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GATE Syllabus for Life Sciences 2023, Important Topics Weightage, Exam Pattern, Question Papers

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GATE Syllabus for Life Sciences 2023 PDF is available for download. No new changes have been made to GATE 2023 Life Sciences Syllabus PDF. GATE Syllabus for Life Sciences for General Aptitude, Chemistry and Core Discipline Subjects carry a total weightage of 15%, 25% and 60% respectively. Check GATE Life Sciences Exam Pattern

  • GATE Life Sciences General Aptitude and Chemistry are compulsory subjects while candidates can choose two of the subjects from Core Discipline syllabus.
  • GATE Life Sciences Question Paper includes 65 questions in total carrying a weightage of 100 marks. Download GATE Life Sciences Question Paper PDFs
    • The General Aptitude section includes 10 questions with a total weightage of 15 marks.
    • GATE Life Sciences Chemistry (XL- P) includes 15 questions carrying a weightage of 25 marks.
    • GATE Core Discipline (XL Q-U) includes 20 questions from each of the two selected subjects. Each subject selected carries a weightage of 30 marks.
  • Candidates appearing for Life Sciences can choose Biotechnology (BT), Chemistry(CY) or Ecology and Evolution(EY) as one of their second paper in GATE 2023.

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GATE XL Syllabus

GATE 2023 Life Sciences (XL) Syllabus PDF

GATE 2023 Life Sciences (XL) Syllabus PDF is available for download for General Aptitude, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Food Technology. Candidates can download GATE Syllabus for Life Sciences 2023 PDF for each of the subjects they will be appearing for.

GATE Life Sciences Chemistry (XL-P) Syllabus PDF


GATE Life Sciences Biochemistry (XL-Q) Syllabus PDF


GATE Life Sciences Botany (XL-R) Syllabus PDF


GATE Life Sciences Microbiology (XL-S) Syllabus PDF


GATE Life Sciences Zoology (XL-S) Syllabus PDF


GATE Life Sciences Food Technology (XL-T) Syllabus PDF


GATE Life Sciences General Aptitude (GA) Syllabus PDF


GATE XL Weightage of Topics

GATE Life Sciences Important Topics Weightage

The section below covers the previous year's weightage for GATE Life Sciences important topics. Candidates can check the year-wise weightage for GATE XL Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Food Technology.

GATE Life Science- Biochemistry (XL-Q) Important Topics Weightage

Units 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Organization of life, Biomolecules 5 2 3 3 1 5
Enzyme kinetics; Vitamins and Coenzymes; Metabolic pathways and their regulation: Photosynthesis 3 - 7 7 7 7
Biochemical separation techniques 2 2 6 4 5 4
Cell biology and signal transduction: Hormones and neurotransmitters 3 3 1 3 3 4
Molecular biology, Recombinant biotechnology 4 2 - - 2 -
Immunology 3 1 3 3 2 -

GATE Life Science- Botany (XL-R) Important Topics Weightage

Units 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Plant Systematics 2 1 3 3 1 2
Plant Anatomy - 1 2 1 1 4
Morphogenesis & Development 4 2 4 3 1 1
Physiology And Biochemistry 4 5 4 4 4 6
Genetics 4 1 2 5 4 3
Plant Breeding And Genetic Modification 3 4 3 1 2 1
Economic Botany 1 2 - 1 2 1
Plant Pathology 2 1 1 1 2 1
Ecology And Environment - 3 1 1 3 1

GATE Life Science- Microbiology (XL-S) Important Topics Weightage

Units 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Historical Perspective 1 1 - 1 1 -
Methods In Microbiology 2 5 1 1 1 -
Microbial Taxonomy And Diversity 3 1 4 4 2 3
Prokaryotic And Eukaryotic Cells: Structure And Function 0 1 1 1 1 1
Microbial Growth 3 1 3 3 5 6
Control Of Micro-Organisms 1 2 1 1 1 -
Microbial Metabolism 3 1 1 1 1 1
Microbial Diseases And Host Pathogen Interaction - 3 3 3 2 4
Chemotherapy/Antibiotics 2 1 4 4 3 1
Microbial Genetics 4 1 1 1 1 1
Microbial Ecology 1 3 1 1 2 3

