Importance Of GATE Exam For Biotech / Life Science Students?

Importance Of GATE Exam For Life Science/ Biotech students?

Well, it won’t be wrong to say India is a country of competitive exams. Because there is hardly any governmental organization in India which recruits students without any form of entrance cum competitive exams. And when it comes to seeking admission in any of the well-reputed institutes then definitely these exams become even tougher. Before starting the preparation for any of the competitive exams every single individual will ask this one question to self i.e. Why I am appearing for this exam??? What is the importance of this Exam? And when it comes to GATE, many of them are aware of the fact that it is one of the toughest yet at the same time prestigious competitive exams among the students who desire to appear for this exam.

Most of the people have a misunderstanding that GATE is exclusively for Engineering students, no , this is not true at all. Because GATE score is valid for many public sectors, to get fellowship programs from CSIR and get a scholarship in M.Tech and many more.The way people consider CAT as a lord for MBA seekers in India the same way GATE is

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all-India examination that tests a comprehensive understanding of candidates in various undergraduate subjects in engineering and sciences.GATE is conducted every year jointly by the Indian Institute of sciences and 7 Indian Institute of Technology(IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee)on behalf of the National Coordination Board-GATE under the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development(MHRD). Not only in India but there are certain Universities outside India that considers the GATE score for their entrance process.

If the candidate opts for doing postgraduate program then he/she is selected either through a test or interview. The scanning process depends on the weight of GATE performance as well as performance in test/interview. A minimum of 70% weight comes from the GATE score and the remaining 30% is evaluated based upon the candidate’s performance in test/interview or academic record. Even there are certain colleges and Institutes that specify GATE qualification as an essential requirement for admission without MHRD scholarship/assistantship.

Candidates who are still in a dilemma whether to appear for the exam or not, here we are exploring certain advantages or benefits that will bring clarity to your understanding with respect to GATE Exam. (Importance Of GATE Exam).

So before taking the final decision lets have an insight into the importance of gate exam in shaping the career of life science or a Biotech Student:

Opting for higher studies :

GATE Exam has a scope depending on the degree you hold in your Master’s or B.Tech.
This exam is very helpful in pursuing M.Sc programs in any of the leading institutes of the country. Moreover, they also will be provided with scholarships during the Master’s degree.
Anyone whose dream is to study in IITs and NIT a good GATE score can pave the way to fulfill the individual’s desire.

For the recruitment in M.Tech programs, essential qualifications include Qualifying the GATE exam, clearing the cut-off from respective colleges and thereafter undergoing a final round of admission i.e. Interview. Not only based upon specialization of the candidate, GATE score as well as an academic interest, the candidate is also eligible to choose his/her favorite institute.

During the 2 years of Post-graduation if the candidate’s rank is high as well as secured good GATE Score then he/she will have stipend access apart from other benefits. Once they have completed their degree they will be offered good packages from reputed companies.

Research/PhD:

One can find a number of jobs in Technical as well as management session. Programs like MS or MS by research are basically research-oriented. So the candidates who finish such programs can join research departments. This will help in pursuing PhD to make progress in their chosen field of interest. Even though the area of research in our is still under development compared to other countries but it holds a great promise. Any Life science student can go for PhD with a good GATE Score. If a person has a good GATE Score then he/she can also apply to any of the CSIR Labs for carrying out their PhD. Because in most of the CSIR Labs, they often ask for qualifications either CSIR/GATE. Thus GATE qualified candidates are eligible for JRF in such institutes. Once after the completion of PhD they are eligible for Assistant Professor jobs at IIT.

The recruitment process includes a valid GATE Score and then facing an interview panel based on the respective area of interest.

With a valid GATE Score, even Certain Universities abroad like NTU Singapore offers Ph.D. position without any GRE or TOEFL score. GATE Score is valid for 3 years from the date of announcement and GATE percentile must be above 90.

PSU Sectors :

There are 3 Public Sector Undertaking that is listed by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India:

• Bharat Immunological and Biological Corporation
• Indian Vaccine Corporation Limited(IVCOL)
• Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council(BIRAC)

BIRAC offers opportunities which include the Post of Manager and Technical Officer which requires PhD in life science as their essential qualification.

Reputed institutes like BARC also consider GATE SCORE CARD as a mandatory document for the various courses they offer. Not only it also provides good stipend for the GATE qualified candidates. There are certain courses that are named as Self Supporting Courses in BARC which demands valid scorecard.

If anyone wants to work in the biotechnology field and he/she is having a good GATE Score, it is better to go for higher studies rather seeking for jobs because Bachelor’s degree is not sufficient to get a good job in this field.

In case if a candidate is not interested in higher studies and instead wants to get into a job then in the biotech field, then he/she can apply for jobs at Pharmaceutical companies and other Research Organisation.

One more thing to be added about the Importance Of GATE Exam is that the candidate can enhance their job opportunities through certain training programs offered by companies like Biotech Consortium India Limited(BCIL), Government research centers, etc, some of this will pay a good stipend as well.

Hopefully, everyone is aware of the GATE 2020 exam.

GATE 2020 will be conducted for 25 papers and it will be distributed over the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th of February. The GATE examination centers are present in different cities across India as well as 6 cities outside India. And like most of the other competitive exams GATE is also purely Computer Based Test.

The GATE score is valid for a period of 3 years from the date of announcement of results.

Eligibility criteria for GATE 2020 include:

• Bachelor’s degree holders in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./Diploma in Engineering/ Technology) and those who are in the final year of such programs.
• Bachelor’s degree holders of Four-year program in Science (B.S.) and those who are in the final year of such programmes.
• Master’s degree holders in any branch of Science/Mathematics/ Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent and those who are in the final year of such programs.
• Holders of Four-year Integrated Master’s degree (Post B.Sc.) in Engineering/Technology and those who are in the second or higher year of such programs.
• Holders of Five-year Integrated Master’s degree or Dual Degree in Engineering/Technology and those who are in the fourth or higher year of such programs.
• Holders of Five-year Integrated M.Sc. or Five-year integrated B.Sc./M.Sc. Dual Degree and those who are in the final year of such programs.

Online application for GATE will be opening by 3.9.2019 and the closing date for submission is 24.9.2019. Admit cards will be available by 3rd January 2020. Announcement of the result will be on 16 March 2020.

So I guess people who were in a lot of dilemmas and confusions with respect to GATE exam have got certain basic idea of opportunities after clearing the gate exam – Importance Of GATE Exam and as the name suggests “GATE” exam is a doorway to multiple opportunities i.e. career options. Thus without wasting a single minute, take a solid preparation for the upcoming GATE Exam. There are many institutes which provide proper guidance for clearing the GATE Exam by providing effective study materials, so try to contact them if you wish to reach the zenith of success.

Hence I wish All The Best to those who are willing to appear in the upcoming GATE Exam.

About the Author

Divya is a CSIR NET Topper with an educational background in Biotechnology. She is one of the finest teachers at Biotecnika and wins students heart with her immense knowledge and experience. Ms. Divya believes in self-motivation and also try to boost up her students.

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