GATE Exam Date:07 Feb' 26 - 08 Feb' 26
GATE Zoology Syllabus 2026- IIT Guwahati has published the GATE 2026 syllabus for Zoology on the official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can check the detailed GATE 2026 syllabus for zoology on this page. The Zoology syllabus for the GATE 2026 exam is divided into 11 major sections, namely, Animal Diversity, Evolution, Genetics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, etc. Students who are applying for the GATE exam can download the free syllabus PDF on the official website. The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026.
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The GATE 2026 zoology exam code is XL-T. Candidates attempting the zoology paper must also be aware of the GATE 2026 exam pattern. The GATE Zoology syllabus is designed to assess the comprehensive understanding of students in the field of zoological sciences. Students planning to apply for the GATE 2026 exam can read the complete article carefully to get a vivid idea about the exam pattern, GATE syllabus Zoology pdf download, and more.
Sections | Study Areas |
---|---|
Animal Diversity | Distribution, systematics and classification of animals, phylogenetic relationships |
Origin and history of life on earth, theories of evolution, natural selection, adaptation, speciation | |
Basic Principles of inheritance, the molecular basis of heredity, sex determination, and sex-linked characteristics, cytoplasmic inheritance, linkage, recombination, and mapping of genes in eukaryotes, population genetics, genetic disorders, roles of model organisms in understanding genetic principles | |
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates; replication, transcription & translation, Krebs cycle, glycolysis, enzyme catalysis, hormones and their actions, roles of vitamins and minerals |
Cell Biology | Basic principles of cellular microscopy, structure of cell, cytoskeletal organization, cellular organelles and their structure and function, cell cycle, cell division, chromosomes, and chromatin structure |
Gene expression in Eukaryotes | Eukaryotic genome organization and regulation of gene expression, transposable elements |
Animal Anatomy and Physiology | Comparative physiology, the respiratory system, Muscular system, circulatory system, digestive system, the nervous system, the excretory system, the endocrine system, the reproductive system, |
Parasitology and Immunology | Nature of parasite, host-parasite relation, protozoan and helminthic parasites, the immune response, cellular and humoral immune response |
Development Biology | Gametogenesis, Embryonic development, cellular differentiation, organogenesis, metamorphosis, Model organisms used in developmental biology, genetic and molecular basis of development, stem cells |
Ecology | The ecosystem, Animal distribution, ecological niche and its contribution to ecological diversity, the food chain, population dynamics, species diversity, zoogeography, biogeochemical cycles, conservation biology, ecotoxicology |
Animal Behaviour | Type of behaviours, courtship, mating and territoriality, instinct, learning and memory, social behaviour across the animal taxa, communication, pheromones, evolution of behaviour in animals |
The exam pattern for GATE 2026 consists of the total number of questions and marks per question in the exam. It also includes the marks for correct and incorrect responses. The GATE exam will be conducted in 30 major Papers. The overall GATE test duration is 3 hours. GATE is a Computer Test conducted online in two sections: General Aptitude (GA) and Candidate-selected Subject. The total score for the test is 100 marks and all of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks.
Particulars | Details |
---|---|
Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (Online) |
Duration | 3 Hours |
Type of Questions |
|
Design of Questions | The questions are designed to test the listed abilities
|
Number of Questions | 65 Questions (including 10 questions from General Aptitude) |
Distribution of Questions in Zoology |
|
Total Marks | 100 Marks |
Marking Scheme | All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks |
GATE Negative Marking | Two types of MCQs:
|
Also Read: GATE Question Paper
Here’s a list of some popular preparation books for GATE 2026. Students can easily purchase these materials on online platforms.
Book Name | Publication |
---|---|
GKP GATE 2025 : Life Science - Zoology - Guide(Includes Solved papers of 2016-2024) | GK Publications |
GATE 2024: Life Science - Zoology - Guide by Dr. Prabhanshu Kumar Er. Preeti Tripathi | GK Publications |
Gate Life Science Zoology [XL-T] Question Answer Book 4000+ MCQ As Per Updated | Diwakar Education Hub |
Gkp Gate 2025: Life Science - Zoology - Guide includes Solved Papers Of 2016-2024 | GK Publications |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 syllabus on August 8, 2025.
The zoology paper is a part of the GATE Life Sciences 2026 paper. IIT Guwahati is yet to release the GATE 2026 Exam dates on the official website.
You can start your GATE 2026 preparation immediately to get a good GATE score. However, students are recommended to dedicate at least 500 hours to practice, revision, and test series to increase their expected scores.
The syllabus of GATE Life Sciences comprises various topics such as XL - U Food Technology, XL - P Chemistry, XL - Q Biochemistry, XL - R Botany, XL - S Microbiology, and XL - T Zoology.
Yes, a zoology student can do a GATE exam. However, the candidate must complete their 3rd year of a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or a related field to fulfill the academic requirement of the test.
On Question asked by student community
Hello
If you're in 2nd year right now, you can’t register for GATE 2026 just yet.
The exam is only open to students in the 3rd year or beyond in their degree.
It’s mainly because the GATE tests subjects that are usually taught later in your course.
But don’t worry, you are in a great position to start preparing early!
Focus on your basics, practice problem-solving, and build strong concepts now.
By the time you reach 3rd year, you’ll be well ahead of the game.
Hello,
If your GATE 2026 application shows "under scrutiny," continue to monitor your applicant portal and registered email for updates, as this is a routine process where officials verify your details. An "under scrutiny" status does not mean your application is rejected; you may be notified of discrepancies and given a chance to correct them during the application correction window, which opens later. Keep your application details accurate and prepare for the exam while waiting for the correction window to open.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello,
In the GATE application form , you should enter your name exactly as it appears in your official ID proof , even if the order is different.
For example:
If your ID proof shows Surname + First Name , enter it in the same way in the form.
Do not change the order to First Name + Surname.
This is important because your GATE admit card and scorecard will match your ID proof.
Keep it exactly the same to avoid any issues later.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
Yes, you as a Bachelor of Science graduate in home science can appear for the GATE 2026 exam, as the eligibility criteria include graduates from "Science" and other fields, as well as those in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate program.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hey! The GATE exam (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is very important for long-term career growth. It opens opportunities for postgraduate studies (M.Tech, MS, PhD) in top institutes like IITs and NITs and is also used by many public sector companies (PSUs) for recruitment, often with higher salary packages. In the long run, qualifying GATE can enhance your technical knowledge, career prospects, and credibility in the engineering field.
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