GATE ecology and evolution syllabus for 2026 consists of five essential sections: Ecology, Evolution, Mathematics and Quantitative Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, and Applied Ecology and Evolution. There are a total of 65 questions is this aspect of GATE examinations. The most common question types are MCQs (Multiple-Choice Questions), MSQs (Multiple Select Questions), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT).

• Around 85% of the questions cover the main topics of the syllabus.
• In case you have chosen Ecology and Evolution as your first paper, you can always opt for Life Sciences (XL) as your second paper.

It is always recommended to begin your preparation with the most essential topics. The table below shows the important topics along with their expected weightage of questions:

GATE 2026 Ecology Syllabus

The ecology syllabus has important topics like Population ecology, Interactions, Community ecology, etc. In this table below, the important topics and subtopics of ecology are given:

GATE EY Syllabus 2026 for Evolution

Given below is the table discussing the important topics for evolution syllabus:

GATE EY Syllabus 2026 for Mathematics and Quantitative Ecology

The important topics for mathematics and quantitative analysis are given below:

GATE Ecology and Evolution Syllabus 2026 for Behavioral Ecology

GATE EY Syllabus 2026 for Applied Ecology and Evolution

The applied ecology and evolution syllabus covers essential topics such as biodiversity and conservation, animal and plant breeding, climate change, etc. Mentioned below are the topics and sub - topics for applied ecology and evolution:

GATE Ecology & Evolution Sample Questions

Based on the syllabus above, some important sample questions are given as follows:

Ques. The importance of sleep is often overlooked by students when they are preparing for exams. Research has consistently shown that sleep deprivation greatly reduces the ability to recall the material learned. Hence, cutting down on sleep to study for longer hours can be counterproductive. Which one of the following statements is the CORRECT inference from the above passage?

(A) Sleeping well alone is enough to prepare for an exam. Studying has fewer benefits.

(B) Students are efficient and are not wrong in thinking that sleep is a waste of time.

(C) If a student is extremely well-prepared for an exam, he needs little or no sleep.

(D) To do well in an exam, adequate sleep must be part of the preparation.

Ques. Let X be a continuous random variable denoting the temperature measured. The range of temperature is [0, 100] degree Celsius and let the probability density function of X be f(x) = 0.01 for 0 ≤ X ≤ 100.

The mean of X is _____

(A) 2.5

(B) 5.0

(C) 25.0

(D) 50.0

Ques. Seven cars P, Q, R, S, T, U, and V are parked in a row, not necessarily in that order. The cars T and U should be parked next to each other. The cars S and V should also be parked next to each other, whereas P and Q cannot be parked next to each other. Q and S must be parked next to each other. R is parked to the immediate right of V. T is parked to the left of U.

Based on the above statements, the only INCORRECT option given below is:

(A) There are two cars parked between Q and V.

(B) Q and R are not parked together.

(C) V is the only car parked between S and R.

(D) Car P is parked at the end.

Guidelines by a GATE Ecology and Evolution Candidate

Ques. Can we choose ecology and evolution paper at the time of GATE XL?

Ques. Which books should I prefer for scoring well in the examination?

Ques. Will I be able to give the exam if I am a student of Environmental Science?

Ques. Is it necessary to cover the entire syllabus of GATE ecology and evolution?