GATE Life Science- Zoology (XL-T) Important Topics Weightage

Units 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Animal World 1 3 2 2 1 2
Evolution 1 1 2 3 2 2
Genetics 4 2 2 2 4 2
Biochemistry And Molecular Biology 4 2 6 2 4 1
Cell Biology 3 2 - 2 2 4
Gene Expression In Eukaryotes - - 1 - 2 1
Animal Anatomy And Physiology 2 6 1 4 1 2
Parasitology And Immunology 1 1 2 1 2 2
Development Biology 2 1 1 2 2 3
Ecology 1 1 2 1 - 1
Animal Behaviour 1 1 1 1 - -

GATE Life Science- Food Technology (XL-U) Important Topics Weightage

Units 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Food Chemistry and Nutrition 6 6 6 4 5 2
Food Microbiology 7 4 5 10 8 8
Food Products Technology 4 5 6 4 4 6
Food Engineering 3 5 3 2 3 4

GATE XL Exam Pattern

GATE 2023 Exam Pattern for Life Sciences

  • GATE XL 2023 Exam Mode: Online
  • GATE XL 2023 Duration: 3 hours
  • Types of Questions: MCQs, MSQs and NAT
  • Number of Sections: 3 sections – General Aptitude, Chemistry (XL-P) and Core Discipline (XL Q-U)
  • Total Questions: 65 questions
  • Check GATE Life Sciences Exam Pattern
Section Total Number of 1 mark questions Total Number of 2 mark questions Total Number of Questions Total Marks
GA 5 5 10 15
Section P(Chemistry) 5 10 15 25
Section Q-U(Any two of these) 10+10 10+10 20+20=40 30+30=60
Total 30 70 65 100

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GATE XL Preparation

GATE Preparation 2023 for Life Sciences

To assist the students in their GATE Life Sciences Preparation 2023, the following sections have been curated. The students are advised to check out the following and avail the benefits of the same.

GATE Life Sciences (XL) Books

Candidates preparing for GATE Life Sciences are advised to get the latest edition of some of the most popular books. GATE Books from popular publications are available as both in physical form at bookstores or as e-books online. 

GATE Zoology Books

Books Name Author/Publication
Animal Cell Culture Methods Jennie P Mather, David Barnes
Modern Text Book Of Zoology Vertebrates R.L.Kotpal
Zoology Stephen A Miller and John P Harley

GATE Chemistry Books

Books Name Author/Publication
Gate Guide Life Science Chemistry & General Aptitude G K Publications
A Logical Approach to Chemistry Pragati Publications
3,000 Solved Problems In Chemistry (Schaum’s Outline Series) David E Goldberg

GATE Food Technology Books

Books Name Author/Publication
Food Technology Neil Morris
Food Technology and Nutrition Sunetra Roday
Textbook of Food Science and Technology Avantina Sharma

GATE Biochemistry Books

Books Name Author/Publication
Biochemistry  Satyanarayana
Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Wilson/Walker
Practical Biochemistry Damodaran Geetha K

GATE Botany Books

Books Name Author/Publication
A Text Book Of Botany Singh Pande Jain
A Textbook Of Botany Vol-3 S.N Pandey
Principles Of Genetics Gardner

GATE Microbiology Books

Books Name Author/Publication
Microbiology(fifth edition) Micheal Pelczar, E.C.S Chan, Noel R. Krieg
Prescott’s Microbiology Joanne M. Willey, Christopher J. Woolverton, Linda M. Sherwood
Smart Study Series Microbiology Ankit Gupta, Prafulla Songara
GATE XL Question Papers

Previous Year GATE Life Sciences Question Paper

Solving and practicing using previous year GATE Life Sciences Question Papers is one of the best ways to test your exam prep level. Candidates can use the links below to Download GATE Life Sciences Question Paper PDFs.

Year Exam Date & Session Exam Mode GATE XL Question Paper PDF
2022 February 12 (Afternoon Session) Online Check Here
2021 February 13 (Afternoon Session) Online Check Here
2020 February 2 (Forenoon Session) Online Check Here
2019 February 2 (Afternoon Session) Online Check Here
2018 February 3 (Forenoon Session) Online Check Here
2017 February 12 (Afternoon Session) Online Check Here
2016 February 7 (Afternoon Session) Online Check Here
2015 January 31 (Forenoon Session) Online Check Here
2014 February 2 (Afternoon Session) Online Check Here
2013 January 20 (Afternoon Session) Online Check Here
2012 February 12 (Afternoon Session) Offline Check Here
2011 February 13 (Afternoon Session) Offline Check Here
2010 February 14 (Forenoon Session) Offline Check Here
2009 February 8 (Forenoon Session) Offline Check Here
2008 February 10 Offline Check Here
2007 February 11 Offline Check Here

GATE 2023 Syllabus of Other Subjects

Candidates who are planning to appear for GATE can check the syllabus their respective subjects from the links provided in the table below:


Frequently Asked Questions

GATE Syllabus for Life Science 2023 FAQs

Ques: What will be 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

GATE Life Sciences Chemistry (XL-P) is a mandatory subject for candidates to attempt. Meanwhile, candidates can choose any two subjects from Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, 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. 

