The syllabus consists of three units: (viii) Biology and Human Welfare (ix) Biotechnology and its Applications (x) Ecology and Environment.
Exam Structure
| Unit | Title | Marks |
| VIII | Biology and Human Welfare | 14 |
| IX | Biotechnology and its Applications | 11 |
| X | Ecology and Environment | 10 |
| Total | 35 |
Chapter 8: Human Health and Diseases
Pathogens; parasites causing human diseases (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, ascariasis, typhoid, pneumonia, common cold, amoebiasis, ring worm) and their control; Basic concepts of immunology - vaccines; cancer, HIV and AIDS; Adolescence - drug and alcohol abuse.
Chapter 10: Microbes in Human Welfare
Microbes in food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and microbes as bio-control agents and bio-fertilizers. Antibiotics; production and judicious use.
Chapter 11: Biotechnology - Principles and Processes
Genetic engineering (Recombinant DNA technology).
Chapter 12: Biotechnology and its Application
Application of biotechnology in health and agriculture: genetically modified organisms - Bt crops; RNA interference, Human insulin, gene therapy; molecular diagnosis; transgenic animals; biosafety issues, biopiracy and patents.
Chapter 13: Organisms and Populations
Organisms and environment: Habitat and niche, Population and ecological adaptations; Population interactions - mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism; Population attributes growth, birth rate and death rate, age distribution.
Chapter 15: 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, sanctuaries and Ramsar sites.