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The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) is a well-known national exam in India. It is mainly meant for students who have finished their graduation in engineering, science, or humanities. The exam is conducted every year by seven IITs and IISc Bangalore, under the guidance of the National Coordination Board (GATE) of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. For the GATE 2026 Exam, the official notification was released on 21 August 2025. The online application process, including the late fee option, has already been completed. The GATE 2026 examination is scheduled for 7, 8, 14 and 15 February 2026.
GATE 2026 Exam Date Out
The official GATE Exam Date 2026 has been released on its official website https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in/. The GATE 2026 Exam will be held on 07 February, 08 February, 14 February and 15 February 2026 in various exam centres. The admit card has also been released on 13th January 2026 at official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
GATE 2026 Exam Date Schedule Notice
The GATE 2026 exam will be held on February 07, 08, 14, and 15, 2026. This year, IIT Guwahati is responsible for conducting the GATE 2026 exam, which will take place at 235 exam centres across eight IIT zones in India.
The exam will consist of a general aptitude test along with the subjects selected by the candidates. Each exam day will feature two shifts: the Morning Shift from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and the Afternoon Shift from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
| Exam Date | Paper Code | Exam Timing |
| 07 February 2025 | AG, ES, GG, IN, MA, MN, TF, XE, XL | 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH, XH | 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM | |
| 08 February 2025 | CS-1, ST | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| CS-2, EY, NM, PE | 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM | |
| 14 February 2025 | CE-1, EE, PI | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| BM, CE-2, ME, MT | 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM | |
| 15 February 2025 | EC | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| AR, DA | 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM |
For the easy access of candidates, we have also mentioned the admit card download link. Candidates can download their admit card by clicking on the links given below.
Click Here for GATE 2026 Admit Card Link
GATE 2026 Exam Notification PDF Out
The official GATE 2026 notification has been released on the website. It contains all the important information about the GATE 2026 exam, such as eligibility, key dates, exam pattern, and the application process. Students who want to appear for GATE 2026 should download and carefully check the detailed notification. It also explains the steps to fill out the online application form. Candidates can download the GATE 2026 notification PDF from the direct link given below.
GATE 2026 Exam Notification PDF
GATE 2026 Exam Date: Highlights
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering has released the GATE 2026 Notification on the IIT Guwahati official website. The GATE 2026 is a well-known national-level exam held for students who want to join postgraduate courses like M.E., M.Tech. or PhD, and also for those aiming to get jobs in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
| GATE 2026 Exam Date: Highlights |
Key Information
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Important Date
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Eligibility
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Exam Information
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Fees Structure
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GATE 2026 Exam Important Dates
The GATE 2026 examination is being organised by IIT Guwahati. The GATE examinations will begin on 7th February 2026 in different cities of India. Below is a list of all the tentative dates for the GATE 2026 Exam:
| GATE 2026 Exam Important Dates | |
| Notification Availability | 21 August 2025 |
| Applt Online Starts | 28 August 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (without late fee) | 07 October 2025 (Extended) |
| Last Date to Apply (with late fee) | 13 October 2025 |
| Last date for change of Category, Paper, and Examination City. | November 06, 2025 |
| GATE 2026 Admit Card Release Date | 13th January 2026 |
| GATE 2026 Exam Dates | 07 February, 08 February, 14 February, 15 February 2026 |
| Response Sheet Availability | 2nd Week of February 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | 4th Week of February 2026 |
| Result Declaration | 19 March 2026 |
| Scorecard Availability | 27 March to 31 May 2026 |
| Scorecard Availability with fees | 01 June to 31 December 2025 |
| COAP Counselling Portal Opens | 3rd Week of March 2026 |
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format and is designed to assess a candidate’s conceptual understanding, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities in engineering, science, and humanities subjects. The exam pattern is standardised across all 30 papers, with slight variations for multidisciplinary subjects like XE, XH, and XL. The test consists of 65 questions carrying a total of 100 marks, to be completed in 3 hours.
