The CUET Physics Syllabus for 2025 is released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on its official website. If you aim to pursue a degree in Physics from your dream college, the CUET exam is an excellent choice to achieve that goal. You can also download the CUET Physics Syllabus PDF from reliable sources and start your preparation right away.
Having a clear understanding of the CUET Physics Syllabus is essential for students aspiring to build a strong foundation in the field of Physics. The syllabus outlines all the topics and units that will be included in the CUET Physics exam. Alongside the General CUET Syllabus, this subject-specific syllabus provides the roadmap to help you focus your preparation effectively.
To succeed in the CUET Physics exam, it is crucial to go through the entire syllabus in detail before starting your comprehensive preparation plan.
Table of Contents
CUET Physics Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2025 is conducted for students seeking undergraduate admissions to Central Universities. The exam is divided into three sections: Sections 1A and 1B focus on General and Special Languages, Section II covers 27 domain-specific subjects, and Section III is dedicated to the General Test.
In Section II, students can choose domain-specific subjects, including Physics. The Physics exam consists of 45 to 50 questions, out of which candidates are required to attempt 35 to 40 questions. The total marks for the Physics exam are 200, making it an important part of the CUET for students interested in science and engineering programs.
CUET Physics Syllabus 2025: Highlights
| CUET Physics Syllabus | |
| Medium of Exam | 13 Languages (English, Kannada, Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Malayalam Odia, Assamese Telugu, Bengali and Gujarati ) |
| Exam Mode | CBT |
| Time Allotted for Physics Exam | 45 Minutes |
| Total number of questions in the Physics section | 45/50 Questions |
| Total Physics Questions to be Answered | 35/40 Questions |
| Total Marks in Physics Section | 200 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | Marks per correct answer: +5 Marks per the wrong answer: -1 Marks per unanswered questions: 0 |
CUET Physics Syllabus 2025 Unit-wise
If you’re aiming to pursue a B.Sc. in Physics from one of the top central universities in the country, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the CUET Physics Syllabus for 2025. Physics, often considered one of the most challenging subjects in the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) stream, requires a thorough understanding of its syllabus to prepare effectively.
Unit I: Electrostatics
Electric charges and their conservation. Coulomb’s law – force between two point charges, forces between multiple charges; superposition principle, and continuous charge distribution.
Electric field, electric field due to a point charge, electric field lines; electric dipole, electric field due to a dipole; torque on a dipole in a uniform electric field.
Electric flux, statement of Gauss’s theorem and its applications to find field due to infinitely long straight wire, uniformly charged infinite plane sheet, and uniformly charged thin spherical shell (field inside and outside).
Electric potential, potential difference, electric potential due to a point charge, a dipole and system of charges; equipotential surfaces, the electrical potential energy of a system of two point charges, and electric dipoles in an electrostatic field.
Conductors and insulators, free charges, and bound charges inside a conductor. Dielectrics and electric polarization, capacitors and capacitance, the combination of capacitors in series and in parallel, the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with and without dielectric medium between the plates, energy stored in a capacitor, Van de Graaff generator.
Unit II: Current Electricity
Electric current, the flow of electric charges in a metallic conductor, drift velocity and mobility, and their relation with electric current; Ohm’s law, electrical resistance, V-I characteristics (linear and non-linear), electrical energy and power, electrical resistivity and conductivity.
Carbon resistors, colour code for carbon resistors; series and parallel combinations of resistors; temperature dependence of resistance.
The internal resistance of a cell, potential difference, and emf of a cell, combination of cells in series and in parallel.
Kirchhoff ’s laws and simple applications. Wheatstone bridge, metre bridge.
Potentiometer – principle, and applications to measure potential difference, and for comparing emf of two cells; measurement of internal resistance of a cell.
Unit III: Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
Concept of the magnetic field, Oersted’s experiment. Biot – Savart law and its application to current carrying circular loop.
Ampere’s law and its applications to infinitely long straight wire, straight and toroidal solenoids. Force on a moving charge in uniform magnetic and electric fields. Cyclotron.
Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field. The force between two parallel current carrying conductors – definition of ampere. Torque experienced by a current loop in a magnetic field; moving coil galvanometer – its current sensitivity and conversion to ammeter and voltmeter.
Current loop as a magnetic dipole and its magnetic dipole moment. The magnetic dipole moment of a revolving electron. Magnetic field intensity due to a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) along its axis and perpendicular to its axis. Torque on a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) in a uniform magnetic field; bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid, magnetic field lines; Earth’s magnetic field and magnetic elements.
Para-, dia- and ferromagnetic substances, with examples. Electromagnets and factors affecting their strengths. Permanent magnets.
Unit IV: Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents
Electromagnetic induction; Faraday’s law, induced emf and current; Lenz’s Law, Eddy currents. Self and mutual inductance.
