GATE 2026 XL Question Paper (Available): Download Life Science PDF here
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2027 ( GATE )
GATE 2027 Registration Last Date without late fee
27 Sep '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.
Must Read:
| GATE 2026 CE Shift 1 Answer Key Solutions | GATE ME 2026 Answer Key with Questions |
| 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 Exam 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:
Commonly asked questions
Yes, GATE has negative marking for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) only. In GATE question paper, MCQs will be of one and two marks. Hence, the marking scheme for such questions can be checked below -
- For one mark MCQ - 1/3rd mark will be deducted
- For two mark MCQ - 2/3rd mark will be deducted
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 compulsory for all candidates
Part "B" is optional. It carries 25 marks in total. Candidates can either select Part B1 (Electrical Stream) or Part B2 (Mechanical Stream) during the test.
This year, IIT Guwahati is conducting GATE 2026, and two things have been modified -
- The GATE fees have been revised for all categories
- A new sectional paper has been introduced, called Energy Science (under Engineering Sciences).
The details are available on the official website as well as in the information brochure.
MCQs, MSQs, and NATs are types of questions that are asked in GATE-
| Question type | Meaning |
| MCQs | Multiple-choice questions |
| MSQs | Multiple select questions |
| NATs | Numerical-based questions |
Each question has a different marking scheme. Candidates must check GATE marking scheme carefully.
GATE 2026 Life Science XL Question Paper PDF
We will be sharing the download links for the question paper of GATE 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 |
Commonly asked questions
The GATE zones are the authorities that perform any operations related to the GATE examination. These are managed by the GATE offices of IISc and IITs. The list of GATE zones is as follows-
- IISc Bengaluru
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Guwahati
- IIT Kanpur
- IIT Kharagpur
- IIT Madras
- and IIT Roorkee
GATE papers have three major sections; General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics & Specific Subject. There are 65 questions asked for 100 marks in GATE exam.
General aptitude questions are asked for 15 marks, Engineering mathematics in some paper codes, 13 marks and the rest 72 marks from the chosen subject.
In some paper codes engineering mathematics will be excluded only 15 marks general aptitude questions and rest 85 marks will be of chosen subject.
Yes, GATE General Aptitude is common for all papers. The general aptitude section carries 15 marks out 100 marks, comprising 10 questions in total. The section mainly tests candidates' analytical and thinking skills in the exam. Here's a breakdown of the GATE General breakdown of questions -
- The GA section includes 5 questions of 1 mark and
- 5 questions of 2 marks.
The GATE marking scheme is the same for all.
Considering the past year's trends and experts analysis, GATE CSE, ECE, and EE papers are considered as the toughest papers in GATE exam. Here's why -
Complex technical concepts and fundamentals
Heavy mathematics
Branch popularity and number of registered candidates are more.
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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 DA Syllabus
Explore more Engineering exams with upcoming dates
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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 2 days ago
The syllabus of SRMJEEE PG and GATE is same, but the questions asked in SRMJEEE PG are moderate level. Most questions are basic and direct formula-based.
B
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, you can change or correct spelling mistakes in your name during the GATE Application Form Correction process by paying a fee of ₹500 and providing supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, Alliance School of Business only accepts the scores of its own exam called ARAT for admitting candidates to its PhD course.
Candidates can also get direct admission into PhD courses if they completed UG level graduation with an aggregate over 75% in honors mode or in a UG course of four year dura
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The GATE total marks is 100. The marks in GATE question paper is distributed as follows:
- General Aptitude - 15 marks
- Engineering Mathematics - 13 marks
- Subject/Core Discipline - 72 marks
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
No
Every one need to pay fee
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NIT Silchar has a moderate overall engineering placement record with average packages around INR 12–14 LPA, but core CSE/IT departments claim a major share of these high-paying software offers.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
No GATE score is required for admission to BITS Pilani Dubai MEng course. For admission to the MEng course, Indian students are required to submit a Bachelor's degree in the relevant field with minimum 60% marks. Students can apply for the MEng course by filling out the application form.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, GATE application form window is now open for GATE 2027 registration. Candidates can apply via DigiLocker now.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
According to the IIT Kanpur GATE cutoff 2024, the last round closing ranks ranged from 622 to 840 for the General AI category. So, students who score above 630 increase their chances of admission. The higher the score, the better the chances of admission. Check the list below to know the minimum sco
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Answered 4 weeks ago
Yes, GATE application form window is now live on GOAPS portal. Candidates who want to apply can visit the official website and submit form before due date.
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