Section  Number of Questions Total Marks
No. of 1 mark questions No. of 2 marks questions
GA 5 5 15 marks 
Section P – Chemistry (compulsory) 5 10 25 marks 
Sections Q to U (Any two) 10 + 10 10 + 10 30 marks + 30 marks
TOTAL 30 questions 35 questions 100 marks

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. Check GATE Cut Off for the previous year’s trends. 


Ques. Is GATE Life Science hard?

Ans. GATE Life Sciences is usually easy to moderate in terms of difficulty. Check GATE Paper Analysis for setting up realistic targets. 


*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

GATE 2023 : 19 answered questions

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Ques. testing question

● Top Answer By Sunil Sharma on 03 Jan 24

testing...Read more

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Ques. How can I join an M.Tech through the GATE in Andhra University?

● Top Answer By Prachi Sinha on 09 May 22

Andhra University M.Tech admission is done in two ways, i.e. through GATE and through AP PGECET. To get admission, you need to have a valid GATE score or you need to score a valid rank in AP PGECET. Soon, Andhra University will release the notification for AP PGECET. Here are the tentative dates. Event Tentative dates Notification release date Second week of July 2022 Application form available  Second week of July 2022 Admit card release date  Second week of September 2022 Exam date Third week of September 2022 Result  Second week of October 2022 Andhra University will release the application form online. Visit the official website of the institute regularly to get the updated information. ...Read more

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Ques. Why many GATE toppers leave PSU and join NITIE instead of IITs?

● Top Answer By Aditi Gupta on 01 Apr 22

Many GATE toppers leave PSU and join NITIE, instead of IITs, because it offers better placements. Usually, students with good scores join  ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, IOCL, and others. Despite the good salary, the PSU jobs can get monotonous after a few years. So, the top rankers start looking for better career options. If they wish to do an MBA, they need to prepare for CAT. Some do prepare for CAT, but many join NITIE as it is an easier option. NITIE takes admission through GATE and the GATE score is valid for 3 years. So, they can easily get admission based on their GATE score.  Also, the institute has a great placement record. During NITIE Mumbai placement 2022, the average CTC offered was INR 25.41 LPA.  ...Read more

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Ques. What should be the proper strategy to excel in both GATE and ESE simultaneously?

● Top Answer By Subham Patra on 15 Jul 22

Here are some strategies that can help you prepare for GATE and ESE simultaneously. Compare the syllabus of GATE and ESE. Go through the previous years' questions of both. The technical portion of both examinations overlaps a lot. The major difference is question patterns and styles. Different types of questions are asked on the same topics. GATE tests aptitude for solving technical questions. While ESE puts more emphasis on technical details.  Figure out which subjects contribute more to which examinations.  If you have less time, start with GATE preparation. The topics can be covered easily and in less time. Once you are through GATE preparation, you can solve ESE questions without much difficulty.  Focus on GATE and ESE preparations only.  First, go through the syllabus thoroughly. Once you are done with the syllabus, go through your notes and solve previous years' questions. Solve test series, and review hard questions. Analyze the tests you give and work on your mistakes. ...Read more

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Ques. What is the difficulty level of the BITS HD exam compared to the GATE?

● Top Answer By Dishi Mishra on 15 Jul 22

GATE consists mostly of numerical questions. It tests the aptitude for solving questions in less time. BITS HD papers have 10-15 numerical questions usually. The numerical questions aren’t on the same level as GATE and are just formula-based problems. Usually, around 80-90% of BITS HD questions are theory oriented. You need to have a good grasp of your engineering subjects to score well in BITS HD. The questions can come from anywhere in the syllabus. BITS HD usually consists -  15 Mathematics questions (difficulty usually higher than GATE) 15 general English questions 70 Engineering discipline questions Also, note that BITS take admission based on GATE scores as well. ...Read more

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