GATE Life Science Eligibility Criteria, exam pattern & Seats in IITs 2025
GATE Life Science [XL]: In This Article, We Will Discuss Eligibility Criteria & Exam Patterns & Much More Information for GATE Life Science
Gate Life Science [Code – XL] is One of The Most Important & Popular Exams of GATE, there are 6 Subjects Out of 5 Optional Subjects Name are – Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, and Food technology. Chemistry is a Compulsory Subject [XL-P] for all Subjects. You have to choose 2 optional Subjects for 60 Marks 20 Questions from Each Subject Asked in Each Subject. A total of 65 Questions Come into the Exam including 10 General Aptitude. We will Discuss All Details in This article.
Overview of Gate Life Science Paper [XL] Exam 2025-
| Particulars | Details |
| Examination Mode Gate Life Science | Computer Based Test (Online) |
| Duration Gate Life Science | 3 Hours |
| Number of Subjects Gate Life Science | 4 Papers [ 2 optional + Chemistry Compulsory + General Aptitute] |
| Section Gate Life Science | General Aptitude (GA) ,Chemistry & Candidate Selected Subject [Optional] |
| Type of Questions Gate Life Science | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)Multiple Select Questions (MCQs)Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
| Design of Questions Gate Life Science | The questions are designed to test the listed abilities Application Analysis Comprehension Recall Synthesis |
| Number of Questions | 65 Questions (including 10 questions from General Aptitude) |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks |
| Negative Marking | Two types of MCQs: MCQs – 1 mark for each correct answer; 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer MCQs – 2 marks for each correct answer; 2/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response. There is no negative marking for Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions and NO negative marking for MSQ & NAT. |
| Terms of Gate Life Science Exam | Once a year |
| The subject of Gate Life Science | Biochemistry [XL-Q] Botany [XL-P] Microbiology [XL-S] Zoology [XL- T ] Food Technology [XL- U] |
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Eligibility for Gate Life Science: Educational Qualification
A candidate who is currently studying in the 3rd or higher years of Life Science undergraduate degree program OR has already completed any government-approved degree program in Life Science or Relevant Stream is eligible for appearing in the GATE 2025 exam.
| Qualifying Degree | Qualifying Degree/Examination | Description of eligible candidates |
| BSc Life Science BA Life Science | Bachelor’s degree holders in Life Science Stream (3 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./Diploma in Life Science or Related Stream ) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
GATE Life Science Exam Minimum / Maximum Age Limit Criteria 2025
Candidates have to meet the GATE eligibility 2025 in order to appear for the GATE exam. There is No Age Limit to applying for the GATE exam 2025.
GATE Life Science Exam Attempts Limit Criteria 2025
There is No Restriction on the number of GATE attempts. One can enroll and appear for the exam as many times as they want.
Who Can Apply for GATE Life Science Exam?
There is no specified minimum pass percentage in the qualifying exam to apply for the GATE exam 2023. . For Life Science You Must Have Under Graduation in a Related Subject of Economics. Following Degree Example Given Below
- BSc in Life Science
- BSc in Biochemistry
- BSc in Zoology
- BA in Life Science
- BSc Genetics
- BSc Advanced Plant Biology
- BSc Bioinformatics
- BSc Biochemistry and Immunology
- BTech Marine Science
- BSc Cell Biology and Biostatistics
GATE Life Science [XL] Exam Pattern-
Total Number of Questions in GATE 2025
- GATE 2025 will have a total of 55 + 10 (General Aptitude) questions.
- General Aptitude will have 10 questions + Chemistry 15 Questions and Optional 1 will have 20 questions & 20 Questions from Second Optional Paper
- There is No Restriction to move to and from among the Papers.
- All the questions are compulsory to attempt.
- Different Negative marking for Each Subject
| GATE Paper | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude [Same for All Subejcts] | 10 | 15 | Cumulative time duration of 3 hours.Shift 1: 9.30 AM – 12.30 PMShift 2: 2.30 PM – 5.30 PM |
| Chemistry [Compulsory] | 15 | 25 | |
| GATE Life Science Optional 2 | 20 | 30 | |
| GATE Life Science Optional 2 | 20 | 30 | |
| Total | 65 MCQs | 100 Marks | 180 minutes |
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Marking Scheme for GATE Life Science All Subjects Exam 2025-
Below, we are sharing the GATE Life Science marking scheme that will make you aware of the exam paper’s difficulty level.
Section A:
This section is divided into two parts. The first part will contain 05 Multiple Choice Questions of 1 mark. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer (1/3 will be deducted for the 1-mark question).
