomy and functions of different parts of flowering plants: Root, stem, leaf, inflorescence- cymose and recemose, flower, fruit and seed (To be dealt along with the relevant practical of the Practical Syllabus) Family (malvaceae, Cruciferae, leguminoceae, compositae, graminae).
• Animal tissues; Morphology, anatomy and functions of different systems (digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous and reproductive) of an insect (Frog). (Brief account only)

 Unit III: Cell Structure and Function:-

• Cell theory and cell as the basic unit of life; Structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell; Plant cell and animal cell; Cell envelope, cell membrane, cell wall; Cell organelles- structure and function; Endomembrane system-endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, vacuoles; mitochondria, ribosomes, plastids, micro bodies; Cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles (ultra structure and function); Nucleus-nuclear membrane, chromatin, nucleolus.
• Chemical constituents of living cells: Biomolecules-structure and function of proteins, carbodydrates, lipids, nucleic acids; Enzymes-types, properties, enzyme action, classification and nomenclature of anzymes
• B Cell division: Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis and their significance.

Unit IV: Plant Physiology:-

• Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis as a means of Autotrophic nutrition; Site of photosynthesis take place; pigments involved in Photosynthesis (Elementary idea); Photochemical and biosynthetic phases of photosynthesis; Cyclic and non cyclic and photophosphorylation; Chemiosmotic hypothesis; Photorespiration C3 and C4 pathways; Factors affecting photosynthesis.
• Respiration: Exchange gases; Cellular respiration-glycolysis, fermentation (anaerobic), TCA cycle and electron transport system (aerobic respiration); Energy relations- Number of ATP molecules generated; Amphibolic pathways; Respiratory quotient.
• Plant growth and development: Seed germination; Phases of Plant growth and plant growth rate; Conditions of growth; Differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation; Sequence of developmental process in a plant cell; Growth regulators- auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, ABA;

Unit V: Human Physiology:-

• Breathing and Respiration: Respiratory organs in animals (recall only); Respiratory system in humans; Mechanism of breathing and its regulation in humans-Exchange of gases, transport of gases and regulation of respiration Respiratory volumes; Disorders related to respiration-Asthma, Emphysema, Occupational respiratory disorders.
• Body fluids and circulation: Composition of blood, blood groups, coagulation of blood; Composition of lymph and its function; Human circulatory system-Structure of human heart and blood vessels; Cardiac cycle, cardiac output, ECG, Double circulation; Regulation of cardiac activity; Disorders of circulatory system-Hypertension, Coronary artery disease, Angina pectoris, Heart failure.
• Excretory products and their elimination: Modes of excretion- Ammonotelism, ureotelism, uricotelism; Human excretory system-structure and fuction; Urine formation, Osmoregulation; Regulation of kidney function-Renin-angiotensin, Atrial Natriuretic Factor, ADH and Diabetes insipidus; Role of other organs in excretion; Disorders; Uraemia, Renal failure, Renal calculi, Nephritis; Dialysis and artificial kidney.
• Locomotion and Movement: Types of movement- ciliary, fiagellar, muscular; Skeletal muscle- contractile proteins and muscle contraction; Skeletal system and its functions (To be dealt with the relevant practical of Practical syllabus); Joints; Disorders of muscular and skeletal system-Myasthenia gravis, Tetany, Muscular dystrophy, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Gout.
• Neural control and coordination: Neuron and nerves; Nervous system in humanscentral nervous system, peripheral nervous system and visceral nervous system; Generation and conduction of nerve impulse;
• Chemical coordination and regulation: Endocrine glands and hormones; Human endocrine system-Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Pineal, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal glands, Pancreas, Gonads; Mechanism of hormone action (Elementary Idea); Role of hormones as messengers and regulators, Hypo-and hyperactivity and related disorders (Common disorders e.g. Dwarfism, Acromegaly, Cretinism, goiter, exopthalmic goiter, diabetes, Addison’s disease).

(Imp: Diseases and disorders mentioned above to be dealt in brief.)

