NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
GAT-B Exam Guide
Graduate Aptitude Test — Biotechnology
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
2026–27 admission
Current stage
Institution admissions
Conducting bodies
DBT-RCB and NTA
Test duration
3 hours
Maximum marks
240
Score use
Participating programmes
2026 cycle tracker
- Application19 Mar–9 Apr
- Examination17 May
- Answer-key challenge23–24 May
- Result10 Jun
- Institution admissionsIn progressYou are here
On This Page
Exam Resources
About GAT-B
What is GAT-B?
The Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology is used by DBT-supported postgraduate programmes at participating institutions; it is not a single central allotment that guarantees a seat.
The 2026 CBT was held on 17 May and NTA declared the result on 10 June. Qualified candidates must apply or complete counselling separately under each participating institution's published procedure.
The GAT-B score is tied to the 2026–27 admission cycle. Programme-specific degree subjects, marks, reservations and document rules remain controlling.
Latest GAT-B Updates
Verified updates, newest first
GAT-B Highlights
Key verified exam details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology |
| Sections | A and B |
| Questions attempted | 120 |
| Maximum marks | 240 |
| Medium | English |
| Admission route | Separate participating institutions |
GAT-B 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 |
GAT-B Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
The GAT-B examination form is closed. Qualified candidates now follow the application, counselling and document schedule of each participating programme.
Candidates should use the RCB participating-programme list to check the precise qualifying degree and minimum marks before applying to an institution.
A scorecard alone is not an admission offer; institutional application and reservation rules remain separate.
| Category | GAT-B 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.
GAT-B Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
Nationality
Indian national
- The official GAT-B eligibility is for bona fide Indian nationals.
Qualifying degree
Programme-specific
- Participating MSc, MTech and allied programmes specify their own bachelor's disciplines.
Minimum marks
Institution-specific
- Use the RCB programme table and institution prospectus; there is no safe universal percentage for all programmes.
Final year
Provisional route available
- The final qualifying result and documents must meet the institution's admission deadline.
GAT-B 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 test.
GAT-B Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- GAT-BNational CBT and score
- Programme applicationSeparate institution process
- AdmissionInstitution merit and verification
GAT-B 2026 Paper Pattern
| Section | Questions / attempt | Marking | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 60 / all compulsory | +1, −0.5 | 60 |
| B | 100 / attempt 60 | +3, −1 | 180 |
- Candidates answer 120 questions for a maximum of 240 marks.
GAT-B Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
- Section A covers 10+2-level physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology.
- Section B covers graduate-level biotechnology and allied life sciences.
Physics and mathematics
Section A quantitative and physical-science foundations.
Chemistry and biology
Section A school-level chemistry and biological principles.
Molecular biotechnology
Genetics, molecular biology, recombinant DNA and analytical methods.
Applied biosciences
Bioprocess, microbiology, immunology, plant/animal biotechnology and bioinformatics.
GAT-B Answer Key
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The provisional-answer-key challenge closed on 24 May 2026.
NTA processed challenges before the result.
GAT-B Result
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The GAT-B 2026 result was declared on 10 June 2026.
The score is used for the 2026–27 participating-programme admission process.
GAT-B Cut-off and Admission Merit
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: Use the official score and each institution's published admission merit; there is no single seat cut-off for every programme.
Programme choice, category, seats and institution rules change the admission threshold.
GAT-B Preparation Strategy
A syllabus-first preparation route
- Treat Section A as a compulsory four-subject block.
- Map Section B to the detailed RCB syllabus and degree-level concepts.
- Practise selecting the best 60 Section B questions under negative marking.
- Shortlist eligible institutions before the score is released so admission deadlines are not missed.
Official-first preparation material
- RCB GAT-B syllabus and bulletin
- Official admission guidelines
- Standard undergraduate biotechnology and PCMB texts
GAT-B Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
Use RCB and NTA official resources for the current pattern and answer-key process.
An archived paper is preparation evidence, not a promise that every topic weight will repeat.
GAT-B Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GAT-B 2026 result out?
Yes. NTA declared it on 10 June 2026.
Does a GAT-B score guarantee admission?
No. Candidates must separately meet and complete participating-institution admission requirements.
How many questions are attempted?
All 60 Section A questions and 60 of 100 Section B questions.
Is there negative marking?
Yes: minus 0.5 in Section A and minus 1 in Section B for a wrong answer under the 2026 scheme.
Can a final-year student apply?
Yes provisionally, subject to the qualifying result and institution document deadline.
How long is the score used?
The 2026 score is for the 2026–27 DBT-supported programme admission cycle, not an indefinite qualification.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related Biotechnology Admission Exams
Compare official 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.