NTA GAT-B & BET Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern, Subject-Wise Topics & PDF Download
The NTA GAT-B and BET 2026 examinations are scheduled for 17 May 2026. Explore the comprehensive syllabus for Section A and Section B, understand the marking scheme, and download the official exam guidelines from the DBT website to streamline your preparation strategy.
NTA GAT-B and BET Syllabus 2026: Overview
Refer to the summary table below for a quick overview of the GAT-B and BET 2026 exams. This comparison highlights key structural differences and essential details required for your 2026 syllabus review.
| Syllabus 2026: Overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aspect | GAT-B 2026 | BET 2026 |
| Full Name | Graduate Aptitude Test- Biotechnology | Biotechnology Eligibility Test |
| Conducted By | NTA / DBT | Department of Biotechnology (DBT) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Date | 17 May 2026 | 17 May 2026 |
| Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Exam Time | 09:00 AM-12:00 PM | 03:00 PM-06:00PM |
| Purpose | Admission to DBT PG Programme | Research Fellowships in Biotechnology |
NTA GAT-B and BET Exam Pattern 2026
Both GAT-B and BET consist of two distinct sections covering specialized biotechnology domains. Familiarizing yourself with the marking scheme is critical for success, as negative marking applies to incorrect responses. Review the exam pattern table below for complete clarity.
| Exam Pattern 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aspect | GAT-B 2026 | BET 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Medium | English | English |
| Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) | Not Specified |
| Total Sections | 2 (Section A and Section B) | 2 (Section A and Section B) |
| Total Questions | 160 (60 in Section A + 100 in Section B) | 200 (50 in Section A + 150 in Section B) |
| Questions to Attempt | 120 (60 from Section A + 60 from Section B) | 100 (50 from Section A + 50 from Section B) |
| Type of Questions | MCQs | MCQs |
| Marks per Question | Section A: 1 mark | Section A: 3 marks |
| Section B: 3 marks | Section B: 3 marks | |
| Negative Marking | Section A: 0.5 marks per wrong answer | 1 mark per wrong answer |
| Section B: 1 mark per wrong answer | (Both Sections) | |
| Unattempted Questions | No Penalty | No Penalty |
| Total Marks | 240 (60 from Section A + 180 from Section B) | 300 (150 from Section A + 150 from Section B) |
NTA GAT-B and BET Section-wise Exam Pattern
The NTA GAT-B and BET exam format is split into two sections, each with unique criteria and weightage. Strategic planning based on this section-wise structure is essential for maximizing your attempts. Detailed breakdowns are provided in the following tables.
GAT-B 2026 Section-wise Exam Pattern
| GAT-B 2026 Section-wise Exam Pattern | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt | Level | Marks per Question | Negative Marking | Total Marks |
| Section A | 60 | 60 (All compulsory) | 10+2 level (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology) | 1 mark | 0.5 marks per wrong answer | 60 |
| Section B | 100 | 60 (out of 100) | Graduate level (Life Sciences, Biotechnology) | 3 marks | 1 mark per wrong answer | 180 |
BET 2026 Section-wise Exam Pattern
| BET 2026 Section-wise Exam Pattern | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt | Subjects Covered | Marks per Question | Negative Marking | Total Marks |
| Section A | 50 | 50 (All compulsory) | General Science, Maths, Chemistry, Aptitude, General Biotechnology | 3 marks | 1 mark per wrong answer | 150 |
| Section B | 150 | 50 (out of 150) | Specialized Branches of Biotechnology | 3 marks | 1 mark per wrong answer | 150 |
Download Link for NTA GAT-B and BET Syllabus 2026 PDF
Utilizing the official syllabus PDF ensures your study plan is aligned with the latest curriculum. Avoid common pitfalls by relying only on verified resources. Find the direct download links for the GAT-B and BET 2026 official syllabi below.
| NTA GAT-B and BET Syllabus 2026 | |
| GAT B Syllabus 2026 | Download GAT-B 2026 Syllabus PDF |
| BET 2026 Syllabus | Download BET 2026 Syllabus PDF |
NTA GAT-B and BET Syllabus for Section A
Section A evaluates fundamental knowledge essential for all candidates. In GAT-B, this section focuses on 10+2 level core sciences, whereas BET Section A assesses general aptitude and foundational biotechnology principles. All questions in this section are mandatory.
