Niyukti Shakha

GATE 2026: Complete Guide for Admission, Exam, and Eligibility

GATE 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is a prestigious national-level examination that evaluates candidates on their comprehensive understanding of undergraduate-level subjects across various fields including Engineering, Technology, Science, Commerce, Arts, Architecture, and Humanities. The exam is conducted jointly by IISc and all IITs on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India. For 2026, IIT Guwahati is the designated Organizing Institute.

Important Dates for GATE 2026

• Application Start Date (Regular Period): August 28, 2025

• Last Date for Regular Registration: September 28, 2025

• Extended Period (with late fee):

  • Last Date: October 09, 2025

• Exam Dates: February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026

• Result Announcement: March 19, 2026

Make sure to apply early to avoid the late fee and check the GATE 2026 official website for any updates.

• Age Limit: There is no age limit for GATE 2026.

Eligibility Criteria for GATE 2026

• Educational Qualification: Candidates currently in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate program in Engineering/Technology/Science/Architecture/Humanities/Commerce are eligible.

• Postgraduate Candidates: Candidates with a Postgraduate degree in relevant fields are also eligible to apply.

• International Candidates: Students from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, UAE, Ethiopia, and other countries with equivalent qualifications can apply.

• B.E./B.Tech./B. Pharm.: Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./Diploma in Engineering/Technology) are eligible. This applies to those currently in the 3rd year or higher, or those who have already completed their degree.

• B. Arch.: Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (5-year course), Naval Architecture (4-year course), or Planning (4-year course) are eligible. This includes candidates currently in the 3rd year or higher, or those who have already completed their degree.

• B.Sc. (Research)/B.S.: Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/4 years after 10+2) are eligible. This applies to those currently in the 3rd year or higher, or those who have already completed their degree.

• Pharm. D. (after 10+2): Candidates with a Professional Pharmacy doctoral program of 6 years duration after 10+2, including 1 year of internship or residency, are eligible. This applies to candidates currently in the 3rd/4th/5th/6th year, or those who have already completed their degree.

• M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc.: Candidates with a Professional Medical degree (M.B.B.S., B.D.S., B.V.Sc.) are eligible. This applies to those in their 5th/6th/7th semester or higher, or those who have already completed their degree.

• M.Sc./M.A./MCA or equivalent: Candidates with a Master’s degree in any branch of Arts/Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or an equivalent degree are eligible. This applies to candidates currently in the 1st year or higher, or those who have already completed their degree.

• Int. M.E./M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.): Candidates in Post-B.Sc. Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering/Technology (4-year program) are eligible. This applies to those currently in the 1st/2nd/3rd/4th year, or those who have already completed their degree.

• Int. M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2): Candidates in Integrated Master’s degree programs or Dual Degree programs in Engineering/Technology (5-year program) are eligible. This applies to those currently in the 3rd/4th/5th year, or those who have already completed their degree.

• B.Sc./B.A./B.Com.: Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in any branch of Science/Arts/Commerce (3-year program) are eligible. This applies to those currently in the 3rd year, or those who have already completed their degree.

• Int. M.Sc./Int. B.S./M.S.: Candidates with an Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S. - M.S. program are eligible. This applies to those currently in the 3rd year or higher, or those who have already completed their degree.

• Professional Society Examinations: Candidates who have completed Section A or equivalent of professional courses recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (e.g., AMIE by Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India) are eligible.

• B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry): Candidates with a 4-year program in these fields are eligible. This applies to those currently in the 3rd/4th year, or those who have already completed their degree.

For more detailed Eligibility Criteria - Click Here

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

• Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

• Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)

• Total Questions: 65

  • General Aptitude (GA): 15 marks (mandatory for all papers)

  • Core Subject Questions: 85 marks

• Question Types:

  • MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

  • MSQ (Multiple Select Questions)

  • NAT (Numerical Answer Type)

• Marking Scheme:

  • 1 mark questions: -0.33 for incorrect answers

  • 2 mark questions: -0.66 for incorrect answers

  • No negative marking for MSQs and NATs.

Subjects/Papers Offered in GATE 2026

GATE 2026 will include 30 subjects, including Engineering, Science, Architecture, Humanities, and more. Some key papers include:

• Engineering Papers: Aerospace Engineering (AE), Civil Engineering (CE), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Science (CS), Electronics (EC), Chemical Engineering (CH), etc.

• Science Papers: Physics (PH), Chemistry (CY), Mathematics (MA), Life Sciences (XL), etc.

• Humanities and Social Sciences (XH): Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Economics, Linguistics, etc.

• New Sections: A new Energy Science section has been introduced under the Engineering Sciences (XE) paper.

Candidates can appear for one or two papers depending on their eligibility. Two-paper combinations will be allowed from a pre-approved list.

Application Fees for GATE 2026

• Female/SC/ST/PwD Candidates (Regular Period): ₹1,000

• All Other Candidates (Regular Period): ₹2,000

• Late Fee Period (With late fee):

  • Female/SC/ST/PwD Candidates: ₹1,500

  • All Other Candidates: ₹2,500

• For two papers: Double the fee for a single paper.

• International Candidates (US):

  • Single Paper: US$ 100

  • Two Papers: US$ 150

How to Apply for GATE 2026

1. Visit the official GATE 2026 website here.

2. Register on the GOAPS portal (GATE Online Application Processing System).

3. Fill out the application form with personal and academic details.

4. Upload photographs, signatures, and any other necessary documents (as per the specifications).

5. Pay the application fee online.

6. Submit the form and download the confirmation page.

Required Documents for GATE 2026

• Photograph: Recent passport-size color photo.

• Signature: Clear signature on a white sheet.

• Eligibility Proof: Scanned copy of your degree certificate or mark sheets.

• Category Certificate (if applicable): SC/ST/PwD.

• ID Proof: Valid government-issued photo ID.

Note: Please ensure all documents are scanned and uploaded as per the specifications to avoid disqualification.

Why GATE 2026 is Important

GATE is crucial for those who aim to pursue Postgraduate degrees (M.Tech, M.S., Ph.D.) in top institutions across India. Additionally, PSUs like ONGC, BHEL, GAIL, IOCL, NTPC, and others use GATE scores for recruitment purposes. GATE qualification can also lead to financial assistance (scholarships/fellowships) for M.Tech students in IITs, NITs, and other government-funded institutions.

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Disclaimer

The exam results and marks published on this website are meant solely for the convenience of candidates and should not be considered as official or legally binding documents. While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, we cannot accept responsibility for any unintentional mistakes that may appear in the results or marks. Additionally, we disclaim any liability for any loss or damage that may arise due to inaccuracies, omissions, or errors in the information displayed on this site.