GAT-B & BET 2026: Official Notification Out; Application Window Open Until April 9
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the notification and activated the online application portal for the Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology (GAT-B) and the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2026. As of March 20, 2026, eligible engineering and science graduates can submit their forms at exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet/.
These national-level examinations are the primary gateway for admission to DBT-supported postgraduate programs (M.Sc., M.Tech., M.V.Sc.) and for the award of the prestigious DBT-Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF) for doctoral research in biotechnology.
Important Dates for GAT-B & BET 2026
Aspirants must keep a close watch on the following timeline to ensure a smooth application process:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Starts | March 19, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (Registration) | April 9, 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | April 9, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | April 11 – April 13, 2026 |
| GAT-B & BET Exam Date | May 17, 2026 (Sunday) |
The exams will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode in two separate shifts. GAT-B is held in the morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), followed by BET in the afternoon (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM). For regular updates on exam center allotment, follow Only Education News.
Eligibility and Application Fees
The GAT-B and BET exams cater to slightly different academic paths:
- GAT-B (PG Admission): Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree (B.E./B.Tech/B.Sc./MBBS) in Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or allied areas with at least 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwD). Final-year students are also eligible to apply.
- BET (Research Fellowship): Requires a Master’s degree (M.Sc./M.Tech/M.V.Sc.) or a 4-year B.E./B.Tech in Biotechnology or Life Sciences. The upper age limit is 28 years (relaxations apply for reserved categories and women).
Registration Fee Structure:
- GAT-B only: ₹1,300 (General/OBC/EWS) | ₹650 (SC/ST/PwD)
- BET only: ₹1,300 (General/OBC/EWS) | ₹650 (SC/ST/PwD)
- Both Exams: ₹2,600 (General/OBC/EWS) | ₹1,300 (SC/ST/PwD)
M.Tech Opportunities through GAT-B
For engineering students, GAT-B opens doors to specialized M.Tech programs at some of India's top institutes. Participating colleges include:
- IIT Indore: M.Sc. Biotechnology
- ICT Mumbai: M.Tech in Bioprocess Technology, Food Biotechnology, and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
- IIIT Delhi: M.Tech in Computational Biology
- Anna University, Chennai: M.Tech in Biotechnology
Exam Pattern Overview
- GAT-B: Total 160 questions (120 to be attempted). Section A (10+2 level PCM/Biology) has negative marking of $-0.5$, while Section B (Graduate level) has $-1$ for incorrect answers.
- BET: Consists of 200 questions (100 to be attempted). Each correct answer adds $+3$ marks, with a $-1$ penalty for wrong answers.
Aspirants are advised to focus on the NCERT syllabus for Section A of GAT-B and their core engineering/biotechnology subjects for Section B and BET.
For a full list of participating universities and their specific seat matrices, visit the Only Education Engineering Exams List or explore the Engineering Course List.