GAT-B Official Guide

GAT-B Admission Form

GAT-B Counselling & Updates

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Updated on 12 Sept 2026 12:48 IST

By Shivani Pal, Editor

The National Testing Agency (NTA) 2026 has officially released the GAT-B 2026 Admission Form online. Aspirants seeking admission into DBT-supported Post Graduate programmes in Biotechnology across top participating institutions must complete the registration process before the official deadline. The entire application process, from filling out personal details to paying the application fee, is conducted strictly online via the official NTA examination portal. Candidates must ensure they meet the specific eligibility criteria before applying. Keep all necessary documents, including scanned photographs, signatures, and category certificates, ready in the NTA-prescribed format. The application fee varies across different categories, with standard rates set at ₹1300 for General/OBC and ₹650 for SC/ST applicants. Additionally, a brief correction window is provided for candidates to rectify specific errors. Read this comprehensive guide to understand the step-by-step application procedure, document specifications, fee structure, and important deadlines to ensure a smooth and error-free registration for GAT-B 2026.

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A Complete Guide to the GAT-B 2026 Admission Form

The Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology (GAT-B) is a highly competitive, national-level entrance exam that serves as the primary gateway for admission into Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-supported Post Graduate programs in Biotechnology and allied areas. Filling out the GAT-B admission form accurately is the crucial first step toward securing a seat in premier participating institutions across India and earning the prestigious monthly DBT stipend. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the entire application process online, requiring candidates to be highly vigilant about strict deadlines, precise document specifications, and secure fee payments.

This comprehensive guide details everything you need to know about the GAT-B 2026 admission form, from initial registration and document uploading to the final submission and the NTA form correction process.

Important Application Dates

The NTA strictly adheres to its announced schedule for the GAT-B examination cycle. Candidates must track these dates closely, as the online application portal automatically closes after the deadline, and absolutely no offline submissions or late requests are accepted under any circumstances.

Event Official Date
Online Application Start Date 19 March 2026
Last Date to Submit Application Form 09 April 2026 (up to 5:00 PM)
Last Date for Application Fee Payment 09 April 2026 (up to 11:50 PM)
Form Correction Window 11 April – 13 April 2026
GAT-B Exam Date 17 May 2026

Note: It is highly recommended to verify all dates on the official NTA website to stay updated on any unforeseen extensions or administrative changes.

Detailed Step-by-Step Registration Process

The application procedure is exclusively online. Candidates should utilize a stable internet connection and an updated desktop browser to prevent payment failures or unexpected session timeouts.

Step 1: Online Candidate Registration

  • Visit the official NTA GAT-B/BET portal.

  • Click on the designated "New Registration" button prominently displayed on the homepage.

  • Enter fundamental details such as the candidate's name (matching official records), date of birth, a valid email address, and an active mobile number.

  • Upon successful registration, the system will generate a unique Application Number. This number and a designated Password will be immediately sent to your registered email and mobile number.

Step 2: Filling the Comprehensive Application Form

  • Log in to the candidate dashboard using the newly generated Application Number and your chosen password.

  • Carefully fill in all the mandatory sections. This includes personal information, category selection, detailed academic qualifications (Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation marks), and your current communication address.

  • Select up to four preferred exam cities from the provided drop-down list to facilitate optimal center allocation.

Step 3: Uploading Scanned Documents

  • Upload the necessary scanned documents strictly in the formats and file sizes mandated by the NTA.

  • Ensure your passport photograph is recent, clear, and taken against a plain white background without any face masks or heavy reflective accessories.

Step 4: Fee Payment Gateway

  • Proceed to the secure payment gateway to remit the examination fee.

  • The application fee can be paid seamlessly using Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI platforms.

  • Wait patiently for the transaction to complete; never refresh the page or click back during the active payment process to avoid double deductions.

Step 5: Final Submission and Confirmation Printout

  • After successful payment verification, an official confirmation page will be automatically generated.

  • Download the PDF and print the final submitted application form alongside the payment receipt. Keep these hard copies safe, as they will be strictly required during the counseling and document verification phases at the participating universities.

Document Specifications and Requirements

Uploading incorrect, blurry, or misformatted documents is one of the leading reasons for form rejection. Candidates must meticulously prepare and compress their digital files before initiating the application process.