| GATE 2026 Exam Pattern | |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (Online) |
| Language of examination | English |
| Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Total Questions | 65 (10 for General Aptitude + 55 for Subject) |
| Total Papers | 30 subjects (candidates can choose one or two papers) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Sections |
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| Types of Questions | MCQ (1 or 2 marks), MSQ (Multiple correct), NAT (Numerical Answer Type) |
| Negative Marking |
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| Partial Marking | Not allowed in any question type |
GATE 2026 Exam Syllabus
The GATE 2026 Syllabus is designed to test candidates’ understanding of undergraduate-level subjects across engineering, science, architecture, and humanities streams. It consists of two main components in each paper:
- General Aptitude (GA) – Common to all papers (15 Marks)
- Subject-Specific Syllabus – Varies based on the selected paper (85 Marks)
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To appear for GATE 2026, candidates must meet certain academic qualifications, irrespective of age. The exam is open to Indian citizens and foreign nationals with recognised degrees. Importantly, there is no age limit or cap on the number of attempts for the GATE Exam, allowing candidates the flexibility to appear whenever they meet the required qualifications.
| Qualifying Degree | Eligibility |
| B.E./B.Tech./B.Pharm. | 3rd year or higher / Completed |
| B.Arch. / B.Planning | 3rd year or higher / Completed |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | 3rd year or higher / Completed |
| M.Sc. / M.A. / MCA or Equivalent | 1st year or higher / Completed |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) (4-year) | 1st year or higher / Completed |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm. (5-year) | 3rd year or higher / Completed |
| Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S.-M.S. | 3rd year or higher / Completed |
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. (3-year) | Final year or Completed |
| Pharm D. (6 years after 10+2) | 3rd year or higher / Completed |
| MBBS / BDS / BVSc | 5th/6th/7th semester or higher / Completed |
| Professional Society Exams (e.g., AMIE, AMICE) | Completed Section A or Equivalent |
| B.Sc. in Agriculture/Forestry/Horticulture | 3rd year or higher / Completed |
Who is Not Eligible for GATE 2026?
- Students in the 1st or 2nd year of a 4-year Bachelor’s degree (unless your degree is only 3 years).
- Students in the 1st year of a Master’s program in Science, Math, or Statistics.
- Candidates who have only a diploma (unless they also have a recognised Bachelor’s degree).
GATE 2026 New Sectional Paper
The IIT Guwahati has introduced Energy Science (XE-I), a new sectional paper to give students more choices and opportunities. This change is designed to help candidates showcase their knowledge in specific areas. The new sectional paper format is designed to test knowledge in a more detailed and subject-specific way, reducing pressure on students who want to showcase their strengths in a particular area.
With the addition of the new paper, aspirants can plan their preparation in a better way and focus on their strengths. It also opens doors for more career and higher study options, making GATE 2026 more flexible and student-friendly.
GATE 2026 Online Registration
The registration for the GATE 2026 exam is over now. The application window was opened from 28 August 2025 to 13 October 2025.
How to Apply for GATE 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)
GATE 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is going to be conducted by IIT Guwahati. Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to apply for GATE 2026:
| Steps to Apply for GATE 2026 |
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GATE 2026 Application Fees
The application fee for GATE 2026 varies based on the candidate’s category and the number of papers they are applying for. The fee must be paid online through the GATE portal using net banking, UPI, credit, or debit card. It is non-refundable under normal circumstances.
| Category | Regular Period (August 25 to September 25, 2025) | Extended Period (September 26 to October 06, 2025) |
| SC / ST / PwD / Female Candidates | ₹ 1000 | ₹ 1500 |
| General / OBC / EWS Candidates | ₹ 2000 | ₹ 2500 |
Additional Charges
- Late Fee (if any): ₹500 for Indian students or $20 for international students.
- Extra Paper Fee: ₹500 for each extra paper (Indian students) or $20 for each extra paper (international students).
Documents Required For GATE 2026 Registration
The following documents are required to fill out the GATE 2026 Registration Form:
- Candidate’s Name (as per government records).
- Date of Birth (DOB).
- Gender (Male/ Female/ Others)
- Category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwD).
- Nationality.
- Aadhaar Number (for Indian candidates) or Passport Number (for international candidates).
- Mobile Number
- Email ID
- Address (for official communication).