GAT-B 2026 Section A Syllabus
| GAT-B 2026 Section A Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| Subject | Key Topics |
| Physics | Units and Measurements, Motion, Work and Energy, Gravitation, Thermodynamics, Waves, Optics |
| Chemistry | Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Organic Chemistry Basics |
| Mathematics | Sets and Functions, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Calculus, Probability |
| Biology | Diversity in Living Organisms, Cell Structure, Genetics and Evolution, Human Physiology, Plant Physiology, Ecology |
BET 2026 Section A Syllabus
| BET 2026 Section A Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| Subject | Key Topics |
| Aptitude | Comprehension, Non-verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Ability |
| General Biotechnology | Biomolecular Structure and Function, Methods in Biotechnology, Cell Organization, Cellular Processes, Recombinant DNA Technology, Genetics and Evolution, Genomics and Proteomics, IPR and Bioethics |
NTA GAT-B and BET Syllabus for Section B
Section B examines advanced concepts in biotechnology. GAT-B Section B targets graduate-level life sciences, while BET offers ten specialized branches for selection. Candidates must complete 60 questions for GAT-B and 50 for BET.
GAT-B 2026 Section B Syllabus:
| Syllabus for Section B | |
|---|---|
| Topic | Key Subtopics |
| Biomolecules | Structure and function of biomolecules, membranes, transport processes |
| Enzymes | Classification, kinetics, mechanism of action |
| Metabolism | Carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleic acids, photosynthesis, respiration |
| Microbiology | Virus structure, microbial diversity, growth, nitrogen fixation, diseases |
| Cell Biology | Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell cycle, signaling, signal transduction |
| Genetics | Gene structure, mutations, replication, transcription, translation, genetic diseases |
| Molecular Techniques | Microscopy, centrifugation, chromatography, electrophoresis, microarray |
| Immunology | Innate and adaptive immunity, antigen-antibody reactions, MHC, autoimmunity |
| Bioinformatics | Sequence databases, alignment, phylogeny, data mining, molecular dynamics |
| Recombinant DNA Technology | Restriction enzymes, vectors, gene cloning, PCR, gene therapy |
| Plant Biotechnology | Tissue culture, transgenic plants, germplasm conservation |
| Animal Biotechnology | Animal cell culture, hybridoma technology, stem cells, transgenic animals |
| Bioprocess Engineering | Bioreactor design, sterilization, batch and continuous processes |
| Industrial Biotechnology | Biofuels, bioplastics, industrial enzymes, antibiotics, bioremediation |
BET 2026 Section B Specialized Branches
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Animal Biotechnology
- M.Tech Biotechnology
- Biochemical Engineering and Industrial Biotechnology
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Marine Biotechnology
- Medical Biotechnology
- Molecular and Human Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
NTA GAT-B and BET Syllabus 2026: FAQs
The BET 2026 exam carries a total of 300 marks. Each correct response is awarded 3 marks. Candidates are required to attempt 100 questions out of the 200 provided.
Both examinations feature negative marking. In GAT-B Section A, 0.5 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer. For GAT-B Section B and all BET sections, a penalty of 1 mark applies per incorrect response.
You can access the official GAT-B syllabus via the NTA or DBT portals, while the BET syllabus PDF is exclusively available on the official DBT website.
GAT-B Section A features 60 compulsory, 1-mark questions covering 10+2 level Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.
GAT-B Section A covers standard 10+2 science subjects, with Section B focusing on graduate topics like Biomolecules, Immunology, and Recombinant DNA Technology. BET Section A emphasizes General Aptitude, while BET Section B offers diverse specializations including Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.