GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026 (BT) - IIT Guwahati has published the GATE 2026 Biotechnology syllabus on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can check the GATE Biotechnology syllabus 2026 on this page. The GATE BT syllabus 2026 includes topics from different sections like General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, General Biology, Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology. Fundamentals of Biological Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering Process Biotechnology etc. Aspirants can download the GATE syllabus pdf from this page. The authority will conduct the GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 15 and 16, 2025. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering will be held for three hours. The GATE 2026 registration has already begun, and the last date to apply without a late fee is September 28, 2025.
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Along with the GATE Biotechnology syllabus, candidates must check the exam pattern to plan their preparation. The GATE Biotechnology syllabus 2026 mostly includes topics from the UG level. The GATE 2026 question paper will be prepared based on the syllabus of Biotechnology.
IIT Guwahati has released the syllabus of GATE Biotechnology 2026 on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can check the detailed GATE 2026 BT syllabus in the table below.
| 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 Engineering Mathematics segment within the GATE Biotechnology syllabus is a shared component across diverse Engineering disciplines within the GATE exam. This section encompasses six main areas: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Analysis of Complex Variables, Probability and Statistics, and Numerical Methods. These topics are elaborated upon as follows.
| Sections | Topics |
| Linear Algebra | Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, consistency and rank, Eigenvalues, and Eigenvectors. |
| Calculus | Mean value theorems, theorems of integral calculus, partial derivatives, maxima and minima, multiple integrals, Fourier series, vector identities, line, surface and volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss, and Green’s theorems. |
| Differential equations | First-order equation (linear and nonlinear), second-order linear differential equations with constant coefficients, Method of variation of parameters, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Initial and boundary value problems, solution of partial differential equations: variable separable method. |
| Analysis of complex variables | Analytic functions, Cauchy’s integral theorem, integral formula, Taylor’s and Laurent’s series, residue theorem, and solution of integrals. |
| Probability and Statistics | Sampling theorems, conditional probability, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and variance, random variables: discrete and continuous distributions: normal, Poisson, and binomial distributions. |
| Numerical Methods | Matrix inversion, solutions of nonlinear algebraic equations, iterative methods for solving differential equations, numerical integration, regression, and correlation analysis. |
The GATE biotechnology syllabus within the field of Biotechnology encompasses several significant subjects, including uncompetitive inhibition, competence, immunization, and numerous others. Let's delve into the topics listed in the table below.
| Sections | Topics |
| Biochemistry | Biomolecules– structure and function, Biological membranes, molecular motors, action potential and transport processes, Basic concepts and regulation of the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleic acids, photosynthesis, respiration and electron transport chain. Enzymes– Classification, catalytic and regulatory strategies. Enzyme inhibition–competitive, non-competitive and uncompetitive inhibition. |
| Microbiology | Bacterial classification and diversity, Microbial Ecology- microbes in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, Microbial interactions, Viruses- structure and classification, Methods in microbiology, Microbial growth and nutrition, Nitrogen fixation, Microbial diseases and host-pathogen interactions, Antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance. |
| Immunology | Innate and adaptive immunity, humoral and cell-mediated immunity, Antibody structure and function, Molecular basis of antibody diversity, T cell, and B cell development, Antigen-antibody reaction, complement, Primary and secondary lymphoid organs, Major histocompatibility complex (MHC), Antigen processing and presentation, Polyclonal and monoclonal antibody, Regulation of immune response, Immune tolerance, hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, Graft versus host reaction, Immunization and vaccines. |
The Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology segment of the GATE Biotechnology syllabus 2026 encompasses a range of topics including Genetic disorders, Molecular structure of genes and chromosomes, Extracellular matrix, and more. Here is the complete GATE BT exam syllabus 2026-
| Sections | Topics |
| Genetics and Evolutionary Biology | Mendelian inheritance, Gene interaction, Complementation, Linkage, recombination and chromosome mapping, Extrachromosomal inheritance, Microbial genetics– transformation, transduction and conjugation, Horizontal gene transfer and transposable elements, Chromosomal variation, Genetic disorders, Population genetics, Epigenetics, Selection and inheritance, Adaptive and neutral evolution, Genetic drift, Species, and speciation. |
| Cell Biology | Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure, cell cycle and cell growth control, Cell-cell communication, Cell signalling, and signal transduction, Post-translational modifications, Protein trafficking, Cell death, and autophagy, and Extracellular matrix. |
| Molecular Biology | Molecular structure of genes and chromosomes, Mutations and mutagenesis, Regulation of gene expression, Nucleic acid– replication, transcription, splicing, translation and their regulatory mechanisms, Non-coding and microRNA, RNA interference, DNA damage, and repair. |
The Fundamentals of Biological Engineering section of the GATE Biotechnology syllabus includes topics such as electron balance, Conduction and convective heat transfer, Mixing in bioreactors, Laws of thermodynamics, and more. Let's delve into a comprehensive description of the GATE BT syllabus:
| Sections | Topics |
| Engineering Principles applied to biological systems | Material and energy balances for reactive and non-reactive systems, recycle, bypass and purge processes, Stoichiometry of growth and product formation, Degree of reduction, electron balance, and theoretical oxygen demand. |
| Classical thermodynamics and Bioenergetics | Classical thermodynamics and BioenergeticLaws of thermodynamics, Solution thermodynamics, Phase equilibria, reaction equilibria, Ligand binding, Membrane potential, Energetics of metabolic pathways, oxidation and reduction reactions.s |
| Transport Processes | Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, fluid flow– laminar and turbulent, Mixing in bioreactors, mixing time, Molecular diffusion and film theory, Oxygen transfer and uptake in a bioreactor, kLa and its measurement, Conductive and convective heat transfer, LMTD, overall heat transfer coefficient, Heat exchangers. |
The Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology segment within the GATE Biotechnology syllabus for 2026 encompasses crucial subjects including Thiele modulus, Filtration, tuning of controllers, and more. Let's take a look at the significant topics addressed in the GATE BT syllabus:
| Section | Topics |
| Bioreaction Engineering | Rate law, zero and first-order kinetics, Ideal reactors– batch, mixed flow, and plug flow, Enzyme immobilisation, diffusion effects – Thiele modulus, effectiveness factor, Damköhler number, Kinetics of cell growth, substrate utilisation, and product formation, Structured and unstructured models, batch, fed-batch, and continuous processes, Microbial and enzyme reactors, Optimisation and scale-up. |
| Upstream and Downstream Processing | Media formulation and optimisation, Sterilisation of air and media, Filtration– membrane filtration, ultrafiltration, Centrifugation – high speed and ultra, Cell disruption, Principles of chromatography– ion exchange, gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction, affinity, GC, HPLC and FPLC, extraction, adsorption, and drying. |
| Instrumentation and Process Control | Pressure, temperature, and flow measurement devices, Valves, First-order and second-order systems, Feedback and feedforward control, Types of controllers– proportional, derivative, and integral control, tuning of controllers. |
The Plant, Animal, and Microbial Biotechnology section within the GATE Biotechnology syllabus encompasses a range of subjects, including methodology, Plastid transformation, Culture media composition and growth conditions, Biofuels, antibiotics, and more. Here are the significant topics covered in this section:
| Section | Topics |
| Plants | Totipotency- Regeneration of plants, Plant growth regulators and elicitors, Tissue culture and cell suspension culture system – methodology, the kinetics of growth and nutrient optimization, Production of secondary metabolites, Hairy root culture, Plant products of industrial importance, Artificial seeds, Somaclonal variation, Protoplast, protoplast fusion – somatic hybrid and cybrid, Transgenic plants– direct and indirect methods of gene transfer techniques, Selection marker and reporter gene, Plastid transformation. |
