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The National Testing Agency has officially released the NTA GAT-B & BET Notification 2026, bringing a major opportunity for biotechnology aspirants across India. The Graduate Aptitude Test–Biotechnology (GAT-B) and Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) are conducted annually to support academic growth and research excellence in life sciences. In this article, you will find complete details including exam dates, application schedule, eligibility, exam pattern, and syllabus in a structured and easy-to-understand format.
NTA GAT-B & BET Notification 2026
The NTA GAT-B & BET Notification 2026 has been officially released, offering a significant opportunity for candidates aspiring to build a career in biotechnology and life sciences. Conducted by the National Testing Agency, these national-level examinations serve as a gateway for admission into DBT-supported postgraduate programmes and for securing the prestigious DBT-Junior Research Fellowship. With the application process beginning from 19 March 2026 and the exam scheduled for 17 May 2026, candidates must carefully review the notification, understand the eligibility criteria, and complete the application within the given timeline to avoid missing this important opportunity.
| Particulars | GAT-B 2026 | BET 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Full Form | Graduate Aptitude Test–Biotechnology | Biotechnology Eligibility Test |
| Purpose | Admission to DBT-supported PG programmes (M.Sc., M.Tech., M.V.Sc.) | Award of DBT-Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF) |
| Application Mode | Online | Online |
| Official Website | https://exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet/ | https://exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet/ |
| Application Start Date | 19 March 2026 | 19 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 09 April 2026 (5:00 PM) | 09 April 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Last Date Fee Payment | 09 April 2026 (11:50 PM) | 09 April 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | 11–13 April 2026 | 11–13 April 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 May 2026 | 17 May 2026 |
| Exam Timing | 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Medium of Exam | English | English |
| Duration | 180 Minutes (3 Hours) | 180 Minutes (3 Hours) |
| Question Type | MCQs | MCQs |
| Total Questions | 160 (Attempt 120) | 200 (Attempt 100) |
| Total Marks | 240 | 300 |
| Sections | Section A (10+2 level) Section B (Graduate level) | Section A (General Aptitude & Science) Section B (Biotechnology) |
| Marking Scheme | Section A: +1, -0.5 Section B: +3, -1 | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| Application Fee (Gen/OBC/EWS) | ₹1300 | ₹1300 |
| Application Fee (SC/ST/PwD) | ₹650 | ₹650 |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology/Life Sciences | UG/PG in Biotechnology/Life Sciences with required marks |
| Age Limit | No specific limit mentioned | 28 years (General) with relaxation |
| Result | To be announced | To be announced |
| Benefit | Admission + Monthly stipend | DBT-JRF Fellowship for Ph.D. |
| Stipend/Fellowship | ₹5000 – ₹12000/month (PG courses) | Research fellowship as per DBT norms |
NTA GAT-B & BET Notification 2026
The NTA GAT-B & BET Notification 2026 provides comprehensive details about both examinations. These exams are conducted for two distinct yet equally important purposes:
- GAT-B 2026: Admission to DBT-supported postgraduate programmes such as M.Sc., M.Tech., M.V.Sc., and Agricultural Biotechnology in participating institutions.
- BET 2026: Eligibility test for the DBT-Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF), enabling candidates to pursue Ph.D. research in biotechnology and allied fields.
| NTA GAT-B & BET Notification 2026 PDF | |
| Short Notice | Download PDF |
| Detailed Notification | Download PDF |
NTA GAT-B & BET Notification 2026 Schedule
The NTA GAT-B & BET Notification 2026 Schedule has been officially released, outlining all the important dates for the application process, correction window, and examination. Candidates are advised to strictly follow the timeline and complete each stage of the application well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues or disqualification.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 19 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 09 April 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 09 April 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | 11 April – 13 April 2026 |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| Exam Date | 17 May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
Link to Apply for NTA GAT-B & BET 2026
The application link for NTA GAT-B & BET 2026 is now active on the official portal, enabling candidates to complete their registration process online with ease. Interested aspirants can apply through the official website from 19 March 2026 to 09 April 2026 (up to 5:00 PM). Candidates are strongly advised to fill out the application form well before the last date to avoid last-minute rush or technical issues. The entire process is online, and only successfully submitted applications along with fee payment will be considered valid.
Apply Link for GAT B & BET 2026
Step to Fill the NTA GAT-B & BET Notification
Candidates must carefully follow the official application procedure to successfully complete the NTA GAT-B & BET 2026 form. The process is entirely online and can be completed in a few structured steps. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide:
- Step 1: Registration : Visit the official website https://exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet/ and click on the “New Registration” link. Enter basic details such as candidate name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. After successful registration, note down the system-generated Application Number.
- Step 2: Fill the Application Form: Log in using the application number and password. Fill in all required details including: Personal information, Academic qualifications,,Communication address. Ensure that all details match your official documents, as incorrect information may lead to rejection.
