GATE 2026 XL Syllabus: IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 XL syllabus on the official website. The syllabus of GATE XL 2026 has been updated in this article. A direct GATE XL syllabus 2026 PDF download link is given here.. Candidates who are preparing to apply for the GATE 2026 exam must check out the syllabus for their study plans. The GATE syllabus remains consistent. Candidates should refer to the syllabus of GATE XL to prepare for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. The GATE 2026 is scheduled on February 7 for the Life Sciences paper.
Download GATE 2026 XL Syllabus PDF
The zonal coordinating Institute for GATE 2026 is IISc Bengaluru (Email: helpdesk.gate@iisc.ac.in, Phone: 080-22932644 / 080-22932392 / 080-22933333). The tentative list of examination cities includes Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Ananthapuramu and Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh; multiple centres in Karnataka such as Bengaluru North & South, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi/Dharwad, Belagavi, Tumakuru, and others; Kerala cities including Thrissur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Angamaly, and Wayanad; and Telangana centres like Hyderabad, Nalgonda, and Narsapur/Medak.
Candidates can download the GATE XL Syllabus PDF for free on this page. As per the GATE XL syllabus, it is inclusive of multiple sections, including Biochemistry, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, etc. For more detailed information on the GATE syllabus, candidates can read the article below:
The GATE syllabus is important for students planning to appear for the exam. The syllabus helps students to outline the exact topics and subjects that will be covered in the exam. Also, it helps candidates avoid studying irrelevant content, so they can focus and study efficiently. Candidates can access the relevant topics via the GATE 2026 life science syllabus PDF. Further, candidates are also advised to check the GATE exam pattern along with the syllabus, while preparing for the exam.
The syllabus of GATE Life Sciences comprises various topics as mentioned:
XL - U Food Technology
XL - P Chemistry
XL - Q Biochemistry
XL - R Botany
XL - S Microbiology
XL - T Zoology
Find below a brief description of each syllabus topic.
Chemistry in a course is the scientific study of matter, its properties, and how it interacts. The GATE Life Science Syllabus 2026 for Chemistry will include a total of 9 chapters, covering various topics, including Planck’s quantum theory, Rate constant, Kirchhoff's equation, Conductance, and more. Find below a few lists of chapters covered, along with the respective topics.
Section 1: Atomic Structure and Periodicity
Planck’s quantum theory
Hund’s rule and Pauli’s exclusion principle
Periodic table and periodic properties
Section 2: Structure and Bonding
Ionic and covalent bonding
VSEPR theory and the shape of molecules
HSAB principle
Section 3: s, p and d Block Elements
Halides and Hydrides of alkali
General characteristics of 3d elements
Section 4: Chemical Equilibria
Osmotic pressure
Equilibrium constants (Kc, Kp, and KX) for homogeneous reactions
Section 5: Section 5: Electrochemistry
Conductance
Kohlrausch law
Cell potentials
The GATE Life Science Syllabus 2026 includes Biochemistry as an important syllabus. There are total of six chapters covering some of the important topics in the field of Biochemistry. Some of the topics are as follows.
Section 1:
Organisation of life
Structure and function of biomolecules.
Enzyme kinetics, regulation and inhibition
-Enzyme classification
-Generation and utilisation of ATP
Section 3:
Biochemical separation techniques
Spectroscopic techniques
Principles of microscopy
Section 4:
DNA replication, transcription and translation
Biochemical basis of gene expression
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression
Section 5:
Biochemical signals and second messengers
Hormones and neurotransmitters
Biochemical basis of disease
In the GATE Life Sciences Syllabus 2026, Botany includes topics related tothe in-depth scientific study of plant life and their structures, properties. Candidates can find below the chapters covered and their related topics under the Botany syllabus.
Section 1: Plant Systematics
Botanical nomenclature
History of plant taxonomy
Diversity and classification of plants
Section 2: Plant Anatomy
Anatomy of root and shoot apices
Floral organs
Primary and secondary meristems
Section 3: Plant Development and cell and tissue morphogenesis
Life cycle of an angiosperm
Endosperm and embryo development
Plant morphogenesis
Section 4: Plant physiology and biochemistry
Plant-water relations
Mineral nutrition – essential elements, major functions and deficiency symptoms
Plant hormones – biosynthesis, storage, breakdown and transport; physiological effects and mechanisms of action.
Section 5: Genetics and genomics
Mendelian principles
Concept of gene
Allele interactions.
Quantitative genetics and multiple factors
Microbiology in Science is the study of microorganisms. It is among the subjects that are covered in the GATE XL syllabus for 2026. The Microbiology includes multiple chapters with various topics. A few of the topics covered are as follows.
Discovery of the microbial world
Controversy over spontaneous generation
Role of microorganisms in the transformation of organic matter and in the causation of diseases.
Pure culture techniques
Principles of microbial nutrition
Microscopy
Section 3: Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity
Bacteria, Archaea and their broad classification
Eukaryotic microbes: Yeasts, moulds and protozoa
Viruses and their classification
Prokaryotic Cells: cell wall, cell membranes and their biosynthesis
Mechanism of solute transport
Secretion mechanisms
Section 5: Microbial Growth
Definition of growth
Continuous culture
Mathematical expression of exponential growth
Zoology in programme is the scientific study of animals, encompassing their biology, behaviour, and ecological roles. This is another important subject that is covered in the syllabus for GATE XL 2026. Find below a few of the important chapters, along with the topics covered under Zoology.
Section 1: Animal Diversity
Distribution
Systematics and classification of animals
phylogenetic relationships
Section 2: Evolution
Origin and history of life on Earth, theories of evolution
Natural selection
Adaptation, speciation
Section 3: Genetics
Basic Principles of Inheritance
Molecular basis of heredity
Sex determination and sex-linked characteristics,
Section 4: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Nucleic acids, proteins
Lipids and carbohydrates
Replication
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As per the GATE XL syllabus, candidates can find some of the most important topics related to the study of science. A few of the major topics covered are Chemistry, Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology, etc.
IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 syllabus.
On Question asked by student community
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