GATE 2026 Ecology and Evolution syllabus - IIT Guwahati will publish the GATE Ecology and Evolution syllabus 2026 on the official website. The GATE ecology and evolution syllabus pdf based on the previous year's notification is provided on this page. Aspirants aiming for admission through the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering must refer to the GATE EY syllabus 2026 to prepare for their exam. Understanding the GATE 2026 Ecology and Evolution syllabus will help candidates prepare for the exam systematically. IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 exam in online mode in February 2026.
Direct link to download the previous year's GATE Ecology and Evolution Syllabus PDF
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Along with the GATE 2026 ecology and evolution syllabus, candidates can also check the GATE exam pattern released by the authorities. The authorities will prepare the GATE question papers as per the GATE syllabus 2026 for ecology and evolution. Check out the complete article for more details about the GATE ecology and evolution syllabus 2026.
The GATE syllabus for ecology and evolution is 85% based on the undergraduate engineering course and the rest 15% is from general aptitude. The GATE EY syllabus 2026 is divided into five main sections as follows
Ecology
Evolution
Mathematics and Quantitative Ecology
Behavioural Ecology
Applied Ecology and Evolution
Candidates can refer to the GATE ecology and evolution syllabus and exam pattern within the article to start their preparation. The GATE 2026 syllabus for ecology and evolution will be updated below. Candidates can check the detailed GATE ecology and evolution (EY) syllabus based on the the previous years notification below:
The general aptitude consists of 15% weightage in GATE EY. Below is the syllabus for GATE General Aptitude.
| Chapters | Topics |
|---|---|
| GATE GA syllabus for Verbal Aptitude |
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| GATE GA syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude |
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| GATE GA syllabus for Analytical Aptitude |
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| GATE GA syllabus for Spatial Aptitude |
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The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati will released the GATE 2026 syllabus for Ecology and Evolution on the official website. The GATE EY syllabus 2026 will include topics like the origin and history of life on Earth, diversity, classification of life, and the history of evolution in its Evolution section. Each section in the GATE exam syllabus for ecology and evolution provides detailed information to candidates about what they need to learn and focus on. The following table will be updated soon after the GATE 2026 syllabus for Ecology and Evolution is released. Until then check the syllabus as per the previous year's notification below.
| Chapter | Topics |
|---|---|
| Fundamental Concepts | Abiotic and biotic components; scales (population, species, community, ecosystems, biomes); niches and habitats. |
| Population Ecology | Population growth rates (density dependent/independent); meta population ecology (colonization, persistence, extinction, patches, sources, sinks); age-structured populations. |
| Interactions | Types (mutualism, symbiosis, commensalism, competition, parasitism, predation, etc); ecophysiology (physiological adaptations to abiotic environment); prey-predator interactions (Lotka-Voltera equation, etc.) |
| Community Ecology | Community assembly, organization and succession; species richness, evenness and diversity indices, species-area relationships; theory of island biogeography |
| Ecosystems Structure and Function | Trophic levels and their interactions; nutrient cycles; primary and secondary productivity |
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| Chapter | Topics |
|---|---|
| History of Evolutionary Thought | Lamarckism; Darwinism; Modern Synthesis |
| Fundamentals | Variation; heritability; natural selection; fitness and adaptation; types of selection (stabilizing, directional, disruptive) |
| Diversity of Life | Origin and history of life on earth; diversity and classification of life; systems of classification (cladistics and phenetics) |
| Life History Strategies | Allocation of resources; tradeoffs; r/K selection; semelparity and iteroparity |
| Interactions | Co-evolution (co-adaptations, arms race, Red Queen hypothesis, co-speciation); prey-predator interactions (mimicry, crypsis, etc) |
| Population and Quantitative Genetics | Origins of genetic variation; Mendelian genetics; HardyWeinberg equilibrium; drift; selection (one-locus two-alleles model); population genetic structure (panmixia, gene flow, FST); polygenic traits; gene-environment interactions (phenotypic plasticity); heritability |
| Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics | Neutral theory; molecular clocks; rates of evolution; phylogenetic reconstruction; molecular systematics |
| Macroevolution | Species concepts and speciation; adaptive radiation; convergence; biogeography |
| Chapter | Topics |
|---|---|
| Mathematics and Statistics in Ecology | Simple functions (linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, etc); concept of derivatives and slope of a function; permutations and combinations; basic probability (probability of random events; sequences of events, etc); frequency distributions and their descriptive statistics (mean, variance, coefficient of variation, correlation, etc). |
| Statistical Hypothesis Testing | Concept of p-value; Type I and Type II error, test statistics like t-test and Chi-square test; basics of linear regression and ANOVA. |
