GATE Life Sciences (XL) Syllabus 2027: IIT Madras have officially uploaded the GATE 2027 XL exam syllabus on its official website: gate2027.iitm.ac.in. The GATE exam syllabus for Life Sciences comprises General Aptitude (compulsory), Chemistry (XL-P) and two optional elective subjects. Check complete syllabus of GATE XL below:
- What's Changed in GATE XL Syllabus 2027
- GATE XL Syllabus 2027: General Aptitude
- GATE Life Sciences (XL) Syllabus 2027: Chemistry
- GATE 2027 Life Sciences Syllabus: Biochemistry
- GATE XL Syllabus 2027: Botany
- GATE Life Sciences (XL) Syllabus: Microbiology
- GATE XL Syllabus 2027: Zoology
- GATE XL Exam Syllabus 2027: Food Technology
- GATE 2027 Life Science (XL) Syllabus: Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
- Books for GATE 2027 Life Sciences Preparation
What's Changed in GATE XL Syllabus 2027
- Section codes have been revised and renamed
- A new section has been included under the Chemistry section: Bioinorganic Chemistry
- Immunology section under Biochemistry has been removed. Metabolic disorders added
- Minor changes made in Food Technology Section
To know about other papers, check GATE 2027 Syllabus Changes
GATE XL Syllabus 2027: General Aptitude
The GATE General Aptitude is common for all subjects. Candidates can refer to the GATE General Aptitude (GA) syllabus details for Life Sciences below:
| Topics |
Syllabus |
|---|---|
| English |
English Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence completion, Verbal analogies, word groups, instructions, critical reasoning, and verbal deduction |
| Reading comprehension |
Reading comprehension and interpretation of passages |
| Quantitative aptitude |
Numerical computation, estimation, ratios, percentages, powers, exponents, logarithms, permutations and combinations, probability, statistics, mensuration, geometry, and data interpretation using tables, charts, and graphs |
| Analytical and spatial aptitude |
Logical and analytical reasoning, pattern recognition, spatial visualisation, transformation, paper folding, and assembling of shapes |
GATE Life Sciences (XL) Syllabus 2027: Chemistry
The GATE XL (Chemistry) section is common for all subjects applying for life sciences. Candidates can check GATE XL0 (Chemistry) syllabus details below:
| Sections | Topics |
|---|---|
| Atomic Structure and Periodicity | Planck’s quantum theory, wave particle duality, uncertainty principle, comparison between Bohr’s model and quantum mechanical model of hydrogen atom, electronic configuration of atoms and ions. Hund’s rule and Pauli’s exclusion principle. Periodic table and periodic properties: ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity and atomic size. |
| Structure and Bonding | Ionic and covalent bonding, MO and VB approaches for diatomic molecules, VSEPR theory and shape of molecules, hybridization, resonance, dipole moment, structure parameters such as bond length, bond angle and bond energy, hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions. Ionic solids, ionic radii and lattice energy (Born‐Haber cycle). HSAB principle. |
| s, p and d Block Elements | Oxides, halides and hydrides of alkali, alkaline earth metals, B, Al, Si, N, P, and S. General characteristics of 3d elements. Coordination complexes: valence bond and crystal field theory, colour, geometry, magnetic properties and isomerism |
| Bioinorganic Chemistry | Oxygen transport and storage metalloproteins (hemoglobin, myoglobin, hemocyanin); Electron transport Fe-S metalloproteins; Carbonic anhydrase and Cu-Zn Superoxide dismutase. |
| Chemical Equilibrium | Osmotic pressure, elevation of boiling point and depression of freezing point, ionic equilibria in solution, solubility product, common ion effect, hydrolysis of salts, pH, buffer and their applications. Equilibrium constants (Kc, Kp, and KX) for homogeneous reactions |
| Electrochemistry | Conductance, Kohlrausch law, cell potentials, EMF, Nernst equation, thermodynamic aspects and their applications |
| Reaction Kinetics | Rate constant, order of reaction, molecularity, activation energy, zero, first and second order kinetics, catalysis and elementary enzyme reactions. Reversible and irreversible inhibition of enzymes. |
| Thermodynamics | Qualitative treatment of state and path functions, First law, reversible and irreversible processes, internal energy, enthalpy, Kirchoff equation, heat of reaction, Hess’s law, heat of formation. Second law, entropy and free energy. Gibbs‐Helmholtz equation, free energy change and spontaneity, Free energy changes from equilibrium constant. |
