.png?h=35&w=35&mode=stretch){kind=small}
The GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026 has been released by IIT Guwahati, on the official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Seven main sections of the GATE Biotechnology Syllabus are: General Biology, Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Fundamentals of Biological Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering and Reuse Technology, Plant, Recombinant DNA Technology, Microbial Biotechnology, and Animal Biotechnology.
Engineering Mathematics & General Aptitude is compulsory for all of you attempting the exam.
- The GATE BT Exam Pattern includes 65 Questions of 100 Marks, in a duration of 3 hours.
- The GATE BT Syllabus is divided into 3 parts:
- Core Biotechnology, which is 72 marks
- Engineering Mathematics, which is of 13 Marks
- General Aptitude of 15 Marks.
You should refer to their time Papers on GATE Biotechnology will clarify their understanding of the complexity level of the exam, as well as the grading system.
Also Read
Key Summary
In this Article, we have discussed the GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026, including PDF, Weightage, Marking Scheme, & Previous year papers.
- The GATE BT Syllabus 2026 has been released on the official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- The GATE Biotechnology Syllabus includes 7 core sections, which are under the core Biotechnology syllabus.
- Along with this, the GATE BT Exam includes Engineering Mathematics & General Aptitude.
- The GATE BT Exam Pattern includes 65 Questions with a total of 100 marks in 3 hours.
- What is the GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026?
-
- All About GATE-Biotechnology (BT) | Eligibility | Exam Pattern | Syllabus | PYQs | Strategy | Books
- GATE Biotechnology Syllabus Highlights
-
- GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Section-wise
- GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026: Section-wise Weightage
- GATE Biotechnology Syllabus Exam Pattern 2026
- GATE BT 2026 Marking Scheme
- Tips to Crack the GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026
- GATE BT Syllabus: Previous Year Question Papers
- GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Books to Refer
-
What is the GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026?
As per the syllabus for GATE Biotechnology, sections like
- Engineering Mathematics
- General Biotechnology
- Genetics and Cellular Biology
- Recombinant DNA Technology and Other Tools in Biotechnology
- Fundamentals of Biological Engineering
- Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology
- Plant, Animal, Microbial Biotechnology
- Molecular, Analytical & Computational Tools
You can download the GATE BT syllabus 2026 on the official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in as given above and start preparing for the examination. Students can also check the topic-wise syllabus for GATE BT 2026 in the table below.
| Section | Main Topics |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | Verbal, Quantitative, Reasoning, Data Interpretation |
| Engineering Mathematics | Linear Algebra, Calculus, Probability, Statistics, Differential Equations, Numerical Methods |
| General Biology | Biomolecules, Enzymes, Metabolism, Microbiology, Immunology |
| Genetics & Molecular Biology | Mendelian Genetics, DNA Replication, Transcription, Translation, Cell Signalling |
| Biological Engineering | Biothermodynamics, Reaction Kinetics, Mass & Energy Balance, Bioinstrumentation |
| Bioprocess Engineering | Bioreactors, Growth Kinetics, Sterilisation, Downstream Processing |
| Plant, Animal & Microbial Biotech | Tissue Culture, Transformation, Fermentation, Biofuels, Enzymes |
| rDNA Technology & Bioinformatics | Cloning, PCR, Vectors, Sequencing, Gene Editing, Bioinformatics Tools |
Ques. What topics are included in the Bioprocess Engineering topic?
Ans. The topics included in the Bioprocess Engineering in the GATE BT Syllabus for 2026 are listed below:
- Bioreactors
- Growth Kinetics
- Sterilisation
- Downstream Processing
Ques. Which IIT is organising the GATE BT exam for 2026?
Ans. Every year, a different IIT organises the GATE exam. The IITs who have organised the GATE exam for the last 5 years are listed below:
| Year | Conducting Institute |
|---|---|
| GATE 2026 | IIT Guwahati |
| GATE 2025 | IISc Bangalore |
| GATE 2024 | IIT Kanpur |
| GATE 2023 | IIT Kanpur |
| GATE 2022 | IIT Kharagpur |
| GATE 2021 | IIT Bombay |
What is the weightage of the GATE Biotechnology syllabus 2026?
