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GATE Microbiology Syllabus 2026 - Download Topics Wise Syllabus PDF

GATE Microbiology Syllabus 2026 - Download Topics Wise Syllabus PDF

Ongoing Event

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

#GATE
Team Careers360Updated on 09 Aug 2025, 04:03 PM IST

GATE 2026 Microbiology Syllabus (XL-S): IIT Guwahati has published the GATE Microbiology syllabus 2026 (XL-S) on the official website. Candidates can check the IIT GATE 2026 Syllabus for Microbiology on this page. The syllabus will highlight important topics for exam preparation. Aspirants must follow the GATE 2026 exam pattern along with the syllabus to effectively develop their preparation strategy. The authority will conduct the GATE entrance exam in online mode. The GATE 2026 exam will cover 30 different papers. The GATE 2026 syllabus Microbiology syllabus PDF download direct link will be provided here. The GATE 2026 exam is scheduled for February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.

This Story also Contains

  1. GATE Microbiology Syllabus 2026 (XL-S)
  2. GATE Microbiology Exam Pattern 2026
  3. GATE Preparation Tips 2026
GATE Microbiology Syllabus 2026 - Download Topics Wise Syllabus PDF
GATE 2026 Microbiology Syllabus

GATE Microbiology Syllabus 2026 (XL-S)

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 Microbiology syllabus (XL-S) on the official website. The GATE Microbiology syllabus 2026 covers topics such as Historical Perspective, Methods in Microbiology, Microbial Growth, Control of Micro-organisms, Chemotherapy/Antibiotics and more. The detailed syllabus for GATE Microbiology is provided below.

GATE Syllabus for Microbiology 2026

Syllabus

Topics

GATE Microbiology Syllabus for Historical Perspective


  • Discovery of microbial world

  • Landmark discoveries relevant to the field of microbiology

  • Controversy over spontaneous generation

  • Role of microorganisms in the transformation of organic matter and the causation of diseases.


GATE Microbiology syllabus for Methods in Microbiology


  • Pure culture technique

  • Principles of microbial nutrition

  • Enrichment culture techniques for isolation of microorganisms

  • Antigen and antibody detection methods for microbial diagnosis

  • Light-, phase contrast-, fluorescence- and electron-microscopy

  • PCR, real-time PCR for quantitation of microbes

  • Next generation sequencing technologies in microbiology


GATE Microbiology Syllabus 2026 for Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity

  • Bacteria

  • Archea and their broad classification

  • Eukaryotic microbes: Yeasts, molds and protozoa

  • Viruses and their classification

  • Molecular approaches to microbial taxonomy and phylogeny

GATE Microbiology Syllabus for Prokaryotic Cells: Structure and Function

  • Cell walls, cell membranes and their biosynthesis

  • Mechanisms of solute transport across membranes

  • Flagella and Pili

  • Capsules

  • Cell inclusions like endospores and gas vesicles

  • Bacterial locomotion

  • Including positive and negative chemotaxis


GATE Microbiology Syllabus Microbial Growth

  • Definition of growth

  • Growth curve

  • Mathematical expression of the exponential growth phase

  • Measurement of growth and growth yields

  • Synchronous growth

  • Continuous culture

  • Effect of environmental factors on growth

  • Bacterial biofilm and biofouling


GATE Microbiology syllabus for Control of Micro-organisms


Disinfection and Sterilization: Principles, methods and assessment of efficacy.

GATE Microbiology syllabus for Microbial Metabolism

  • Energetics: redox reactions and electron carriers

  • Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation

  • An overview of metabolism

  • Glycolysis

  • Pentose-phosphate pathway

  • EntnerDoudoroff pathway

  • Glyoxalate pathway

  • The citric acid cycle

  • Fermentation

  • Aerobic and anaerobic respiration

  • Chemolithotrophy

  • Photosynthesis

  • Calvin cycle

  • Biosynthetic pathway for fatty acids synthesis

  • Common regulatory mechanisms in synthesis of amino acids

  • Regulation of major metabolic pathways


GATE Microbiology syllabus for Microbial Diseases and Host Pathogen Interaction

  • Normal microbiota

  • Classification of infectious diseases

  • Reservoirs of infection

  • Nosocomial infection

  • Opportunistic infections

  • Emerging infectious diseases

  • Mechanism of microbial pathogenicity

  • Nonspecific defense of host

  • Antigens and antibodies

  • Humoral and cell-mediated immunity

  • Vaccines

  • Passive immunization

  • Immune deficiency

  • Human diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and pathogenic fungi

