Overview

Introduction

The Graduate Aptitude Test - Biotechnology (GAT-B) 2026 is a national-level entrance examination administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the guidance of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. This exam acts as a gateway for candidates seeking admission to postgraduate programs such as M.Sc., M.Tech., M.V.Sc., and Agricultural Biotechnology in DBT-supported institutions across India. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the exam, covering important dates, eligibility requirements, application process, syllabus, exam pattern, and other crucial details.

Eligibility CriteriaNationality

·         Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply for GAT-B 2026.

Educational Qualification

·         Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria specified by the participating institutions.

·         Final-year students appearing for their qualifying exam in 2026 can apply under the Result Awaited (RA) category.

·         Detailed eligibility criteria for each institution are available in Appendix II of the official information bulletin.

Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Mode of Examination

·         Computer-Based Test (CBT)

·         Language: English

·         Duration: 3 Hours (180 minutes)

·         Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

·         Total Questions: 160

·         Total Marks: 240

Exam Structure

Section	Number of Questions	Questions to be Attempted	Marks per Question	Total Marks
Section A (10+2 Level: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology)	60	60	+1	60
Section B (Graduate Level: Basic Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology)	100	60	+3	180
Total	160	120	-	240

Marking Scheme

·         Section A: +1 mark for each correct answer, -0.5 for incorrect answers.

·         Section B: +3 marks for each correct answer, -1 for incorrect answers.

Application Process

Candidates must apply online through the official website: https://exams.nta.ac.in/DBT

Steps to Apply

1.   Register: Create an account using a valid email ID and mobile number.

2.   Fill Application Form: Enter personal, academic, and contact details.

3.   Upload Documents:

·         Photograph: (10 KB – 200 KB)

·         Signature: (4 KB – 30 KB)

·         PwD Certificate (if applicable): (50 KB – 300 KB)

·         Category Certificate (if applicable): (50 KB – 300 KB)

·         Proof of Date of Birth: (50 KB – 300 KB)

·         Certificate for Appearing/Result Awaited Candidates: (50 KB – 300 KB)

4.   Pay Application Fee:

·         General/OBC/EWS: ₹1300/-

·         SC/ST/PwD: ₹650/-

5.   Download Confirmation Page: After payment, download and print the confirmation page for reference.

Admit Card & Exam Centers

·         The admit card will be available for download on the NTA website before the exam.

·         The list of exam centers is available in Appendix IV of the information bulletin.

·         Candidates must carry the following to the exam center:

·         Printed Admit Card

·         One passport-size photograph

·         Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID/Passport/Driving License)

·         PwD Certificate (if applicable)

Reservation Policy

The Government of India’s reservation policy will be followed:

·         OBC-NCL: 27%

·         SC: 15%

·         ST: 7.5%

·         EWS: 10%

·         PwD: 5% (horizontal reservation)

Scholarship/Stipend

Qualified candidates admitted to DBT-supported PG programs will receive the following stipend:

Program	Stipend (per month)
M.Sc. Biotechnology & Allied Areas	₹5000/-
M.Sc. Agricultural Biotechnology	₹7500/-
M.Tech./M.V.Sc. Biotechnology	₹12,000/-

·         The stipend will be provided by the respective institutions and is subject to academic progress.

Result & Merit List

·         NTA will publish an All India Merit List based on candidates' performance.

·         Participating universities

GAT B Eligibility 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the GAT-B Eligibility Criteria 2025. Candidates must thoroughly review the eligibility requirements for GAT-B & BET 2025 before applying. The GAT-B & BET 2025 application process is currently open and will close on March 3, 2025. Only those who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the exam. The GAT-B 2025 exam is scheduled for April 20, 2025. With the official exam schedule now available, candidates should ensure they fully understand the eligibility criteria, which include the minimum age, nationality, and academic qualifications necessary for admission to DBT-supported programs.

GAT B Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

According to the prescribed eligibility for GAT B 2025, candidates must have a relevant BSc degree in the Science stream. The minimum required percentage to apply for GAT B is 50%. Additionally, applicants must be genuine Indian citizens and residents. The minimum age to apply for GAT B or BET 2025 is 28 years. However, there is an age relaxation for reserved categories:

·  SC/ST candidates: 5-year relaxation

·  OBC candidates: 3-year relaxation

GAT B 2025 Eligibility Criteria Highlights

Candidates must meet the following GAT-B 2025 eligibility criteria before applying:

·  Only bonafide Indian nationals can apply for the GAT-B 2025 entrance examination.