| Structure-Reactivity Correlations and Organic Reaction Mechanisms | Acids and bases, electronic and steric effects, Stereochemistry, optical and geometrical isomerism, tautomerism, conformers and concept of aromaticity. Elementary treatment of SN1, SN2, E1, E2 and radical reactions, Hoffmann/Saytzeff rules, addition reactions, Markownikoff rule and Kharasch effect. Elementary hydroboration reactions. Grignard’s reagents and their uses. Aromatic electrophilic substitutions, nucleophilic aromatic substitutions, and orientation effect as exemplified by various functional groups. Identification of common functional groups by chemical tests |
| Chemistry of Biomolecules | Amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids and nucleotides. Peptide sequencing by chemical and enzymatic proteolytic methods. DNA sequencing by chemical and enzymatic methods. Carbohydrates (upto hexoses only). Lipids (triglycerides only). Principles of biomolecule purification-Ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Electronic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy for the identification of biological molecules. |
GATE 2027 Life Sciences Syllabus: Biochemistry
Check Biochemistry syllabus for Life Sciences below:
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Structure and Function of Biomolecules | Organization of life; Importance of water; Structure and function of biomolecules: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids; Protein structure, folding/misfolding, and function; Myoglobin, hemoglobin, lysozyme, ribonuclease A, carboxypeptidase, and chymotrypsin |
| Enzymes and General Principles of Metabolism | Enzymes: catalysis, specificity, and regulation, kinetics (up to two substrates), enzyme inhibitors; Regulatory Enzymes; Vitamins and coenzymes; General principles of metabolism, hormonal regulation of metabolism; Generation and utilization of ATP |
| Metabolic Pathways and Associated Disorders | Glycolysis, TCA cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, oxidative phosphorylation, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid metabolism; Metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds: nitrogen fixation, amino acids, and nucleotides.Photosynthesis, photophosphorylation, Calvin cycle. Metabolic disorders (Sugars, amino acids, and lipids). |
| Analytical Techniques | Buffering against pH changes in biological systems, the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation; Ion exchange, size exclusion and affinity chromatography, Thin layer and paper chromatography, centrifugation; Characterization of biomolecules by electrophoresis; Analytical methods to study DNA-protein and protein–protein interactions; Lambert-Beer law, UV-visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy; next-generation DNA sequencing, PCR, and site-directed mutagenesis. Antibody-antigen interaction; Immunological techniques: immunodiffusion, immune-electrophoresis, RIA and ELISA, flow cytometry; monoclonal antibodies and their applications. |
| Cell Structure and Function | Cell structure and organelles; Biological membranes; Transport across membranes; Membrane assembly, Protein targeting and degradation; Biosignalling; Receptor-ligand interaction; Two-component system, hormones and neurotransmitters; Toxins and ion channels. |
| Gene Expression and Its Regulation, and DNA Repair | DNA replication, transcription, and translation; DNA damage and repair; Nuclease accessibility methods; Biochemical regulation of gene expression. |
Commonly asked questions
Yes, the GATE General Aptitude syllabus is common for all branch papers in GATE. Candidates must check the GATE syllabus PDF carefully before starting their preparation. The GATE GA syllabus includes the following -
- Verbal aptitude (basic English grammar and vocabulary)
- Quantitative Aptitude - Data interpretation and numerical computation and estimation
- Analytical Aptitude and Spatial Aptitude
GATE 2027 Mechanical Engineering Syllabus have been revamped this year, with some new addition and deletion of topics. Topics deleted include: Langrange Equation and Heisler's charts.
The GATE ME syllabus 2027 has following sections including Engineering Mathematics-
- Applied Mechanics and Design
- Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Design
- Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
Candidates can download GATE syllabus from the official website - gate2027.iitm.ac.in. The syllabus is available in PDF format. Before downloading, check the GATE paper code and branch name. The GATE exam syllabus is available for 30 papers.
Yes, this year IIT Madras has revised the GATE syllabus 2027 for almost all subjects. Many topics and chapters have been simplified. Some chapters and topics have been removed.
