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NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1

Browse the complete Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics question set from the NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1 paper, question by question. Each question shows a quick preview so you can jump straight to the topic or subject you want to revise. Click through to attempt the full question in practice mode, or head back to the paper-wise list to download the entire paper as a PDF.

This paper has 59 questions in total - 0 easy (0%), 46 moderate (78%) and 13 tough (22%). That's a fairly typical mix for this exam. By subject: Biology 0% easy, 86% moderate, 14% tough; Chemistry 0% easy, 87% moderate, 13% tough; Mathematics 0% easy, 67% moderate, 33% tough; Physics 0% easy, 73% moderate, 27% tough.

Biology questions were spread across 11 chapters, with Biomolecules (B) (2), Evolution (2), and Microbes in Human Welfare (2) carrying the most weight. Chemistry questions were spread across 12 chapters, with Aldehydes and Ketones (2), Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure (2), and Structure of Atom (2) carrying the most weight. Mathematics questions were spread across 12 chapters, with Application of Derivatives (3), Matrices (2), and Basic of Mathematics (1) carrying the most weight. Physics questions were spread across 11 chapters, with Atomic Physics (2), Electrostatics (2), and Laws of Motion (2) carrying the most weight.

Biology

  1. 1You are provided with a bacterial culture (generation time of 30 min ) in exponential (logarithmic) growth phase. You transferred an aliquot2020 (Session 1)Introduction
  2. 2A student was given three unlabelled permanent slides. In an effort to identify these specimens, she places the slides under the microscope 2020 (Session 1)Kingdom Protista
  3. 3Three given polypeptides and R , of same size and same , have a single aspartic acid in each of them. In polypeptide , the aspartic acid res2020 (Session 1)Protein
  4. 4Gibberellins (GA) are hormones required for stem elongation and thereby the overall height of the plant. Bioactive GA binds to its receptor 2020 (Session 1)Plant Growth Regulators
  5. 5If the mature egg cell of a diploid organism has 6 chromosomes, then the total number of chromatids in the Anaphase I of meiosis would be __2020 (Session 1)Meiosis
  6. 6During fertilisation in plants the male and female gametes unite, triggering the process of cell division followed by seed formation. A gene2020 (Session 1)Asexual Reproduction
  7. 7Given is a diagram representing the annual mean temperature and the annual mean precipitation in three biomes and on the planet. All the ani2020 (Session 1)Response to Abiotic Factors
  8. 8An epidemic of milk-borne gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella was reported in an Indian city in 1985. Faecal samples from suspected individ2020 (Session 1)Biocontrol Agents
  9. 9A bird species is restricted to Narcondam island (NI) in Andaman and bird species Y is restricted to Middle Andaman Islands (MAI). NI has an2020 (Session 1)Evidences of Evolution
  10. 10A cross was performed between two parent plants of unknown genotypes. The offspring were segregated based on two flower characteristics i.e.2020 (Session 1)Mendel's Laws of Inheritance
  11. 11A pure culture of Escherichia coli was streaked on a plate to get single isolated colonies. The plasmid DNA from two such colonies was indiv2020 (Session 1)Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology
  12. 12Scientists find a gene that helps human peripheral neurons to sense temperature less than and induce a physiological signal of avoidance. Th2020 (Session 1)Evidences of Evolution
  13. 13SARS-CoV-2 is a novel corona virus that causes COVID-19. The disease, in most cases, starts with mild symptoms such as fever and cough that 2020 (Session 1)Introduction
  14. 14Monomeric subunits of proteins can sometimes assemble into higher order assemblies. Two such related human proteins and assemble into hexame2020 (Session 1)Protein

