UGC-NET – Paper II: COMPUTER SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS (Code: 87)
Exam Cycle: June 2026
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COURSE OVERVIEW
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Subject Name: COMPUTER SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS
Subject Code: 87
Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Paper Type: Paper-II – COMPUTER SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS
Total Marks: 200
Total Questions: 100 MCQs
Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Duration: 3 Hours (Paper I + II combined)
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COMPLETE LIST OF UNITS
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Unit I : Discrete Structures and Optimization
Unit II : Computer System Architecture
Unit III : Programming Languages and Computer Graphics
Unit IV : Database Management Systems
Unit V : System Software and Operating System
Unit VI : Software Engineering
Unit VII : Data Structures and Algorithms
Unit VIII : Theory of Computation and Compilers
Unit IX : Data Communication and Computer Networks
Unit X : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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UNIT-WISE DETAILED SYLLABUS
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Unit I : Discrete Structures and Optimization
Topic 1: Mathematical Logic:
• Propositional and Predicate Logic
• Propositional Equivalences
• Normal Forms
• Predicates and Quantifiers
• Nested Quantifiers
• Rules of Inference
Topic 2: Sets and Relations:
• Set Operations
• Representation and Properties of Relations
• Equivalence Relations
• Partially Ordering
Topic 3: Counting, Mathematical Induction and Discrete Probability:
• Basics of Counting
• Pigeonhole Principle
• Permutations and Combinations
• Inclusion- Exclusion Principle
• Mathematical Induction
• Probability
• Bayes’ Theorem
Topic 4: Group Theory:
• Groups
• Subgroups
• Semi Groups
• Product and Quotients of Algebraic Structures
• Isomorphism
• Homomorphism
• Automorphism
• Rings
• Integral Domains
• Fields
• Applications of Group Theory
Topic 5: Graph Theory:
• Simple Graph
• Multigraph
• Weighted Graph
• Paths and Circuits
• Shortest Paths in Weighted Graphs
• Eulerian Paths and Circuits
• Hamiltonian Paths and Circuits
• Planner graph
• Graph Coloring
• Bipartite Graphs
• Trees and Rooted Trees
• Prefix Codes
• Tree Traversals
• Spanning Trees and Cut-Sets
Topic 6: Boolean Algebra:
• Boolean Functions and its Representation
• Simplifications of Boolean Functions
Topic 7: Optimization:
• Linear Programming – Mathematical Model, Graphical Solution, Simplex and Dual Simplex Method, Sensitive Analysis
• Integer Programming
• Transportation and Assignment Models
• PERT-CPM: Diagram Representation, Critical Path Calculations, Resource Levelling, Cost Consideration in Project Scheduling
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Unit II : Computer System Architecture
Topic 1: Digital Logic Circuits and Components:
• Digital Computers
• Logic Gates
• Boolean Algebra
• Map Simplifications
• Combinational Circuits
• Flip-Flops
• Sequential Circuits
• Integrated Circuits
• Decoders
• Multiplexers
• Registers and Counters
• Memory Unit
Topic 2: Data Representation:
• Data Types
• Number Systems and Conversion
• Complements
• Fixed Point Representation
• Floating Point Representation
• Error Detection Codes
• Computer Arithmetic – Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division Algorithms
Topic 3: Register Transfer and Microoperations:
• Register Transfer Language
• Bus and Memory Transfers
• Arithmetic, Logic and Shift Microoperations
Topic 4: Basic Computer Organization and Design:
• Stored Program Organization and Instruction Codes