‍Unit VI: Reproduction:-

• Sexual reproduction in flowering plants: Flower structure; Development of male and female gametophytes; Pollination-types, agencies and examples; Outbreeding devices; Pollen-Pistil interaction; Double fertilization; Post fertilization events- Development of endosperm and embryo, Development of seed and formation of fruit; Special modes- apomixis, parthenocarpy, polyembryony; Significance of seed and fruit formation.
• Human Reproduction: Male and female reproductive systems; Microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary; Gametogenesis-spermatogenesis & oogenesis; Menstrual cycle; Fertilisation, embryo development upto blastocyst formation, implantation; Pregnancy and placenta formation (Elementary idea); Parturition (Elementary idea); Lactation (Elementary idea).
• Reproductive health: Need for reproductive health and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD); Birth control-Need and Methods, Contraception and Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP); Amniocentesis; Infertility and assisted reproductive technologies – IVF, ZIFT, GIFT (Elementary idea for general awareness).

Unit VII: Genetics and Evolution:-

• Heredity and variation: Mendelian Inheritance; Deviations from Mendelism- Incomplete dominance, Co-dominance, Multiple alleles and Inheritance of blood groups, Pleiotropy; Elementary idea of polygenic inheritance; Chromosome theory of inheritance; Chromosomes and genes; Sex determination-In humans, birds, honey bee; Linkage and crossing over; Sex linked inheritance-Haemophilia, Colour blindness; Mendelian disorders in humans-Thalassemia; Chromosomal disorders in humans; Down’s syndrome, Turner’s and Klinefelter’s syndromes.
• Molecular basis of Inheritance: Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic material; Structure of DNA and RNA; DNA packaging; DNA replication; Central dogma; Transcription, genetic code, translation; Gene expression and regulation- Lac Operon; Genome and human genome project; DNA finger printing, protein biosynthesis.
• Evolution: Origin of life; Biological evolution and evidences for biological evolution from Paleontology, comparative anatomy, embryology and molecular evidence); Darwin’s contribution, Modern Synthetic theory of Evolution; Mechanism of evolution- Variation (Mutation and Recombination) and Natural Selection with examples, types of natural selection; Gene flow and genetic drift; Hardy-Weinberg’s principle; Adaptive Radiation; Human evolution.

Unit VIII: Biology and Human Welfare:-

• Health and Disease; Pathogens; parasites causing human diseases (Malaria, Filariasis, Ascariasis. Typhoid, Pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ring worm, dengue, chikungunya); Basic concepts of immunology-vaccines; Cancer, HIV and AIDS; Adolescence, drug and alcohol abuse.Tobacco abuse
• Microbes in human welfare: In household absorption of digested foods, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and as biocontrol agents and biofertilizers.

Unit 9: Biotechnology and its Applications

• Principles and process of Biotechnology: Genetic engineering (Recombinant DNA technology).
• Application of Biotechnology in health and agriculture: Human insulin and vaccine production, gene therapy; Genetically modified organisms-Bt crops; Transgenic Animals; Biosafety issues-Biopiracy and patents.

Unit 10: Ecology and Environment

• Organisms and environmentPopulation interactions-mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism; Population attributes-growth, birth rate and death rate, age distribution.
• Ecosystem: Patterns, components; productivity and decomposition; Energy flow; Pyramids of number, biomass, energy
• Biodiversity and its conservation: Concept of Biodiversity; Patterns of Biodiversity; Importance of Biodiversity; Loss of Biodiversity; Biodiversity conservation; Hotspots, endangered organisms, extinction, Red Data Book, biosphere reserves, National parks and sanctuaries, Sacred Groves.

NEET Biology Chapter Wise Weightage

Class 11

Based on NEET 2025 Analysis, here is full class 11 biology ch-wise analysis for your on spot NEET 2026 preparations:

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Class 12

Based on NEET 2025 Analysis, here is full class 12 biology ch-wise analysis for your on spot NEET 2026 preparations:

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Types of Questions Asked from NEET Syllabus Biology

1. Lecithin, a small molecular weight organic compound found in living tissues, is an example of: 

1. Amino acids
2. Phospholipids
3. Glycerides
4. Carbohydrates

Answer: (b) Phospholipids

Explanation:

Lecithin is a type of phospholipid. It is an important component of cell membranes and plays a key role in cell structure and function.