We have shared the number of questions and marks allotted as per the previous year's questions.
You can check the video by Vedemy, which explains the GATE BT syllabus in detail, along with the preparation strategies.
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus Highlights
The GATE Biotechnology Syllabus contains multiple types of questions, like MCQ, MSQ, and NAT. Some other key features of the GATE syllabus for biotechnology are:
| Biotechnology Paper Code | BT |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Number of Questions | 65 |
| Types of Questions | MCQs, MSQs, and NAT |
| Number of Sections | General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate's Selected Subjects |
| Weightage by Section | Section I :General Aptitude – 15% of total marksSection II :Engineering Mathematics – 13% of total marksBiotechnology Subjects – 72% of total marks |
| Total Time Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
Also Read
- GATE 2025 Question Paper (Available)
- GATE Mock Test- Attempt free online Branch-wise
- GATE College Predictor
Ques. What type of questions will be asked in the GATE BT 2026?
Ans. The GATE BT 2026 exam will be held in the following way:
- Number of Questions: 65
- Type of Questions: MCQs, MSQs, and NATs
- Sections:
- I: General Aptitude: 15 marks
- II: Engineering Mathematics and Core BT Syllabus: 85 marks
Ques. What is the time duration of the GATE BT examination?
Ans. The GATE BT examination will be conducted in the following way. To excel in the examination, students must practice mock tests in the CBT mode within 3 hours.
- Time: 3 hours
- Mode of exam: Computer-based test(CBT)
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus Sections
GATE BT Syllabus 2026 includes various sections as listed below.
- Engineering Mathematics
- Genetics and Cellular Biology
- Recombinant DNA Technology and Other Tools in Biotechnology
- Fundamentals of Biological Engineering
- Plant, Animal, Microbial Biotechnology
- Bioprocess Engineering Process Biotechnology.
- General Biotechnology
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Section-wise
There are multiple sections in the GATE exam syllabus for biotechnology. The section-wise GATE biotechnology syllabus is mentioned below:
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Section I - Engineering Mathematics
The Engineering Mathematics section in the GATE Biotechnology syllabus evaluates your logical and problem-solving capacities in fine generalities applicable to biotechnology.
- Linear Algebra: You're expected to understand matrix operations and their applications in working engineering problems.
- Calculus: Covers multiple integrals and their operations in determining areas and volumes.
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Linear Algebra | Matrices and Determinants | Systems of Linear Equations | Eigen Values and Eigen Vectors |
| Calculus | Limits | Continuity and Differentiability | Partial Derivatives | Maxima and Minima | Sequences and Series | Test for Convergence |
| Differential Equations | Linear and Non-Linear First Order ODEs | Higher Order ODEs with constant coefficients | Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations | Laplace Transforms |
| Probability and Statistics | Mean, Median, Mode, and Standard Deviation | Random Variables | Poisson, Normal, and Binomial Distributions | Correlation and Regression Analysis |
| Numerical Methods | Solution of Linear and Non-Linear Algebraic Equations | Integration by Trapezoidal and Simpson’s Rule | Single-Step Method for Differential Equations |
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Section II - General Biology
The General Biology section in the GATE Biotechnology syllabus tests generalities of life, cell structure, genetics, elaboration, and physiology that form the base for advanced biotechnology.
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Covers biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
- Cell Biology: Focuses on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures, organelles, cell division( mitosis and meiosis), membrane structure and transport, and cell signaling mechanisms.