GATE Microbiology syllabus for Chemotherapy/Antibiotics

  • Normal microbiota

  • Classification of infectious diseases

  • Reservoirs of infection

  • Nosocomial infection

  • Opportunistic infections

  • Emerging infectious diseases

  • Mechanism of microbial pathogenicity

  • Nonspecific defense of host

  • Antigens and antibodies

  • Humoral and cell-mediated immunity

  • Vaccines

  • Passive immunization

  • Immune deficiency

  • Human diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and pathogenic fungi


GATE Microbiology syllabus for Microbial Genetics

  • Types of mutation

  • UV and chemical mutagens

  • Selection of mutants

  • Ames test for mutagenesis

  • Bacterial genetic system: transformation, conjugation, transduction, recombination, plasmids, transposons

  • DNA repair

  • Regulation of gene expression: repression and induction; Operon model; Bacterial genome with special reference to E.coli; Phage λ and its life cycle; RNA;

  • Mutation in virus genomes, virus recombination and reassortment; Basic concept of microbial genomic

GATE Microbiology syllabus for Microbial Ecology

  • Microbial interactions

  • Carbon, sulphur and nitrogen cycles

  • Soil microorganisms associated with vascular plants

  • Bioremediation

  • Uncultivable microorganisms

  • Basic concept of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics

Related links:

GATE syllabus for DA

Civil Engineering GATE syllabus 2026

GATE NM syllabus

GATE syllabus for Chemical Engineering (CH)

Aerospace Engineering GATE syllabus

GATE syllabus for CSE

GATE syllabus for Agriculture Engineering (AG)

GATE syllabus for ECE

GATE syllabus for AR

GATE syllabus for EE

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GATE syllabus for EY

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GATE Microbiology Exam Pattern 2026

The authority has released the GATE 2026 exam pattern for Microbiology on the official website. Candidates must familiarize themselves with the GATE Microbiology syllabus and exam pattern. It will include details such as the marking scheme, types of questions, exam duration, mark distribution, and more.

GATE 2026 Microbiology Exam Pattern

Particulars

Pattern

Mode of exam

Computer Based Test (CBT)

Test Duration

3 hours

Sections

General Aptitude (GA), Candidates Selected Subjects, Compulsory Subject

Types of questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

Distribution of Marks

General Aptitude - 15 marks

Compulsory Section - 25 marks

Subject marks - 60 marks

Total Marks

100 marks

Marking Scheme

Questions carry 1 marks or 2 marks

Negative Marking

  • For a 1 mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.

  • For a 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.

Related links:

GATE syllabus for IN

Mathematics GATE syllabus

Mechanical Engineering GATE syllabus

GATE syllabus for MN

GATE syllabus for MT

Petroleum Engineering GATE syllabus

GATE syllabus for Physics

GATE syllabus for PI

GATE syllabus for TF

GATE Previous Year Question Paper's
Download GATE previous year question papers to understand exam pattern and difficulty level. Practice with these papers to boost your preparation and improve your score.
Check Now

GATE Preparation Tips 2026

Candidates can follow the following preparation tips for planning the preparation for the GATE Microbiology syllabus.

  • Get familiar with the GATE Microbiology syllabus and paper pattern

  • Create a proper study timetable distributing equal time for all topics.

  • Gather resources such as study materials, previous question papers, and books

  • Make handy notes for formulas

  • Regular revision is important

  • Attempt the GATE mock test

  • Solve previous year question paper

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the GATE 2026 syllabus released?
A:

No, the GATE syllabus 2026 has released on the official website.

Q: How can I check GATE Life Science Syllabus 2026?
A:

Candidates can check the GATE 2026 Life Science Syllabus on the official website.

Q: Can a zoology student give a GATE exam?
A:

Yes, Candidates can apply for the GATE Zoology exam on the official website.

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I EEE GRADUATE WHAT PAPERS CHOOSE THE GATE EXAM

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.

Read Complete Answer
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SEJAL JAIN
15 Sep'25
How to clear gate exam ,and got job in psu

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.

Read Complete Answer
B
Bhumika Jayaswal
16 Sep'25
Hello sir, I am registering for gate 2026. During registration it ask for first, middle and last name and based on them generate full name. I follow this it generate Vikash Rameshbhai Bhagel but in my id card written Bhagel Vikash Rameshbhai where surname is first, it may acceptable or not.

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.



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A
Abhilasha Agrawal
12 Sep'25
i mistakenly selected General category whereas , i am obc for GATE APPLICATION FORM 2026. Is it possible to change my category in correction window from GEN to OBC.

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 !

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Prachi Kumari
11 Sep'25
How to download the free resources for gate preparation like books and so on.

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

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