Best Books for CSIR NET Exam : Life Sciences/ with free pdfs

 

Hi everyone,

Before we start with the list of best books for CSIR-NET Exam, I just want to tell you, "You've got this. Stay focused and trust yourself". 

A little motivation, will take you a long way. I was fortunate enough to hear these words, and a little hard work and prayers helped me clear the exam. I want you to do it too.

I was exactly like you searching for which books to read, which topics to stress on, and mnemonics to memorize pathways. 

Read on, to know that one or two books needed for each topic.

Scroll till the end to know how to get a free pdf of all these books.

1. XI and XII Biology textbooks

If you have read my earlier post 5 preparatory steps to study at your best, you know how important the basics are. so to start with, I always suggest reading and learning thoroughly your XI and XII NCERT textbooks.

Spend maximum three weeks studying these books. You can buy the latest version of the books here

When you start reading, you will realise you have studied a lot back then. I was amazed when I seen the textbook again after 5 years (3 years BSc. +2 years M.Sc). 
After reading this you will be able to relate the topics and see a proper flow in the concepts.

2. Biochemistry 

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry – David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox

                                       

Principles of Biochemistry – Voet, Pratt and Voet

                                           

Biochemistry forms the basis of your entire syllabus, the depth of your concept understanding is based on this unit.

Even if you plan on skipping this unit, a brief idea of the concepts, is a must.

But yes, it is also a very vast topic, and the questions usually asked are difficult.  While reading these books, stick to the topics recurring every year and don't get carried away.

If you have very less time, I would suggest, skip the standard books and hop on to the Pathfinder series, for this topic. 

 

3. Genetics 

iGenetics: A Molecular Approach - Peter J. Russell

I feel, this book makes Genetics all the more interesting. The concise topics and diagrams help you focus and remember better.

Very few tutors will suggest this book. Most would suggest, Molecular Biology of the gene – James Watson, which is also a very good book, but I found this more helpful so I listed it here.


4. Cell Biology 

Molecular Biology of the Cell – Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, and Peter Walter

This is a book, you will fall in love with. It includes various topics beginning from the basics of biochemistry.

You can get lost in this book if you are not focused.

If you glance at previous year’s question papers, you will notice that questions appear from the same topics, so don’t deviate, remember, you are here for one topic, and concentrate only on that.

Study your topic and move ahead with the syllabus.

You can always read this beautiful book, with your NET certificate in hand later. 😉 

5. Immunology 

Kuby Immunology 

Again, when it comes to immunology, it is a vast topic and less questions are asked every year, check out the topics recurring and learn them thoroughly. Questions are usually applicatory or relative. You usually have to be able to apply concepts to phenomenon's and predict the outcome.

6. Developmental Biology 

Developmental Biology – Scott F. Gilbert

If you are a Microbiology student, like me, you would know Developmental biology is nowhere in our syllabus. So we tend to skip this topic. And I feel that is the biggest mistake we do.

Developmental Biology is very interesting, and this unit has a few important topics to be learnt, which require only  understanding and memorizing. 
No problem solving or difficult questions here. 


7. Plant Physiology 

Plants Physiology – Lincoln Taiz and Eduardo Zeiger

Refer to only plant related topics in this book, since you will already be learning other concepts in Biochemistry or Genetics. For example: Photosynthesis in biochemistry.

 8. Animal Physiology 

Medical Physiology- Guyton

Everyone has that one unit which they skip, and we microbiology/biotechnology students usually choose animal physiology for it.

I have gone through this book and it is impressive. Also I have noted that many of the NET rankers suggest this book.

9. Ecology 

Basic Ecology: Fundamentals of Ecology – Eugene P. Odum

Ecology is a vast, yet easy topic. Make sure you make time to prepare for it. 

     10. Evolution 

Human Evolution - Campbell

A really beautiful Unit, which can be learned as stories and remembered easily, don't skip it. It does have some problem solving like the Hardy Weinberg Principle, but these problems are much simpler than other units.

11. Techniques

Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – Wilson and Walker

This book provides you with procedures and techniques from the basic nucleic acid isolation to radiolabelling, microscopic, sequencing and various other techniques.

12. Biotechnology and Microbiology 

Principles of Gene Manipulation and Genomics – Sandy B. Primrose and Richard Twyman

    
Microbiology - Prescott

                                                  


If you are a botany or zoology student, these are the best books for you to refer.
 
Microbiology/Biotechnology students do not need to refer to a separate book. They have the basics and pathfinder chapters are more than enough.

 

     13. Pathfinder Series: Part I & II
I would suggest buying these books. You can buy it here
This is a great book. It combines all the above topics... 
It supplies you with all the concepts, needed. But inorder to answer applicatory questions, you do need a deeper understanding which you will only get from the standard books.
In simple words, Pathfinder is a like a review of all the above mentioned books.

Lets understand the difference between Pathfinder series and standard books a little more.

Reading a standard book, is like reading a mystery novel, it is very interesting, you learn all the trials and errors which occurred before the actual invention. While Pathfinder will only tell you the invention. So there is no flow and it can make the topic boring if you do not know the entire story.

But, if you have less time, I would suggest, skip the standard books and hop on to the Pathfinder series, or you won't be able to complete the topics.

 

You can also buy the pathfinder combo, a package of 4 books containing theory and practice series. Thorough study of these books is enough to get yourself a sure rank.
 You can buy it here.


Free Book pdfs

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