The remaining 05 Multiple Choice Questions are of 2 marks each, and 2/3 marks will be deducted for these types of questions in case of wrong attempts.
Section B: [Chemistry]
This section contains 15 Multiple. The first part will contain 05 Multiple Choice Questions of 1 mark. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer (1/3 will be deducted for the 1-mark question).
Remaining 10 Questions for 2 Marks & No Negative Marking [ Only 4 Questions Negative Marking of 2/3]
Section C: Biochemistry
This section is divided into two parts. The first part will contain 10 Multiple Choice Questions of 1 mark. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer (1/3 will be deducted for the 1-mark question).
The remaining 10 Multiple Choice Questions are of 2 marks each, and 2/3 marks will be deducted for these types of questions in case of wrong attempts
Section D – Botany
This section is divided into two parts. The first part will contain 10 Multiple Choice Questions of 1 mark. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer (1/3 will be deducted for the 1-mark question).
The remaining 10 Multiple Choice Questions are of 2 marks each, and 2/3 marks will be deducted for these types of questions in case of wrong attempts Question 8,9 & 10 No Negative Marking.
Section E – Microbiology
This section is divided into two parts. The first part will contain 10 Multiple Choice Questions of 1 mark. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer (1/3 will be deducted for the 1-mark question).
The remaining 10 Multiple Choice Questions are of 2 marks each, and 2/3 marks will be deducted for these types of questions in case of wrong attempts Question 6,78,9,10,17,18,19,20 No Negative Marking.
Section F – Zoology
This section is divided into two parts. The first part will contain 10 Multiple Choice Questions of 1 mark. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer (1/3 will be deducted for the 1-mark question).
The remaining 10 Multiple Choice Questions are of 2 marks each, and 2/3 marks will be deducted for these types of questions in case of wrong attempts Question 7,8,9,10,17,18,19,20 No Negative Marking.
Section G – Food Technology
This section is divided into two parts. The first part will contain 10 Multiple Choice Questions of 1 mark. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer (1/3 will be deducted for the 1-mark question).
The remaining 10 Multiple Choice Questions are of 2 marks each, and 2/3 marks will be deducted for these types of questions in case of wrong attempts Questions 14 to 20 No Negative Marking.
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Number of Seat in IITs for Life Science Gate Qualified Approx –
GATE Seats 2025 – Allotment of Seats
The following table provides details about the possible availability of GATE seats 2025 to candidates who want to appear in the GATE 2025. It also mentions the number of seats allocated to candidates of different categories, including general, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST.
GATE 2024 Seats
| Institute | Program | Discipline (Code) | GEN | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | Total |
| IIT Bhilai | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2801) | 4 | 1 | 3 + 1* | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| Mathematics & Computing (2802) | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 12 | ||
| Physics (2803) | 5 + 1* | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 | ||
| IIT Bhubaneswar | JointM.Sc.‐Ph.D.‡ | Chemistry (1901) | 10 | 2 | 7 | 3 + 1* | 2 | 25 |
| Mathematics (1902) | 9 + 1* | 2 + 1* | 6 | 3 | 2 | 24 | ||
| Physics (1903) | 10 | 3 | 7 + 1* | 4 | 2 | 27 | ||
| Geology (1904) | 9 + 1* | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 25 | ||
| Atmosphere & Ocean Sciences (1905) | 9 + 1* | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 24 | ||
| IIT Bombay | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Applied Geology (1201) | 14 + 1* | 4 | 10 | 5 + 1* | 3 | 38 |
| Applied Geophysics (1202) | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 + 1* | 20 | ||
| Applied Statistics & Informatics (1203) | 18 + 1* | 5 | 12 + 1* | 7 | 4 | 48 | ||
| Biotechnology (1204) | 14 | 4 | 8 + 1* | 5 | 2 + 1* | 35 | ||
| Chemistry (1205) | 21 + 2* | 6 | 15 | 8 + 1* | 4 | 57 | ||
| Mathematics (1206) | 14 + 1* | 3 + 1* | 10 | 6 | 3 | 38 | ||