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry | Biomolecules - structure and function | Biological membranes - structure, membrane channels and pumps | Molecular motors | Action Potential and Transport Processes | Enzymes- Classification, Catalytic and Regulatory Strategies | Enzyme Kinetics - Michaelis-Menten Equation | Enzyme Inhibition-Competitive, Non-Competitive and Uncompetitive Inhibition |
| Microbiology | Bacterial Classification and Diversity | Microbiological Ecology - Microbes in Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial ecosystems | Viruses - Structure and Classification | Methods in Microbiology | Microbial Growth and Nutrition | Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance |
| Immunology | Innate and Adaptive Immunity | Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immunity | Primary and Secondary Lymphoid Organs | Polyclonal and Monoclonal Antibodies | Immunization and Vaccines |
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Section III - Genetics, Cellular, and Molecular Biology
The Genetics and Molecular Biology section of the GATE BT Syllabus emphasizes the complex coordination of heredity and molecular relationships, relevant to biotechnology. The most important topics are:
- Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Genetics: Includes Mendel crosses and Chromosome Mapping
- Molecular Biology: Includes the structure of genes along with non-coding microRNA
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Genetics and Evolutionary Biology | Mendelian Inheritance | Gene Interaction | Extra Chromosomal Inheritance | Genetic Disorders | Genetic Drift | Species and Speciation | Recombination and Chromosome Mapping |
| Cell Biology | Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell Structure | Cell Cycle and Cell Growth Control | Cell Signalling and Signal Transduction | Extra-Cellular Matrix |
| Molecular Biology | Molecular Structure of Genes and Chromosomes | Mutations and Mutagenesis | Non-Coding and Micro RNA | DNA Damage and Repair |
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Section IV - Fundamentals of Biological Engineering
Biological Engineering is an important section of the GATE BT Syllabus for 2026, involving most numericals. The most important chapters are:
- Engineering Principles Applied to Biological Systems: Degree of Reduction and Electron Balance
- Transport Processes: Knowledge of Fluid Dynamics and LMTD
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Engineering Principles Applied to Biological Systems | Material and Energy Balances for reactive and non-reactive systems | Recycle, Bypass, and Purge process | Degree of Reduction | Electron Balance and Theoretical Oxygen Demand |
| Classical Thermodynamics and Bioenergetics | Laws of Thermodynamics | Solution Thermodynamics | Phase Equilibria | Reaction Equilibria | Legend Binding | Oxidation and Reduction Reactions |
| Transport Processes | Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids | Fluid Flow - Laminar and Turbulent | Molecular Diffusion and Film Theory | Conductive and Convective Heat Transfer | LMTD | Heat Exchangers |
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Section V - Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology
Bioprocess Engineering is the most important part of the entire GATE BT Syllabus, accounting for the highest weightage among the sections. The important chapters are listed below:
- Bioreaction Engineering: Kinetics, Bioreactors, and Enzymology
- Upstream and Downstream Processing: Formulation, Chromatography, and Separation Techniques
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Bioreaction Engineering | Rate Law | Zero and First Order Kinetics | Ideal Reactors - Batch, Mixed Flow, and Plug Flow | Enzyme Immobilisation | Kinetics of Cell Growth | Batch | Fed-Batch and Continuous Processes | Microbial and Enzyme Reactors | Optimisation and Scale-Up |
| Upstream and Downstream Processing | Media Formulation and Optimisation | Sterilisation of Air and Media | Filtration - Membrane filtration | Cell Disruption | Extraction, Absorption, and Drying |
| Instrumentation and Process Control | Pressure | Temperature and Flow Measurement Devices | First order and Second order systems | Feedback and Feed Forward Control | Types of Controllers - Proportional, Derivative, and Integral Control, Tuning of Controllers |
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Section VI - Plant, Animal, and Microbial Biotechnology
Section 6, consisting of Plant, Animal, and Microbial Biotechnology, is another important part, where practical applications are discussed. The most important topics are discussed below:
- Plant Biotechnology: Transgenic Plants, Gene Transfer and Regeneration
- Animal Biotechnology: Cell culture, Strains, and Cloning
- Microbial Biotechnology: Industrial Applications
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Plants | Totipotency | Regeneration of Plants | Tissue Culture and Cell Suspension Culture System | Hairy Root Culture | Plant Products of Industrial Importance | Protoplast | Transgenic Plants - Direct and Indirect Methods of Gene Transfer Techniques | Selection Marker and Reporter Gene | Plastid Transformation |
| Animals | Culture media composition and growth conditions | Animal Cell and Tissue Preservation | Kinetics of Cell Growth | Hybridoma Technology | Stem cell technology | Animal Cloning |
| Microbes | Production of Biomass and Primary/Secondary Metabolites - Biofuels, Bioplastics, Industrial Enzymes | Clinical, Food, and Industrial Microbiology | Screening Strategies for new products |
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Section VII - Recombinant DNA Technology and Other Tools in Biotechnology
Recombinant DNA Technology is a new topic based on practical applications, and it helps you dive into the new world of biotechnology.