· Candidates must meet the minimum eligibility criteria set by the participating colleges/universities. If the eligibility criteria are not met, their candidature may be canceled at a later stage. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) holds no responsibility for this.

·  Reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC) or those with disabilities must have a minimum of 50% in their bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution as per GAT-B 2025 eligibility criteria.

·  Candidates applying for M.VSc. Animal Biotechnology must hold a B.VSc. & AH degree with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized institution.

·  Candidates applying for M.Tech in Biotechnology must have a B.Tech or B.E degree in Biotechnology as per GAT-B eligibility criteria 2025.

· Candidates applying for M.Sc. in Allied Areas/Agricultural Biotechnology must hold a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field.

 

GAT B Exam Date 2026 

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the GAT-B 2026 exam schedule and made the application form available on its official website. The official notification and the GAT-B information brochure have also been released. Registration for GAT-B 2026 is open from January/February 2026

Candidates intending to take the GAT-B 2025 exam should regularly check for updates and notifications to plan their preparation effectively. The GAT-B 2026 exam will be conducted in an online mode on April 20, 2026.

For more information on the GAT-B 2025 exam dates, candidates can refer to the official notification.

GAT-B Application Form 2026:

The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the GAT B 2026 application form on January/February 2026. The last date to submit the GAT-B 2026 application form is March 2026. Applicants seeking admission to various courses can complete the GAT B 2026 registration on the official website.

The GAT B application process 2026 consists of the following steps:

1.   Registration

2.   Filling out the application form

3.   Uploading necessary documents

4.   Payment of the application fee

Applicants should note that the GAT B 2026 application form is available online only, and there is no need to send a hard copy to the exam authorities. Candidates are advised to have all necessary documents ready before starting the GAT B 2026 registration and should avoid submitting multiple application forms.

When filling out the GAT B 2026 application form, applicants must:

·         Select their preferred exam center

·         Upload the required documents as per the prescribed specifications

GAT B Application Form 2026 Correction Window

Candidates who make errors while filling out the form can correct their details using the GAT B application form correction facility. The correction process will be open from March 2026.

For more details regarding the GAT B 2025 application form, candidates should refer to the official notification.

Documents/Details Required to Fill GAT-B Application Form 2026

The NTA has provided a list of documents/details required for filling the GAT B 2026 application form, as listed below:

·         Valid Government ID proof

·         Date of Birth (as per Class X Board Certificate)

·         Government Identity Details, such as:

·         Aadhar Number (last 4 digits)

·         Election Card (EPIC No.)

·         Passport Number

·         Ration Card Number

·         Bank Account Number

·         PAN Number

·         Other valid government IDs

·         Educational qualification details

·         Category information (General/EWS/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/SC/ST)

·         Scanned passport-sized photograph (JPG/JPEG format, 80% face visible, without mask, against a white background)

·         Scanned signature (JPG/JPEG format)

·         Scanned Class X or equivalent certificate (as proof of Date of Birth)

·         Scanned certificate for appearing/result-awaiting candidates

·         Selection of four (04) preferred exam cities

·         Bank account details (for payment of the application fee)

·         Valid email ID (for official communications)

·         Valid mobile number (for receiving important SMS updates)

How to Fill GAT-B Application Form 2026?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has made the GAT-B 2026 application form available online. The last date to submit the form is March 2026, and the correction window will be open from March 2026. Candidates can follow the steps below to complete the GAT B 2026 application form.

Step 1: GAT B Registration 2026

·         Visit the official website of NTA GAT-B.

·         Register by entering:

·         Full Name

·         Date of Birth

·         Email Address

·         Mobile Number

·         Registration credentials will be sent to the provided email and mobile number.