2. Spindle fibres attach to kinetochores of chromosomes during: 

1. Prophase
2. Metaphase
3. Anaphase
4. Telophase

Answer: (b) Metaphase

Explanation:

Spindle fibres attach to the kinetochores of chromosomes during metaphase. During this stage, the chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, and the spindle fibres help pull the chromosomes to opposite poles of the cell in preparation for division.

3. Match List I with List II

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Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I 
2. A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
3. A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
4. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV

Answer: (a) A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I 

Explanation:

• The nucleolus is responsible for the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and the assembly of ribosomes.
• Centrioles are cylindrical structures involved in organizing the microtubules during cell division, and they have a cartwheel-like structure.
• Leucoplasts (a type of plastid) are involved in storing nutrients, such as starch, proteins, and lipids.
• The Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging lipids and proteins. It plays a key role in the formation of glycolipids.

4. Identify the set of correct statements:

A. The flowers of Vallisneria are colourful and produce nectar. 

B. The flowers of water lily are not pollinated by water. 

C. In most water-pollinated species, the pollen grains are protected from wetting. 

D. Pollen grains of some hydrophytes are long and ribbon-like. 

E. In some hydrophytes, the pollen grains are carried passively inside water.

1. C, D and E only
2. A, B, C and D only
3. A, C, D and E only
4. B, C, D and E only

Answer: (a) C, D and E only

Explanation:

A. The flowers of Vallisneria are colourful and produce nectar.

• Incorrect. The flowers of Vallisneria are usually inconspicuous, and they do not produce nectar to attract pollinators. Vallisneria typically relies on water for pollination.

B. The flowers of water lily are not pollinated by water.

• Correct. Water lilies are primarily pollinated by insects, not by water.

C. In most water-pollinated species, the pollen grains are protected from wetting.

• Correct. In many water-pollinated species, pollen grains are designed to be resistant to wetting, which is necessary to survive in aquatic environments.

D. Pollen grains of some hydrophytes are long and ribbon-like.

• Correct. Some hydrophytes (water plants) have long, ribbon-like pollen grains to aid in floating and movement through water.

E. In some hydrophytes, the pollen grains are carried passively inside water.

• Correct. In some water-pollinated plants, pollen grains are carried by the movement of water currents.

Thus, the correct set of statements is C, D, and E only.

5. Given below are two statements: 

Statement I: Parenchyma is living but collenchyma is dead tissue. 

Statement II: Gymnosperms lack xylem vessels but the presence of xylem vessels is the characteristic of angiosperms. 

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below: 

1. Both Statement I and Statement II are true 
2. Both Statement I and Statement II are false 
3. Statement I is true but Statement II is false 
4. Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Answer: (d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Explanation:

• Statement I: "Parenchyma is living but collenchyma is dead tissue."
• Incorrect. Parenchyma is a living tissue, but collenchyma is also a living tissue, not dead. Collenchyma provides support and is found in regions of growing plants.
• Statement II: "Gymnosperms lack xylem vessels but the presence of xylem vessels is the characteristic of angiosperms."
• Correct. Gymnosperms do not have xylem vessels; instead, they have tracheids for water conduction. Angiosperms, on the other hand, have xylem vessels, which are more efficient in transporting water.

How to Prepare for NEET Biology?

Biology is the most important part of the NEET 2025 exam, so students should start preparing for it as early as possible. Here are some useful tips shared by toppers and experts to help you study smartly and score high in NEET Biology.

