GATE Botany Syllabus 2026 PDF Free Download

GATE Botany Syllabus 2026 PDF Free Download

Edited By Samridhi Mishra | Updated on Apr 11, 2025 11:36 AM IST | #GATE

GATE Botany Syllabus 2026 - IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 Botany syllabus on the official website. Candidates can check the detailed GATE syllabus for botany on this page. The syllabus is a list of topics that must be prepared for the exam. GATE exam aspirants appearing for the Botany test must check the syllabus thoroughly to prepare and score well. The Botany syllabus for GATE 2026 includes topics across nine units, including Plant Systematic, Plant Anatomy, Plant Development; Cell and Tissue Morphogenesis, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Genetics and Genomics, Ecology and Environment, etc. With the help of the GATE syllabus, candidates can plan their preparation effectively. The GATE 2026 exam will be held in February in online mode.
Direct link to download the previous year's GATE Botany syllabus PDF

GATE Botany Syllabus 2026 PDF Free Download
GATE Botany Syllabus 2026 PDF Free Download

Along with the syllabus, candidates must check the GATE exam pattern 2026. The authority will prepare the GATE question paper as per the GATE Botany syllabus 2026. Candidates can check the detailed GATE Botany syllabus pdf from this page.

GATE Botany Syllabus 2026

IIT Guwahati will publish the GATE botany syllabus 2026 pdf download on the official website. There are 9 chapters in the GATE Botany syllabus. Candidates can check the detailed topic-wise GATE Botany syllabus from the table below.

GATE Botany Syllabus Chapter Wise

Chapters

Topics

Plant Systematics

Botanical nomenclature, history of plant taxonomy, diversity and classification of plants, APG system of plant classification; phylogenetics and cladistics, molecular taxonomy and DNA barcoding; Centers for plant taxonomy and herbaria in India.

Plant Anatomy

Anatomy of root, stem and leaves, floral organs, embryo and young seedlings, Primary and secondary meristems, stellar organization, vascular system and their ontogeny, xylem and phloem structure, secondary growth in plants and wood anatomy, plant cell structure and differences from animal cells.

Plant Development; Cell and Tissue Morphogenesis

Life cycle of an angiosperm, development of male and female gametophyte; cell fate determination and tissue patterning; spacing mechanisms in trichomes and stomata. Embryogenesis, organization and function of shoot and root apical meristems. Transition to flowering: photoperiodism and vernalization, ABC model of floral organ patterning, pollen germination, double fertilization, seed development; Xylem and phloem cell differentiation, photomorphogenesis; phytochrome, cryptochrome, phototropin. Role of auxin, cytokinin, gibberellins, and brassinosteroids on plant development.

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Plant water relations, mechanisms of uptake and transport of water, ions, solutes from soil to plants, apoplastic and symplastic transport mechanisms. Mechanism of stomatal movements, nitrogen metabolism, photosynthesis; C3, C4 and CAM cycles, photorespiration, respiration: glycolysis, TCA cycle and electron transport chain. Plant responses and mechanisms of abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, freezing and heat stress, metal toxicity; role of abscisic acid in abiotic stresses. Structure and function of biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acid), enzyme kinetics. Structure and biosynthesis of major plant secondary metabolites (alkaloids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids). Biosynthesis, mechanism of action and physiological effects of auxin, cytokinin, gibberellic acids, brassinosteroid, ethylene, strigolactone, abscisic acid, salicylic and jasmonic acid. Senescence and programmed cell death.

Genetics and Genomics

Cell cycle, cell division, Principles of Mendelian inheritance, linkage, recombination, genetic mapping; extra chromosomal inheritance; Introduction to epigenetics; gene silencing- transgene silencing, post transcriptional gene silencing, miRNA and siRNA; evolution and organization of eukaryotic genome structure, gene expression, gene mutation and repair, chromosomal aberrations (numerical: euploidy and aneuploidy and structural: deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation), transposons. Model organisms for functional genetics and genomics; Introduction to transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics.

