GATE Life Science Career Scope – Job Opportunities & Seats in IIT, IISc

GATE Life Science: Life Science is the study of life and living organisms and their life processes. The field of life sciences has experienced a fundamental revolution from traditional in vivo discovery methods to electronic scientific discovery consisting in collecting measurement data through a variety of technologies and annotating and exploring the resulting electronic data sets over the years and it continues to grow further.

Life science comprises fields of science involving the study of living organisms such as plants, animals, and humans. While biology remains the centerpiece of the life sciences, technological advances in molecular biology and biotechnology have led to a flourishing of specializations and new interdisciplinary fields. The Life Science field is an upcoming field and is attracting a lot of popularity among students of life science background.

Overview of Gate Life Science Exam 2024-

Gate Life Science is one of the Newest subjects included in the GATE exam As per the popularity of this exam every year 23000 to 25000 students appeared for GATE Life Science, In 2021, 23973 Students appeared in the Gate Life Science Exam. In this article, we will discuss all the job opportunities after securing a good rank in the GATE Life Science exam. We will also understand the seat matrix in IIT & IISc and other job opportunities. read this article in detail to know each and everything about the career options after gate Life Science Ranked Good Score.

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Eligibility Criteria for GATE LIFE SCIENCE

• BE/BTech/BPharm: Bachelor’s degree in engineering/ technology (Four years after 10+2 or three years after BSc/diploma in engineering/technology) and those who are in the final year of such programs.
• BSc (Research)/BS: Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/ 4 years after 10+2)
• MSc or equivalent: Master’s degree in any branch of science
• Int. ME/MTech (Post-BSc): Post-BSc Integrated Master’s degree programs in engineering/technology (Four year programme)
• Int. MSc/Int BS-MS: Integrated M.Sc. or Five-year integrated B. S./ M. S. Programme.

Seats & Courses Available in IITs for GATE Life Science PG Degree-

Courses Offered in IITs –

IIT Kharagpur

4-Year B.Tech Courses In 

• Agricultural & Food Eng.
•  Biotech. & Biochemical Eng..

5-Year MTech Dual Degree In

• Agr. Food Eng. – Food Process Eng.
• Agr. Food Eng. – Farm Machinery & Power
• Agr. Food Eng. – Aqua cultural Eng.
• Agr. Food Eng. – Agri Systems & Mgmt.
• Agr. Food Eng. Land & Water Resources Eng.
• Agricultural & Food Engineering Dual Degree in Available Specialization.
• Biotechnology & Biochem. Eng.

2-Year MSc In

• Chemical & Molecular Biology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Molecular Medical Microbiology 

3-Year MSc In

• Medical Physics

IIT Bombay

• 5-year B.Tech – MTech program in Environmental Science & Engineering
• 2-year MTech. in Biomedical Engineering
• 2-year MTech in Environmental Science and Engineering
• 2-year MSc Program in Biotechnology
• MSc-PhD Dual Degree in Biosciences & Bioengineering
• M.Sc.-Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering

IIT Madras

• 5-year Dual Degree (M.S) in Biological Sciences
• 5-year Dual Degree (MTech) in Biological Engineering
• 2-year MTech Bioprocess Engineering
• 2-year MTech. in Clinical Engineering

IIT Kanpur

• 4-year B.Tech in Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
• 2-year MTech in Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
• 2-year MTech. Environmental Engineering & Management Program
• 5-year B.Tech double major in Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
• 5-year B.Tech-MTech dual-degree in Biological Sciences & Bioengineering

IIT Delhi

• 4-year B.Tech. in Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology
• 5-year Dual Degree – B.Tech. in Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, and MTech. in Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology
• 2-year MTech. in Energy & Environmental Management
• 2-year Master of Science (Research) – M.S.(R) Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology

IIT Guwahati

• 4-year B. Tech. in Biosciences & Bioengineering
• 2-year MTech in Biotechnology

