The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been entrusted by the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, with the task of conducting of Graduate Aptitude Test – Biotechnology (GAT-B) 2026 and Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2026.
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India is the nodal agency for policymaking, promotion of R&D & manufacturing, infrastructure building and human resource development in Biotechnology in the country. Recognizing the critical need for nurturing skilled workforce for fueling the growth of biotechnology sector, DBT supports several biotechnology human resource development and capacity building programmes in the country.
Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology (GAT-B) is an All-India Entrance Examination to test the eligibility of bonafide Indian nationals for admissions to DBT supported Post Graduate programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas, at Participating Institutions/Universities in India. DBT supported Post Graduate programmes include: M.Sc. Biotechnology and allied areas; M.Tech. Biotechnologyand allied areas; M.Sc. Agricultural Biotechnology and M.V.Sc. Animal Biotechnology.
GAT-B 2026 Score is valid for admission to the above mentioned courses during the academic year 2026-2027 only. Following declaration of GAT-B 2026 results,an all India category wise merit list will be prepared as per the Reservation Policy ofGovernment of India. Call for admissions, for GAT-B 2026 qualified candidates, will be advertised separately by participating institutions/universities as per institutional admission and selection norms. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and will not be responsible for the admission & selection process (transfer/ cancellation/ conversion of seats/ fee refund policy) of participating institutions/ universities.Any disputes arising will be subject to Delhi jurisdiction only.
Qualified candidates of GAT-B 2026, admitted to DBT supported Post Graduate programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas, at Participating Institutions/Universities in India will be paid stipend as under :
a. M.Sc. Biotechnology & Allied Areas - Rs.5000/- per month
b. M.Sc. Agricultural Biotechnology - Rs.7500/- per month
c. M.Tech. / M.V.Sc. programmes - Rs.12000/- per month
Stipend will be disbursed through the participating institutions after due verification of students pursuing prescribed DBT supported Post Graduate programmes inBiotechnology and allied areas. Continuation of stipend for the second year of the programme is subject to satisfactory progress of the student, to be certified by participating institutions/ universities.
Reservation Policy for GAT-B 2026
Reservation policy of Government of India will be followed for admissions of GAT-B 2026 qualified candidates to DBT supported Post Graduate Programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas at participating institutions/ universities. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission and selection process (transfer/ cancellation/ conversion of seats/ fee refund policy) of Participating Institutions/Universities.
Merit List generated under GAT-B 2026
Following declaration of GAT-B 2026 results, an all India category wise merit list will be prepared as per Reservation Policy of Government of India. Call for admissions, for GAT-B 2026 qualified candidates, will be advertised separately by participating institutions/universities as per institutional admission and selection norms. Reservation policy of Government of India will be followed for admissions to DBT supported Post Graduate Programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas at participating institutions/universities. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in theadmission and selection process (transfer/cancellation/conversion of seats/fee refund policy) of participating Institutions/Universities.
Transfer Policy for admissions under GAT-B 2026 Transfer policy in participating institutions/universities is as per institutional admission and selection norms. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission & selection process of participating institutions/universities.
Conversion of Vacant Seats for admissions under GAT-B 2026
Conversion of vacant seats for admissions at Participating Institutions/Universities will be done as per institutional admission and selection norms. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission and selection process of ParticipatingInstitutions/Universities.
Cancellation & Fee Refund Policy for admissions under GAT-B 2026
Cancellation and fee refund policy will be done as per institutional admission and selection norms. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission and selection process of participating institutions/universities.
Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2026
DBT-Junior Research Fellowship Programme Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India grants fellowships to bonafide Indian citizens for pursuing Doctoral Research in Biotechnology and life-sciences through the "DBT-Junior Research Fellowship" (DBT-JRF) Programme. Initiated in the year 2004, the DBT-JRF Programme has played a critical role in nurturing skilled human resource capital and promoting research in frontier areas of biotechnology.
Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2026
Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) is the national qualifying examination for award of Doctoral Research Fellowships under the DBT-Junior Research Fellowship (DBT- JRF) Programme. BET is an All-India computer-based examination which is held once every year. These fellowships are tenable at any recognized university/institution in India where the selected fellow registers for Ph.D. programme. Based on the performance in Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2026, two categories of merit list shall be prepared (Category-I and Category-II). Government of India norms for reservation will be followed for shortlisting of candidates. Candidates shortlisted under Category-I shall be eligible to avail fellowship at any recognized university/institution across India, where the candidate enrolls for Ph.D. Programme. Candidates shortlisted under Category-II will be eligible to be appointed in any DBT sponsored project with fellowship equivalent to NET/GATE qualification as per current DST guidelines and/or enroll in PhD programme, subject to selection through institutional selection process. Selection in Category- II shall not entitle candidate for any fellowship from DBT-JRF programme.