Step 2: Fill in GAT-B Application Form Details

After registration, candidates must fill in the following details in the GAT B 2026 application form:

·         Candidate's name

·         Gender

·         Qualifying exam details

·         Program preference

·         Year of passing

·         Address

·         Preferred test center

·         Educational qualification details

·         Details of parents/guardians

·         College preference

·         Alternate mobile number

Step 3: Upload Required Documents

Candidates must upload their scanned photograph and signature according to the following specifications:

Step 4: Pay Application Fee

Candidates must pay the GAT-B 2026 application fee online using:

·         Credit Card

·         Debit Card

·         Net Banking

·         Paytm

·         UPI

Application Fee Details:

Step 5: Submit GAT-B Application Form 2026

·After submitting the application form, candidates will be redirected to a Confirmation Page.

· The confirmation page will contain a unique application number.

GAT-B Exam Pattern 2026: Section-wise Paper Pattern, Marking Scheme, Duration

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the GAT-B 2026 exam pattern on the official website. Candidates appearing for the exam are advised to carefully review the GAT-B exam pattern as part of their preparation. The GAT-B 2026 exam pattern includes details such as exam duration, number of questions, marking scheme, and other key aspects. The GAT-B 2026 exam will be conducted in an online, computer-based mode.

The GAT-B 2026 question paper is divided into two sections:

· Section A: Comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) at the 10+2 level covering Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.

· Section B: Consists of MCQs at the bachelor's level, covering subjects such as Basic Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, and Allied Areas.

Along with the exam pattern, candidates are encouraged to review the syllabus and previous years' question papers to enhance their preparation. The GAT-B 2026 exam will be conducted on April 20, 2026.

For additional details regarding the GAT-B 2026 exam pattern, candidates can refer to the information provided below.

GAT-B Exam Pattern 2026 - Section-wise Breakdown

The NTA has officially released the GAT-B 2026 exam pattern on its website. Candidates should thoroughly understand the exam format to achieve a good score. The exam consists of two sections: A & B. The details are provided in the table below:

GAT-B Exam Pattern 2026

BET Exam Pattern 2026

GAT-B Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking Scheme

The GAT-B 2026 marking scheme has been specified in the official notification by the National Testing Agency. The marking scheme varies for each section. The details are provided in the table below.

GAT-B Marking Scheme 2026

BET Marking Scheme 2026

GAT-B Admit Card 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the GAT-B 2026 admit card a few days before the exam date. The GAT-B 2026 exam is scheduled for April 20, 2026. Candidates will be notified via the official website - dbt.ntaonline.in.

To download the GAT-B 2026 hall ticket, candidates must provide their application number and password. The GAT-B admit card is a mandatory document that must be carried to the exam centre, along with a valid photo ID proof.

The GAT-B admit card 2026 includes details such as the candidate’s personal information, exam date & time, exam centre guidelines, photograph, and other details. After downloading the GAT-B admit card, applicants must verify all the details mentioned. In case of any discrepancies, they must contact the exam authorities for corrections.

Candidates appearing for the exam must follow all the guidelines and instructions on the GAT-B 2026 exam day.

How to Download GAT-B Admit Card 2026?

The NTA will release the GAT-B admit card online. Candidates can follow the steps below to download the GAT-B 2026 admit card:

1.   Visit the official website of the exam - dbt.ntaonline.in.

2.   On the homepage, locate and click on the ‘GAT B/BET Hall Ticket’ tab.

3.   You will be redirected to a new page.

4.   Enter your application number and date of birth/password in the required fields.

5.   After submitting the details, the GAT-B admit card 2026 will appear on the screen.

6.   Download and print the admit card.

7.   Candidates must carry a printout of their GAT-B admit card to the exam centre.

Details Mentioned on the GAT-B Admit Card 2026

Candidates must check their GAT-B admit card for accuracy. If any incorrect or missing information is found, they should immediately inform the exam officials. The GAT-B 2026 admit card contains the following details:

·         Candidate’s Name

·         GAT-B Roll Number

·         Candidate’s Address

·         GAT-B Exam Centre

·         GAT-B Exam Date 2026

·         GAT-B Exam Time and Slot

·         Duration of the GAT-B Exam

·         Candidate’s Signature

·         Candidate’s Photograph

·         Exam Day Rules and Instructions

GAT-B Admit Card 2026 - Important Things to Remember

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a set of important instructions for candidates appearing in the GAT-B exam:

·         Candidates must carry their GAT-B 2026 admit card, one passport-size photograph, and a valid photo ID proof.