| Physics (1207) | 23 + 1* | 5 + 1* | 15 + 1* | 9 | 5 | 60 | ||
| M.Sc.‐ Ph.D.Dual Degree | Energy (1212) | 9 | 2 | 6 | 2 + 1* | 2 | 22 | |
| Environmental Science (1213) | 4 + 1* | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | ||
| Operations Research (1214) | 5 + 1* | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 15 | ||
| IIT Delhi | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (1301) | 26 + 2* | 7 | 17 + 1* | 9 + 1* | 5 | 68 |
| Mathematics (1302) | 27 + 1* | 7 | 17 + 1* | 10 | 4 + 1* | 68 | ||
| Physics (1303) | 27 + 1* | 6 + 1* | 17 + 1* | 10 | 5 | 68 | ||
| Economics (1304) | 9 + 1* | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 25 | ||
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2601) | 26 + 1* | 6 | 17 + 1* | 10 | 5 | 66 |
| Mathematics & Computing (2602) | 21 + 1* | 6 | 15 | 7 + 1* | 4 | 55 | ||
| Physics (2603) | 21 + 1* | 6 | 15 | 8 | 3 + 1* | 55 | ||
| M.Sc. (Tech) (6 semesters) | Applied Geology (2604) | 26 + 1* | 6 | 17 + 1* | 10 | 5 | 66 | |
| Applied Geophysics (2605) | 22 | 6 | 15 | 7 + 1* | 4 | 55 | ||
| M.Sc. (Tech) (6 semesters) | Applied Geology (2604) | 26 + 1* | 6 | 17 + 1* | 10 | 5 | 66 | |
| Applied Geophysics (2605) | 22 | 6 | 15 | 7 + 1* | 4 | 55 | ||
| IIT Gandhinagar | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2001) | 11 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 1 + 1* | 26 |
| Mathematics (2002) | 14 + 1* | 4 | 10 + 1* | 5 | 3 | 38 | ||
| Physics (2003) | 15 | 4 | 9 + 1* | 5 + 1* | 3 | 38 | ||
| M.Sc. (Tech) (6 semesters) | Applied Geology (2604) | 26 + 1* | 6 | 17 + 1* | 10 | 5 | 66 | |
| Applied Geophysics (2605) | 22 | 6 | 15 | 7 + 1* | 4 | 55 | ||
| IIT Gandhinagar | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2001) | 11 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 1 + 1* | 26 |
| Mathematics (2002) | 14 + 1* | 4 | 10 + 1* | 5 | 3 | 38 | ||
| Physics (2003) | 15 | 4 | 9 + 1* | 5 + 1* | 3 | 38 | ||
| IIT Hyderabad | M.Sc. (4 semesters) | Chemistry (2101) | 15 + 1* | 4 | 11 | 5 + 1* | 3 | 40 |
| Mathematics/Mathematics & Computing (2102) | 11 | 2 | 5 + 1* | 4 | 2 | 25 | ||
| Physics (2103) | 16 | 3 + 1* | 11 | 6 | 2 + 1* | 40 | ||
| IIT Indore | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2201) | 11 + 1* | 3 | 8 | 4 + 1* | 2 | 30 |
| Physics (2202) | 12 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 1 + 1* | 30 | ||
| Mathematics (2203) | 8 | 2 | 4 + 1* | 3 | 2 | 20 | ||
| Biotechnology (2204) | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 15 | ||
| Astronomy (2205) | 5 + 1* | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 15 | ||
| IIT Jodhpur | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2401) | 13 + 1* | 4 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 38 |
| Mathematics (2402) | 7 + 1* | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 20 | ||
| Physics (2403) | 13 + 1* | 4 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 38 | ||
| M.Sc.-M.Tech. Dual Degree | Mathematics-Data & Computational Sciences (2404) | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | |
| Physics and Materials Engineering (2405) | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | ||
| IIT Kanpur | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (1501) | 19 + 1* | 4 + 1* | 13 | 7 | 3 + 1* | 49 |
| Mathematics (1502) | 19 + 1* | 5 | 13 | 6 + 1* | 4 | 49 | ||
| Physics (1503) | 14 + 1* | 4 | 9 + 1* | 6 | 3 | 38 | ||
| Statistics (1504) | 24 + 1* | 5 + 1* | 16 + 1* | 9 | 5 | 62 | ||
| M.Sc.-Ph.D.Dual Degree | Physics (1505) | 8 | 2 | 4 + 1* | 3 | 2 | 20 | |
| IIT Kharagpur | JointM.Sc.‐Ph.D. | Chemistry (1601) | 22 + 1* | 6 | 14 + 1* | 8 + 1* | 4 | 57 |
| Geology (1602) | 14 + 1* | 4 | 9 + 1* | 6 | 3 | 38 | ||
| Mathematics (1603) | 15 | 4 | 9 + 1* | 5 + 1* | 3 | 38 | ||
| Physics (1604) | 23 + 1* | 6 | 15 + 1* | 9 | 3 + 1* | 59 | ||
| Geophysics (1605) | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 + 1* | 15 | ||
| 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 + 1* | 1 | 15 | |||
| Medical Physics (1606) | 2 + 1* | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||
| Nuclear Medicine (1607) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | ||
| Molecular Medical Microbiology (1608) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | ||
| IIT Madras | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (1701) | 26 + 1* | 6 + 1* | 17 + 1* | 10 | 5 | 67 |