| Chapter | Topics |
|---|---|
| Classical Ethology | Instinct; fixed action patterns; imprinting; learnt behavior; proximate and ultimate questions. |
| Sensory Ecology | Neuroethology; communication (chemical, acoustic and visual signaling); recognition systems. |
| Foraging Ecology | Foraging behaviour; optimal foraging theory |
| Reproduction | Cost of sex; sexual dimorphism; mate choice; sexual selection (runaway selection, good genes, handicap principle, etc); sexual conflict; mating systems; parental care. |
| Social Living | Costs and benefits of group-living (including responses to predators); effect of competition (scramble and contest) on group formation; dominance relationships; eusociality; kin selection; altruism; reciprocity; human behaviour |
| Chapters | Topics |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity and Conservation | Importance of conserving biodiversity; ecosystem services; threats to biodiversity; invasive species; in-situ conservation (endemism, biodiversity hotspots, protected areas); ex-situ conservation; conservation genetics (genetic diversity, inbreeding depression); DNA fingerprinting and DNA barcoding. |
| Disease Ecology and Evolution | Epidemiology; zoonotic diseases; antibiotic resistance; vector Control Plant and animal breeding: Marker assisted breeding; genetic basis of economically important traits |
| Global Climate Change | Causes; consequences; mitigation |
To excel in the GATE Ecology and Evolution exam, candidates should prioritise certain topics. Some important topics in the syllabus include:
To achieve their desired score in the GATE 2026 Ecology and Evolution exam, candidates must thoroughly understand and prepare the syllabus. The syllabus covers a wide range of topics in ecology and evolution, mathematics and statistics, behavioural ecology, and applied aspects of the field. By strategically planning their preparation and utilising the recommended books, candidates can increase their chances of success. Therefore, aspirants are advised to refer to GATE books for Ecology and Evolution. While referring to the recommended books, candidates should also consult their graduation-level course books. Some trusted books for GATE 2026 ecology and evolution exam preparation include
Book | Author |
|---|---|
Fundamentals and Techniques of Biophysics and Molecular Biology | Pranav Kumar |
Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Evolution & Ecology | Verma P.S. & Agarwal V.K |
Test & Evaluation: Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Kumar Pranav & Mina Usha |
Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Keith Wilson & John Walker |
microbiology | Michael Pelczar |
Along with the GATE syllabus for Ecology and Evolution pdf, candidates must also be familiar with the GATE Exam pattern 2026. Understanding exam patterns makes candidates familiar with the mode of examination and the kind of questions asked.
Particulars | Specifications |
|---|---|
Exam duration | 3 hours |
Exam mode | Online (Computer-based test) in multiple shifts |
Type and total number of Questions | Total 65 Questions MCQs and MCQs and/or Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions |
Total marks of the exam | 100 |
Total number of sections |
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Marking Scheme |
|
The GATE 2026 exam date is yet to be announced. However, it is likely to be held in February 2026.
There is no age limit for the GATE exam 2026.
A candidate who is currently studying in the 3rd or higher years of any undergraduate degree program OR has already completed any Government-approved degree program in Engineering / Technology / Architecture / Science / Commerce / Arts is eligible to appear for the GATE 2026 examination
Ecology and evolution offer great research prospects, opening up various career opportunities after GATE. Fields such as ecology, environmental consulting, natural resource management, and genetics become accessible. Notable institutions in India for Ecology and Evolution include the Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment in New Delhi.
No, candidates are not allowed to carry any electronic devices, including calculators, to the GATE examination hall.
Yes, questions related to current environmental issues and conservation efforts are often included in the GATE EY exam to assess the candidates' awareness of real-world challenges.
Application Date:17 March,2025 - 19 May,2025
Late Fee Application Date:01 May,2025 - 09 May,2025
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.
A flight attendant is a professional whose primary duty is to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers during an airline flight. An individual who is pursuing a career as a flight attendant is part of the cabin crew for the plane, a team of personnel who operate a commercial, business, or even military aircraft while travelling domestically or internationally.
An individual pursuing a career as a flight attendant is specially trained for the aircraft in which he or she works since passenger safety is their foremost concern. In this article, we will discuss how to become a flight attendant in India or how to become a flight attendant after graduation.
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A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.
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Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials.
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As a Transport Engineer, he or she needs to solve complex problems such as accidents, costs, traffic flow, and statistics. A Transport Engineer also collaborates for projects with some other companies.
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