ICAR AIEEA (PG) / JRF Syllabus
Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
This detailed syllabus covers the essential topics required for the ICAR Entrance Examinations (2026) for Master's and Doctoral programmes. Prepare these units thoroughly to excel in the upcoming competitive exams.
Unit 1: Cell Structure and Function
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell architecture; Cell wall and plasma membrane; Structure and function of cell organelles (Nucleus, mitochondria, plastids, Golgi, ER, etc.); Cell cycle regulation; Cell division, growth, and differentiation; Protein secretion and targeting; Transport across membranes; Cell signaling; Apoptosis; Stem cell applications.
Unit 2: Biomolecules and Metabolism
Structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids; Synthesis of carbohydrates; Glycolysis, HMP, and Citric acid cycle; Oxidative phosphorylation; Vitamins; Plant and animal hormones; Functional molecules, antioxidants, and HSPs.
Unit 3: Enzymology
Classification, assay, isolation, and purification of enzymes; Catalytic specificity and mechanism of action; Active sites and regulation; Multienzyme complexes; Immobilized enzymes; Protein engineering and industrial applications.
Unit 4: Molecular Genetics
Concept of the gene; Prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes; Gene isolation methods; Split genes, overlapping genes, and pseudogenes; Organization of operons, exons, and introns; Mutations (spontaneous, induced, site-directed); Recombination; Transposable elements.
Unit 5: Gene Expression
Transcription mechanism and regulation (enhancers, activators, repressors); Genetic code; Translation mechanism and control; Post-translational modifications; Epigenetic control; Regulatory RNA (Small RNAs, RNAi) and its applications.
Unit 6: Molecular Biology Techniques
Nucleic acid hybridization (Southern, Northern, Western blotting); ELISA and monoclonal antibodies; DNA sequencing; Genomic and C-DNA libraries; PCR, RT-PCR, and Real-time PCR; Spectroscopy; Chromatography; NGS techniques; Basic bioinformatics and Proteomics.
Unit 7: Gene Cloning
Restriction enzymes; Vectors (Plasmids, Bacteriophages, Cosmids, BACs, YACs, Expression vectors); Gateway cloning; Chromosome walking; Genetic transformation; Gene pyramiding; Ribozyme technology; IPR and biological risk assessment.
Unit 8: Molecular Biology (Advanced)
Genome complexity (C-value paradox); DNA re-association kinetics; Repetitive sequences; Molecular events in replication and processing; Ribosome structure; DNA damage and repair mechanisms; Bioprospecting; Non-coding RNA.
Unit 9: Plant Molecular Biology
Photoregulation and phytochrome; Nitrogen fixation mechanism; C3 to C4 pathway conversion; Molecular biology of abiotic and biotic stresses; Plant hormone action and signaling; Storage protein and starch synthesis regulation; Crop genome projects.
Unit 10: Tissue Culture
Cellular totipotency; Clonal propagation; Androgenesis and gynogenesis; Somatic hybridization and cybridization; Somaclonal variation; Embryo rescue; Secondary metabolite production; Cryopreservation; Synthetic seeds and virus indexing.
Unit 11: Plant Genetic Engineering
Methods of gene transfer (direct and vector-mediated); RNAi technology; Cisgenesis; Molecular pharming; Bioremediation; Insect, disease, and herbicide resistance; Biofortification; Male sterility; Biosafety norms and GM release trials.
Unit 12: Molecular Markers and Genomics
DNA markers (RFLP, RAPD, AFLP, SSR, SNP, etc.); Structural and functional genomics; GWAS and genomic selection; Comparative genomics; TILLING; Mapping populations (RILs, NILs, DH, MAGIC); Association mapping; DNA fingerprinting and barcoding; Transcriptome analysis.
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