- rDNA Technology: Restriction Enzymes, Vectors, and Plasmids
- Tools: Includes Molecular, Analytical, and Computational Tools
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Recombinant DNA Technology | Restriction and Modification Enzymes | Ti Plasmid, Bacterial, and Yeast Artificial Chromosomes | Expression Vectors | Gene Isolation and Cloning | Transposons and Gene Targeting |
| Molecular Tools | Polymerase Chain Reaction | DNA/RNA labelling and sequencing | DNA fingerprinting | Site-directed mutagenesis | Biosensing and Biosensors |
| Analytical Tools | Principles of microscopy - light, electron, fluorescent, and confocal | Electrophoresis | Immunoblotting | Flow Cytometry | Whole genome and CHIP sequencing |
| Computational Tools | Bioinformatics resources and search tools | Sequence and Structure Databases | Genomics | Proteomics | Metabolomics | Gene Prediction | Metagenomics | Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology |
Also Read
Ques. What role does Bioinformatics play in the GATE BT 2026 syllabus?
Ans. Bioinformatics, also known as Computational Tools, is included in Section 7 of the GATE BT Syllabus. The topics include:
- Bioinformatics resources and search tools
- Sequence and Structure Databases
- Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics
- Gene Prediction
- Metagenomics
- Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology
Ques. What are the expected cutoff marks for the GATE BT 2026 Syllabus?
Ans. The expected cutoff marks for the GATE BT 2026 Syllabus are given below. This is predicted based on the cutoff of the previous year.
| Branch / Paper | General (GEN) | OBC-NCL / EWS | SC/ST / PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology (BT) | 30 | 27.5 | 19 |
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026: Section-wise Weightage
The GATE Biotechnology syllabus includes sections like General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and domain subjects. Weightage for each section of the GATE BT syllabus is different and includes 15 marks for GATE General Aptitude, 13 marks for Engineering Mathematics, and 72 marks for the GATE BT syllabus for domain subjects.
GATE BT Syllabus: General Aptitude Topic-Wise Weightage
GATE General Aptitude carries 15 marks in the GATE BT exam 2026. Aspirants can go through the table below to check the GATE Biotechnology topic-wise weightage for General Aptitude.
- Verbal Ability and Quantitative Aptitude have the most weightage of 4-5 marks, which are on the easy-moderate scale.
- Spatial Aptitude has the least weightage and is on the easiest level.
| Sub-Topic | Marks Distribution | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | 4–5 marks | 2–3 | Easy–Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 4–5 marks | 2–3 | Moderate |
| Analytical & Logical Aptitude | 3–4 marks | 2–3 | Moderate |
| Spatial Aptitude | 1–2 marks | 1 | Easy |
| Total | 15 marks | 10 Questions | Mixed |
GATE BT Syllabus: Engineering Mathematics Topic-Wise Weightage
Engineering Mathematics carries 13 marks in the GATE BT exam 2026. Topic-wise weightage of the GATE Biotechnology mathematics syllabus is discussed in the table below.
- Calculus has the highest weightage of 4-5 marks and is on the moderate-difficulty scale. Integration and Differentiation are important topics.