Plant Breeding, Genetic Modification, Genome Editing

Principles, methods – selection, hybridization, heterosis; male sterility, genetic maps and molecular markers, embryo rescue, haploid and doubled haploids, plant tissue culture: micropropagation, embryo culture and in vitro regeneration, somatic embryogenesis, artificial seed, cryopreservation, somaclonal variation, somatic cell hybridization, marker-assisted selection, gene transfer methods viz. direct and vector-mediated, generation of transgenic plants; Introduction to genome editing: CRISPR/Cas9, Cre-Lox system to generate chimeras; plastid transformation; chemical mutagenesis.

Economic and Applied Botany

A general account of economically and medicinally important plants- cereals, pulses, plants yielding fibers, timber, sugar, beverages, oils, rubber, pigments, dyes, gums, drugs and narcotics. Economic importance of algae, fungi, lichen and bacteria. Major Indian cash crops. Effect of industrialization on agricultural botany such as plastic on fiber economy. Genetically modified crops and its regulation, e.g. Bt cotton, Bt brinjal, golden rice etc.

Plant Pathology

Nature and classification of plant diseases, diseases of important crops caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses, and their control measures (chemical and biological) mechanism(s) of pathogenesis, resistance: basal, systemic, induced systemic resistance, gene for gene concept. Molecular detection of pathogens; plant-microbe interactions: symbionts and mycorrhiza, pathogens and pests. Signaling pathways in plant defence response; salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in plant-pathogen and plant-herbivore interaction, necrosis; host-parasitic plant interaction (such as Cuscuta).

Ecology and Environment

Ecosystems – types, dynamics, degradation, biogeochemical cycles, ecological succession; food webs and energy flow through ecosystem; vegetation types of the world, Indian vegetation types and biogeographical zones, climate and flora endemism; pollution and global climate change, speciation and extinction, biodiversity and conservation strategies, ecological hotspots, afforestation, habitat restoration; plant interactions with other organisms; epiphytes, parasites and endophytes.

Related links:

GATE 2026 Botany Exam Pattern

Candidates appearing for the GATE Botany paper must check the exam pattern to familiarise themselves with the question paper format. The authority will soon release the GATE 2026 Botany exam pattern on the official website.

GATE Botany Exam Pattern

Particulars

Details

Examination Mode

Computer Based Test (Online)

Duration

3 Hours

Section

  • General Aptitude (GA)

  • Chemistry (XL-P)

  • Botany (XL-R)

  • Additional section opted for by the student

Type of Questions

  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  • Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

  • Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions

Total Marks

100 Marks

Marking Scheme

All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks

GATE Negative Marking

  • MCQs - 1 mark for each correct answer; 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.

  • MCQs - 2 marks for each correct answer; 2/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response.

  • No negative marking for MSQ & NAT.

  • No partial marking for MSQ type questions.

Related links:

GATE Preparation Tips 2026

Candidates preparing for the upcoming GATE 2026 exam can check the GATE preparation tips. The preparation tips will help candidates prepare for the exam strategically.

  • Understand the GATE 2026 exam pattern and syllabus before starting the preparation.

  • Create a study pattern and follow it rigorously.

  • Know the high-weightage topics of the GATE 2026 syllabus and pay special attention to them.

  • Pick the correct reference materials.

  • Know your strengths and work on weaker areas.

  • Attempt mock tests to know the paper pattern.

  • Practice as many GATE 2026 sample papers to better preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the GATE 2026 Botany syllabus released?

No. IIT Guwahati will release the GATE Botany syllabus 2026. 

2. When should I start preparing for GATE 2026?

Looking at the vastness of the GATE syllabus 2026, candidates must begin their GATE preparation as soon as possible.

3. What is the syllabus of botany for GATE?

The GATE Botany syllabus comprises 9 chapters including Plant systematics, Plant Anatomy, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Genetics and Genomics, Ecology and Environment and more.

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Questions related to GATE

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello,

Yes, as per the latest GATE eligibility criteria , students who have completed a 3-year BSc (Bachelor of Science) degree can now apply for the GATE exam. But admission options through GATE score for such students are limited.

