HOW TO CRACK GAT-B,
Pattern | Eligibility | Syllabus for GAT-B
GAT-B (Graduate Aptitude Test in Biotechnology)
The GAT-B is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) on behalf of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
It is held annually for admission into DBT-supported postgraduate programmes in Biotechnology and allied fields offered by participating institutions across India.
Key Highlights
- Conducting Body: Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), under DBT, Government of India
- Purpose: Admission to DBT-supported Postgraduate (M.Sc./M.Tech.) programs in Biotechnology
- Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Medium of Exam: English only
- Exam Duration: 3 Hours
- Total Participating Institutions: 53 (subject to annual updates)
- Courses Offered: M.Sc. Biotechnology, M.Sc. Molecular Biology, M.Sc. Genetics, M.Sc. Life Sciences, etc.
Major Renowned Participating Institutions & Courses Offered
| Institution Name | State | Programs Offered |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Uttar Pradesh | M.Sc. Biotechnology, M.Sc. Molecular & Human Genetics |
| Regional centre for biotechnology (RCB), faridabad | Haryana | M.Sc.–Ph.D. (Integrated) |
| Central University of Rajasthan | Rajasthan | M.Sc. Biotechnology |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore | Madhya Pradesh | M.Sc. Biotechnology |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | Delhi | M.Sc. Biotechnology, M.Sc. Computational and Integrative Sciences |
| Savitribai Phule Pune University | Maharashtra | M.Sc. Biotechnology |
| The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | Gujarat | M.Sc. Biotechnology |
| University of Hyderabad | Telangana | M.Sc. Biotechnology |
| Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) | Punjab | M.Sc. Medical Biotechnology |
| Osmania University | Telangana | M.Sc. Molecular & Human Genetics |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT), Durgapur | West Bengal | M.Sc. Life Sciences (Microbial/Plant/Animal Biotechnology) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | Delhi | M.Sc. Biotechnology |
Note: The exact list of participating institutions and available programs is subject to change annually. Candidates are advised to check the official notification for the latest updates.
Exam Pattern
Sections & Question Distribution
| Section | Subject Area | No. of Questions | Attempt Required | Marks/Question | Negative Marking |
| Section A | General Science (Class 12 level) – Physics, Chemistry, Math, Biology | 60 | All compulsory | +1 | -0.5 |
| Section B | Graduate-level topics in Biotechnology & Allied Subjects | 100 | Attempt any 60 | +3 | -1 |
Eligibility
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc./B.Tech. or equivalent) in Biotechnology or related fields.
- Minimum Marks: Usually 60% (General/EWS/OBC) and 55% (SC/ST/PwD); check specific institutions for variation.
Benefits of Qualifying GAT-B
- Admission to prestigious institutes with DBT fellowship (₹5,000–₹12,000/month for M.Sc. or M.Tech. depending on the program)
- Entry into cutting-edge biotechnology programs with strong research and career prospects.
Useful Tips
- Practice MCQs for both basic sciences and biotechnology.
- Revise 12th-grade NCERTs for Section A.
- Refer to standard UG-level textbooks (e.g., for Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology) for Section B.
- Solve previous year papers and attempt mock tests regularly.