GAT-B 2026: Scorecard and Result Out at exams.nta.nic.in, Counselling, Cutoff and DBT JRF Fellowship

GAT-B 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test - Biotechnology) is a national-level postgraduate entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. The exam was held on 17 May 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across two shifts. The latest update is that the GAT-B 2026 scorecard is now available for download at exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet.

• Counselling: Counselling at participating institutes is expected to start in the third week of June 2026. Last year, the first institute notifications appeared within 10-12 days of the result, so similar timing is likely this cycle.
• Seat Allotment: Around 1,300 PG seats across 79 DBT-supported institutes will be filled through institute-level rounds. In 2025, top centres like JNU and IIT Madras closed their first round by mid-July.
• DBT JRF Fellowship: BET-qualified candidates are expected to receive their DBT Junior Research Fellowship offer letters by mid-July 2026. In 2025, around 275 Category-I and Category-II fellowships were awarded.
• Scorecard Download: The individual scorecard with All-India Rank is live at exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet. You should download a PDF copy now, as institutes ask for it during admission and the link stays active only for a few weeks.

Source: GAT B Official Website

What is GAT-B 2026?

GAT-B 2026 is the Graduate Aptitude Test - Biotechnology, an all-India entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology. It is the single-window entrance for admission to DBT-supported postgraduate (M.Sc., M.Tech., M.V.Sc.) programmes in biotechnology and allied areas at 79 participating institutes in India.

The exam is conducted along with the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET), which is used to award the DBT Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for PhD admissions. Both exams share the same question paper, but their qualifying standards and merit lists are prepared separately. The GAT-B score is valid only for the academic session of the exam year, while a BET-based DBT JRF tag is valid for two years from the offer letter.

More than 14,000 candidates typically register for GAT-B every year and compete for around 1,300 PG seats across central universities, IITs, NITs, RCB, and dedicated DBT research institutes. This gives GAT-B a healthier seat-to-candidate ratio than larger PG exams like CSIR-NET or IIT JAM, but the selection at top centres like JNU and IIT Madras still demands a very strong rank.

GAT-B 2026: Key Highlights

You should be aware of the exam’s structure, conducting authority, and key facts before going into the details. The table below gives you a one-look summary of GAT-B 2026.

GAT-B 2026: Latest Updates

The GAT B scorecard has been released online. The GAT-B 2026 exam cycle has now moved into the post-result and pre-counselling phase. Track the bullets below for the most current developments.

• 10 June 2026: NTA declared the GAT-B 2026 result and released the final answer key together at exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet. The category-wise merit list and qualified candidate list are live.
• Late May 2026: The provisional answer key objection window closed. Candidates had to pay Rs. 200 per question challenged, refundable for accepted objections.
• 17 May 2026: GAT-B and BET 2026 were held in two shifts in CBT mode. Section A was rated easy-to-moderate and Section B moderate, similar to the 2025 paper.
• Expected Mid-June 2026: Participating institutes are expected to start issuing counselling and interview notifications. You should check each target institute’s official admission portal regularly.
• Expected July 2026: DBT JRF fellowship offer letters are expected for BET-qualified candidates. The JRF can be used at any recognised university for PhD enrolment within 2 years.

You should download and save your GAT-B 2026 scorecard immediately. Some institutes set very short application windows after the result, and you do not want to lose access to the link.

GAT-B 2026 Important Dates

The GAT-B 2026 schedule was released by NTA along with the Information Bulletin in March 2026. The dates table below lists upcoming events first in chronological order, followed by past events that have already taken place.

Source: NTA GAT-B and BET 2026 Information Bulletin

GAT-B 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The GAT-B 2026 eligibility criteria were laid down in the Information Bulletin released by NTA. You should check the rules carefully before applying for admission at any participating institute, as each institute can add subject-specific conditions on top of the NTA rules.

Nationality and Age Limit

• Only Indian nationals are eligible to apply for GAT-B 2026. NRI, OCI, and foreign nationals are not eligible.
• There is no upper age limit for appearing in GAT-B 2026. But some institutes may set an age cap for their PG programmes.

Academic Qualification

• You should have a Bachelor’s degree (3 or 4 year) in a relevant subject from a recognised university.
• The accepted UG streams include B.Sc., B.Tech., B.E., B.V.Sc., B.Pharma, MBBS, and BDS in life sciences, biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology, agriculture, veterinary, pharmacy, or medical disciplines.
• Final-year students who will complete their degree by the start of the academic session can also apply.
• The minimum aggregate marks for the General category is usually 55-60%, while SC/ST/PwD candidates get a 5% relaxation. The exact cut-off is set by each participating institute.