- For CSE, major changes in syllabus have been made in COA, Digital Logic, and Computer Network
- For ECE, 90% of the syllabus remains the same. Few changes are made in the engineering mathematics, signals and systems, etc.
Candidates are advised to go through the syllabus/compare it carefully before preparing.
GATE XL Syllabus 2027: Botany
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Plant Systematics | Botanical nomenclature; History of plant taxonomy; Diversity and classification of plants; APG system of plant classification; Major families such as Apiaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Solanaceae, Verbenaceae, Poaceae and Orchidaceae; Phylogenetics and cladistics; Molecular taxonomy and DNA barcoding; Centres for plant taxonomy and herbaria in India. |
| Plant Anatomy | Anatomy of root, stem and leaves, floral organs, embryo and young seedlings; Primary and secondary meristems; Stellar organization; Vascular system and their ontogeny; Xylem and phloem structure; Secondary growth in plants and wood anatomy; Plant cell structure and differences from animal cells |
| Plant development; Cell and Tissue Morphogenesis | Life cycle of an angiosperm; Development of male and female gametophyte; Cell fate determination and tissue patterning; Spacing mechanisms in trichomes and stomata; Embryogenesis, organization and function of shoot and root apical meristems; Transition to flowering: photoperiodism and vernalization; ABC model of floral organ patterning, pollen germination, double fertilization, seed development; Xylem and phloem cell differentiation, photomorphogenesis; Phytochrome, cryptochrome, phototropin; Role of auxin, cytokinin, gibberellins, and brassinosteroids on plant development |
| Plant Physiology and Biochemistry | Plant water relations, mechanisms of uptake and transport of water, ions, solutes from soil to plants, apoplastic and symplastic transport mechanisms; Mechanism of stomatal movements, nitrogen metabolism, photosynthesis; C3, C4 and CAM cycles, photorespiration, respiration: glycolysis, TCA cycle and electron transport chain; Plantresponses and mechanisms of abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, freezing and heat stress, metal toxicity; Role of abscisic acid in abiotic stresses; Structure and function of biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acid), enzyme kinetics; Structure and biosynthesis of major plant secondary metabolites (alkaloids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids); Biosynthesis, mechanism of action and physiological effects of auxin, cytokinin, gibberellic acids, brassinosteroid, ethylene, strigolactone, abscisic acid, salicylic and jasmonic acid; Plant peptide hormones; Concept of hormone-receptor-repressor; Senescence and programmed cell death. |
| Genetics and Genomics | Cell cycle and cell division; Principles of Mendelian inheritance, linkage, recombination, genetic mapping; Extra chromosomal inheritance; Introduction to epigenetics; Gene silencing- transgene silencing, post transcriptional gene silencing, miRNA and siRNA; Evolution and organization of eukaryotic genome structure, gene expression, gene mutation and repair, chromosomal aberrations (numerical: euploidy and aneuploidy and structural: deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation), transposons; Model organisms for functional genetics and genomics; Introduction to transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics; Large data analysis, bioinformatics, statistical analysis. |
| Plant Breeding, Genetic Modification, Genome Editing | Principles, methods – selection, hybridization, heterosis; Male sterility; Genetic maps and molecular markers; Embryo rescue; haploid and doubled haploids; Plant tissue culture: micropropagation, embryo culture and in vitro regeneration, somatic embryogenesis, artificial seed, cryopreservation, somaclonal variation, somatic cell hybridization, marker-assisted selection, gene transfer methods viz. direct and vector-mediated, generation of transgenic plants; Introduction to genome editing: CRISPR/Cas9, Cre-Lox system to generate chimeras; Plastid transformation; chemical mutagenesis. |
| Economic and Applied Botany | A general account of economically and medicinally important plants - cereals, pulses, plants yielding fibers, timber, sugar, beverages, oils, rubber, pigments, dyes, gums, drugs and narcotics; Economic importance of algae, fungi, lichen and bacteria; Major Indian cash crops; Effect of industrialization on agricultural botany such as plastic on fiber economy; Genetically modified crops and its regulation eg. Bt cotton, Bt brinjal, golden rice etc.; Chemical Biology of phytochemicals; Postharvest processing of tea and essential oil-bearing plants. |
