GATE 2026 XL Question Paper (Available): Download Life Science PDF here
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2027 ( GATE )
GATE 2027 Application Form Release Date
14 Aug '26
The XL paper in GATE exam is conducted for M.Tech or Ph.D. admissions in IITs and IISc, PSUs. Check here the memory-based question papers of GATE XL.
Memory Based Question Papers PDF here
GATE 2026 Life Science XL Question Paper: The memory based GATE question paper 2026 for Life Science XL is made available here. As per the student reaction received by shiksha.com the exam was of moderate level, though some questions were lenghty, overal good attemptes were 55-57. The GATE 2026 Life Science (XL) question paper is a specialized test paper which is designed for graduates from biological sciences, biotechnology, and related fields who want to move into post graduation into the same field. Candidates can also check the GATE 2026 Cutoff for XL (Life Sciences) to know the expected cut off.
Latest update: The exam conducting authority, IIT Guwahati declared the GATE 2026 results for various subjects was declared on March 19, 2026, for the exam which was held on Feb 7, 2026.
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| GATE 2026 EE Answer Key Solutions with Questions PDF | |
- GATE 2026 Life Science Analysis
- GATE 2026 Life Science XL Question Paper PDF
- GATE XL (Life Sciences) 2026: Scheme of the exam and Section-wise Weightage
- GATE 2026 Marking Scheme
- What is the GATE exam?
GATE 2026 Life Science Analysis
From the following table, students can check the analysis of the GATE 2026 Life Sciences question paper conducted today.
| Subject | Difficulty Level (Easy/Medium/Hard) | No. of Questions Attempted | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | Easy | 10 |
Data Interpretation, Spatial Visualization, Syllogisms, and Basic Profit/Loss.
|
| Chemistry (XL-P) | Hard | 15 |
Physical: Kinetics (k) values), Thermodynamics. Organic: Stereochemistry & Name Reactions. Inorganic: Coordination Chemistry.
|
| Biochemistry (XL-Q) | Moderate | 20 |
Enzyme Kinetics, Protein Folding (Ramachandran Plot), and TCA cycle regulation.
|
| Biochemistry (XL-R) | Easy to moderate | 20 |
Plant Hormones, Photosystems (PS I & II), Genetics (Linkage maps), and Economic Botany.
|
| Microbiology (XL-S) | Moderate | 20 |
Microbial Growth Curves, Virology (Viral replication), Antibiotic resistance, and Lac Operon.
|
| Zoology (XL-T) | Moderate | 20 |
Comparative Physiology, Developmental Biology (Organogenesis), and Animal Behavior (Ethology).
|
| Food Tech (XL-U) | Moderate | 20 |
Thermal Processing (D,Z,F) values), Food Chemistry, and Preservation Techniques.
|
Must Read:
GATE 2026 Life Science XL Question Paper PDF
We will be sharing the download links for the question paper of GATE 2026 Life Sciences XL here as and when it is released.
GATE XL (Life Sciences) 2026: Scheme of the exam and Section-wise Weightage
| Section |
Subject |
No. of Questions |
Total Marks |
Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A |
General Aptitude (GA) |
10 |
15 |
Verbal, Quant, Analytical, and Spatial Aptitude. |
| Part B |
Chemistry (XL-P) |
15 |
25 |
Atomic structure, Thermo, Kinetics, Biomolecules. |
| Part C |
Optional Life Science (Any Two) |
40 (20 per section) |
60 |
Select from: Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, or Food Tech. |
| Total |
All Sections |
65 |
100 |
Time duration - 3 hours |
Also read:
- What is GATE Login 2026
- GATE 2026 Cut off for XE (Engineering Sciences)
- GATE Cut off for CS (Computer Science)
GATE 2026 Breakdown of Questions and Marks
| Section |
1-Mark Questions |
2-Mark Questions |
Total Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude |
5 |
5 |
10 |
| Chemistry (XL-P) |
5 |
10 |
15 |
| Optional Section 1 |
10 |
10 |
20 |
| Optional Section 2 |
10 |
10 |
20 |
Also read:
| GATE 2026 CSE Shift 2 Question Paper PDF | GATE 2026 CSE Shift 2 Answer Key with Solutions PDF |
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GATE 2026 Marking Scheme
| Question Type |
Correct Answer |
Negative Marking (1-Mark Q) |
Negative Marking (2-Mark Q) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) |
Full marks |
-1/3 |
-2/3 |
| MSQ (Multiple Select Questions) |
Full marks |
No |
No |
| NAT (Numerical Ability Test) |
Full marks |
No |
No |
Also read: GATE 2026 DA Syllabus
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What is the GATE exam?
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, short for the GATE exam, is organized by different IITs every year. In 2026, the entrance exam is being organized by IIT Guwahati, to shortlist candidates for admissions into M.Tech, M.Sc., and Ph.D. programs, as well as for recruitment in various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days ago
GATE scholarships do not automatically cover the full annual M.Tech fees, but they provide a monthly stipend of INR 12,400 (amounting to INR 2,97,600 over two years), which closely offsets a major portion of the baseline Category 1 tuition fees.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
No, M.Tech admission at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering is based on the marks obtained by the candidates in a university-level entrance test. Seats are allocated through the counselling conducted by VTU (the affiliating university). However, GATE-qualified candidates are given first preferenc
H
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates with following engineering background are eligible for GATE Robotics and Automation Engineering paper:
GATE Computer Science and Engineering
GATE Data Science
GATE Electrical Engineering
GATE Mechanical Engineering
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
The GATE "Robotics and Automation" (RA) question paper will have a total of 100 marks.
General Aptitude: 15 marks
Subject Questions: 85 marks
The marking scheme and time duration remain the same. GATE "RA" paper structure can be checked below:
Part "A" is common, which carries 60 marks. It is compulsor
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, CSE students can also apply for GATE Robotics and Automation paper. They can either take it as a primary or secondary paper.
I
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
The GATE 2027 registration process remains the same. However, here are a few changes that have been implemented for GATE application form-filling process.
- Create a verified DigiLocker account for a smooth registration process
- Candidates have to provide their facial details/recognition during registra
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, IIT Madras has made it mandatory to register in DigiLocker for GATE 2027 registration. Ensure that the following details are updated properly.
Name
Date of Birth
Mobile Number
Email ID
Profile picture
Address
Verified ID number
The DigiLocker GATE 2027 is only applicable for Indian Nationals.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
JNU M.Tech cutoff 2026 ranged from 327 to 459 for the OBC AI category. As per this range, M.Tech. in Computer Science and Technology was the most sought-after course for admission, with the cutoff being 459. The higher the score, the higher the competition and vice versa.
Students aiming for admissi
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
JNU GATE cutoff 2026 was released up to round 3 for admission to the M.Tech course and its various specialisations.
For the General AI category, the round 3 cutoff was 382 for the M.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering course. Admission to the M.Tech. in Computer Science and Technology c
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
GATE is one of the accepting exams for admission in M.Tech at MIT School of Engineering and Sciences. It is mandatory for admission in M.Tech Fire Engineering. However, aspirants can also apply with PERA CET scores for admission in other M.Tech specialisations.
N
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