• Computer Registers
• Computer Instructions
• Timing and Control
• Instruction Cycle
• Memory-Reference Instructions
• Input-Output
• Interrupt
Topic 5: Programming the Basic Computer:
• Machine Language
• Assembly Language
• Assembler
• Program Loops
• Subroutines
• Input-Output Programming
Topic 6: Microprogrammed Control:
• Control Memory
• Address Sequencing
• Design of Control Unit
Topic 7: Central Processing Unit:
• General Register Organization
• Stack Organization
• Instruction Formats
• Addressing Modes
• RISC Computer
• CISC Computer
Topic 8: Pipeline and Vector Processing:
• Parallel Processing
• Pipelining
• Arithmetic Pipeline
• Instruction Pipeline
• Vector Processing Array Processors
Topic 9: Input-Output Organization:
• Peripheral Devices
• Input-Output Interface
• Asynchronous Data Transfer
• Modes of Transfer
• Priority Interrupt
• DMA
• Serial Communication
Topic 10: Memory Hierarchy:
• Main Memory
• Auxillary Memory
• Associative Memory
• Cache Memory
• Virtual Memory
• Memory Management Hardware
Topic 11: Multiprocessors:
• Characteristics of Multiprocessors
• Interconnection Structures
• Interprocessor Arbitration
• Interprocessor Communication and Synchronization
• Cache Coherence
• Multicore Processors
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Unit III : Programming Languages and Computer Graphics
Topic 1: Language Design and Translation Issues:
• Programming Language Concepts, Paradigms and Models
• Programming Environments
• Virtual Computers and Binding Times
• Programming Language Syntax
• Stages in Translation
• Formal Transition Models
Topic 2: Elementary Data Types:
• Properties of Types and Objects
• Scalar and Composite Data Types
Topic 3: Programming in C:
• Tokens
• Identifiers
• Data Types
• Sequence Control
• Subprogram Control
• Arrays
• Structures
• Union
• String
• Pointers
• Functions
• File Handling
• Command Line Arguments
• Preprocessors
Topic 4: Object Oriented Programming:
• Class
• Object
• Instantiation
• Inheritance
• Encapsulation
• Abstract Class
• Polymorphism
Topic 5: Programming in C++:
• Tokens
• Identifiers
• Variables and Constants
• Data types
• Operators
• Control statements
• Functions Parameter Passing
• Virtual Functions
• Class and Objects
• Constructors and Destructors
• Overloading
• Inheritance
• Templates
• Exception and Event Handling
• Streams and Files
• Multifile Programs
Topic 6: Web Programming:
• HTML
• DHTML
• XML
• Scripting
• Java
• Servlets
• Applets
Topic 7: Computer Graphics:
• Video-Display Devices
• Raster-Scan and Random-Scan Systems
• Graphics Monitors
• Input Devices
• Points and Lines
• Line Drawing Algorithms
• Mid-Point Circle and Ellipse Algorithms
• Scan Line Polygon Fill Algorithm
• Boundary-Fill and Flood-Fill
Topic 8: 2-D Geometrical Transforms and Viewing:
• Translation, Scaling, Rotation, Reflection and Shear Transformations
• Matrix Representations and Homogeneous Coordinates
• Composite Transforms
• Transformations Between Coordinate Systems
• Viewing Pipeline
• Viewing Coordinate Reference Frame
• Window to View-Port Coordinate Transformation
• Viewing Functions
• Line and Polygon Clipping Algorithms
Topic 9: 3-D Object Representation, Geometric Transformations and Viewing:
• Polygon Surfaces
• Quadric Surfaces
• Spline Representation
• Bezier and B-Spline Curves
• Bezier and B-Spline Surfaces
• Illumination Models
• Polygon Rendering Methods
• Viewing Pipeline and Coordinates
• General Projection Transforms and Cipping
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Unit IV : Database Management Systems
Topic 1: Database System Concepts and Architecture:
• Data Models, Schemas, and Instances
• Three-Schema Architecture and Data Independence
• Database Languages and Interfaces