IIT Roorkee

• 4-year B. Tech. in Biotechnology
• 4-year B.Tech. in Biosciences & Bioengineering
• 2-year DBT Sponsored M.Sc. Biotechnology
• 2-year MTech. in Bioprocess Engineering

IIT Gandhinagar

• 4-year. MTech. in Biological Engineering

IIT Hyderabad

• 4-year B.Tech in Biomedical Engineering
• 2-year MTech. in Biomedical Engineering
• 2-year MTech. in Biotechnology
• 2-year MTech. in Medical Device Innovation
• 2-year MTech. in Polymers and Bio Systems Engineering

IIT Jodhpur

• 4-year B. Tech in Bioengineering
• 4-year B.Tech in Bioengineering with Specialization
• 2-year MTech in Bioengineering
• 2-year MTech-Ph.D. Dual Degree in Bioengineering

IIT Mandi

• 2-year MTech Biotechnology
• 5-year B.Tech.-MTech. (Integrated Dual Degree) in Bio-Engineering
• 5-year B.Tech. & MTech. (Integrated Dual Degree Course) in Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology
• 2-year MTech. in Biochemical Engineering
• 2-year MTech in Biomedical Engineering
• 5-year Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) – B. Tech in Bioengineering and MTech in Biomedical Technology
• 4-year B.Tech. in Pharmacy
• 5-year Integrated Dual Degree B.Tech. & MTech. in Pharmacy
• 2-year M.Pharma.

IIT Indore

• 2-year M.Sc. Biotechnology

Looking for the Best Books/Study Material for GATE Life Science Check Free Sample – Click Here

Cutoff  GATE LIFE SCIENCE

GATE qualifying cutoff vs Admission Cutoff

GATE Qualifying Cutoff 2018 (Official)

What do the students of Life Science study?

Benefits Of Qualifying GATE Exam

It is no wonder GATE is one of the most reputed examinations, which opens so many doors for the aspirants to flourish their careers. Let’s Check how you can make an excellent career after cracking this GATE exam and explore some of the benefits of GATE Exam:

• Gateway For Post Graduation Program: If you passed the GATE exam with an amazing score, then the best opportunity you can attract is post-graduation from a reputed institute. After cracking the GATE examination, you can pursue M.Tech or ME from some renowned institutes like IITs, NIT, or IISC. On the basis of your core subjects and GATE score, you can choose your favorite institutes. However, these institutes have the liberty to decide their cutoff for admission. You have to qualify for their cutoff to get access to these top-notch engineering institutes.
• Research Institutes Recruitment: Candidates who have cleared GATE and want to pursue their career in the research field can opt for this career. They are also fitted for the award of Junior Research Fellowship in CSIR Laboratories and CSIR-sponsored projects. Now, you don’t have to worry about your earnings also, as you can earn a huge stipend while pursuing research and development. These fellowships also provide a stipend of Rs 31, 000 to Rs 35, 000 per month.
• Study Abroad: Here is another exceptional perk of clearing the GATE exam. Now, you can go for higher studies from abroad. Some of international institutes accept GATE scores such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, Technical University of Germany, and RWTH Aachen University. Students who dream about studying abroad can attract this opportunity by cracking the GATE examination.
• Attractive Job Offers: It is again a very interesting perk linked with the GATE examination. After qualifying for the GATE exam, you can also attract many great job opportunities. Also, if you are getting admission to reputed institutes like IIT or NIT, then chances are so bright that you will get placed by the college campus. And, we all know that institutes like IIT and NIT always come up with great campus opportunities.
• PSU sectors: Getting jobs in PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) is a dream of many GATE aspirants and it is yet another benefit of the GATE exam. You can fulfill your dream by qualifying for the GATE examination. PSU has a soft corner for the students with good GATE scores and they approach them for further recruitment. Just amazing if you clear GATE, then you can attract job offers from esteemed organizations like BHEL, IOCL, ONGC, SAIL, NTPC, HPCL, PGCIL, BARC, and many more. A combination of an advanced engineering job and the perks of a government salary is enough to make your career worthwhile.
• Teaching job: These days, many colleges and universities often hire postgraduate engineering candidates from campuses. If you are planning to build a career in the academic field, then after ME or M.Tech you can pursue this career by applying for a faculty position in the reputed universities. No wonder, teaching is one of the most respectful jobs you can actually achieve by qualifying for GATE.
• Chances of Getting placed In Renowned Foreign Companies: Here comes an astonishing benefit of cracking the GATE examination. Candidates can also try their luck in international companies after your post-graduation program. If you ever dream about working abroad and flourishing your career there, then GATE can help you. Through the GATE exam, you can get admission to a foreign university. So, after your PG program from the international university, you can try for a job as well.