Chemistry

  1. 1For the above reaction sequence, and are2020 (Session 1)Reactions of alkynes
  2. 2The equivalent conductance of an aqueous solution of a strong electrolyte of concentration [X] is given by , where A is a constant and is th2020 (Session 1)Conductance and Conductivity
  3. 3A certain gaseous reaction, carried out in an insulated sealed container results in an increase in temperature from 200 K to 400 K , with th2020 (Session 1)Le chatelier's principle
  4. 4Aldehydes and ketones react with hydrogen cyanide to form cyanohydrins. It is an addition reaction catalysed by a base. The correct statemen2020 (Session 1)Chemical reactions for aldehydes and ketones
  5. 5Three types of potential energy due to attractive interaction between two species and are represented by the curves I, II, and III in the fi2020 (Session 1)Van Der Waals Forces, Hydrogen Bonding and Metallic Bonding
  6. 6The Lyman series corresponds to the emission lines of hydrogen atom due to the transitions of the type , etc) where is the principal quantum2020 (Session 1)Hydrogen spectrum
  7. 7For a hydrogenic quantum system, the probability of finding the electron in a spherical shell of radius (with nucleus at its center) and thi2020 (Session 1)Quantum mechanical model
  8. 8Alkali metals are highly reactive towards air and water and are generally kept in kerosene oil. Glove box is a sealed container filled with 2020 (Session 1)General Characteristics of Alkali Metals
  9. 9For the synthesis of the compound -propyl tert-butyl ether, the most suitable method is the reaction of2020 (Session 1)Preparation of Ethers
  10. 10The species which possesses the highest spin angular momentum is:2020 (Session 1)Werner's theory and Valence Bond Theory
  11. 11Carbanions derived from aldehydes/ketones are called enolates, as they represent anions (conjugate bases) of the enol forms. Enol ethers can2020 (Session 1)Chemical reactions for aldehydes and ketones
  12. 12Potassium dichromate is a very important chemical used in industry and extensively used as an oxidizing agent in organic chemistry. Dichroma2020 (Session 1)Compounds of Transition Metals
  13. 13The pair of species having trigonal pyramidal geometry is:2020 (Session 1)Hybridisation and VSEPR Theory
  14. 14A patient receives a drug , intravenously. The concentration of the drug in the blood measured at 1 and 8 hours after the dose are and respe2020 (Session 1)Integrated rate laws
  15. 15An alkyl halide with -hydrogen atom, when treated with a nucleophile/base, undergoes a substitution reaction or an elimination reaction, dep2020 (Session 1)Preparation and Properties of Monohalides

Mathematics

  1. 1Let be the set of all matrices with integer entries. The function given by is2020 (Session 1)Inverse of a Matrix
  2. 2Let be a set of elements. It is defined that - a relation on is symmetric if then for ; - a relation on is antisymmetric if then for . Let a2020 (Session 1)Questions on Symmetric Transitive and Reflexive Properties
  3. 3Let be a twice differentiable function on such that Here, and denote the first and second order derivative of at respectively. Then2020 (Session 1)Mean Value Theorem
  4. 4Let and be two nonzero complex numbers. For denotes the complex conjugate of . If the lines and are mutually perpendicular then2020 (Session 1)Geometry of Complex Number
  5. 5For , let Define and for . Suppose is an even number greater than or equal to 2020. Then the least value of for which is2020 (Session 1)Geometric Progression
  6. 6Let be a function such that for all . Then2020 (Session 1)Differentiability
  7. 7Let be a matrix with real entries such that zero is the only solution of the equation . Then2020 (Session 1)Inverse of a Matrix
  8. 8For , a two digit number is defined for . A two digit number is called a special prime if both and are primes. Then the total number of spec2020 (Session 1)Divisibility Test
  9. 9For , define . For and , the maximum value of satisfying is2020 (Session 1)Basics of point in 3 dimension
  10. 10Let be a nonconstant differentiable function such that and for some . Then2020 (Session 1)Monotonicity
  11. 11Denote Area and by area of the triangle , perimeter of the triangle and length of the line segment respectively. Let be a convex quadrangle 2020 (Session 1)Coordinate System
  12. 12For a positive integer , let be the parabola given by and let C be the circle given by Then2020 (Session 1)Equation of Circle & its intercept
  13. 13Let A, B and C be three events with non-zero probabilities. Then2020 (Session 1)Conditional Probability and Multiplication Theorem
  14. 14Let be a polynomial whose coefficients are real numbers. Suppose the roots of are real. Then2020 (Session 1)Monotonicity
  15. 15Let be a regular -gon with vertices for . Suppose the sides and are extended externally to meet at a point , outside . If , the value of is2020 (Session 1)Sine Rule and its application

