GATE 2026 Exam Date Announced, Application Starts From August 25

GATE 2026 exam dates are out! Applications start from 25 August with exams scheduled between 7 and 15 February 2026. Continue reading this article to know details about GATE 2026. Stay updated with all key dates and details here.

Table of Contents

The schedule for the GATE 2026 exam has been announced. IIT Guwahati will open the application process on 25 August 2025, and the exam will take place in February 2026. GATE is a major exam for students who wish to secure jobs in PSUs, pursue M.Tech in top institutes, or apply for government fellowships. It provides details about important dates, fees, exam sessions, and career opportunities.

GATE 2026: Important Dates

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 will be conducted by IIT Guwahati, and the official schedule has now been released. Aspiring candidates should take note of the key dates for registration, examinations, and other important events to avoid missing deadlines.

Event	Date
Application Starts	25 August 2025 (Mon)
Regular Registration Ends	25 September 2025 (Thu)
Late Fee Registration Deadline	06 October 2025 (Mon)
Exam Days	07 February, 08 February, 14 February, 15 February 2026

GATE 2026 Exam Dates

The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted across four days, spanning two weekends in February 2026. Each day will feature two sessions—forenoon and afternoon—offering flexibility in scheduling various paper codes. Here is the complete session-wise schedule:

Date	Forenoon Session	Afternoon Session
Saturday, Feb 07	9:30 AM – 12:30 PM	2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Sunday, Feb 08	9:30 AM – 12:30 PM	2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Saturday, Feb 14	9:30 AM – 12:30 PM	2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Sunday, Feb 15	9:30 AM – 12:30 PM	2:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Application Fees for GATE 2026

The application fee for GATE 2026 varies based on candidate category and the time of registration. IIT Guwahati has provided a clear structure for both the regular and extended registration periods. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

Category	Fee	Extended Fee
Female / SC / ST / PwD (per paper)	₹1000	₹1500
All Other Candidates (incl. foreign nationals)	₹2000	₹2500

Why GATE 2026 Matters: PSU, M.Tech., Fellowship Opportunities

GATE 2026 is more than just an entrance exam; it’s a direct route to top PSU jobs, IIT/NIT M.Tech admissions, and government fellowships.

PSU Recruitment: Companies like NTPC, ONGC, and BHEL hire engineers based on GATE scores with excellent pay and job security.
M.Tech Admissions: IITs, NITs, and IIITs use GATE for M.Tech/MS programs in core and emerging fields.
Fellowships: Qualified candidates get ₹12,400/month stipends during postgraduation and eligibility for research fellowships.
Global Recognition: Some foreign universities also accept GATE for PG courses.