| Mathematics (1702) | 19 + 1* | 5 | 12 + 1* | 6 + 1* | 4 | 49 | ||
| Physics (1703) | 21 + 1* | 5 | 14 + 1* | 8 | 4 | 54 | ||
| IIT Mandi | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (3101) | 19 + 1* | 4 + 1* | 14 | 7 | 4 | 50 |
| Applied Mathematics (3102) | 19 + 1* | 5 | 13 + 1* | 7 | 4 | 50 | ||
| Physics (3103) | 16 | 4 | 11 | 5 + 1* | 2 + 1* | 40 | ||
| IIT Palakkad | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2901) | 8 | 3 | 5 | 2 + 1* | 2 | 21 |
| Mathematics (2902) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 1 + 1* | 21 | ||
| Physics (2903) | 8 | 3 | 5 | 2 + 1* | 2 | 21 | ||
| IIT Patna | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2501) | 11 + 1* | 3 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 30 |
| Mathematics (2502) | 12 + 1* | 3 | 7 + 1* | 4 | 2 | 30 | ||
| Physics (2503) | 12 + 1* | 3 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 30 | ||
| IIT Roorkee | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Applied Geology (1801) | 8 | 2 | 4 + 1* | 3 | 1 | 19 |
| Chemistry (1802) | 17 + 1* | 4 | 11 + 1* | 7 | 3 | 44 | ||
| Economics (1803) | 13 | 3 | 9 | 4 + 1* | 2 + 1* | 33 | ||
| Mathematics (1804) | 15 | 4 | 10 | 5 + 1* | 2 + 1* | 38 | ||
| Physics (1805) | 11 + 1* | 3 | 8 + 1* | 4 | 2 | 30 | ||
| IIT Ropar | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2302) | 9 + 1* | 2 | 7 | 3 + 1* | 2 | 25 |
| Mathematics (2301) | 10 | 3 | 6 + 1* | 3 | 2 | 25 | ||
| Physics (2303) | 10 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 1 + 1* | 25 | ||
| IIT Tirupati | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Mathematics & Statistics (3001) | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 15 |
| Chemistry (3002) | 6 | 2 | 3 + 1* | 2 | 1 | 15 | ||
| Physics (3003) | 5 + 1* | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 15 | ||
| IIT (BHU) Varanasi | M.Sc.(4 semesters) | Chemistry (2701) | 9 + 1* | 2 | 6 + 1* | 4 | 2 | 25 |
| Physics (2702) | 10 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 1 + 1* | 25 | ||
| Note: In the absence of a PwD candidate, an available JAM seat will be allotted to the candidate in the respective category, in the final round of admission.*Represents seats reserved for candidates with disabilities. |
Frequently Asked Questions GATE Life Science Eligibility criteria –
Question -1 Can a life science student give the GATE exam?
Ans- yes if You are a Graduate in Life Science [Biology] Then you can appear for the Exam
Question -2 Is chemistry compulsory for GATE Life Science?
Ans- The GATE 2023 Life Sciences (XL) syllabus includes 3 segments. The first segment is GA (General Aptitude) and the second segment is Chemistry which is marked as segment P and this segment is mandatory for the students.
Question -3 What can I do after clearing GATE Life Science?
Ans- If you cleared gate with an astounding score, the best opportunity after gate exam is that you can go for M.Tech or ME in some prestigious institutes like IITs, NIT or IISC. . Based on your specialization, GATE score and academic interests you can choose your favourite institutes.
Question -4 What is the use of the GATE exam for life science ?
Ans- Even in some colleges and institutions, which admit students without MoE scholarship/assistantship, the GATE qualification is mandatory. Further, many Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have been using the GATE score in their recruitment process.
Question -5 How difficult is GATE Life Science?
Ans- Yes. The GATE Life Science syllabus 2022 is considered one of the toughest and it tests aptitude as well as the subject knowledge that one has studied during the four years of Graduation But With Proper Books [Study Notes ] You Can Crack Easily
Looking for Best Study Notes GATE Life Science Check Free Sample PDF – Click Here
Question -6 What is a good GATE score in life science?
Ans – For admission into top IITs, the student must score a GATE rank below 200. However, students having a rank in the range of 600-800 can also get admission into IITs and IIITs. For admission into leading NITs, the students should score a GATE rank in 350-800 range
| GATE Life Science Books | GATE Life Science XL |
| GATE Life Science Syllabus | GATE Life Science Eligiblity Criteria |
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