Alternating currents, peak and rms value of alternating current/voltage; reactance and impedance; LC oscillations (qualitative treatment only), LCR series circuit, resonance; power in AC circuits, wattless current. AC generator and transformer.
Unit V: Electromagnetic Waves
Need for displacement current. Electromagnetic waves and their characteristics (qualitative ideas only). Transverse nature of electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays) including elementary facts about their uses.
Unit VI: Optics
Reflection of light, spherical mirrors, mirror formula. Refraction of light, total internal reflection, and its applications, optical fibres, refraction at spherical surfaces, lenses, thin lens formula, lens maker’s formula. Magnification, power of a lens, combination of thin lenses in contact combination of a lens and a mirror. Refraction and dispersion of light through a prism.
Scattering of light–blue colour of the sky and reddish appearance of the sun at sunrise and sunset. Optical instruments: Human eye, image formation, and accommodation, correction of eye defects (myopia and hypermetropia) using lenses.
Microscopes and astronomical telescopes (reflecting and refracting) and their magnifying powers. Wave optics: Wavefront and Huygens’ principle, reflection, and refraction of plane wave at a plane surface using wavefronts.
Proof of laws of reflection and refraction using Huygens’ principle.
Interference, Young’s double hole experiment and expression for fringe width, coherent sources, and sustained interference of light.
Diffraction due to a single slit, width of central maximum.
Resolving the power of microscopes and astronomical telescopes. Polarisation, plane polarised light; Brewster’s law, uses of plane polarised light and Polaroids.
Unit VII: Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation
Photoelectric effect, Hertz and Lenard’s observations; Einstein’s photoelectric equation – particle nature of light.
Matter waves – wave nature of particles, de Broglie relation. Davisson-Germer experiment (experimental details should be omitted; only the conclusion should be explained.)
Unit VIII: Atoms and Nuclei
Alpha – particle scattering experiment; Rutherford’s model of atom; Bohr model, energy levels, hydrogen spectrum. Composition and size of nucleus, atomic masses, isotopes, isobars; isotones.
Radioactivity – alpha, beta, and gamma particles/rays, and their properties; radioactive decay law. Massenergy relation, mass defect; binding energy per nucleon and its variation with mass number; nuclear fission and fusion.
Unit IX: Electronic Devices
Energy bands in solids (qualitative ideas only), conductors, insulators, and semiconductors; semiconductor diode – I-V characteristics in forward and reverse bias, diode as a rectifier; I-V characteristics of LED, photodiode, solar cell, and Zener diode; Zener diode as a voltage regulator. Junction transistor, transistor action, characteristics of a transistor; transistor as an amplifier (common emitter configuration) and oscillator. Logic gates (OR,AND, NOT, NAND and NOR). Transistor as a switch.
Unit X: Communication Systems
Elements of a communication system (block diagram only); bandwidth of signals (speech, TV, and digital data); bandwidth of transmission medium. Propagation of electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere, sky, and space wave propagation. Need for modulation. Production and detection of an amplitude-modulated wave.
CUET Physics Syllabus 2025 Download PDF
CUET Physics Syllabus Covered Books
To excel in the CUET Physics Test, it’s important to complement your preparation with reference books in addition to the standard textbooks. Here are some highly recommended resources that can help you prepare effectively:
- NCERT Class 12 Physics Books: These are essential for building a strong foundation and covering the core syllabus.
- Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma: A well-known book for its clear explanations and variety of conceptual problems.
- Objective Physics by D.C. Pandey: Ideal for practicing multiple-choice questions and improving problem-solving skills.
- Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker: A comprehensive resource for gaining a deeper understanding of complex concepts.
CUET Physics Syllabus 2025 FAQs
What is the significance of the CUET Physics Exam?
This exam is crucial for students aiming to pursue undergraduate courses in physics or related fields in central universities across India. It assesses a candidate’s understanding and knowledge of physics concepts.
How can I effectively prepare for the CUET Physics Exam?
Begin by thoroughly reviewing the syllabus and focusing on each topic. Utilize NCERT textbooks, reference books, and practice previous years’ question papers to enhance your preparation. Regular practice and understanding of the exam pattern are essential.
Are there recommended books for CUET Physics preparation?
Yes, apart from NCERT textbooks, candidates can refer to specialized guides and reference books tailored for physics entrance exams. Ensure to use the latest editions that align with the current syllabus.
How important is Modern Physics in the CUET Physics syllabus?
Modern Physics is a significant portion of the syllabus, covering topics like Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation, Atoms and Nuclei. A strong grasp of these topics is essential for the exam.
How can I improve my understanding of Electromagnetic Induction for the exam?
Study Faraday’s laws, Lenz’s law, and applications of electromagnetic induction. Utilizing diagrams and practicing related problems can enhance understanding.
What are the career opportunities after completing an undergraduate program in physics?
Graduates can pursue careers in research, academia, engineering, data analysis, and various government and private sector roles related to physics.