• Centralized and Client/Server Architectures for DBMS
Topic 2: Data Modeling:
• Entity-Relationship Diagram
• Relational Model – Constraints, Languages, Design, and Programming
• Relational Database Schemas
• Update Operations and Dealing with Constraint Violations
• Relational Algebra and Relational Calculus
• Cold Rules
Topic 3: SQL:
• Data Definition and Data Types
• Constraints, Queries, Insert, Delete, and Update Statements
• Views, Stored Procedures and Functions
• Database Triggers
• SQL Injection
Topic 4: Normalization for Relational Databases:
• Functional Dependencies and Normalization
• Algorithms for Query Processing and Optimization
• Transaction Processing
• Concurrency Control Techniques
• Database Recovery Techniques
• Object and Object-Relational Databases
• Database Security and Authorization
Topic 5: Enhanced Data Models:
• Temporal Database Concepts
• Multimedia Databases
• Deductive Databases
• XML and Internet Databases
• Mobile Databases
• Geographic Information Systems
• Genome Data Management
• Distributed Databases and Client-Server Architectures
Topic 6: Data Warehousing and Data Mining:
• Data Modeling for Data Warehouses
• Concept Hierarchy
• OLAP and OLTP
• Association Rules
• Classification
• Clustering
• Regression
• Support Vector Machine
• K-Nearest Neighbour
• Hidden Markov Model
• Summarization
• Dependency Modeling
• Link Analysis
• Sequencing Analysis
• Social Network Analysis
Topic 7: Big Data Systems:
• Big Data Characteristics
• Types of Big Data
• Big Data Architecture
• Introduction to Map-Reduce and Hadoop
• Distributed File System, HDFS
Topic 8: NOSQL:
• NOSQL and Query Optimization
• Different NOSQL Products
• Querying and Managing NOSQL
• Indexing and Ordering Data Sets
• NOSQL in Cloud
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Unit V : System Software and Operating System
Topic 1: System Software:
• Machine, Assembly and High-Level Languages
• Compilers and Interpreters
• Loading, Linking and Relocation
• Macros
• Debuggers
Topic 2: Basics of Operating Systems:
• Operating System Structure, Operations and Services
• System Calls
• Operating-System Design and Implementation
• System Boot
Topic 3: Process Management:
• Process Scheduling and Operations
• Interprocess Communication
• Communication in Client-Server Systems
• Process Synchronization
• Critical-Section Problem
• Peterson’s Solution
• Semaphores
• Synchronization
Topic 4: Threads:
• Multicore Programming
• Multithreading Models
• Thread Libraries
• Implicit Threading
• Threading Issues
Topic 5: CPU Scheduling:
• Scheduling Criteria and Algorithms
• Thread Scheduling
• Multiple-Processor Scheduling
• Real-Time CPU Scheduling
Topic 6: Deadlocks:
• Deadlock Characterization
• Methods for Handling Deadlocks
• Deadlock Prevention, Avoidance and Detection
• Recovery from Deadlock
Topic 7: Memory Management:
• Contiguous Memory Allocation
• Swapping
• Paging
• Segmentation
• Demand Paging
• Page Replacement
• Allocation of Frames
• Thrashing
• Memory-Mapped Files
Topic 8: Storage Management:
• Mass-Storage Structure
• Disk Structure
• Scheduling and Management
• RAID Structure
Topic 9: File and Input/Output Systems:
• Access Methods
• Directory and Disk Structure
• File-System Mounting
• File Sharing
• File-System Structure and Implementation
• Directory Implementation
• Allocation Methods
• Free-Space Management
• Efficiency and Performance
• Recovery
• I/O Hardware
• Application I/O Interface
• Kernel I/O Subsystem
• Transforming I/O Requests to Hardware Operations
Topic 10: Security:
• Protection
• Access Matrix
• Access Control
• Revocation of Access Rights
• Program Threats
• System and Network Threats
• Cryptography as a Security Tool
• User Authentication