So, GATE aspirants, we hope you get an idea about the perk links with this prestigious examination GATE. A candidate can achieve so many things after clearing the GATE exam.

Looking for the Best Books/Study Material for GATE Life Science Check Free Sample – Click Here

List of Opportunities After Clearing GATE Life Science Exam

Here are some opportunities through GATE.

1. Postgraduate Entrance (ME/M.Tech Life Science)

You might think of higher studies after completing your graduation and MSc/M.Tech Life Science is the most popular option for engineering students after graduation. It will provide you to get expertise in your area so that you will be able to get a good job anywhere you want. Most companies search for postgraduates as they are better at problem-solving skills. Although you will get many more opportunities after graduation, a master’s degree will gradually increase your job opportunities and give you a job in reputed MNCs.

Different benefits of the M.Tech program are:

• Some of the top companies hire from institutes like IIT and NIT. They look for students with experience, and experience can come after you finish your ME/M.Tech Life Science.
• Higher pay packages
• Faculty/Research positions in educational institutes and most of the R&D centers.

GATE scorecard is valid for ME/M.Tech Life Science admission for 3 years.

2. Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)

GATE exam became hype after various public-sector Units (PSUs) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with IITs for recruitment through GATE. So, clearing the GATE examination can also help you get government sector jobs.

GATE Score Card is used by various PSUs for hiring candidates. PSUs like ONGC, GAIL, IOCL, PGCIL, NLC, NTPC, NLC hire through GATE Scores followed by Group Discussion, Personal Interview, and Group Task. Even DRDO sometimes recruits through GATE Scores else it will conduct its own written test. Some PSUs like SAIL, ISRO, VIZAG, BEL, BSNL

Some of the leading PSUs in India use GATE scores as their eligibility criteria:

• Mecon Limited (MECON)
• Power Grid India (PGCIL)
• Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited (HECL)
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
• Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)
• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
• National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
• Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL)

There are 3 Public Sector Undertaking that is listed by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India:

• Bharat Immunological and Biological Corporation
• Indian Vaccine Corporation Limited(IVCOL)
• Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council(BIRAC)

• BIRAC offers opportunities which include the Post of Manager and Technical Officer which requires PhD in life science as their essential qualification.
• Reputed institutes like BARC also consider GATE SCORE CARD as a mandatory document for the various courses they offer. Not only it also provides good stipend for the GATE qualified candidates. There are certain courses that are named as Self Supporting Courses in BARC which demands valid scorecard.
• If anyone wants to work in the biotechnology field and he/she is having a good GATE Score, it is better to go for higher studies rather seeking for jobs because Bachelor’s degree is not sufficient to get a good job in this field.
• In case if a candidate is not interested in higher studies and instead wants to get into a job then in the biotech field, then he/she can apply for jobs at Pharmaceutical companies and other Research Organisation.
• One more thing to be added about the Importance Of GATE Exam is that the candidate can enhance their job opportunities through certain training programs offered by companies like Biotech Consortium India Limited(BCIL), Government research centers, etc., some of this will pay a good stipend as well.

3. Ph.D. Entrance

A Master’s degree leads to specialization, cultivates, and brings out the best of your interest in a certain area which may further interest you in research/Ph.D.

Based on the GATE score, some of the foreign university (Like NTU, Singapore) offers Ph.D. position without any GRE score.

The recruitment process for the Ph.D. program includes a valid GATE score and then facing an interview panel based on the respective interest area.

