National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official notification for the GAT B and BET Exam 2026 on 19 March 2026. This is a national-level entrance exam conducted for candidates in biotechnology and related fields.
Through this exam, candidates can get admission into DBT-supported postgraduate courses (via GAT-B) and also qualify for the DBT-JRF fellowship (via BET) for research. The application process is conducted online through the official NTA portal.
NTA GAT B and BET Exam Notification 2026 overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | GAT-B/BET 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Purpose | PG Admissions + DBT-JRF Fellowship |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Notice Date | 19 March 2026 |
| Eligibility | B.Sc/M.Sc Biotechnology (60% min.) |
| Participating Institutes | 35+ DBT-supported institutions |
important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 19 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 09 April 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 09 April 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | 11 to 13 April 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 May 2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Gen / OBC / EWS (GAT-B / BET) | ₹1300 |
| SC / ST / PH (GAT-B / BET) | ₹650 |
| Gen / OBC / EWS (GAT-B & BET) | ₹2600 |
| SC / ST / PH (GAT-B & BET) | ₹1300 |
| Payment Mode | Online Mode |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| For BET | Candidates must have a degree in Biotechnology / Life Sciences or related fields like Biomedical, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Botany, Chemistry, Computational Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Zoology, etc. |
| For GAT-B | Candidates must meet the minimum eligibility criteria of participating universities/institutions |
| Academic Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology / Biology / Life Sciences / Chemical / Physical Sciences with minimum 60% marks (approx) |
| Final Year Students | Eligible (can apply under the result-awaited category) |
| M.Sc Candidates | Also eligible to apply |
Exam Pattern (GAT-B)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section A (10+2 Level: Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology) | 60 (Compulsory) | 60 |
| Section B (Bachelor’s Level: Life Sciences / Biotechnology) | 60 (attempt from 100) | 180 |
| Total | 120 | 240 |
note: Section B contains 100 questions, but candidates must attempt only 60.
Exam Pattern (BET)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section A (General Science, Aptitude, Quantitative, etc.) | 50 (Compulsory) | 150 |
| Section B (Biotechnology-specific topics) | 50 (attempt from 150) | 150 |
| Total | 100 | 300 |
note: Section B contains 150 questions, but candidates must attempt only 50.
Application Process
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Registration: Visit exams.nta.ac.in/GATB → New Registration → Enter personal details, email, mobile.
- Form Filling: Complete academic qualifications, category, and preferred test centre.
- Document Upload: Passport photo (10-200KB), signature (4-30KB), category/disability certificate if applicable.
- Fee Payment: Online (Debit/Credit/Net Banking/UPI/Paytm). Fee non-refundable.
- Confirmation: Download receipt with application number.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | click here |
| Official Notification | download PDF |
| official website | Visit Website |
FAQs
What are the qualifying criteria for GAT-B?
GAT-B selection is based on a percentile-based cutoff, which is used for admission to participating institutes.
What is the qualifying criteria for BET (DBT-JRF)?
Candidates are selected based on rank, and top candidates get fellowship benefits:
Category I: ₹37,000 per month + HRA (for first 2 years)
Category II: ₹12,000 per month (for 3 years)
Which institutes accept GAT-B scores?
GAT-B scores are accepted by 35+ DBT-supported institutes, including IITs, central universities, and top research institutes.
Can I get admission through GAT-B in state or central universities?
Yes, many state and central universities use GAT-B scores for admission in M.Sc/M.Tech programs.
Which documents are required during the application?
You need to upload photo, signature, category certificate (if applicable), PwD certificate, and EWS certificate (if applicable).
Which documents are required during counselling/admission?
You will need a GAT-B scorecard, Class 10th & 12th mark sheets, degree/provisional certificate, character certificate, and migration certificate.
Can final year students apply for GAT-B / BET 2026?
Yes, final-year students can apply, but they must submit proof of their degree at the time of admission.
Is there negative marking in the exam?
Yes, 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
What is the validity of the score?
The score is valid for one academic year for admission purposes.
Can I appear for both GAT-B and BET?
Yes, a single exam is conducted, and the same score is used for both GAT-B (admission) and BET (fellowship).
Are integrated MSc-PhD programs available through this exam?
Yes, some institutes offer integrated MSc-PhD programs based on GAT-B scores.
What is the result format?
The result is released online in the form of a percentile score along with raw marks.
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