• Implementing Security Defenses
Topic 11: Virtual Machines:
• Types of Virtual Machines and Implementations
• Virtualization
Topic 12: Linux Operating Systems:
• Design Principles
• Kernel Modules
• Process Management
• Scheduling
• Memory Management
• File Systems
• Input and Output
• Interprocess Communication
• Network Structure
Topic 13: Windows Operating Systems:
• Design Principles
• System Components
• Terminal Services and Fast User Switching
• File System
• Networking
Topic 14: Distributed Systems:
• Types of Network based Operating Systems
• Network Structure
• Communication Structure and Protocols
• Robustness
• Design Issues
• Distributed File Systems
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Unit VI : Software Engineering
Topic 1: Software Process Models:
• Software Process
• Generic Process Model – Framework Activity, Task Set and Process Patterns
• Process Lifecycle
• Prescriptive Process Models
• Project Management
• Component Based Development
• Aspect-Oriented Software Development
• Formal Methods
• Agile Process Models – Extreme Programming (XP), Adptive Software Development, Scrum, Dynamic System Development Model, Feature Driven Development, Crystal, Web Engineering
Topic 2: Software Requirements:
• Functional and Non-Functional Requirements
• Eliciting Requirements
• Developing Use Cases
• Requirement Analysis and Modelling
• Requirements Review
• Software Requirement and Specification (SRS) Document
Topic 3: Software Design:
• Abstraction
• Architecture
• Patterns
• Separation of Concerns
• Modularity
• Information Hiding
• Functional Independence
• Cohesion and Coupling
• Object-Oriented Design
• Data Design
• Architectural Design
• User Interface Design
• Component Level Design
Topic 4: Software Quality:
• McCall’s Quality Factors
• ISO 9126 Quality Factors
• Quality Control
• Quality Assurance
• Risk Management
• Risk Mitigation, Monitoring and Management (RMMM)
• Software Reliability
Topic 5: Estimation and Scheduling of Software Projects:
• Software Sizing
• LOC and FP based Estimations
• Estimating Cost and Effort
• Estimation Models
• Constructive Cost Model (COCOMO)
• Project Scheduling and Staffing
• Time-line Charts
Topic 6: Software Testing:
• Verification and Validation
• Error, Fault, Bug and Failure
• Unit and Integration Testing
• White-box and Black-box Testing
• Basis Path Testing
• Control Structure Testing
• Deriving Test Cases
• Alpha and Beta Testing
• Regression Testing
• Performance Testing
• Stress Testing
Topic 7: Software Configuration Management:
• Change Control and Version Control
• Software Reuse
• Software Re-engineering
• Reverse Engineering
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Unit VII : Data Structures and Algorithms
Topic 1: Data Structures:
• Arrays and their Applications
• Sparse Matrix
• Stacks
• Queues
• Priority Queues
• Linked Lists
• Trees
• Forest
• Binary Tree
• Threaded Binary Tree
• Binary Search Tree
• AVL Tree
• B Tree
• B+ Tree
• B* Tree
• Data Structure for Sets
• Graphs
• Sorting and Searching Algorithms
• Hashing
Topic 2: Performance Analysis of Algorithms and Recurrences:
• Time and Space Complexities
• Asymptotic Notation
• Recurrence Relations
Topic 3: Design Techniques:
• Divide and Conquer
• Dynamic Programming
• Greedy Algorithms
• Backtracking
• Branch and Bound
Topic 4: Lower Bound Theory:
• Comparison Trees
• Lower Bounds through Reductions
Topic 5: Graph Algorithms:
• Breadth-First Search
• Depth-First Search
• Shortest Paths
• Maximum Flow
• Minimum Spanning Trees
Topic 6: Complexity Theory:
• P and NP Class Problems
• NP-completeness and Reducibility
Topic 7: Selected Topics:
• Number Theoretic Algorithms
• Polynomial Arithmetic
• Fast Fourier Transform
• String Matching Algorithms
Topic 8: Advanced Algorithms:
• Parallel Algorithms for Sorting, Searching and Merging
• Approximation Algorithms
• Randomized Algorithms
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Unit VIII : Theory of Computation and Compilers
Topic 1: Theory of Computation:
• Formal Language
• Non-Computational Problems
• Diagonal Argument
• Russels’s Paradox
Topic 2: Regular Language Models:
• Deterministic Finite Automaton (DFA)
• Non-Deterministic Finite Automaton (NDFA)
• Equivalence of DFA and NDFA
• Regular Languages
• Regular Grammars
• Regular Expressions
• Properties of Regular Language
• Pumping Lemma
• Non-Regular Languages
• Lexical Analysis
Topic 3: Context Free Language:
• Pushdown Automaton (PDA)
• Non-Deterministic Pushdown Automaton (NPDA)
• Context Free Grammar
• Chomsky Normal Form
• Greibach Normal Form
• Ambiguity
• Parse Tree Representation of Derivation Trees
• Equivalence of PDA’s and Context Free Grammars
• Properties of Context Free Language
Topic 4: Turing Machines (TM):
• Standard Turing Machine and its Variations
• Universal Turing Machines
• Models of Computation and Church-Turing Thesis
• Recursive and Recursively-Enumerable Languages
• Context-Sensitive Languages
• Unrestricted Grammars
• Chomsky Hierarchy of Languages
• Construction of TM for Simple Problems
Topic 5: Unsolvable Problems and Computational Complexity:
• Unsolvable Problem
• Halting Problem
• Post Correspondence Problem
• Unsolvable Problems for Context-Free Languages
• Measuring and Classifying Complexity
• Tractable and Intractable Problems
Topic 6: Syntax Analysis:
• Associativity
• Precedence
• Grammar Transformations
• Top Down Parsing
• Recursive Descent Predictive Parsing
• LL(1) Parsing
• Bottom up Parsing
• LR Parser
• LALR(1) Parser
Topic 7: Semantic Analysis:
• Attribute Grammar
• Syntax Directed Definitions
• Inherited and Synthesized Attributes
• Dependency Graph
• Evaluation Order
• S-attributed and L-attributed Definitions
• Type-Checking
Topic 8: Run Time System:
• Storage Organization
• Activation Tree
• Activation Record
• Stack Allocation of Activation Records
• Parameter Passing Mechanisms
• Symbol Table
Topic 9: Intermediate Code Generation:
• Intermediate Representations
• Translation of Declarations
• Assignments
• Control Flow
• Boolean Expressions and Procedure Calls
Topic 10: Code Generation and Code Optimization:
• Control-flow
• Data-flow Analysis
• Local Optimization
• Global Optimization
• Loop Optimization
• Peep-Hole Optimization
• Instruction Scheduling
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Unit IX : Data Communication and Computer Networks
Topic 1: Data Communication:
• Components of a Data Communication System
• Simplex, Half-Duplex and Duplex Modes of Communication
• Analog and Digital Signals
• Noiseless and Noisy Channels
• Bandwidth, Throughput and Latency
• Digital and Analog Transmission
• Data Encoding and Modulation Techniques
• Broadband and Baseband Transmission
• Multiplexing
• Transmission Media
• Transmission Errors
• Error Handling Mechanisms
Topic 2: Computer Networks:
• Network Topologies
• Local Area Networks
• Metropolitan Area Networks
• Wide Area Network
• Wireless Networks
• Internet
Topic 3: Network Models:
• Layered Architecture
• OSI Reference Model and its Protocols
• TCP/IP Protocol Suite
• Physical, Logical, Port and Specific Addresses
• Switching Techniques
Topic 4: Functions of OSI and TCP/IP Layers:
• Framing
• Error Detection and Correction
• Flow and Error Control
• Sliding Window Protocol
• HDLC
• Multiple Access – CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA, Reservation, Polling, Token Passing, FDMA, CDMA, TDMA
• Network Devices
• Backbone Networks
• Virtual LANs
• IPv4 Structure and Address Space
• Classful and Classless Addressing