• Go Through the NEET Syllabus - Understand the complete NEET 2025 Biology syllabus thoroughly before starting your preparation.
• Know the Weightage - About 40-42 questions (roughly 45%) come from Class 11 topics, while around 48-50 questions are from Class 12. Plan your study time accordingly.
• Make a Study Plan - Create a fixed daily schedule that divides time for each subject and stick to it regularly to maintain consistency.
• Use Charts and Notes - Make tables, flowcharts, and short notes while studying. This helps in remembering concepts easily since Biology involves a lot of memorization.
• Highlight Important Points - Use colours and highlighters to mark key terms and processes. This makes revision faster and more effective.
• Practice Previous Year Papers - Solve at least the last 10 years’ NEET Biology question papers to understand the type and difficulty of questions asked.
• Try AIIMS & JIPMER Papers - Attempt Biology questions from old AIIMS and JIPMER exams (till 2019) for extra practice and concept clarity.
• Attempt Practice Tests - Take regular mock tests to test your speed, accuracy, and understanding of all important topics.
• Start Practice After Half the Syllabus - Begin solving full-length papers once you’ve completed at least half of your syllabus to get realistic practice.
• Find the Right Books - Use NCERT books as your main study source and refer to a few trusted reference books for extra practice and detailed explanations.
• Focus on Both Zoology and Botany - The Biology section has 100 questions from both Zoology and Botany, carrying a total of 360 marks - so give equal attention to both parts.

Suggested reading for NEET UG 2025 Biology is one of the subjects that aid in idea comprehension and get students ready for objective questions. For NEET biology study, NCERT books for Classes 11 and 12 are a must. They establish a solid basis and broaden knowledge in the field.

Botany and zoology are included in the NEET 2025 biology exam, where candidates can receive up to 360 marks. A solid biological understanding can result in good grades. The Biology curriculum for NEET 2025 should be properly studied by applicants, as it has an equal amount of questions from Classes 11 and 12.

FAQs

1. When will the official NEET 2026 Biology syllabus likely be released?

The official NEET (UG) 2026 syllabus is typically released by the National Medical Commission (NMC) along with the information bulletin toward the end of 2025 or early 2026. The updated PDF will be available on the NTA website.

2. Can I start preparing for Biology before the official syllabus is announced?

Yes, it is highly recommended to start preparing using the NEET 2025 syllabus. Based on past patterns and the recent rationalization of NCERT textbooks, the 2026 syllabus is expected to be largely consistent with the one from the last two years. NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks form the foundation of the exam.

3. Should I be concerned about major changes to the Biology syllabus for NEET 2026?

Major changes to the core syllabus are not expected. The National Medical Commission (NMC) revised the syllabus for NEET 2024 to align it with the rationalized NCERT textbooks and other state board curricula. It is anticipated that the 2026 syllabus will follow this established pattern.

4. Which topics in Biology were added or removed in the most recent syllabus update?

In recent updates (effective for NEET 2024–25), topics like "Three Domains of Life," "Transport in Plants," and "Mineral Nutrition" were removed from the syllabus. Conversely, some concepts from "Principles Related to Practical Chemistry" were added, though these are more relevant to the Chemistry section.

5. Is focusing only on the NCERT Biology textbooks enough to score high marks?

NCERT textbooks are the most important and reliable source for NEET Biology preparation, with a large majority of questions being based on them. However, for a top score, you should thoroughly understand every detail, including diagrams, and supplement your preparation with practice from question banks and mock tests.

6. Which Biology units or chapters have the highest weightage?

Historically high-scoring units include Genetics and Evolution, Human Physiology, Reproduction, Biotechnology, and Ecology. Prioritizing these chapters is a smart strategy to maximize your score.

7. How should I study Biology to memorize effectively?

To master Biology, focus on understanding concepts rather than rote memorization. Create your own short notes, make flowcharts, draw diagrams, and use mnemonics. Consistent and regular revision is key to retaining the vast amount of information.

8. How should I divide my time between Botany and Zoology?

You should give balanced importance to both Botany and Zoology, as questions are typically distributed almost equally between the two sections. A good strategy is to integrate concepts that connect across topics, such as those related to genetics or ecology.

9. What should I do if I am a beginner or find Biology challenging?

If you are just starting, focus on building a strong foundation using the NCERT textbooks. Start with easier chapters to build confidence and then tackle more complex topics. Consider joining a coaching program or seeking expert guidance to clarify doubts and follow a structured study plan.

10. How can I boost my score in Biology?

For improving your Biology score:

• Thoroughly read the NCERT textbooks multiple times.
• Create flashcards for quick revision of terms and classifications.
• Focus on NCERT diagrams, as direct questions on labeling are common.
• Solve chapter-wise MCQs and previous years' question papers to understand the question patterns and improve speed.