- Probability is on a moderate level, with 2-3 questions asked every year.
| Sub-Topic | Marks Distribution | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear Algebra | 2–3 marks | 1–2 | Moderate |
| Calculus | 4–5 marks | 2–3 | Moderate–Difficult |
| Differential Equations | 2–3 marks | 1–2 | Moderate |
| Probability & Statistics | 3–4 marks | 2–3 | Moderate |
| Numerical Methods | 2–3 marks | 1–2 | Easy–Moderate |
| Total | 13–15 marks | 10–13 Questions | Moderate |
GATE BT Syllabus: Domain Subjects- Topic-Wise Weightage
Topics from domain subjects carry a total of 72 marks combined.
You can check the topic-wise weightage of the GATE Biotechnology syllabus in the tables below.
(a) General Biology (Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology)
General Biology includes three sub-sections of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Cell Biology, whose weightages are discussed below:
- Biochemistry has the highest weightage of 8%, including Carbohydrates, Lipids to be a big chunk.
- Microbiology and Cell Biology weighs the rest involving topics of Diseases and Cell Division.
| Sub-Topic | Marks Distribution | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry | 8–10 marks | 4–5 | Moderate–Difficult |
| Microbiology | 5–7 marks | 2–3 | Moderate |
| Cell Biology | 5–6 marks | 2–3 | Easy–Moderate |
| Total | 18–20 marks | 8–11 Questions | Mixed |
(b) Genetics and Molecular Biology
Genetics and Molecular Biology accounts for 15% of the entire GATE BT syllabus. The most important topics are discussed below:
- Genetics, although it asks 1-2 questions, their a weightage of 3-4 marks, making it an important topic.
- Molecular Biology and rDNA Technology have often interlinked questions, with 3 questions from each chapter.
| Sub-Topic | Marks Distribution | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical Genetics | 3–4 marks | 1–2 | Easy–Moderate |
| Molecular Biology | 7–9 marks | 3–4 | Moderate–Difficult |
| Recombinant DNA Technology | 6–8 marks | 3–4 | Moderate |
| Total | 15–18 marks | 7–10 Questions | Moderate |
(c) Bioprocess Engineering & Process Biotechnology
Bioprocess and Process Engineering oversees the production part of Biotechnology, which is important even for placement questions.
- Numericals from Bioprocess Principles of 6-8 marks are asked from 2-3 questions, each year.
- Chromatography and Separation Techniques constitute about 5-7 % of the total GATE BT syllabus.
| Sub-Topic | Marks Distribution | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioprocess Principles | 6–8 marks | 2–3 | Moderate–Difficult |
| Fermentation Technology | 5–6 marks | 2–3 | Moderate |
| Downstream Processing | 5–7 marks | 2–3 | Moderate–Difficult |
| Total | 15–18 marks | 6–9 Questions | Moderate–Difficult |
(d) Plant, Animal & Microbial Biotechnology
The Plant, Animal, and Microbial Biotechnology, which is Section 6 of the GATE BT Syllabus, is also an important part. The crucial sections are discussed below, from this part:
- Plant and Animal Biotechnology each accounts for 3-4 marks of the entire paper, each year.
- Microbial Biotechnology, involving Industrial and Fermentation microbes, has 4-5% weightage, which is a memory-based chapter.
| Sub-Topic | Marks Distribution | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant Biotechnology | 3–4 marks | 1–2 | Moderate |
| Animal Biotechnology | 3–4 marks | 1–2 | Moderate |
| Microbial Biotechnology | 4–5 marks | 2–3 | Moderate–Difficult |
| Total | 10–12 marks | 4–6 Questions | Moderate |
Also Read
Ques. Which section of the GATE Biotechnology Syllabus has the most weightage?
Ans. The Bioprocess and Process Technology section of the GATE BT Syllabus accounts for the highest weightage, due to the following reasons:
- Numericals from 6-8 marks are asked from 2-3 questions, each year.
- This section will account for 15-18% of the total GATE BT Syllabus 2026.