Physics

  1. 1The refractive index of certain material is given by where represents density of the material such that and is a constant. A planar wavefron2020 (Session 1)Wave Theory and Wavefronts
  2. 2A particle of mass moves under the influence of the potential . Here are real positive constants.The angular frequency of small oscillations2020 (Session 1)Energy
  3. 3One can express power in terms of the fundamental constants using dimensional analysis. Assuming that the associated dimensionless constant 2020 (Session 1)Dimensions
  4. 4The figure shows the emission spectra recorded for three different light sources a, b and c using a spectrometer (note that the intensities 2020 (Session 1)Atomic Spectrum
  5. 5A free particle with initial kinetic energy and de Broglie wavelength enters a region in which it has potential energy . The new de Broglie 2020 (Session 1)Matter Waves
  6. 6A spherical bob hangs from a light inextensible string and moves in a horizontal circle with string making angle with the vertical. The leng2020 (Session 1)Newton's laws of motion
  7. 7An element of atomic number is in the ionized hydrogenic ground state. The largest wavelength that can convert it to a fully ionized state i2020 (Session 1)Bohr's Atomic Model
  8. 8Two metal rods made of steel and copper have coefficients of linear expansion and respectively. At room temperature , the steel rod is 4 cm 2020 (Session 1)Thermal Expansion
  9. 9Standing waves of frequency 225 Hz are set up in a monoatomic gas kept in a cylindrical chamber closed at both ends and at temperature . The2020 (Session 1)Vibration of String
  10. 10A small source of sound is in uniform circular motion of radius and angular speed . It emits continuous sound of fixed frequency . A detecto2020 (Session 1)Doppler’s Effect
  11. 11The electric field due to an extended charge distribution spread over all space is given by Here and are positive constants and the electros2020 (Session 1)Electric Field and Electric Field Lines
  12. 12Consider a parallel plate capacitor filled with a dielectric of relative permittivity 2 . One of the plates has charge density while other h2020 (Session 1)Electric Field and Electric Field Lines
  13. 13Two circular coils, each having 1000 turns and radius , are placed co-axially. Each coil is separated by a distance 1.0 m from the point P a2020 (Session 1)Magnetic Field
  14. 14The coefficient of static friction between a small block and the surface of a horizontal turntable is 0.09 . The block is placed at a distan2020 (Session 1)Frictional force
  15. 15An ice cube of mass 30 g at is left sitting on the kitchen table where it gradually melts and reaches the kitchen temperature of . The laten2020 (Session 1)First Law of Thermodynamics

Frequently Asked Questions

1.How many questions are in the NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1 paper?

This paper has 59 questions in total - 14 from Biology, 15 from Chemistry, 15 from Mathematics, and 15 from Physics.

2.Can I practise questions from just one subject?

Yes. Use the Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics tabs at the top of the page to jump directly to that subject's question set within this paper.

3.Where can I find the Session 2 paper for the same year?

The NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 2 paper is listed separately - you can switch to it from the "NEST (NISER) Paper Wise PYQs" panel, under NEST (NISER) 2020.

4.How is the NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1 paper structured?

The NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1 paper on MARKS has 59 questions, organised by subject:

  • Biology: 14 questions - 10 single-correct and 4 multiple-correct.
  • Chemistry: 15 questions - 10 single-correct and 5 multiple-correct.
  • Mathematics: 15 questions - 10 single-correct and 5 multiple-correct.
  • Physics: 15 questions - 10 single-correct and 5 multiple-correct.
5.How difficult is the NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1 paper?

Each question on MARKS carries a difficulty rating. Of the 59 rated questions in this paper, 0 (0%) are easy, 46 (78%) are medium and 13 (22%) are hard. Subject wise:

  • Biology: 0 easy, 12 medium, 2 hard
  • Chemistry: 0 easy, 13 medium, 2 hard
  • Mathematics: 0 easy, 10 medium, 5 hard
  • Physics: 0 easy, 11 medium, 4 hard
6.Which chapters were asked the most in the NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1 paper?

The chapters with the most questions in each subject were:

  • Biology: Biomolecules (B) (2), Evolution (2), and Microbes in Human Welfare (2).
  • Chemistry: Aldehydes and Ketones (2), Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure (2), and Structure of Atom (2).
  • Mathematics: Application of Derivatives (3) and Matrices (2).
  • Physics: Atomic Physics (2), Electrostatics (2), and Laws of Motion (2).
7.Where can I find the solutions for the NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1 paper?

Open any question on this page. Its page shows the correct answer and, where one is available, the worked solution. A downloadable PDF of the whole paper is coming soon.

8.How should I use the NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1 paper to check my preparation?

Set a timer, attempt the 59 questions as you would in the exam, and only then open the answers. Note which subjects and chapters cost you the most marks, and revise those first using the chapter-wise practice for NEST (NISER). Repeating this with other papers shows whether the same weak spots keep coming back.

9.Will the NEST (NISER) 2020 Session 1 paper help me prepare for NEST (NISER) 2027?

Yes. Every past paper shows the question styles and topics NEST (NISER) has asked before, and a solved paper gives you a realistic benchmark for speed and accuracy. Use it along with the other papers to spot the chapters that keep returning.