GATE Life Sciences Question Papers PDF- Download XL Previous Year Papers

GATE Life Sciences Question Papers PDF- Download XL Previous Year Papers

Ongoing Event

GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 17 Sep 2025, 02:34 PM IST

GATE Life Sciences Question Papers 2026: IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 life sciences question papers on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can check the GATE life sciences question papers 2026 on this page once it is released. The Chemistry Section (Section P) consists of 15 questions, with 5 one-mark questions and 10 two-mark questions, totaling 25 marks. Sections Q to U include 20 questions, with 10 one-mark questions and 10 two-mark questions, totaling 30 marks. The authority will conduct the GATE entrance exam as computer based test. In this articles, candidates can refer to the previous year question paper for GATE life sciences. The GATE 2026 exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026.

This Story also Contains

  1. GATE 2026 Life Sciences Question Paper
  2. GATE Question Paper 2026 Weightage
  3. GATE Life Sciences Exam Pattern
  4. GATE Life Sciences Marking Scheme
  5. GATE Life Sciences Paper Combination
GATE Life Sciences Question Papers PDF- Download XL Previous Year Papers
GATE Life Sciences Paper

GATE 2026 Life Sciences Question Paper

The authority will release the GATE life science 2026 question paper on the official website. Candidates can check the previous year's question paper for GATE 2026 in the table below.

GATE Life Sciences Previous year papers

In the given table, candidates can download the GATE previous year question papers for Life Sciences engineering.

GATE Question Paper 2026 Weightage

To have a better understanding of the exam candidates are advised to know the weightage of the GATE 2026 question paper. The candidates can check the weightage of GATE XL question paper 2026 in the given table:

Section

Type of Questions

Number of Questions

Sub-Total (Marks)

Chemistry Section or Section P (Compulsory)

1 mark questions

5

5

2 mark questions

10

20

Sections Q to U

1 mark questions

10

10

2 mark questions

10

20

GATE Life Sciences Exam Pattern

Candidates preparing for the GATE Life Sciences must be familiar with the exam pattern. The authority will release the GATE exam pattern online. GATE Life Science question paper consists of three sections: General Aptitude, Chemistry, and Core Discipline. The question paper of GATE Life Sciences includes 65 questions, with a weightage of 100 marks. Candidates should prepare every topic mentioned in the syllabus carefully to score good marks.

Particulars

Details

GATE Exam Mode

Computer Based Test (CBT)/ Online

GATE exam duration

3 Hours

GATE Life Sciences paper Sections

General Aptitude (GA) + Chemistry +

Life Sciences (Core Subject)

GATE XL Number of Questions

10 (GA) + 15(Chemistry)+ 40 (Life Sciences)=65 Questions

Distribution of Marks in Life Sciences paper

General Aptitude: 15 Marks +

Chemistry: 25 Marks +

Subject Questions: 60 Marks =

Total: 100 Marks


GATE Life Sciences Marking Scheme

The authority conducts the GATE Life Sciences for 100 marks. The GATE XL question paper will be divided into three sections: General Aptitude (GA), Chemistry (mandatory), and any two optional sections. The Chemistry section is mandatory and carries a weightage of 25 marks. The optional sections carry a weightage of 30 marks each. GATE Life Sciences marking schemes will be based on Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Multiple Select Questions (MSQs). Check the below table to understand the GATE XL marking scheme.

GATE Paper Code

General Aptitude (GA) Marks

Subject Marks

Total Marks

Total Time (Minutes)

XL (Section P + Any TWO Sections)

15

25 + (2 x 30)

100

180

GATE Life Sciences Paper Combination

From the given set of available options candidates appearing for the upcoming exam can opt for any combination of GATE Life Sciences question paper.

Code of the First (Primary) Paper

Codes of Papers Allowed as The Second Paper

XL

BT, CY, EY

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How can I download all the GATE previous year question papers for Life Sciences?
A:

Candidates can check the previous year for GATE question papers on the official website.

Q: What is the exam pattern for GATE Life Sciences?
A:

The GATE Life Sciences exam consists of three sections: General Aptitude, Section P (Chemistry), and Section Q-U (any two of these). There will be two types of questions including Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions, and the total number of questions is 65. 

Q: Can I appear for more than one GATE paper in 2025?
A:

Yes, candidates can appear for  2 GATE papers. However, the choice of GATE papers can be made only based on the GATE Paper Combination released by the authorities.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello

As an EEE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) graduate, your core GATE paper is EE (Electrical Engineering).

You can also choose papers like IN (Instrumentation) or EC (Electronics and Communication) if you're comfortable. GATE now allows two-paper combinations EE plus IN is a valid pair.

Choose based on your strengths and future goals (e.g., PSU jobs, M.Tech). Always check the latest GATE brochure for updated paper codes and combinations.

How to clear GATE Exam :

  • First, know the syllabus and exam pattern.

  • Make a small study plan and follow it every week.

  • Read from good books or trusted online notes.

  • Practice old GATE question papers.

  • Give mock tests to check speed and accuracy.

  • Revise your notes and formulas again and again.

    How to get Job in PSU:

  • Score high in GATE, because PSUs take only top ranks.

  • Keep checking PSU job notices regularly.

  • Apply on time with your GATE score.

  • Be ready for interviews or group discussions.

  • Work on subject knowledge and also your communication skills.

Yes, it will be acceptable. In GATE registration, the name should match your valid photo ID proof in terms of spelling, not the order. Many Indian IDs have surname written first, while the portal generates it as first–middle–last. Since all three parts of your name (Vikash, Rameshbhai, Bhagel) are correct, there won’t be any issue. Just ensure you upload the correct ID proof. During verification, they check spelling, photo, and signature, not the word order.



Hello,

Yes, you can change your category from General to OBC during the GATE 2026 correction window.

GATE always allows candidates to correct details like category. You will need to pay a small correction fee for this change. Make sure you upload a valid OBC certificate as per the format and date mentioned by GATE.

So, wait for the correction window, log in to your application, and update your category to OBC.

Hope it helps !

Hello! If you are preparing for GATE, there are plenty of free resources available online that can boost your preparation. You can easily access e-books, handwritten notes, subject wise PYQs, and test series shared by toppers on different platforms. Along with that, free PDFs and study material are available through various websites and Telegram channels. To make it easier, I will be attaching the link where you can find preparation tips, a study timetable, free study materials, and previous year question papers all in one place.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-timetable
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-gate
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-material
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-mock-test
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-question-papers