GATE 2026 XL Question Paper (Available): Download Life Science PDF here
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
GATE 2026 Scorecard (free download)
27 Mar '26 - 31 May '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 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 Yesterday
Yes, you can secure a seat in M.Tech course at IcfaiTech by taking the IMET. This is the school's own entrance test for those who do not have a GATE score. If you pass the IMET and personal interview, you are eligible for admission.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, students can get admission in Atharva School of Engineering and Technology M.Tech without GATE. The college also accepts PERA CET or Atharva University All India Entrance Test scores.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
MANIT M.Tech fellowship is paid every month based on your attendance. You need to fill out a simple form and get it signed by your teacher. This shows you attended your classes and did your lab assistant work. Once the department confirms this, the money goes straight to your bank account.
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Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
MANIT M.Tech application starts by qualifying the GATE. Next, you register on the CCMT portal during the month of May. You will fill in your personal details and upload your scorecard. Then, you must list your preferred branches at MANIT in order. If you are allotted a seat, pay the fee and verify y
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
This year, 10,11,719 candidates registered for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, and 797434 candidates appeared for the GATE. The number of qualified students list will be available once statistical report is released.
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Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, COAP is only for M.Tech and PhD admissions at IITs and IISc Bangalore. The portal also updates job offers for some PSUs. Overall, around 23+ IITs participate in GATE COAP counselling every year.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
With a GATE EC 2026 score of 609 and EWS category rank, you are well within the cutoff range for M.Tech in VLSI/Microelectronics at several IITs (like IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee) and top NITs (like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, NIT Calicut). Your score is strong enough to target premier in
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, you can join NIT Puducherry without GATE, but only through specific alternative admission channels such as the Self-Support M.Tech program, Sponsored/QIP (Quality Improvement Program), or DASA (Direct Admission of Students Abroad). Regular M.Tech seats are primarily filled via GATE and CCMT cou
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The GATE exam is conducted in the month of February. Registrations can be done on respective website. The application forms are generally out in last week of August. The application fee is INR 1,000 (female/SC/ST/PWD) and INR 2,000 (Male/General/OBC/EWS). Students have to register separately on univ
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
No, Indian students don't need JEE, NEET, or GATE exam score to get a seat at Imperial College. However, programs like MBBS (UCAT), MBA (GMAT), and some STEM programs (ESAT, TMUA, GRE) do ask for additional test scores.
Make sure to check entry requirements for desired course before applying at Impe
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