| Plant Pathology | Nature and classification of plant diseases; Diseases of important crops caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses, and their control measures (chemical and biological) mechanism(s) of pathogenesis, resistance: basal, systemic, induced systemic resistance, gene for gene concept; Molecular detection of pathogens; Plant-microbe interactions: symbionts and mycorrhiza, pathogens and pests; Signaling pathways in plant defence response; Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in plant-pathogen and plant-herbivore interaction, necrosis; Calcium signalling in plants; Host-parasitic plant interaction (such as Cuscuta). |
| Ecology and Environment | Ecosystems – types, dynamics, degradation, biogeochemical cycles, ecological succession; Food webs and energy flow through ecosystem; Vegetation types of the world, Indian vegetation types and biogeographical zones, climate and flora endemism; Pollution and global climate change, speciation and extinction, biodiversity and conservation strategies, ecological hotspots, afforestation, habitat restoration; Plant interactions with other organisms; epiphytes, parasites and endophytes. |
GATE Life Sciences (XL) Syllabus: Microbiology
The GATE XL syllabus 2027 (Microbiology) is another elective subject under life sciences. Check details below:
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Historical Perspective | Discovery of microbial world; Landmark discoveries relevant to the field of microbiology; Controversy over spontaneous generation; Role of microorganisms in transformation of organic matter and in the causation of diseases |
| Methods in Microbiology | Pure culture techniques; Disinfection and Sterilization: principles, methods and assessment of efficacy; Principles of microbial nutrition; Enrichment culture techniques for isolation of microorganisms; Antigen and antibody detection methods for microbial diagnosis; Light-, phase contrast-, fluorescence- and electron-microscopy; PCR, Real-time PCR for quantitation of microbes; CRISPR-Cas. |
| Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity | Bacteria, Archea and their broad classification; Eukaryotic microbes: Yeasts, molds and protozoa; Viruses and their classification; Molecular approaches to microbial taxonomy and phylogeny. |
| Prokaryotic Cells: Structure and Function | Cell walls, cell membranes and their biosynthesis; Mechanisms of solute transport across membranes; Flagella and Pili, Capsules, Cell inclusions like endospores and gas vesicles; Bacterial locomotion, including positive and negative chemotaxis. |
| Microbial Growth | Definition of growth; Growth curve; Mathematical expression of exponential growth phase; Measurement of growth and growth yields; Synchronous growth; Continuous culture; Effect of environmental factors on growth; Sporulation; Quorum sensing; Bacterial biofilm and biofouling |
| Microbial Metabolism | Energetics: redox reactions and electron carriers; Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation; An overview of metabolism; Glycolysis; Pentose-phosphate pathway; Entner-Doudoroff pathway; Glyoxalate pathway; The citric acid cycle; Fermentation; Aerobic and anaerobic respiration; Chemolithotrophy; Photosynthesis; Calvin cycle; Biosynthetic pathway for fatty acids synthesis; Common regulatory mechanisms in synthesis of amino acids; Regulation of major metabolic pathways. |
| Microbial Diseases and Host Pathogen Interaction | Normal microbiota; Classification of infectious diseases; Reservoirs of infection; Nosocomial infection; Opportunistic infections; Emerging infectious diseases; Mechanism of microbial pathogenicity; Nonspecific defense of host; Antigens and antibodies; Humoral and cell mediated immunity; Vaccines; Passive immunization; Immune deficiency; Human diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and pathogenic fungi. |
| Control of Micro-organisms: Chemotherapy/Antibiotics | General characteristics of antimicrobial drugs; Antibiotics: Classification, molecular mechanism of mode of action and resistance; Antifungal and antiviral drugs. |
| Microbial Genetics | Types of mutation; UV and chemical mutagens; Selection of mutants; Ames test for mutagenesis; Bacterial genetic system: transformation, conjugation, transduction, recombination, plasmids, transposons; DNA repair; Regulation of gene expression: repression and induction; Operon model; Bacterial genome with special reference to E.coli; Phage λ and its life cycle; RNA ; Mutation in virus genomes, virus recombination and reassortment; Basic concept of microbial genomics; Cell cycle and cell division in lower eukaryotes. |
| Microbial Ecology | Microbial interactions; Carbon, sulphur and nitrogen cycles; Soil microorganisms associated with vascular plants; Bioremediation; Uncultivable microorganisms; Basic concept of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. |
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GATE XL Syllabus 2027: Zoology
Candidates can check GATE XL (Zoology) syllabus 2027 below:
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Animal Diversity | Systematics and classification of animals, phylogenetic relationships (based on classical and molecular phylogenetic tools). |
| Evolution | Origin and history of life on earth, theories of evolution, natural selection, adaptation, speciation |
| Genetics | Basic Principles of inheritance, molecular basis of heredity, sex determination and sex-linked characteristics, cytoplasmic inheritance, linkage, recombination and mapping of genes in eukaryotes, population genetics, genetic disorders, roles of model organisms in understanding genetic principles |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates; replication, transcription and translation, Krebs cycle, glycolysis, enzyme catalysis, hormones and their actions, roles of vitamins and minerals |
| Cell Biology | Basic principles of cellular microscopy, structure of cell, cytoskeletal organization, cellular organelles and their structure and function, cell cycle, cell division, chromosomes and chromatin structure. |
| Gene Expression in Eukaryotes | Eukaryotic genome organization and regulation of gene expression, transposable elements. |
| Animal Anatomy and Physiology | Comparative anatomy and physiology, respiratory system, muscular system, circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, excretory system, endocrine system, reproductive system, skeletal system. |
| Parasitology and Immunology | Nature of parasite, host-parasite relation, protozoan and helminthic parasites, the immune system, cellular and humoral immune response. |
| Development Biology | Gametogenesis, Embryonic development, cellular differentiation, organogenesis, metamorphosis, Model organisms used in developmental biology, genetic and molecular basis of development, stem cells. |
| Ecology | The ecosystem, Animal distribution, ecological niche and its contribution to ecological diversity, the food chain, population dynamics, species diversity, zoogeography, biogeochemical cycles, conservation biology, ecotoxicology, biodiversity hotspots in India. |
| Animal Behavior | Type of animal behaviours and their evolution, courtship, mating and territoriality, instinct, learning and memory, social behaviour across the animal taxa, communication, pheromones |
GATE XL Exam Syllabus 2027: Food Technology
Candidates can check the GATE XL syllabus of Food Technology below:
| Sections | Topics |
|---|---|
| Food Chemistry and Nutrition | Food Components Characterization and quantification techniques
|
| Food Microbiology |
|
| Food Products Technology |
|
| Food Engineering | Mass and energy balance
|
GATE 2027 Life Science (XL) Syllabus: Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
GATE Life Sciences is mainly divided into 4 sections: general aptitude, one compulsory section, chemistry, and two other sections out of 5 optional sections. Candidates can check the GATE 2027 exam pattern and marking scheme for life sciences in detail mentioned below:
| Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 5 of 1 mark | 5 of 2 marks | 10 | 15 |
| Compulsory Section [Chemistry] | 5 of 1 mark | 10 of 2 marks | 15 | 25 |
| Optional section 1 [Any one section] | 10 of 1 mark | 10 of 2 marks | 20 | 30 |
| Optional Section 2 [Any one section except optional section 1] | 10 of 1 mark | 10 of 2 marks | 20 | 30 |
Books for GATE 2027 Life Sciences Preparation
Candidates can check the suggested books for the preparation of each section of the GATE Life Sciences (XL) paper;
| Section | Suggested Books |
|---|---|
| Chemistry |
|
| Biochemistry |
|
| Botany |
|
| Microbiology |
|
| zoology |
|
| Food Technology |
|
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Yes, candidates can change their category during the rectification phase. A fnon-refundable fee of INR 500 must be paid to change to make modifications in application.
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If the edit option is visible on dashboard, then it means you can edit. However, officials will open defect rectification window before result declaration giving another chance to upload correct photo and signature.
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No, the correction link of GATE 2027 application is not activated yet. The link along with required details and instructions will be notified soon on the official website.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month 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
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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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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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Upasana Pradhan is an Mtech graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU who specialises in curating postgraduate and undergraduate engineering entrance exam content, such as GATE, TS PGECET, KCET,
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