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 ?

GATE BT (Biotechnology) score of 350, you have a good chance of securing admission to Delhi Technological University (DTU) for M.Tech in Biotechnology or related programs.

DTU M.Tech Admission via GATE

  1. Eligibility Criteria:

    • You must have a valid GATE score in Biotechnology (BT) or a related discipline.

    • A minimum of 60% (or equivalent CGPA) in your B.Tech/B.E (Biotech or related field) from a recognized university.

Cutoff Trends :

DTU's cutoff for GATE BT usually ranges between 300-400 (varies yearly based on competition.

Unfortunately, you've missed the GATE 2025 exam registration deadline, which was initially September 20, 2024, and later extended to October 3, 2024, for regular registration, with a late fee option available until October 7, 2024. Since the exam dates are already scheduled for February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, you won't be able to apply for this year's exam.


However, here are some potential options to consider:


- Prepare for GATE 2026: You can start preparing for the next year's exam, ensuring you meet the eligibility criteria and stay updated on the application process.

- Explore other exams: Look into other entrance exams for postgraduate programs, such as those offered by individual universities or institutions.

- Check eligibility for other programs: If you're interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree, research other programs that don't require GATE scores.


To better prepare for future exams, focus on

- Understanding the syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme.

- Creating a study plan: Develop a structured study schedule, covering all relevant topics.

- Practicing with mock tests: Regularly take practice tests to assess your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.


Keep in mind that GATE scores are valid for three years, so if you plan to take the exam in 2026, your score will be valid until 2029.

Hello there,

With a GATE Electrical Engineering (EE) score of 630, getting admission to the M.Tech program in Instrumentation and Integrated Electronics at IIT Kharagpur is unlikely.

Key points:

  • The closing GATE score for this program in 2024 was around 608 for the general category.

  • For reserved categories, cutoffs are lower (OBC around 573, SC around 337, ST around 248).

  • Admission depends on GATE score and sometimes an interview.

Recommendations:

  • You can consider applying to other IITs or NITs where your score may meet the cutoff for similar courses.

  • Explore other reputed institutes offering M.Tech in Instrumentation and Electronics.

  • If this field is important for you, consider preparing to improve your GATE score for the next attempt.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.


Hello there,

Yes, a student waiting for the final semester (S6 or S8) result but has passed all other semesters and holds a valid GATE score can apply for M.Tech admission.

However, final admission usually depends on:

  • Clearing all pending semester exams before the admission deadline.

  • Submission of the final semester marksheet or provisional certificate when required.

Colleges may allow provisional admission based on GATE and previous results, but you must clear the remaining semester to continue the course.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.

The time needed to prepare for the GATE exam varies greatly depending on individual factors like study habits, whether the concepts are clear or not and etc...However, a timeframe of 1 to 2 years is generally recommended for serious preparation, especially if you're aiming for a good rank.

If your basics are clear and you are well known with the concepts then focus on pyq's and give mock tests and re-revise the syllabus. But if your preparation is not that much good then I would suggest that give a complete one year time and prepare well and then appear for the Exam.

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