Document Format Size Allowed Specific NTA Instructions
Passport Size Photograph JPG / JPEG 10 KB to 200 KB 80% face coverage, white background, no mask.
Candidate's Signature JPG / JPEG 4 KB to 30 KB Must be signed in solid black or blue ink on plain white paper.
Category Certificate PDF 50 KB to 300 KB For OBC-NCL/SC/ST/EWS; must be issued by a competent legal authority.
PwD Certificate PDF 50 KB to 300 KB Must adhere strictly to the Government of India standard format.
Result / Appearing Certificate PDF 50 KB to 300 KB Exclusively for final-year students waiting for their degree results.

Candidates must also keep a valid Government ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or Passport) accessible, as the specific ID number must be accurately entered into the form.

Application Fee Structure

The registration fee is strictly non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances. If a candidate wishes to maximize their opportunities by appearing for both GAT-B and BET (Biotechnology Eligibility Test), they must pay the combined fee structure.

Exam Chosen General (UR) / OBC-NCL / EWS SC / ST / PwD
GAT-B Only ₹1,300 ₹650
BET Only ₹1,300 ₹650
Both GAT-B & BET ₹2,600 ₹1,300

Form Correction Window Details

The NTA provides a highly restricted two-to-three-day correction window (scheduled from 11 April to 13 April 2026) allowing candidates to rectify specific unintentional mistakes made during the initial form submission.

What Can Be Modified:

Candidates are generally permitted to modify elements such as educational qualification details, gender, upload corrected photographs or signatures, and update parents' names. However, a candidate can typically change either their own name, their father's name, or their mother's name, but never all of them simultaneously.

What Cannot Be Altered:

Critical contact and identification information, including the registered mobile number, the primary email address, and the permanent or present address, cannot be altered at any stage. Therefore, absolute precision is required when inputting this data during the first registration step.

Crucial Guidelines for Applicants

  • Single Form Mandate: A candidate must submit only one single application form. Submitting multiple forms will trigger automatic cancellation of the candidature without any fee refund.

  • Result Awaited (RA) Candidates: Final year undergraduate students who have not yet received their final semester graduation results are fully eligible to apply. However, they must upload an official 'Result Awaited' certificate, signed and stamped by the Head of their current academic Institution.

  • Device Compatibility: It is highly recommended to fill out the form using the latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge on a stable desktop or laptop computer rather than attempting the process on a mobile phone interface.

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QA

Commonly asked questions

Q: Can I pay the GAT-B application fee offline via a bank draft or challan?

No, the National Testing Agency only accepts online fee payments through integrated digital gateways (Net Banking, Credit/Debit Cards, or UPI). Offline payments like bank challans or demand drafts are entirely obsolete and not permitted.

Q: What should I do if my payment gets deducted from my bank but the NTA confirmation page is not generated?

If the fee is deducted from your bank account but the portal does not generate a confirmation page, the transaction is considered failed by the NTA servers. You must initiate a new, fresh payment. The deducted amount from the initial failed transaction will automatically be refunded by your respective bank within 7 to 10 working days.

Q: I made a typographical error in my email ID during registration. Can I change it during the correction window?

No. The primary email address and mobile number registered during step one cannot be changed at any stage, not even during the official correction window. These serve as the foundational primary identifiers for all official NTA and DBT communication.

Q: Is the GAT-B application form different for different participating universities?

No, you only need to fill out a single, centralized GAT-B application form on the official NTA website to appear for the entrance exam. However, after the national results are declared, you will need to apply separately to the individual participating universities for counseling and final admission based on your NTA-issued GAT-B score.

Q: Do I need to send the physical printed copy of the application form to the NTA head office?

No, you are not required to send the physical printout of the confirmation page or any supporting documents to the NTA via post or courier. However, you must keep the printouts safe, as they will be strictly verified during the physical counseling sessions by the respective universities.

Shivani Pal

Editor

An education content writer focused on creating clear, accurate, and student-friendly content about colleges, courses, exams, and career options in India. The goal is to simplify complex education topics and provide reliable information that helps students make confident academic decisions.