- Step 3: Upload Required Documents: Upload scanned copies of the required documents in the prescribed format and size: Recent passport-size photograph (10 KB – 200 KB), Signature (10 KB – 50 KB), Identity proof, Category/PwD certificate (if applicable), Date of birth proof, Result awaited/appearing certificate (if applicable)
- Step 4: Pay Application Fee: Proceed to pay the application fee through online modes such as: Net Banking/ Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI
- Step 5: Review and Final Submission: Before final submission, carefully review all the details entered in the application form. Make corrections if needed, as only limited fields can be edited later during the correction window.
- Step 6: Download Confirmation Page: After successful submission and payment, download the confirmation page and take a printout. This document is important for future reference and admission processes.
NTA GAT-B & BET Application Fee
The fee structure is clearly defined for different categories:
| Exam | General/OBC/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|
| GAT-B 2026 | ₹1300 | ₹650 |
| BET 2026 | ₹1300 | ₹650 |
| Both Exams | ₹2600 | ₹1300 |
NTA GAT-B & BET Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for the NTA GAT-B & BET 2026, candidates must carefully review the eligibility criteria set by the National Testing Agency. While both exams are conducted together, their eligibility requirements differ in terms of educational qualification and age limit. GAT-B focuses on admission to postgraduate programmes, whereas BET is aimed at awarding research fellowships. Failing to meet the prescribed criteria at any stage may lead to cancellation of candidature, so it is important to ensure compliance before submitting the application form.
| Particulars | GAT-B 2026 | BET 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Only bonafide Indian nationals are eligible | Only bonafide Indian citizens and residents of India are eligible |
| Purpose | Admission to DBT-supported PG programmes (M.Sc., M.Tech., M.V.Sc., etc.) | Award of DBT-Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF) for Ph.D. |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology or allied areas such as Life Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, etc. | UG (4-year) or PG degree in Biotechnology/Life Sciences or allied fields such as Bioinformatics, Genetics, Zoology, Botany, etc. |
| Minimum Marks | As per participating institutions’ requirements | UG (4-year): 75% (with relaxation as per norms) B.E./B.Tech: 60% (Gen/OBC/EWS), 55% (SC/ST/PwD) PG: 60% (Gen/OBC/EWS), 55% (SC/ST/PwD) |
| Final Year Candidates | Eligible under Result Awaited (RA) category with required certification | Eligible under Result Awaited (RA) category with undertaking from institution |
| Age Limit | No specific age limit prescribed | Maximum 28 years (General/EWS) |
| Age Relaxation | Not applicable | 5 years relaxation for SC/ST/PwD/Women 3 years relaxation for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) |
| Additional Requirement | Must meet eligibility criteria of respective participating institutions/universities | Must fulfill eligibility at the time of fellowship award and Ph.D. registration |
NTA GAT-B & BET Exam Date 2026
The NTA GAT-B & BET Exam Date 2026 has been officially announced along with the detailed schedule in the notification. Both examinations will be conducted on the same day in two separate shifts, allowing candidates to appear for either one or both exams as per their eligibility and preference. The exams will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across designated centers, and candidates must strictly follow the reporting time and instructions mentioned in the admit card.
| Exam | Date | Timing | Duration | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAT-B 2026 | 17 May 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon | 180 Minutes (3 Hours) | CBT (Online) |
| BET 2026 | 17 May 2026 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | 180 Minutes (3 Hours) | CBT (Online) |
FAQs: NTA GAT-B & BET Notification 2026
Q1. What is the exam date for NTA GAT-B & BET 2026?
The GAT-B and BET 2026 exams will be conducted on 17 May 2026 in two separate shifts.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for GAT-B & BET 2026?
The last date to submit the application form is 09 April 2026 (up to 5:00 PM).
Q3. What is the application fee for NTA GAT-B & BET 2026?
The fee is ₹1300 for General/OBC/EWS and ₹650 for SC/ST/PwD candidates per exam.
Q4. Can I apply for both GAT-B and BET 2026 together?
Yes, candidates can apply for both exams through a single application form by paying the combined fee.
Q5. What is the age limit for BET 2026?
The maximum age limit is 28 years for General category, with relaxation for reserved categories.
Q6. What is the mode of NTA GAT-B & BET 2026 exam?
Both exams will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
Q7. Who conducts the GAT-B & BET 2026 exam?
The exams are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Q8. Is there negative marking in GAT-B & BET 2026?
Yes, both exams have negative marking for incorrect answers.
Q9. What is the purpose of BET 2026?
BET is conducted to award the DBT-Junior Research Fellowship for pursuing Ph.D. in biotechnology.
Q10. Where can I apply for GAT-B & BET 2026?
Candidates can apply online through the official website: https://exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet/
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