Programme-wise Eligibility

Different M.Sc., M.Tech., and M.V.Sc. courses accept different undergraduate streams. For example, the M.Tech. (Biomedical Engineering) at IIT Hyderabad needs a B.Tech. background, while the M.Sc. (Biotechnology) at JNU accepts most life science degrees. You should check the eligibility chart in the Information Bulletin and confirm with the institute before applying.

GAT-B 2026 Application Process and Fee

The GAT-B 2026 application process was closed on 9 April 2026 after a 22-day window. The form was filled online at the official NTA website with a one-time correction facility offered in mid-April. The next cycle’s application window is expected to open in February-March 2027 with the same step-by-step flow.

How to Apply for GAT-B

You should follow the steps below to fill the GAT-B application form when the next window opens.

• Step 1 - Registration: Visit exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet and register with your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID to get an application number.
• Step 2 - Form Filling: Log in and fill in your personal details, academic qualifications, parent details, address, and exam city preferences.
• Step 3 - Upload Documents: Upload a scanned photograph (10-200 KB), signature (4-30 KB), and category certificate if applicable.
• Step 4 - Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
• Step 5 - Confirmation: Download the confirmation page and keep a printout for future reference during counselling.

GAT-B 2026 Application Fee

The fee is paid separately for GAT-B and BET if you choose to appear in both. The fee is non-refundable once paid, and GST and processing charges are extra. International candidates were not eligible to apply, as the exam is open only to Indian nationals.

GAT-B 2026 Admit Card

The GAT-B 2026 admit card was released by NTA on 13 May 2026 at the official portal, four days before the exam. The admit card was a mandatory document at the exam centre, along with one original photo ID. You should keep your admit card safe until the counselling process is complete, as many institutes ask for it during document verification.

How to Download GAT-B Admit Card

• Visit exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet.
• Click on the "Download Admit Card" link.
• Enter your application number, date of birth, and security code.
• The admit card will appear on the screen.
• Download and take a clear printout on A4 paper.

Details on GAT-B Admit Card

• Candidate’s name, photograph, and signature
• Application number and roll number
• Exam centre name and full address
• Reporting time and gate closing time
• Shift details (Shift 1 or Shift 2)
• Important exam day instructions

If you found any wrong details on your admit card, you should have contacted the NTA helpdesk immediately to get it corrected before the exam day. After the exam, no corrections are possible.

GAT-B 2026 Syllabus

The GAT-B 2026 syllabus is broadly divided across two sections. Section A covers 10+2 PCMB topics, while Section B covers Bachelor’s level biology and biotechnology. The syllabus is wide but the depth required is moderate, so a strong NCERT foundation gives you a head start.

Section A Syllabus (10+2 Level)

• Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics, Waves, and basic Electronics.
• Chemistry: Physical Chemistry (Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium), Organic Chemistry (Hydrocarbons, Functional Groups, Biomolecules), and Inorganic Chemistry (Periodic Table, Coordination Compounds, p-Block, d-Block).
• Mathematics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry, Calculus (Differentiation and Integration basics), Probability, and Statistics.
• Biology: Diversity in Living World, Cell Biology, Plant and Human Physiology, Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology in Human Welfare, Biotechnology basics, and Ecology.

Section B Syllabus (Graduate Level)

• Cell Biology: Cell structure, organelles, cell cycle, cell signalling, and membrane biology.
• Biochemistry: Biomolecules, enzymes, metabolism, bioenergetics, vitamins, and hormones.
• Molecular Biology and Genetics: DNA structure and replication, transcription, translation, gene regulation, Mendelian genetics, mutations, and recombination.
• Microbiology: Microbial diversity, growth, control, host-pathogen interaction, and industrial microbiology.
• Immunology: Innate and adaptive immunity, antibodies, vaccines, hypersensitivity, and autoimmune disorders.
• Plant and Animal Biology: Tissues, organ systems, and physiology of plants and animals.
• Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA technology, cloning vectors, PCR, blotting, sequencing, transgenic plants and animals, bioprocess engineering, and downstream processing.
• Bioinformatics and Biostatistics: Sequence databases, BLAST, and basic statistical methods.
• Environmental Biotechnology: Bioremediation, biofuels, and waste treatment.

