GATE Life Sciences (XL) — Syllabus, PYQs & Preparation
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, paper XL (Life Sciences). GATE 2027 is organised by IIT Madras. A GATE score is used for admission to postgraduate programmes and by public sector companies for recruitment. Paper structure: General Aptitude 15 marks, XL0 Chemistry 25 marks (compulsory), and any two of the other sections at 30 marks each, chosen during the exam.
Important dates
- Registration Opens: 2 Sept 2026
- Regular Registration Closes: 5 Oct 2026
- Extended Registration Closes (with late fee): 12 Oct 2026
- Application Correction Window Opens: 14 Oct 2026
- Application Correction Window Closes: 21 Oct 2026
- Exam City Allotment: 4 Jan 2027
- GATE 2027 Exam Window Begins: 6 Feb 2027
- GATE 2027 Exam Window Ends: 21 Feb 2027
- Results: 19 Mar 2027
Eligibility
- Qualification: Candidates currently in the 3rd or higher year of any undergraduate degree programme, or who have completed any government approved degree programme in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities.
Candidates with a degree from outside India must be in the 3rd or higher year of, or have completed, a Bachelor's degree of at least three years. See the eligibility table on the GATE 2027 website for each degree type.
Selection process
- GATE Examination: Computer based test of 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours. Qualifying in GATE does not guarantee admission, scholarship, or employment; admission to any institute is solely subject to that institute's own eligibility and selection criteria
Exam pattern
- GATE XL, 65 questions, 100 marks, 180 minutes, Online CBT, negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted for a wrong 1-mark MCQ and 2/3 mark for a wrong 2-mark MCQ; no negative marking for MSQ or NAT; no partial marking in MSQ
How to apply
Apply online through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) linked from the GATE 2027 website.
- Application fee (Female/SC/ST/PwD - one paper (regular period)): Rs 1000
- Application fee (All other candidates - one paper (regular period)): Rs 2000
- Application fee (Female/SC/ST/PwD - two papers (regular period)): Rs 2000
- Application fee (All other candidates - two papers (regular period)): Rs 4000
- Application fee (Female/SC/ST/PwD - one paper (extended period)): Rs 1500
- Application fee (All other candidates - one paper (extended period)): Rs 2500
- Application fee (Female/SC/ST/PwD - two papers (extended period)): Rs 2500
- Application fee (All other candidates - two papers (extended period)): Rs 4500
GATE Life Sciences (XL) syllabus
General Aptitude (10Q/15M)
- Basic English Grammar (GATE)
- Basic Vocabulary (GATE)
- Reading and Comprehension (GATE)
- Narrative Sequencing (GATE)
- Data Interpretation (GATE)
- Numerical Computation and Estimation (GATE)
- Mensuration and Geometry (GATE)
- Elementary Statistics and Probability (GATE)
- Logic: Deduction and Induction (GATE)
- Analogy (GATE)
- Numerical Relations and Reasoning (GATE)
- Transformation of Shapes (GATE)
XL0 Chemistry (25M, compulsory)
- Atomic Structure and Periodicity (GATE XL)
- Structure and Bonding (GATE XL)
- s, p and d Block Elements (GATE XL)
- Bioinorganic Chemistry (GATE XL)
- Chemical Equilibria (GATE XL)
- Electrochemistry (GATE XL)
- Reaction Kinetics (GATE XL)
- Thermodynamics (GATE XL)
- Structure-Reactivity Correlations and Organic Reaction Mechanisms (GATE XL)
- Chemistry of Biomolecules (GATE XL)
XL1 Biochemistry (30M, choose any two)
- Structure and Function of Biomolecules (GATE XL)
- Enzymes and General Principles of Metabolism (GATE XL)
- Metabolic Pathways and Associated Disorders (GATE XL)
- Analytical Techniques (GATE XL)
- Cell Structure and Function (GATE XL)
- Gene Expression and Its Regulation, and DNA Repair (GATE XL)
XL2 Botany (30M, choose any two)
- Plant Systematics (GATE XL)
- Plant Anatomy (GATE XL)
- Plant development; Cell and Tissue Morphogenesis (GATE XL)
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (GATE XL)
- Genetics and Genomics (GATE XL)
- Plant Breeding, Genetic Modification, Genome Editing (GATE XL)
- Economic and Applied Botany (GATE XL)
- Plant Pathology (GATE XL)
- Ecology and Environment (GATE XL)
XL3 Microbiology (30M, choose any two)
- Historical Perspective (GATE XL)
- Methods in Microbiology (GATE XL)
- Microbial Taxonomy and Diversity (GATE XL)
- Prokaryotic Cells: Structure and Function (GATE XL)
- Microbial Growth (GATE XL)
- Microbial Metabolism (GATE XL)
- Microbial Diseases and Host Pathogen Interaction (GATE XL)
- Control of Micro-organisms: Chemotherapy/Antibiotics (GATE XL)
- Microbial Genetics (GATE XL)
- Microbial Ecology (GATE XL)
XL4 Zoology (30M, choose any two)
- Animal Diversity (GATE XL)
- Evolution (GATE XL)
- Genetics (GATE XL)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GATE XL)
- Cell Biology (GATE XL)
- Gene expression in Eukaryotes (GATE XL)
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology (GATE XL)
- Parasitology and Immunology (GATE XL)
- Development Biology (GATE XL)
- Ecology (GATE XL)
- Animal Behaviour (GATE XL)
XL5 Food Technology (30M, choose any two)
- Carbohydrates (GATE XE, XL)
- Proteins (GATE XE, XL)
- Lipids (GATE XE, XL)
- Pigments (GATE XE, XL)
- Food Flavours (GATE XE, XL)
- Nutrition (GATE XE, XL)
- Chemical and Biochemical Changes (GATE XE, XL)
- Characteristics of Microorganisms (GATE XE, XL)
- Microbial Growth (GATE XE, XL)
- Food Spoilage (GATE XE, XL)
- Toxins from Microbes (GATE XE, XL)
- Fermented Foods and Beverages (GATE XE, XL)
- Probiotic foods (GATE XE, XL)
- Processing Principles (GATE XE, XL)
- Non thermal technologies (GATE XE, XL)
- Food packaging and storage (GATE XE, XL)
- Oil Processing (GATE XE, XL)
- Fruits and Vegetables Processing (GATE XE, XL)
- Plantation crops processing and products (GATE XE, XL)
- Milk and Milk Products Processing (GATE XE, XL)
- Processing of animal products (GATE XE, XL)
- Waste Utilization (GATE XE, XL)
- Food standards and Quality Maintenance (GATE XE, XL)
- Food Engineering (GATE XE, XL)
- Momentum Transfer (GATE XE, XL)
- Heat transfer (GATE XE, XL)
- Mass Transfer (GATE XE, XL)
- Mechanical Operations (GATE XE, XL)
- Thermal operations (GATE XE, XL)
- Mass Transfer Operations (GATE XE, XL)