  • IITs: Generally do not allow admission to MTech, but some may offer MSc-PhD or research programmes.

  • IISc: Allows BSc students for Integrated PhD in science subjects.

  • NITs/IIITs: Mostly need BE/BTech, so limited chances for BSc students.

  • Best options: Integrated PhD, MS by Research, or research roles.

Hope it helps !

For GATE preparation, reputed institutes include Made Easy, ACE Engineering Academy, and GATEForum. These institutes offer structured curriculum, experienced faculty, and comprehensive study materials to help students excel in the GATE exam.

The GATE 2026 syllabus covers topics from various engineering disciplines. For Computer Science, it includes subjects like Digital Logic, Discrete Mathematics, Algorithms, Operating Systems, Databases, Theory of Computation, and Software Engineering, among others. Each subject is further divided into core concepts and topics for in-depth preparation.

Yes, it is possible to get admission to a BE in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) in NIT Trichy without taking the GATE exam. GATE is specifically meant for postgraduate (M.Tech) admissions, not undergraduate (B.E.) admissions.

For a BE course, the procedure is as follows:

1. Eligibility:

You must have completed your 10+2 (or equivalent) with the required subjects (Physics, Mathematics, and an additional subject like Chemistry or Biology).
You should meet the required percentage cutoff as defined by NIT Trichy (usually around 75% for general category students).

2. Entrance Exam:

You must qualify JEE Main, which is the entrance test for undergraduate admissions to NITs, including NIT Trichy.

3. JoSAA Counseling:

Once you qualify for JEE Main, you must attend the JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) counseling.
You will choose NIT Trichy as your first choice for admission during counseling. The seat will be allotted according to your JEE Main rank.

4. Seat Allotment and Admission:

You will be given a seat at NIT Trichy according to your JEE Main rank if you are within the cutoff.
Once seat allotment is over, you are required to present yourself at NIT Trichy for verification of documents and payment of fee to secure your admission.

5. Verification Documents:

You'll be required to bring your original documents (10th and 12th mark sheets, JEE Main score card, identity proof, etc.) for verification purposes.

6. Fee Payment

Once the seat is finalized, you will be paying the entry fee, which is different according to your category (OBC, SC, ST, general).

In short, GATE is not necessary for admission in the BE program at NIT Trichy.

List MTech colleges without GATE

Congratulations on qualifying GATE! Here is a detailed professional answer to your query:

1. GATE Score and Category Advantage:

  • A GATE score of 334 in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) under the SC category gives you a decent advantage.

  • Cutoffs for SC candidates are usually much lower compared to the General category.

  • This score can open up opportunities in good institutes, but getting the topmost IIITs may still be slightly competitive for specialized branches like VLSI.

2. Admission Chances in Top IIITs for VLSI:

  • IIIT Hyderabad is one of the top IIITs for VLSI but generally requires a higher GATE score, even for SC candidates (around 400+).

  • Other IIITs like IIIT Bangalore, IIIT Delhi, IIIT Allahabad, and IIITDM Jabalpur may have lower cutoffs and offer decent chances for VLSI-related programs.

  • IIIT Bangalore considers both GATE scores and past academic performance, so you may still have a chance there with a strong profile.

3. Alternative Options to Consider:

  • NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal, NIT Warangal, and MNIT Jaipur offer excellent VLSI programs and may have cutoffs suitable for your score under SC reservation.

  • Central universities such as IIITDM Kancheepuram and other newer IIITs could also be good backup options.

4. Important Suggestions:

  • Apply to a wide range of IIITs and NITs to maximize your chances.

  • Keep track of CCMT counselling and institute-specific admission processes.

  • Also check for special admission rounds or spot counselling if your preferred institute has vacant seats later.

5. Conclusion:

  • While securing VLSI in the very top IIITs like IIIT Hyderabad may be challenging, you still have very good chances in other reputed IIITs and NITs.

  • With proper choice filling and a little flexibility regarding specialization (like Embedded Systems or Microelectronics), you can secure a strong seat.

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