| Animals | Culture media composition and growth conditions, Animal cell and tissue preservation, Anchorage and non-anchorage dependent cell culture, Kinetics of cell growth, Micro macro-carrier culture, Hybridoma technology, Stem cell technology, Animal cloning, Transgenic animals, Knock-out and knock-in animals. |
| Microbes | Production of biomass and primary/secondary metabolites – Biofuels, bioplastic, industrial enzymes, antibiotics, Large-scale production and purification of recombinant proteins and metabolites, Clinical-, food- and industrial- microbiology, Screening strategies for new products. |
The Recombination DNA Technology and Other Tools in Biotechnology segment holds significance within the GATE Syllabus for Biotechnology. It encompasses a range of topics, including DNA library, RAPD, RFLP, Enzymatic assays, Gene prediction, UV, visible, and more. Here are the notable subjects covered in the GATE exam syllabus for Biotechnology's DNA Technology and Other Tools section:
| Section | Topics |
| Recombinant DNA Technology | Restriction and modification enzymes, Vectors – plasmids, bacteriophage and other viral vectors, cosmids, Ti plasmid, bacterial and yeast artificial chromosomes, Expression vectors, cDNA and genomic DNA library, Gene isolation and cloning, strategies for the production of recombinant proteins, Transposons and gene targeting, |
| Molecular tools | Polymerase chain reaction, DNA/RNA labelling and sequencing, Southern and northern blotting, In-situ hybridization, DNA fingerprinting, RAPD, RFLP, Site-directed mutagenesis, Gene transfer technologies, CRISPR-Cas, Biosensing, and biosensors. |
| Analytical tools | Principles of microscopy– light, electron, fluorescent and confocal, Principles of spectroscopy– UV, visible, CD, IR, fluorescence, FT-IR, MS, NMR, Electrophoresis, Micro-arrays, Enzymatic assays, Immunoassays– ELISA, RIA, immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, Flow cytometry, Whole-genome, and ChIP-sequencing. |
| Computational tools | Bioinformatics resources and search tools, Sequence and structure databases, Sequence analysis– sequence file formats, scoring matrices, alignment, phylogeny, Genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, Gene prediction, Functional annotation, Secondary structure and 3D structure prediction, Knowledge discovery in Biochemical databases, Metagenomics, Metabolic Engineering, and Systems Biology. |
The authority has released the GATE BT 2026 exam pattern online. Candidates can check the GATE 2026 exam pattern for Biotechnology to know the marking scheme, duration of the test, types of questions, and more. GATE BT question paper comprises 65 questions for 100 marks. The question paper has two sections - General Aptitude and Core Subject. GATE BT exam duration is of three hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, the GATE syllabus, including the Biotechnology section, is updated periodically to align with the evolving trends in the field. The updates ensure that the syllabus remains relevant and covers the latest advancements and concepts in biotechnology.
Aspirants can find the detailed GATE 2026 Biotechnology syllabus on the official website.
To prepare for GATE 2026 Biotechnology, candidates must focus on subject-specific preparation by using specialized books and practice materials.
The core subjects of the GATE Biotechnology Syllabus 2026 include Plant, Animal, and Microbial Biotechnology; General Biology; Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology; Fundamentals of Biological Engineering; Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology; Recombinant DNA Technology; and other tools in Biotechnology.
The syllabus of GATE Biotechnology 2026 consists of a total of seven sections, including Engineering Mathematics and core Biotechnology-related subjects.
In the GATE Biotechnology 2026 exam, questions carry either 1 mark or 2 marks.
The GATE Biotechnology Syllabus encompasses a range of subjects including Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Recombinant DNA Technology, Bioprocess Engineering, and more.
On Question asked by student community
Hello! Yes, the GATE exam is accepted for M.Sc Microbiology admissions in some institutes, but it is not the main exam everywhere. GATE is generally for postgraduate programs in engineering, technology, and sciences, so a few universities and research institutes use GATE scores for admission into M.Sc or integrated PhD programs in life sciences, including microbiology. However, most central universities and institutes usually conduct their own entrance tests like CUET PG, BHU PET, or institute specific exams for M.Sc Microbiology.
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.
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
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