The National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of the Department of Biotechnology, has officially released the admit cards for the Graduate Aptitude Test – Biotechnology (GAT-B) and the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2026. Candidates who applied for these national-level entrance tests can now download their hall tickets from the official NTA portal. The official notification regarding the release of the admit card was published on 13 May 2026.
The GAT-B and BET 2026 examinations are scheduled to be conducted on 17 May 2026 (Sunday) in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode across 54 exam cities in India. The exam will be held in two separate shifts: GAT-B will take place in the morning shift from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, while the BET exam will be conducted in the afternoon shift from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Candidates are strictly advised to download their admit cards well in advance to avoid last-minute server issues.
GAT-B & BET 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 19 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 09 April 2026 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip | Released |
| Admit Card Available Date | 13 May 2026 |
| GAT-B & BET Exam Date | 17 May 2026 |
Application Fee Details & Age Limit Recap
- Application Fee (GAT-B or BET individually): General / OBC-NCL / EWS candidates paid ₹1,300, while SC / ST / PwD candidates paid ₹650. (Candidates applying for both exams paid ₹2,600 and ₹1,300 respectively).
- Age Limit (For BET JRF): The upper age limit is 28 years for General and EWS categories as of the last date of application. Age relaxation of up to 5 years applies to SC/ST/PwD/Women, and up to 3 years for OBC (NCL) candidates. (Note: There is generally no specific age limit for GAT-B PG admissions).
GAT-B & BET 2026: Vacancy & Eligibility Details
The GAT-B exam provides admission to over 1,206 seats in DBT-supported Post Graduate programmes across 63 participating institutes. The BET exam is conducted for the award of DBT-Junior Research Fellowships (JRF).
| Exam Name | Basic Educational Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| GAT-B & BET 2026 | Candidates must hold a B.Tech / B.E. degree OR a Master’s degree (M.Sc / M.Tech / M.VSc / MBBS) in Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or allied disciplines. Minimum marks required: 60% for General/EWS/OBC and 55% for SC/ST/PwD candidates. |
GAT-B Exam Pattern 2026
The table below reflects the official exam pattern for the Graduate Aptitude Test – Biotechnology (GAT-B). The BET exam follows a similar 3-hour duration but consists of 200 questions (where candidates attempt 100) for a total of 300 marks.
| Section / Subjects | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt | Total Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology (10+2 Level) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 3 Hours |
| Section B: Basic Biology, Life Sciences, Biotechnology & allied areas (Graduate Level) | 100 | 60 | 180 | 3 Hours |
| Total | 160 | 120 | 240 | 3 Hours |
Negative Marking Scheme:
- GAT-B: -0.5 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer in Section A, and -1.0 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer in Section B.
- BET: -1.0 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer in both Section A and Section B.
How To Download GAT-B & BET Admit Card 2026
Candidates must follow these step-by-step instructions to successfully download their hall tickets from the NTA login portal:
- Visit the official NTA GAT-BET website (link provided in the important links section below).
- On the homepage, look for the “Candidate Activity” section and click on the Release of Admit Card for GAT-B/BET – 2026 link.
- You will be redirected to the secure login page.
- Enter your required login credentials: Application Number and Password (or Date of Birth, if prompted).
- Enter the correct security pin/captcha shown on the screen and click on “Submit”.
- Your digital admit card will be displayed on the screen. Download the PDF and take a clear, legible printout for exam day.
Details Mentioned on the Admit Card & Documents to Carry
Upon downloading the admit card, carefully cross-verify the following printed details:
- Candidate’s Full Name and Roll Number
- Application Number
- Exact Exam Centre Name and Complete Address
- Exam Date and Shift Timings (Morning or Afternoon)
- Candidate’s Photograph and Signature
Mandatory Documents to Carry to the Exam Centre:
- A clear, printed hard copy of the GAT-B / BET Admit Card 2026.
- Valid and original government-issued Photo ID Proof (e.g., Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Driving License).
- 2-3 recent passport-size photographs (same as uploaded in the application form).
- Transparent water bottle and a simple transparent ballpoint pen.
Important Links for GAT-B & BET Admit Card 2026
| Important Link / Action | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Download Admit Card | https://exams.nta.nic.in/gat-bet/ |
| Download Official Admit Card Notice | https://nta.ac.in/Download/Notice/Notice_20260513174850.pdf |
| Official Website | https://www.nta.ac.in/ |
GAT-B & BET Admit Card 2026: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the official exam date for GAT-B and BET 2026? Ans. The NTA has scheduled both the GAT-B and BET exams to be conducted across India on 17 May 2026 (Sunday).
Q2. What credentials are required to download the admit card? Ans. To access the hall ticket, candidates must log into the NTA portal using their Application Number and Password.
Q3. What are the shift timings for the examinations? Ans. The GAT-B exam will be held in the morning shift from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, while the BET exam is scheduled for the afternoon shift from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Q4. Is there any negative marking in the GAT-B 2026 exam? Ans. Yes, negative marking is applicable. In GAT-B, 0.5 marks will be deducted for wrong answers in Section A, and 1 mark will be deducted for wrong answers in Section B.
Q5. Whom should I contact if there is a discrepancy in my admit card details? Ans. In case of any difficulty downloading the admit card or if you find any errors in your details, immediately contact the NTA Helpline at 011-40759000 / 011-69227700 or email them at dbt@nta.ac.in.
