GATE 2026 XL Question Paper OUT: Download Life Sciences Paper PDF with Solutions
GATE XL 2026 Question Paper with Solutions- The GATE XL exam 2026 was conducted on February 7, forenoon shift. The overall difficulty level of the exam was reported to be moderate. This test is taken by aspirants aiming for PSU opportunities in Life Sciences or M.Tech, research programs in related fields. You can find the memory-based questions from the GATE Life Sciences 2026 exam added below. Aspirants can view the GATE Life Science 2026 question paper given in this article to evaluate how well their exam went. Along with the question paper, the official GATE XL answer key is available on the official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in. GATE 2026 exam provides students with a clear understanding of the exam pattern and question trends.
This Story also Contains
- GATE 2026 XL Question Paper with Solutions PDF Free Download
- How to Download GATE Life Science 2026 Question Papers with Answers PDF?
- GATE XL 2026 Question Paper: Overview
- GATE 2026 XL Question Paper with Solutions: Marking Scheme
- GATE XL Question Paper 2026: Section Distribution
- GATE XL Question Paper: Previous Years
The official GATE Answer Key 2026 and response sheet, along with the question paper, have been released. Candidates can download the Master Question Paper with Answer Key using their Enrollment ID and Password.
GATE 2026 XL Question Paper with Solutions PDF Free Download
You can use the GATE 2026 XL question paper with solutions pdf free download shortly. Until then, you can view the snippets of memory-based question paper added below. Also, you can view the analysis for the question paper below:
| Section | Difficulty Level | Key Topics Asked | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | Easy | Dice, Pythagoras theorem, Age problems, Distance problems | Straightforward and scoring |
| Chemistry | Moderate | Organic reaction mechanisms (SN1/SN2), Nitric acid reactions, Buffer solutions, Coordination compounds | Concept-based, required clarity in fundamentals |
| Biochemistry | Easy | Pentose phosphate pathway, Enzyme kinetics, Turnover number | More MSQ & NAT questions than usual; scoring for prepared students |
| Botany | Moderate to Tough | Conceptual and analytical plant science questions | Required in-depth understanding |
| Microbiology | Moderate | Core microbiology concepts | Balanced mix of theory and application |
| Zoology | Moderately Challenging | Metabolic pathways, Enzyme kinetics, Receptor–ligand interaction | Conceptual and slightly lengthy |
| Food Technology | Easy | Basic food science and processing concepts | Easiest and most scoring section for many candidates |
Memory based questions:
GATE Life Science 2026 Question Papers with Answers PDF | Available soon |
How to Download GATE Life Science 2026 Question Papers with Answers PDF?
Follow the steps below to download the GATE 2026 Life Science Question Papers with Answers PDF:
Click on the GATE Life Science Question Papers link available in the table above.
By clicking on that link, you will be redirected to the official website of Careers360.
After logging in, click on the Download PDF option.
The GATE Life Science Question Paper with Answers PDF will be sent to your registered email ID.
GATE XL 2026 Question Paper: Overview
Go through the table below to understand the paper pattern for the GATE XL question paper 2026:
Particulars | Details |
Total Marks | 100 |
Mode | CBT (Computer-Based Test) |
Duration | 3 Hours |
Number of Questions | 65 |
Sections | General Aptitude + Life Science |
Exam Date | February 7, 2026 ( forenoon shift) |
GATE 2026 XL Question Paper with Solutions: Marking Scheme
The official answer key and response sheet, along with the question paper, have been released. You can use it to calculate your marks. Using the table and formula below, you can calculate your estimated marks for GATE 2026:
Formula:
Total Marks = Marks secured for correct responses – Negative marks for wrong responses
There is no negative marking for MSQ and NAT questions. You can also visit the marking scheme of GATE 2026
Component | Details |
Total Marks | 100 marks per paper |
Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
Question Types | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
Marks per Question | 1 mark or 2 marks |
Negative Marking – MCQ | 1-mark MCQ: –1/3 mark for each wrong answer 2-mark MCQ: –2/3 mark for each wrong answer |
GATE XL Question Paper 2026: Section Distribution
The Life Sciences (XL) paper allows candidates to choose any two sections from the following list:
Section Code | Section Name |
XL-P | Chemistry |
XL-Q | Biochemistry |
XL-R | Botany |
XL-S | Microbiology |
XL-T | Zoology |
XL-U | Food Technology |
Each selected section carries 35 marks, and General Aptitude carries 15 marks, making a total of 100 marks. To view the whole syllabus, download the GATE 2026 Life Sciences syllabus.
GATE 2026 Qualifying Marks for XL(Previous Year)
You can check last year's GATE XL qualifying marks and prepare accordingly for GATE 2026:
Test Paper | Cut-off (GEN) | Cut-off (OBC-NCL/EWS) | Cut-off (SC/ST/PwD) |
Life Sciences | 31.3 | 28.1 | 20.8 |
GATE XL Question Paper: Previous Years
You can also download the GATE Computer Science Question Papers with Answers PDF:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The GATE Life Science Syllabus for 2026 is divided into three sections: Chemistry (XL-P), General Aptitude, and specific Life Science subjects, which include Botany (XL-R), Biochemistry (XL-Q), Zoology (XL-T), Microbiology (XL-S), and Food Technology (XL-U).
It was moderate to difficult.
The GATE Life Science Syllabus undergoes minor revisions annually, and significant changes are communicated officially through the GATE website.
The official date of the GATE 2026 result announcement is March 19, 2026, according to IIT Guwahati.
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Candidates can gain insight into key topics covered in the GATE 2025 syllabus, exam difficulty, chapter, and topic-wise weighting of past exam questions by completing GATE ME previous year problems. Prior to completing the GATE 2025 Application form, candidates must review the GATE ME textbooks, syllabus, and format.
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The deadline for submitting GATE application forms has been extended by IIT Roorkee. Applicants have until October 3, 2024, to submit their application (no late costs). Applicants can register on the GOAPS portal in order to apply for the master's, doctorate, and PSU programs through GATE 2025. Incomplete
Hello There,
The GATE 2025 syllabus for Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) generally covers a wide range of topics. Here’s a breakdown of the core sections:
1.General Aptitude This section is common to all GATE papers and typically has 15% weightage.
- Verbal Ability: Grammar, sentence completion, verbal analogies, word
Hello,
1. UNDERSTAND THE EXAM PATTER-
- Total Score: 100 marks
- Duration: 3 hours
- Sections: General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (depending on the stream), and Subject-specific topics.
- Question Types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
2. PICK UP YOUR STREAM -
Since
If the payment for GATE 2025 shows as unsuccessful but the money has been debited from your account, follow these steps:
1. Check Transaction Status: Verify with your bank or payment provider if the transaction was processed or if there is any pending status.
2. Contact GATE Helpdesk: Reach out