Details of Fellowship Award
Award of DBT-JRF Category-I fellowship entitles a shortlisted candidate for activation of fellowship subject to joining Ph.D. Programme and subsequent registration of Ph.D. from recognized University/ Institution across India within 2 years from the date of issuance of fellowship award letter. Such Category-I qualifying candidates will be eligible to avail fellowship grant under DBT-JRF programme. Emoluments under the fellowship grant includes research fellowship, contingency and house rent allowance (if applicable). Registration for Ph.D. is candidate's responsibility and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) or Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has no role/ responsibility in this matter. Verification of documents shall be carried out for shortlisted candidates only. Award letter shall not be issued to candidates found ineligible or who submit incorrect documents or whose documents are not received within one (1) year from the date of declaration of BET 2026 result. The candidates declared eligible for award of fellowship under DBT-JRF Programme will be governed by DBT-JRF Programme guidelines in this regard. Formats of various Attestation / Undertaking certificates required for registration to BET 2026 entrance examination are provided in the Information Bulletin.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology (GAT-B) 2026
Only bonafide Indian nationals are eligible to apply for GAT-B 2026. Candidates meeting the minimum eligibility criteria of Participating Institutions / Universities(APPENDIX-II) are eligible to apply for GAT-B 2026 entrance examination. Candidates may further verify the eligibility criteria on the website of the Participating Institutions/ Universities. Candidates who do not meet the minimum eligibility criteria of Institutions/Universities and still appear for GAT-B 2026 entrance examination will do so at their own risk. If at any stage it is found that a candidate does not fulfil minimum eligibility requirements of Participating Institutions / Universities, rules of cancellation or termination of respective Institutions / Universities shall be applicable. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission and selection process (transfer/cancellation/conversion of seats/fee refund policy) of Participating Institutions / Universities.
Candidate who has either appeared or is due to appear in the final examination of their qualifying degree is eligible to apply for GAT-B 2026, under the result awaited(RA) category. Such candidate will have to submit the Undertaking/Attestation Formduly certified/stamped by the Head of the Institute (with address and name) from where the candidate is appearing for the qualifying degree. Failing to comply with this instruction will result in rejection of application.
Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2026
1. Academic Qualification: 3.2.2 Candidates holding a 4-year/8 semester UG degree in Biotechnology/Life Sciences or allied disciplines such as Biomedical, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Botany, Chemistry, Computational Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Zoology or any other allied areas of Biology/Life-Sciences.
2. For a 4 year/8 semester bachelor’s degree (with research): minimum 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed. A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade as per NEP 2020. Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree Regulations, 2022, UGC to be followed.
3. For B.Tech and B.E degrees: with minimum 60% of marks for General, EWS & OBC category and 55% of marks for SC/ ST/ differently Abled candidates in aggregate (or equivalent grade).
4. Candidates holding a Master’s degree or equivalent (M.Sc. /M.Tech. /M.VSc./ M.Pharm. /Integrated M.Sc./M.Tech./MBBS) in Biotechnology/Life Sciences or allied disciplines such as Biomedical, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Botany, Chemistry, Computational Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Zoology or any other allied areas of Biology/Life-Sciences with minimum 60% of marks for General, EWS & OBC category and 55% of marks for SC/ ST/Differently Abled candidates in aggregate (or equivalent grade).
5. Final-year candidates or those awaiting results are eligible to apply for BET 2026, under the result awaited (RA) category. Such candidate will have to submit the Undertaking/Attestation Form duly certified/stamped by the Head of the Institute (with address and name) from where the candidate is appearing for the qualifying degree. Failing to comply with this instruction will result in rejection of application. Certificate for Appearing / result awaited candidates is given at APPENDIX-III.
6. Age Limit: Upto 28 years of age as on the last date of application for General & EWS category. Age relaxation of up to 5 years (33 years) for SC/ ST/ Differently Abled/ Women candidates and upto 3 years (31 years) for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates. 7. Nationality: Candidate should be a bonafide citizen and resident of India.
Pattern of Question Papers
Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology (GAT-B) 2026
The question paper will comprise of Multiple Choice Questions in the following areas :
Section A (Multiple choice questions of the level of 10+2 in the subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology)
No. of Questions : 60
No. of Questions to be Attempted : 60
Marks : 1*60=60
Section B (Multiple choice questions of Graduate / Bachelor’s level in the subjects: Basic Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology and allied areas as per syllabus given)
No. of Questions : 100
No. of Questions to be Attempted : 60
Marks : 3*60=180
Total
No. of Questions : 160
No. of Questions to be Attempted : 120
Marks : 240
Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2026
The question papers will comprise of Multiple Choice Questions in the following areas:
Section A (General Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, General Aptitude, Analytical, Quantitative Ability and General Biotechnology
No. of Questions : 50
No. of Questions to be Attempted : 50
Marks : 3*50=150
Section B (Specific areas of Biotechnology as per syllabus given)
No. of Questions : 150
No. of Questions to be Attempted : 50
Marks : 3*50=150
Total
No. of Questions : 200
No. of Questions to be Attempted : 100
Marks : 300
Medium of Examinations : The medium of Question Papers for both the examinations shall be English only.
Application Fee
Rs. 1300 (General UR/OBC NCL/EWS)
Rs. 650 (SC/ST/PwD)
Note : Applicable service/processing charges & GST over and above the Examination Fee, are payable by the candidate to the concerned Bank/ Payment Gateway Integrator concerned.
Online registration and submission of Application Form : 19.03.2026 to 09.04.2026 (Upto 05:00 P.M.)
Last date for successful transaction of Examination fee : 09.04.2026 (Upto 11:50 P.M.)
Correction in the Particulars of Application Form online only : 11.04.2026 to 13.04.2026
Date of Examination : 17.05.2026
Timing of Examination : 9:00 AM- 12:00 Noon
Examination Centre : As indicated in the Admit Card
GAT-B and BET 2026 : More Info | Apply Online
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