4. Research Opportunities

GATE-qualified students are also eligible for the award of Junior Research Fellowship in CSIR Laboratories and CSIR sponsored projects.

There are some particular research positions available through GATE in Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC). However, BARC conducts its examination for recruitment. Also, industries like ISRO conduct their exams in a similar pattern as GATE.

Applicants who want to make a great career in the research field can go for the GATE examination. GATE-qualified candidates are also eligible for the award of Junior Research Fellowship in CSIR Laboratories and CSIR Sponsored Projects. These fellowships provide an attractive stipend of Rs 31,000 to Rs 35,000 per month.

5. MNCs Job Offers

One of the most attractive perks of the GATE examination is to link your career with MNC. If you are pursuing a master’s program from reputed institutes like IIT or NIT, then the chances are bright that you might get placed in MNCs. These institutes have the tendency to arrange campus placement for students. Students need to work hard to clear the GATE exam so that they can relish this perk.

6. Teaching Jobs

If you want to become a successful professor, then this examination is for you. Yes, there are many reputed institutes that consider ME and M.Tech degrees and even GATE scorecards for recruitment purposes.

Looking for the Best Books/Study Material for GATE Life Science Check Free Sample – Click Here

Job Roles available after M.Sc Life Science

The job roles available for Life Science students are:

• Product Manager- Life Science
• Analyst & Consultant- Pharmaceuticals
• Research Analyst
• Research Scientists
• Food Scientist
• Nutritionist
• Immunologist
• Research Assistant

Tips to crack GATE LIFE SCIENCE

Start high energy preparation for the exam at least 4 months before the date of GATE XL but a silent preparation must have been started at least one year before

Keep Solving and analyzing- It is advisable that you solve full-length mock test papers and Go through all previous years’ papers on GATE XL to have an understanding what to prepare for GATE XL. It will develop an understanding in you of your performance in the actual GATE XL exam where you exactly stand GATE XL

Refer to the good textbooks/Notes for Clearing the concepts- Students must clear their concepts with the help of good books and updated study material like DIWAKAR EDUCATION HUB STUDY MATERIAL FOR GATE XL so as not to face hurdles during the exam. The questions in GATE XL are designed to bring out your understanding and basic knowledge of biotechnology. Try to be more concise and precise over concepts and basic knowledge rather than running on the path of blind learning and going through everything.

Give special attention in choosing the subject combination for GATE XL

Since the subject combination in this exam is mainly for M.Sc. students like M.Sc. biochemistry, M.Sc. microbiology, M.Sc. botany, and M.Sc. zoology but we suggest that B-tech students, who are having strong hold in these subjects and somehow weaker in GATE-BT topics (like mathematics bioprocess, process biotech) should also at least think to take this exam instead of GATE BT.

• The Best thing about this exam is choosing the subject combination at the time of the exam in the examination hall. Avoid choosing biochemistry until you are masterpieces in solving numerical problems.
• Try to choose Botany or Zoology as a second combination partner if you are choosing biochemistry or microbiology
• In our view, most easy and scoring combination can be Botany + Zoology.

Something Extra you can do: – Give special hard work to the compulsory aptitude section and general chemistry.

For general chemistry go through 11th 12th and medical entrance level books and practice them well because this section is deciding factor for your high score and rank.

Make a schedule for Revision and tests – Regular revision matters a lot more than any other things during the preparation time. You must revise all the topics which you have studied during the entire preparation. At many points you will find that remembering all the things simultaneously becomes hard; make short keywords-based notes and map notes to quickly revise all points.

Say NO to New topic during exam days – Students must not study any new topic in the last few weeks. It would bring unnecessary anxiety and can disturb your overall preparation. You should instead keep on honing the previously practiced topics and solve mock test papers. Studying more or all is not required if you have not studied it previously, but a regular revision of the topics that you have studied is the key to success.

Make notes for formulas and important concepts – All the important experimental questions, concepts, and constants must be written separately in a short note so as to keep them revising on one go this will help you in NAT-type questions.