- Educational Qualification
- Photograph
- Signature
GATE 2026 Exam Centres
The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, has released the list of GATE 2026 exam centres on its official website. Gate 2026 Exam has a total of 8 Zones; likewise, IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee. The detailed zone-wise Exam Centre are provided below in the table.
IISc Bangalore
| State | Exam City |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Ananthapuramu, Kurnool |
| Kerala | Angamaly, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Payyanur, Thrissur, Vatakara, Wayanad |
| Karnataka | Bagalkot, Ballari, Belagavi, Bengaluru North, Bengaluru South, Bidar, Chikkballapur, Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere, Hassan, Hubballi/Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Kolar, Mandya, Mangaluru, Manipal-Udupi, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Nalgonda, Narsapur/Medak |
| Andaman & Nicobar | Port Blair |
IIT Bombay
| State | Exam City |
|---|---|
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Anand, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara |
| Maharashtra | Ahmednagar, Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Baramati, Chandrapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Panvel-Rasayani, Pune, Ratnagiri, Sangamner-Loni, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Thane, Vasai-Palghar, Wardha |
| Goa | Madgaon, Mapusa, Panaji |
IIT Delhi
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Haryana | Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu-Samba, Srinagar |
| Ladakh | Leh |
| Madhya Pradesh | Indore, Ujjain |
| New Delhi | New Delhi |
| Rajasthan | Ajmer, Alwar, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Dausa, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur |
| Uttar Pradesh | Greater Noida, Mathura |
IIT Guwahati
| State | Exam City |
|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | Naharlagun-Itanagar |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur |
| Bihar | Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea |
| Jharkhand | Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Dimapur, Kohima |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| West Bengal | Asansol, Durgapur, Burdwan, Kalyani, Siliguri |
IIT Kanpur
| State | Exam City |
|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi |
IIT Kharagpur
| State | Exam City |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Bhimavaram, Eluru, Kakinada-Surampalem, Rajamahendravaram, Srikakulam, Tadepalligudem, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram |
| Chhattisgarh | Bhilai-Durg, Bilaspur, Raipur |
| Jharkhand | Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi |
| Odisha | Balasore-Bhadrak, Baripada, Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sambalpur |
| West Bengal | Bankura, Berhampore, Hooghly, Howrah, Kharagpur-Midnapur, Kolaghat, Kolkata, Suri |
IIT Madras
| State | Exam City |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Chirala-Bapatla, Chittoor, Guntur, Kadapa, Nandyala, Nellore, Ongole, Tirupati |
| Kerala | Alappuzha, Aluva-Ernakulam, Attingal, Chengannur, Kanjirapally, Kollam, Kothamangalam, Kottayam, Muvattupuzha, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Pondicherry | Puducherry |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Erode, Kanyakumari-Nagercoil, Karaikudi, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Namakkal, Ooty, Pollachi, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Thanjavur, Theni, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Virudhunagar |
| Telangana | Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kodad, Kothagudem, Nizamabad, Suryapet, Warangal |
IIT Roorkee
| State | Exam City |
|---|---|
| Haryana | Ambala, Kurukshetra |
| Himachal Pradesh | Baddi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra-Dharamsala, Mandi, Palampur, Shimla-Solan, Una |
| Punjab | Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar-Phagwara, Ludhiana, Mohali-Chandigarh, Patiala, Pathankot |
| Uttar Pradesh | Ghaziabad, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Saharanpur |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee |
GATE 2026 Score Validity and Benefits
The GATE 2026 scorecard is much more than just a rank; it’s a gateway to multiple academic and career opportunities across India and abroad. Whether you aim for higher education, public sector jobs, or research positions, a valid GATE score can open the door. The GATE 2026 score will be valid for 3 years from the date of result declaration. This means candidates can use their score until March 2029 for admissions and job applications. The score is valid only for the paper in which the candidate has appeared.
Some of the Benefits of the GATE Score 2026 are:
- 1. Postgraduate Admissions (M.Tech/M.E./M.S./Ph.D.)
- 2. Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) Recruitment
- 3. Research Fellowships
- 4. Higher Studies Abroad
- 5. Private Sector Advantage
- 6. Scholarships and Financial Aid
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