NTA GAT-B & BET 2026 Syllabus: Download Official PDF & Exam Pattern
The NTA GAT-B and BET 2026 exams are scheduled for 17 May 2026. Prepare strategically by reviewing the complete syllabus for Sections A and B, understanding the marking schemes, and downloading the official notification PDFs directly from the DBT website.
NTA GAT-B and BET Syllabus 2026: Overview
To help you streamline your study plan, we have summarized the key exam specifications below. Use this comparison table to quickly grasp the essential requirements for the GAT-B and BET 2026 assessments.
| 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
GAT-B and BET are divided into two distinct sections, each requiring a tailored approach. Familiarizing yourself with the marking scheme is critical for success, as incorrect answers carry negative marks. Review the exam pattern below to optimize your performance.
| 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 structure is designed to evaluate both core knowledge and specialized biotechnology expertise. Understanding the section-wise breakdown allows you to allocate your time effectively. Detailed exam patterns can be found in the sections below.
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
Relying on the official syllabus PDF is the best way to ensure comprehensive coverage of all testable topics. Avoid missing critical syllabus updates by downloading the latest official documentation via the links provided 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 foundational knowledge. For GAT-B, this covers 10+2 level core science subjects, while BET Section A focuses on general aptitude and core biotechnology concepts. All questions in Section A are mandatory for candidates in both examinations.
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 focuses on advanced biotechnology. GAT-B Section B tests graduate-level life sciences, while BET offers a choice among ten specialized biotechnology branches. Candidates are required to answer 60 questions for GAT-B and 50 for BET in this section.
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 paper carries a total of 300 marks, with each question valued at 3 marks. Candidates must strategically select and answer 100 questions out of the 200 provided.
Both examinations implement negative marking to ensure accuracy. For GAT-B Section A, 0.5 marks are deducted for incorrect responses, whereas GAT-B Section B and all of BET follow a 1-mark deduction penalty for every wrong answer.
The official GAT-B syllabus can be retrieved from the NTA or DBT portals, while the BET syllabus PDF is exclusively provided on the official DBT website for accuracy.
GAT-B Section A is comprised of 60 compulsory questions spanning Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology at the 10+2 level, each worth 1 mark.
GAT-B covers 10+2 core sciences in Section A and advanced topics like Immunology and Bioinformatics in Section B. BET focuses on General Aptitude and basic concepts in Section A, with specialized technical streams—such as Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology—forming Section B.