Ask the expert-  

You must take help from those genuine friends who have qualified for the exam in past.

Develop a positive attitude in life, especially for this exam. Never think that this exam is the last hope in Life. Don’t worry you have a brighter life ahead this is just a milestone

Avoid traveling at the night just before the exam especially if your center is in another city just reach one day before the exam takes a rest and proper sleep.

We hope you will make the best decision for your career.

All The Best!

GATE Life Science Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

Ques: What will be the options provided to select the subjects in GATE Syllabus for Life Sciences 2023?

Ans: GATE Life sciences 2023 XL section comprises the following subjects/codes:

• XL-P – Chemistry
• XL-Q – Biochemistry
• XL-R – Botany
• XL-S – Microbiology
• XL-T – Zoology
• XL-U – Food Technology

Ques: What will be the marking scheme and weightage of sections in GATE Syllabus for Life Sciences 2023?

Ans: The weightage of General Aptitude will be 15% and the remaining 85% will be reserved for chemistry & sections (two) selected by the candidates. 

Ques: Can I opt for Food Technology & Zoology sections as my 2 optional sections along with Chemistry in GATE Life sciences 2023?

Ans: Yes. You can opt for any 2 sections from Q to U. The sections P that is chemistry will remain compulsory for all the candidates. The rest of the 2 sections can be selected as per the preference of candidates.

Ques: What will be major topics for GATE Life sciences 2023 microbiology sections that is XL-S section?

Ans: The major topics for these sections are mentioned below:

• Historical Perspective
• Methods in Microbiology
• Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity
• Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
• Microbial Growth
• Control of Microorganisms
• Microbial Metabolism
• Microbial Diseases and Host-Pathogen Interaction
• Antibiotics
• Microbial Genetics
• Microbial Ecology

Ques. What are the sub-topics to prepare for in GATE Life Sciences- Chemistry Syllabus 2023?

Ans. The sub topics in the GATE Life Sciences- Chemistry Syllabus 2023 is as follows: 

• Atomic Structure and Periodicity
• Structure and Bonding 
• s, p & d Block Elements
• Chemical Equilibria
• Electrochemistry 
• Reaction Kinetics
• Thermodynamics 
•  Structure Reactivity Correlations and Organic Reaction Mechanisms
• Chemistry of Biomolecules

Ques. What are some good books for GATE Life Sciences- Biochemistry Syllabus 2023?

Ans. Some good books for GATE Life Sciences- Biochemistry Syllabus are as follows: 

• Biochemistry by Satyanarayana
• Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology by Wilson/Walker
• Practical Biochemistry by Damodaran Geetha K

Ques. What are the sub-topics that one needs to prepare for in the GATE Life Sciences- Botany Syllabus 2023?

Ans. The subtopics in the GATE Life Sciences- Botany Syllabus 2023 is as follows:

• Plant Systematics
• Plant Anatomy 
• Plant development
• Physiology and Biochemistry
• Genetics and genomics
• Plant Breeding, Genetic Modification, Genome Editing Principles, methods
• Economic and applied Botany
• Plant Pathology
• Ecology and Environment

Ques. What are the sub-topics that one needs to prepare for in GATE Life Sciences- Microbiology Syllabus 2023?

Ans. The subtopics in the GATE Life Sciences- Microbiology Syllabus 2023 is as follows:

• Historical Perspective 
• Methods in Microbiology
• Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity 
• Prokaryotic Cells: Structure and Function
• Microbial Growth
• Control of Microorganisms 
• Microbial Metabolism
• Microbial Diseases and Host Pathogen
• Chemotherapy/Antibiotics
• Microbial Genetics
• Microbial Ecology 

Ques. What is a good score for GATE Life Sciences 2023? 

Ans. A good score for GATE Life Sciences is anywhere from 25 to 35 as the GATE Life Sciences Cut Off is usually in that range.

Ques. Is GATE Life Science hard?

Ans. GATE Life Sciences is usually easy to moderate in terms of difficulty.

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