Source: NTA GAT-B and BET 2026 Information Bulletin

GAT-B 2026 Answer Key

NTA released the GAT-B 2026 answer key in two stages. The provisional answer key was released on 26 May 2026, and the final answer key was released on 10 June 2026 along with the result.

Stages of GAT-B Answer Key

• Provisional Answer Key: Released for candidate feedback. Candidates could raise objections to wrong answers by paying Rs. 200 per question.
• Final Answer Key: Released after NTA reviewed every valid objection. The final answer key is non-challengeable and is used for the official result preparation.

How to Download GAT-B Answer Key

• Visit exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet.
• Click on the "GAT-B 2026 Final Answer Key" link.
• Enter your application number and date of birth.
• The answer key PDF will appear with shift-wise correct responses.
• Match your responses with the official key to calculate your raw score.

How to Calculate Your Score Using the Answer Key

You can use the formula below to estimate your raw GAT-B 2026 score before downloading the official scorecard. This is a useful sanity check against the rank you will see later.

• Section A Score = (Correct Answers x 1) - (Wrong Answers x 0.5)
• Section B Score = (Correct Answers x 3) - (Wrong Answers x 1)
• Total Raw Score = Section A Score + Section B Score (out of 240)

GAT-B 2026 Participating Institutes

Around 79 institutes accept the GAT-B 2026 score for admission to their M.Sc., M.Tech., and M.V.Sc. biotechnology programmes. The list covers central universities, state universities, IITs, NITs, and dedicated DBT research centres. Below are some of the most popular institutes you should consider.

Source: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India

DBT JRF Fellowship Through BET 2026

The Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) is conducted along with GAT-B, and qualifying it makes you eligible for the prestigious DBT Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). The JRF supports PhD students in biotechnology and life sciences at recognised institutes across India. Both tests share the same paper but the BET cutoff is set higher and the merit list is processed separately.

BET Fellowship Categories

• Category I: Top-ranked BET qualifiers receive the DBT JRF and can use the fellowship at any recognised university or institute in India for PhD enrolment. The current fellowship value is around Rs. 37,000-42,000 per month plus contingency.
• Category II: Candidates in this category are recognised as DBT-NET equivalent. They can be appointed in DBT-sponsored projects with a fellowship at par with NET/GATE-qualified candidates.

Validity and Duration

• The DBT JRF offer letter is valid for 2 years for PhD enrolment.
• The JRF is initially awarded for 2 years and is upgraded to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) after a satisfactory review for the remaining PhD duration.
• Total fellowship duration is typically 5 years for a complete PhD programme.

GAT-B 2026 Preparation Tips

If you are going to appear for the next GAT-B cycle, you should start your preparation early. The GAT-B syllabus is wide but the paper is more about clarity of concepts than depth of specialisation. The tips below cover both subject strategy and time management.

Subject-wise Preparation Strategy

• Section A (10+2 PCMB): Stick to NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. For Maths, focus on Algebra, Calculus basics, Probability, and Statistics. Do not over-prepare this section, as 60 questions at 1 mark each contributes only 25% of the paper.
• Section B (UG Biology): This section decides your rank. Focus on Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Immunology. Reference books like Lehninger’s Biochemistry, Lodish’s Cell Biology, and Lewin’s Genes cover most topics.
• Biotechnology: Pay extra attention to Recombinant DNA Technology, PCR, Cloning Vectors, and Bioprocess Engineering. These topics carry strong weightage every year.

Smart Strategies for the Exam Day

• You should attempt all 60 Section A questions, but skip the ones you are not 100% sure about. The -0.5 negative marking can hurt your score if you guess too much.
• In Section B, pick the safest 60 out of 100 questions. The -1 negative marking is heavy, so accuracy matters more than the number of attempts.
• Practise at least 10 mock tests in CBT mode in the last month before the exam to build speed and stamina.
• Keep short revision notes for biochemistry pathways and immunology cycles. These give you quick wins in the final week.

Recommended Books for GAT-B

• NCERT Biology Class 11 and 12
• Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry
• Lodish’s Molecular Cell Biology
• Lewin’s Genes XII
• Kuby Immunology
• Pelczar’s Microbiology
• Old GAT-B and IIT JAM Biotechnology question papers (last 5 years)

You should also solve previous year question papers and analyse the trend. For the last four years, the question pattern has been broadly similar, with around 40-45 questions repeated in concept (not exactly) from previous years.