The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a prestigious national-level examination that assesses comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in Engineering, Technology, Science, Commerce, Arts, Architecture, and Humanities. GATE 2026 is being organized by IIT Guwahati and will be conducted in February 2026. The examination is jointly organized by IISc Bangalore and all IITs on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.
This comprehensive guide provides complete details about GATE 2026 including important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, application procedure, and more. GATE 2026 will feature 30 test papers including a new sectional paper on Energy Science (XE-I) in the Engineering Sciences (XE) paper.
GATE 2026 Exam at a Glance
| Examination | GATE 2026 |
| Organized by | IIT Guwahati |
| Official Website | gate2026.iitg.ac.in |
| Examination Level | National Level |
| Total Papers | 30 (including one new sectional paper) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's/Master's degree holder or in final/pre-final year |
| Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2026 |
| Result Announcement | March 19, 2026 |
| Score Validity | THREE years from result announcement |
| International Centers | No international centers for GATE 2026 |
Need help? Clarify all your GATE 2026 doubts from our GATE 2026 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) page.
GATE 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Date of GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) | Monday / Thursday | August 25, 2025 / August 28, 2025 |
| Closing Date of REGULAR online registration/application process (Without Late Fee) | Thursday / Sunday / Monday / Tuesday | September 25, 2025 / September 28, 2025 / October 6, 2025 / October 7, 2025 |
| Closing Date of EXTENDED online registration/application process (With Late Fee) | Monday / Thursday / Monday | October 6, 2025 / October 9, 2025 / October 13, 2025 |
| Opening Date of GATE 2026 Application rectification | Tuesday | October 28, 2025 |
| Closing Date of GATE 2026 Application rectification | Monday / Monday | November 3, 2025 / November 10, 2025 |
| GATE 2026 Examination Forenoon: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Afternoon: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Saturday Sunday Saturday Sunday | February 7, 2026 February 8, 2026 February 14, 2026 February 15, 2026 |
| Announcement of Results | Thursday | March 19, 2026 |
Note: Dates are liable to change. Please check the official GATE 2026 website for latest updates.
Must check: GATE 2026 Information Brochure
Eligibility Criteria for GATE 2026
Before applying for GATE 2026, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements. GATE 2026 has comprehensive eligibility criteria that accommodate students from various academic backgrounds.
Who is Eligible for GATE 2026?
- Candidates who have completed or are pursuing Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture
- Candidates who have completed or are pursuing Master's degree in any relevant Science subject
- Candidates in the final or pre-final year of their qualifying degree program
- There is no age limit for appearing in GATE 2026
For detailed eligibility criteria, please refer to the official GATE 2026 eligibility criteria page.
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the GATE 2026 exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. The examination follows a structured format designed to assess both subject knowledge and general aptitude.
Question Paper Structure
- Total Marks: 100 marks
- Total Questions: 65 questions
- Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
- Sections: General Aptitude (15 marks) + Subject-specific paper (85 marks)
For detailed information, check our GATE 2026 Exam Pattern page.
Types of Questions in GATE 2026
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): Each question has four options with one or more correct answers. Carry 1 or 2 marks each.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT): Candidates must enter the answer as a real number using the virtual keypad. No choices are provided. Carry 1 or 2 marks each.
- Negative Marking: For MCQs, there is negative marking. For 1-mark MCQs: -1/3 mark, for 2-mark MCQs: -2/3 mark. No negative marking for NAT questions.
GATE 2026 Test Papers & Subjects
GATE 2026 will be conducted in 30 test papers covering a wide range of disciplines. A significant update for GATE 2026 is the introduction of a new sectional paper on Energy Science (XE-I) within the Engineering Sciences (XE) paper.
List of GATE 2026 Papers:
Aerospace Engineering (AE), Agricultural Engineering (AG), Architecture and Planning (AR), Biomedical Engineering (BM), Biotechnology (BT), Civil Engineering (CE), Chemical Engineering (CH), Computer Science and Information Technology (CS), Chemistry (CY), Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC), Electrical Engineering (EE), Environmental Science and Engineering (ES), Ecology and Evolution (EY), Geology and Geophysics (GG), Instrumentation Engineering (IN), Mathematics (MA), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Mining Engineering (MN), Metallurgical Engineering (MT), Petroleum Engineering (PE), Physics (PH), Production and Industrial Engineering (PI), Statistics (ST), Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF), Engineering Sciences (XE), Life Sciences (XL), and Humanities and Social Sciences (XH).
Important: Candidates can appear for one or two test papers. However, only selected two-paper combinations are allowed for candidates appearing in two papers.
GATE 2026 Syllabus
The GATE 2026 syllabus covers comprehensive topics for each of the 30 papers. The syllabus is designed to test the comprehensive understanding of undergraduate-level subjects. Each paper has a specific syllabus that outlines the topics and subtopics that will be covered in the examination.
Check here: GATE 2026 Syllabus for All Branches
GATE 2026 Online Application Process
The GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) opens on August 25/28, 2025. Candidates must complete the application process before the deadline to be eligible for the examination.
Step-by-step guide: GATE 2026 Application Procedure - Step by Step Guide
GATE 2026 Application Fee:
- Female Candidates (All categories): ₹900/-
- SC/ST/PwD Candidates: ₹900/-
- All Other Candidates: ₹1,800/-
- Late Fee (if applicable): Additional ₹500/-
Opportunities After Qualifying GATE 2026
Qualifying GATE opens numerous opportunities for candidates across academic and professional domains:
Academic Opportunities
- Admission to M.Tech/M.E. programs in IITs, NITs, and other premier institutes
- Admission to Ph.D. programs in Engineering and Science
- Financial assistance through scholarships and fellowships
Professional Opportunities
- Recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
- Research positions in government and private organizations
- Career advancement in engineering and technology sectors
Essential GATE 2026 Resources
GATE 2026 Syllabus - All Branches
Download syllabus PDFs for all 30 GATE branches
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
Complete guide to exam pattern and question design
GATE 2026 Information Brochure
Official information brochure with complete details
GATE 2026 Application Guide
Step-by-step application form filling procedure
GATE 2026 FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers
GATE 2026 Organising Institute
Information about IIT Guwahati, the organizing institute