GAT-B 2026 results are expected on June 10, 2026; a total of 26,662 students appeared for the GAT-B and BET 2026 examinations conducted on May 17, 2026 across 54 cities and 79 centres nationwide.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the Graduate Aptitude Test – Biotechnology (GAT-B) 2026 on May 17, 2026. GAT-B is a national-level entrance test for admission to DBT-sponsored M.Sc./M.Tech. Biotechnology programmes at 79 participating universities, with approximately 1,300 seats available. Students who score at or above the category-wise qualifying cutoff are placed on the All-India merit list and become eligible for counselling and seat allotment.
- GAT-B 2026 was held on May 17, 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
- A total of 26,662 students appeared for GAT-B and BET 2026 combined across 54 cities.
- Based on 2025 data, the General category qualifying cutoff was 145 marks out of 240 (60.42%).
- GAT-B 2026 results are expected on June 10, 2026 on the official NTA portal.
- Qualified students compete for approximately 1,300 seats at 79 DBT-participating institutions.
| Direct Link to GAT-B 2026 Result (Expected June 10) |
GAT-B 2026 Exam Overview
GAT-B (Graduate Aptitude Test – Biotechnology) is conducted annually by NTA on behalf of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. In 2026, NTA held both GAT-B and the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) together on May 17. BET qualifiers are considered for the DBT Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), while GAT-B qualifiers receive admission ranks for postgraduate biotechnology programmes.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Date | May 17, 2026 |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Marks | 240 |
| Total Questions | 80 (Part A: 30 + Part B: 50) |
| Exam Cities | 54 cities, 79 centres |
| Result Date | Expected June 10, 2026 |
| Available Seats | ~1,300 across 79 institutions |
Total Registered vs Appeared in GAT-B 2026
A total of 26,662 students appeared for GAT-B and BET 2026 combined on May 17, 2026. The category-wise appeared count and the GAT-B-only split will be published in the official result notice. Historically, GAT-B has maintained an appearance rate above 86% across exam years, and the combined 2026 figure reflects NTA’s expanded exam footprint after merging both tests in a single cycle.
| Year | Registered | Appeared | Appearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10,493 | 9,116 | ~86.9% |
| 2025 | 9,578 | 8,677 | ~90.6% |
| 2026 | To be released | 26,662 (GAT-B + BET combined) | To be released |
The table below shows category-wise appeared student data from GAT-B 2023 for reference:
| Category | Female | Male | Total Appeared (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 3,013 | 1,276 | 4,189 |
| OBC-NCL | 1,702 | 1,001 | 2,703 |
| EWS | 475 | 312 | 787 |
| SC | 624 | 398 | 1,022 |
| ST | 191 | 124 | 315 |
| PwBD | 11 | 23 | 34 |
| Total | 6,005 (65.9%) | 3,111 (34.1%) | 9,116 |
GAT-B 2026 Qualification Criteria
To qualify GAT-B 2026, students must score at or above the category-wise qualifying cutoff marks that NTA announces alongside the result. These marks are set as a percentage of the maximum 240 marks. Students who meet the cutoff are included in the All-India merit list by category and rank, making them eligible for DBT-sponsored seat counselling.
- General/UR students require the highest qualifying marks – typically around 60% of total (145/240 in 2025).
- OBC-NCL and EWS students qualify at a lower threshold, historically between 40–44% of total marks.
- SC students benefit from further relaxation, qualifying at approximately 27–34% based on recent years.
- ST students have qualified at around 25% of total marks in recent cycles.
- PwBD students have the lowest qualifying threshold, historically around 25–27%.
- Qualifying GAT-B places you on the merit list; final admission depends on counselling rank and seat availability.
Year-wise Cutoff and Qualification Trends
The General category cutoff rose sharply from 127 marks in 2024 to 145 marks in 2025 – an increase of 18 marks – signalling higher competition among GAT-B students. Based on this upward trend, the expected GAT-B 2026 General category cutoff is between 130 and 150 marks out of 240. NTA will announce the official qualifying marks with the result on June 10, 2026.
| Year | General (out of 240) | OBC-NCL | EWS | SC | ST | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 127 (52.92%) | 89.5 (37.29%) | 91 (37.92%) | 65 (27%) | 60 (25%) | 64 (26.67%) |
| 2025 | 145 (60.42%) | ~105 (43.54%) | ~104 (43.13%) | 80 (33.33%) | 60.5 (25.21%) | 62 (25.83%) |
| 2026 (expected) | 130–150 | 95–110 | 95–108 | 70–85 | 58–65 | 60–70 |
2026 figures are expected estimates based on 2024–2025 trends. Official cutoffs will be released with the GAT-B 2026 result.
Category-wise GAT-B Cutoff Scores
GAT-B category-wise cutoffs are determined by NTA based on exam difficulty, total students appeared, and available DBT seats across participating institutions. Reservation norms follow Government of India policy – 27% for OBC-NCL, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 10% for EWS, and 5% horizontal reservation for PwBD students.
| Category | 2025 Cutoff (out of 240) | 2025 Cutoff % | 2024 Cutoff (out of 240) | 2024 Cutoff % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 145 | 60.42% | 127 | 52.92% |
| EWS | ~104 | 43.13% | 91 | 37.92% |
| OBC-NCL | ~105 | 43.54% | 89.5 | 37.29% |
| SC | 80 | 33.33% | 65 | 27% |
| ST | 60.5 | 25.21% | 60 | 25% |
| PwBD | 62 | 25.83% | 64 | 26.67% |
GAT-B 2026 Qualified Candidates FAQs
Ques. How many students appeared for GAT-B 2026?
Ans. A total of 26,662 students appeared for GAT-B and BET 2026 combined on May 17, 2026, across 54 cities and 79 exam centres.
Ques. When will the GAT-B 2026 qualified candidates list be released?
Ans. The GAT-B 2026 result and category-wise merit lists of all qualified students are expected on June 10, 2026 on the official NTA portal at exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet/.
Ques. What is the expected GAT-B 2026 cutoff for General category?
Ans. Based on 2025 (145/240) and 2024 (127/240) trends, the expected General category cutoff for GAT-B 2026 is between 130 and 150 marks out of 240. The official cutoff will be announced with the result.
Ques. What does qualifying GAT-B 2026 mean for students?
Ans. Qualifying GAT-B 2026 means your score meets or exceeds the category-wise cutoff, placing you on the All-India merit list. You become eligible for DBT-sponsored M.Sc./M.Tech. Biotechnology seat counselling across 79 participating universities.
Ques. What are the total marks for GAT-B 2026?
Ans. GAT-B 2026 is out of 240 marks. The exam has 80 questions split into Part A (30 questions) and Part B (50 questions), each carrying 3 marks. Part A carries a negative marking of 1 mark per wrong answer.
Ques. How many seats are available for GAT-B 2026 qualified students?
Ans. Approximately 1,300 DBT-sponsored seats are available across 79 participating institutions for students who qualify GAT-B 2026 and secure a rank in the merit list.
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