Ques. From where can I take coaching for the GATE BT exam?
Ans. Although numerous institutes and coaching centres are available for the GATE BT exam, the strategy given below can help you excel in the exam:
- It is best to focus on online coaching for GATE to save both time and money.
- A good source of all the online coaching for GATE BT is referred here: GATE Online Coaching
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus Exam Pattern 2026
According to the GATE exam pattern for GATE Biotechnology released by IIT Guwahati on the official website, a total of 65 questions will be asked in the GATE BT paper.
- General Aptitude: 10 questions of 15 marks total
- Engineering Mathematics: 10 questions of 13 marks total
- Core BT Syllabus: 45 questions of 72 marks total
Question Types:
- MCQ: Multiple Choice Questions (1 or 2 marks)
- MSQ: Multiple Select Questions (1 or 2 marks)
- NAT: Numerical Answer Type (1 or 2 marks)
| Sections | Marks Weightage | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15% | 10 | 15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 13% | 10 | 13 |
| Biotechnology Subjects | 72% | 45 | 72 |
| Total | - | 65 | 100 |
Ques. What is the distribution throughout the sections?
Ans. The questions on the GATE BT exam paper span:
- 10 questions, 1–2 marks a piece, comprise general aptitude.
- 10 questions of 13 marks, comprise the Engineering Mathematics portion.
- Core BT Questions: Roughly 72 marks.
Ques. Which sort of questions are asked in GATE BT?
Ans. Included in the GATE BT 2026 exam are:
- MCQs: Four possibilities with one right answer.
- You input their response as a number; no options are offered; numerical answer type (NAT) questions.
GATE BT 2026 Marking Scheme
Responses of candidates for the GATE Biotechnology paper will be evaluated based on the GATE Biotechnology exam pattern as mentioned in the table below.
- General Aptitude: 15 marks (5 x 1 mark + 5 x 2 marks)
- Engineering Mathematics: 13 marks
- Subject Questions: 72 marks (25 x 1 mark + 30 x 2 marks)
- Negative Marking: Applicable for incorrect answers in MCQs (1/3 for 1-mark MCQ, 2/3 for 2-mark MCQ).
| SECTIONS | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS | TOTAL MARKS |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 10 | (5 x 1) + (5 x 2) | 15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 55 | (25 x 1) + (30 x 2) | 85 |
| Core Subject (Biotechnology) |
Ques. How does the GATE BT marking scheme operate?
Ans. The scoring system in the GATE BT syllabus is as follows:
- Questions earn 1-2 marks.
- For mistakenly answered MCQs, negative marking is appropriate.
- 1 Mark Wrong Answer: 1/3 marks Deducted
- 2 Mark Wrong Answer: 2/3 marks Deducted
Ques. Will GATE BT 2026 include negative marking?
Ans. Yes, only MCQs in the GATE BT paper are subject to negative marking. The negative marking scheme is as follows:
- One-mark MCQs have 0.33 marks taken off for an incorrect answer.
- For 2-mark MCQs, an incorrect response costs 0.66 points.
- MSQs and NAT queries have no negative marking.
Tips to Crack the GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026
While preparing for the GATE Biotechnology exam, you definitely need a strategic approach to ace the GATE BT 2025.
Here is a 3-month strategy from the top rankers that can help you succeed:
| Month | Priority Subjects | What To Do in That Month |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 — Concept Building |
|
|
| Month 2 — Application & Coverage |
|
|
| Month 3 — Testing & Refinement |
|
|
GATE BT Syllabus: Previous Year Question Papers
We have provided the question papers for GATE biotechnology for the last 6 years.