• Datagram, Fragmentation and Checksum
• IPv6 Packet Format
• Mapping Logical to Physical Address (ARP)
• Direct and Indirect Network Layer Delivery
• Routing Algorithms
• TCP, UDP and SCTP Protocols
• Flow Control, Error Control and Congestion Control in TCP and SCTP
Topic 5: World Wide Web (WWW):
• Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
• Domain Name Service (DNS)
• Resolution – Mapping Names to Addresses and Addresses to Names
• Electronic Mail Architecture
• SMTP, POP and IMAP
• TELNET and FTP
Topic 6: Network Security:
• Malwares
• Cryptography and Steganography
• Secret-Key Algorithms
• Public-Key Algorithms
• Digital Signature
• Virtual Private Networks
• Firewalls
Topic 7: Mobile Technology:
• GSM and CDMA
• Services and Architecture of GSM and Mobile Computing
• Middleware and Gateway for Mobile Computing
• Mobile IP and Mobile Communication Protocol
• Communication Satellites
• Wireless Networks and Topologies
• Cellular Topology
• Mobile Adhoc Networks
• Wireless Transmission and Wireless LANs
• Wireless Geolocation Systems
• GPRS and SMS
Topic 8: Cloud Computing and IoT:
• SaaS, PaaS, IaaS
• Public and Private Cloud
• Virtualization
• Virtual Server
• Cloud Storage
• Database Storage
• Resource Management
• Service Level Agreement
• Basics of IoT
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Unit X : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Topic 1: Approaches to AI:
• Turing Test and Rational Agent Approaches
• State Space Representation of Problems
• Heuristic Search Techniques
• Game Playing
• Min-Max Search
• Alpha Beta Cutoff Procedures
Topic 2: Knowledge Representation:
• Logic
• Semantic Networks
• Frames
• Rules
• Scripts
• Conceptual Dependency and Ontologies
• Expert Systems
• Handling Uncertainty in Knowledge
Topic 3: Planning:
• Components of a Planning System
• Linear and Non Linear Planning
• Goal Stack Planning
• Hierarchical Planning
• STRIPS
• Partial Order Planning
Topic 4: Natural Language Processing:
• Grammar and Language
• Parsing Techniques
• Semantic Analysis and Pragmatics
Topic 5: Multi Agent Systems:
• Agents and Objects
• Agents and Expert Systems
• Generic Structure of Multiagent System
• Semantic Web
• Agent Communication
• Knowledge Sharing using Ontologies
• Agent Development Tools
Topic 6: Fuzzy Sets:
• Notion of Fuzziness
• Membership Functions
• Fuzzification and Defuzzification
• Operations on Fuzzy Sets
• Fuzzy Functions and Linguistic Variables
• Fuzzy Relations
• Fuzzy Rules and Fuzzy Inference
• Fuzzy Control System and Fuzzy Rule Based Systems
Topic 7: Genetic Algorithms (GA):
• Encoding Strategies
• Genetic Operators
• Fitness Functions and GA Cycle
• Problem Solving using GA
Topic 8: Artificial Neural Networks (ANN):
• Supervised, Unsupervised and Reinforcement Learning
• Single Perceptron
• Multi Layer Perceptron
• Self Organizing Maps
• Hopfield Network
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EXAMINATION STRUCTURE
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Paper-II: Subject Specific Examination
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 200
- Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- Negative Marking: No
- Duration: 3 Hours (Combined with Paper I)
- Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Additional Notes (if any):
- [No additional notes present in source]
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SYLLABUS SUMMARY
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Total Units: 10
Total Topics: 81
Subject: COMPUTER SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS
Subject Code: 87
Exam Category: UGC-NET Paper-II
Source: Official NTA/UGC Syllabus
Status: “As per latest official syllabus”
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