·         Electronic gadgets, eatables, or other prohibited items are not allowed inside the exam hall.

·         Biometric verification will be conducted at the exam centre to confirm the candidate’s identity.

·         Candidates should immediately take their allotted seats upon entering the exam hall.

·         Candidates must sign and paste their photograph on the attendance sheet at the designated place.

·         Candidates will receive five (5) rough sheets for calculations.

·         They must write their name and roll number on the rough sheets before using them.

·         After completing the exam, candidates must submit their rough sheets in the drop box.

·         Candidates are not allowed to take the rough sheets outside the exam hall.

Candidates should carefully follow all instructions to avoid disqualification or other issues on exam day.

GAT-B 2026 Preparation Strategy: Study Plan & Tips

The Graduate Aptitude Test - Biotechnology (GAT-B) is a competitive entrance exam for admission to M.Sc. Biotechnology and related programs in top-tier institutes across India. Success in GAT-B 2026 requires a strategic study plan and effective preparation techniques, as the exam assesses both theoretical understanding and practical application of subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

A strong grasp of fundamental concepts is essential for achieving a high score. With dedication, structured preparation, and a positive approach, candidates can significantly enhance their chances of success and secure admission to prestigious institutions.

Comprehensive Strategy to Ace GAT-B 2026

1. Understand the Exam Pattern

Before starting preparation, it is important to understand the GAT-B/BET exam pattern. Familiarize yourself with:

·         Types of questions

·         Marking scheme

·         Topics covered

·         Time allocation

This will help you organize your study schedule and allocate appropriate time to each section.

2. Create a Well-Structured Study Plan

A well-planned study schedule is essential for effective preparation. Follow these steps:

·         Break down the syllabus into smaller sections.

·         Identify high-weightage topics and prioritize them.

·         Allocate time for each subject to maintain a balance.

·         Use a planner or calendar to track progress.

·         Avoid burnout by including short breaks in your schedule.

3. Maintain Consistency

·         Consistency is the key to success in any competitive exam.

·         Set up a daily routine and follow it strictly.

·         Regular study sessions ensure steady improvement.

·         Avoid distractions and stay focused on your goals.

4. Set Ambitious Goals

·         Plan to complete the entire syllabus well before the exam.

·         Set weekly and monthly targets for covering topics.

·         Attempt mock tests regularly to track progress.

·         Higher goals will motivate you to push your limits.

5. Master Time Management

·         Create a schedule that includes:

·         New topic learning

·         Revision of previous topics

·         Mock test practice

·         Stick to the schedule and adjust as needed.

·         Regular revision is crucial for long-term retention.

6. Focused Learning

·         Dedicate time for in-depth study of important topics.

·         If focus drops, remind yourself of your ultimate goal.

·         A strong conceptual understanding is key to excelling in GAT-B 2025.

7. Engage in Group Discussions

·         Participate in group discussions with peers or mentors.

·         Explaining concepts to others helps in better retention.

·         Discussions provide different perspectives on topics.

·         Group learning enhances clarity and recall during the exam.

8. Regular Practice

·         Solve previous year’s question papers regularly.

·         Attempt mock tests to understand exam patterns.

·         Identify weak areas and improve them.

·         Mock tests help in time management and reducing exam anxiety.

9. Learn from Mistakes

·         Analyze mistakes made in mock tests.

·         Identify knowledge gaps and revise weak topics.

·         Use mistakes as a learning opportunity to improve continuously.

10. Revision and Re-Revision

·         Revision is as important as learning new topics.

·         Allocate sufficient time for multiple revisions.

·         Use flashcards, summaries, and mind maps for quick revision.

Final Thoughts

Success in GAT-B/BET 2025 requires smart planning, dedication, and consistent practice. By following these preparation strategies, including understanding the exam format, maintaining consistency, practicing regularly, and revising effectively, you can increase your chances of success.

Stay focused, set ambitious goals, and remember that patience and discipline are the keys to performing well in the exam.

With the right mindset and preparation, you can achieve your goal of excelling in GAT-B and BET 2025.