You can refer to these questions to understand the biotech GATE syllabus more deeply and practice new questions.
| Session | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Check Here |
| 2024 | Check Here |
| 2023 | Check Here |
| 2022 | Check Here |
| 2021 | Check Here |
| 2020 | Check Here |
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus: Books to Refer
GATE General Aptitude Books
| Book Name | Author |
|---|---|
| Wiley Acing the GATE: Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude | by Anil Kumar Main |
| GATE 2021 Guide: General Aptitude | GKP |
| Aptitude & Reasoning for GATE 2021 and ESE 2021 (Prelims) Theory, Practice Questions, and Previous Year Solved Papers | Hemant Jain |
| GATE GENERAL APTITUDE & ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS | Trishna |
GATE Books for Engineering Mathematics
| Book Name | Author |
|---|---|
| GATE Engineering Mathematics for All Streams | Abhinav Goel and Suraj Singh |
| Wiley Acing the GATE: Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude | by Anil Kumar Main |
| MADE EASY Engineering Mathematics | MADE EASY Editorial Board |
| A Handbook of Engineering Mathematics | ME Editorial Board |
| Engineering Mathematics for GATE 2021 and ESE 2021 (Prelims)Theory and Previous Year Solved Papers | MADE EASY Editorial Board |
| GATE General Aptitude & Engineering Mathematics | Trishna |
GATE BT Reference Books
Some of the most important books that will help you prepare for GATE, along with their publishers, are:
| Books | Publishers/ Authors |
|---|---|
| Molecular Cell Biology | Iodish and Baltimore |
| Immunology | Kuby |
| Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis | T.A. Brown |
| Bioprocess Engineering Principles | P.Doran |
| Plant Biotech | Slater |
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026 FAQS
Ques. What is the pattern of GATE Biotechnology?
Ans. The GATE Biotechnology Exam Pattern includes the structure of the exam by including the number of questions, marking scheme & weightage.
| Section | Marks | Question Types |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15 | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Engineering Mathematics | 13 | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Core Biotechnology | 72 | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Total | 100 marks | 65 Questions, 3 Hours |
Ques. How does one begin GATE preparation for Biotechnology?
Ans. You should follow a good strategy by concentrating on high-weightage subjects and PYQs to get ready for GATE BT 2026.
Steps to follow if the candidate wants to prepare for GATE Biotechnology 2026:
- Get the official GATE Biotechnology Syllabus.
- Prepare all of the high-weightage subjects thoroughly.
- Set up a suitable learning, practising, and revision schedule.
- Complete the PYQs and try practice tests.
Ques. How many chapters are there in the GATE BT Syllabus 2026?
Ans. The GATE BT Syllabus includes seven different sections, such as:
- Engineering Mathematics
- Genetics and Cellular Biology
- Recombinant DNA Technology and Other Tools in Biotechnology
- Fundamentals of Biological Engineering
- Plant, Animal, Microbial Biotechnology
- Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology
- General Biotechnology
Ques. What is the challenge level of GATE Biotechnology 2026?
Ans. The GATE Biotechnology Exam difficulty level is expected to be of a moderate to difficult level, which changes every year.
- Expected to be of a medium to hard level, the GATE Biotechnology Exam difficulty level varies yearly.
- Questions on the GATE Exam will probably be a conceptual and numerical mixture.
- With a weight of roughly 72%, the core biotechnology component bears great importance.
- For mark earning, the Maths and GA section is a relatively easier option.
Ques. What are the qualifying marks for the GATE Biotechnology Exam?
Ans. The GATE Qualifying marks are the minimum cut-off marks for passing the exam; these are announced after the results are declared.
| Year | General | OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 31.6 | 28.4 | 21.0 |
| 2024 | 34.0 | 30.6 | 22.6 |
| 2025 | 29 | 24.5 | 19.7 |
| 2026 (Expected) | 32–35 | 29–32 | 21–23 |
Ques. What are the benefits of GATE Biotechnology?
Ans. The GATE BT Exam gives you various opportunities related to higher studies, research, and PSU Jobs, including:
- Admission to M.Tech/M.Sc./PhD in IITs, IISc, NITs, and IIITs
- Eligibility for PSU recruitment in biotech & related industries
- Fellowships like CSIR, ICMR, and DST programs
- Boosts career in R&D, academia, and the biopharma sector
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
Comments