NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
DBT BET Exam Guide
DBT Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET-JRF)
2026 examination cycle · RCB / NTA for DBT
Written and source-checked by NeelGyan Team · Last verified 2 August 2026
Checked against the official sources linked below
Current cycle
2026
Current stage
Result published
Conducting bodies
DBT-RCB and NTA
Test duration
3 hours
Maximum marks
300
Outcome
Category I or II
2026 cycle tracker
- Application19 Mar–9 Apr
- Examination17 May
- Answer-key challenge23–24 May
- Result10 Jun
- Fellowship / project actionFollow official instructionsYou are here
On This Page
Exam Resources
About DBT-BET / BET
What is DBT-BET / BET?
The Biotechnology Eligibility Test is the national qualifying examination used for DBT-Junior Research Fellowship Category I and Category II outcomes in biotechnology and allied life sciences.
The 2026 CBT was held on 17 May. NTA published the result on 10 June after the answer-key challenge stage, so this page treats qualification and document action as the current stage rather than advertising a closed form.
Category I and Category II do not carry identical benefits. Candidates must read the RCB result and fellowship guidance before describing either outcome as an automatic DBT fellowship.
Latest DBT BET Updates
Verified updates, newest first
DBT BET Highlights
Key verified exam details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Biotechnology Eligibility Test |
| Paper | Parts A and B |
| Questions attempted | 100 |
| Maximum marks | 300 |
| Medium | English |
| Result categories | Category I and Category II |
DBT BET 2026 Important Dates
Official notification and exam timeline
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application opened | Completed | |
| Application deadline | Closed | |
| Correction window opened | Completed | |
| Correction window closed | Closed | |
| Examination | Completed | |
| Result | Published |
DBT BET Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
The 2026 form is closed. A future application must be submitted only through the portal linked by RCB or NTA after a new bulletin is issued.
Applicants choose BET, upload the required academic and category documents, select examination-city preferences and pay online.
Final-year candidates should preserve proof of the qualifying examination and meet the result/document deadline stated by the official scheme.
| Category | BET only |
|---|---|
| General / OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹1,300 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹650 |
- Candidates applying for both GAT-B and BET paid ₹2,600 or ₹1,300 respectively.
DBT BET Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
Four-year UG research
75% aggregate
- A four-year bachelor's degree with research in a relevant field is an eligible route, with the bulletin's five-point relaxation for specified categories.
BE / BTech route
60% / 55%
- The relaxed threshold applies to SC, ST and PwD candidates under the bulletin.
Postgraduate route
60% / 55%
- A relevant MSc, MTech, MVSc or equivalent notified qualification may be used.
Age for Category I
28 years; relaxations apply
- The bulletin provides three-year OBC-NCL and five-year SC/ST/PwD/women relaxations; check the cycle cut-off date.
DBT BET Admit Card
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The 2026 examination and admit-card stage are complete.
The admit card was issued online for the 17 May CBT.
DBT BET Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- BETParts A and B CBT
- ResultCategory I or Category II merit
- ActivationFellowship or eligible project/PhD route
BET 2026 Paper Pattern
| Part | Questions / attempt | Marking | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 50 / all compulsory | +3, −1 | 150 |
| B | 150 / attempt 50 | +3, −1 | 150 |
- Candidates answer 100 questions for a maximum of 300 marks.
DBT BET Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
- Part A tests general science, mathematics, chemistry, physics and broad life-science foundations.
- Part B tests advanced biotechnology and allied biological sciences at the qualifying-degree level.
General aptitude and science
Numerical reasoning and broad school-to-undergraduate science foundations.
Cell and molecular biology
Cells, biomolecules, genetics, gene expression and molecular techniques.
Biotechnology
Recombinant DNA, bioprocesses, immunotechnology and applications.
Biological systems
Microbiology, plant and animal biology, ecology, evolution and bioinformatics.
DBT BET Answer Key
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The provisional challenge stage closed on 24 May 2026.
NTA used challenged responses before declaring the result.
DBT BET Result
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The BET 2026 result was declared on 10 June 2026.
Candidates should read the category shown and follow RCB's activation or eligibility instructions.
DBT BET Cut-off
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The result process is complete; use the official category result rather than an estimated coaching cut-off.
The qualifying outcome depends on official category and merit criteria.
DBT BET Preparation Strategy
A syllabus-first preparation route
- Map the RCB syllabus to Part A and Part B separately.
- Practise the compulsory Part A before optimising the 50-question choice in Part B.
- Use negative-marking simulations and stop guessing blindly.
- Review the final official key after each mock to identify recurring conceptual errors.
Official-first preparation material
- RCB BET syllabus and bulletin
- Official question papers where published
- Standard degree-level biotechnology and life-science texts
DBT BET Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
Use RCB's official examination resources and result archive before relying on coaching reproductions.
Archived papers remain useful for format; the current bulletin controls eligibility and scoring.
DBT BET Frequently Asked Questions
Is DBT BET 2026 result out?
Yes. NTA issued the official result notice on 10 June 2026.
What is the difference between BET Category I and II?
Category I follows the DBT-JRF fellowship route. Category II may support notified project or PhD eligibility but is not an automatic DBT fellowship.
How many questions are attempted?
All 50 Part A questions and 50 of 150 Part B questions, for 100 attempted questions.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. Each wrong response attracts one negative mark in the 2026 scheme.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes, provisionally, subject to the bulletin's qualifying-result and document conditions.
Does qualifying guarantee fellowship payment?
No. Category, document verification, host/PhD requirements and fellowship activation rules still apply.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related Biotechnology and Research Exams
Compare official fellowship and postgraduate biotechnology routes
Verify Before You Apply
Eligibility, dates, fees, vacancies, pattern and status can change. Read the latest notice on the official authority’s website before applying. NeelGyan does not collect application fees or guarantee admission or selection.