- GATE 2026 is organised by IIT Guwahati, and the admit card was released on January 13, 2026 through the GOAPS portal at goaps.iitg.ac.in
- The exam was conducted on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026, with results declared on March 19, 2026
- GATE scores remain valid for three years from the date the results are announced.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national examination that tests candidates on undergraduate subjects in engineering, science and technology. A qualifying GATE score is used for admission to master's and doctoral programmes at IITs, NITs and other institutes, and is accepted by many public-sector undertakings for recruitment. GATE is conducted jointly by IISc Bengaluru and seven IITs, with IIT Guwahati as the organising institute for 2026.
The admit card, also called the hall ticket, is the single most important document you carry to the GATE examination. It is issued only in digital form for self-download, and no candidate is allowed to sit the exam without a valid printed copy. This guide explains when the GATE 2026 admit card was released, how to download it, and what to carry with it on exam day.
What Is the GATE 2026 Admit Card?
The GATE 2026 admit card is the mandatory hall ticket issued by IIT Guwahati, the organising institute, for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. It carries your name, photograph, registration number, paper code, exam date, shift timing and centre address. No candidate is permitted to enter the examination hall without a printed copy of it.
The admit card is only valid if the signature and photograph printed on it are clear and match those in your application form. If any detail is unclear or wrong, contact the GATE organising institute immediately, as an unclear admit card can prevent you from writing the exam.
- Candidate name and registration number
- Photograph and signature
- GATE paper code
- Examination date and shift timing
- Examination centre name and address
- Exam-day instructions to follow
When Is the GATE 2026 Admit Card Released?
The GATE 2026 admit card was released on January 13, 2026 through the GOAPS portal at goaps.iitg.ac.in. The computer-based exam was held on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026, and results were announced on March 19, 2026. Download the admit card as soon as it goes live to avoid last-minute server load.
| GATE 2026 Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Admit card download | January 13, 2026 |
| Examination days | February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2026 |
| Result announcement | March 19, 2026 |
| Score validity | 3 years from result date |
How Do You Download the GATE 2026 Admit Card?
To download the GATE 2026 admit card, visit gate2026.iitg.ac.in or the GOAPS portal at goaps.iitg.ac.in, log in with your enrolment ID or email and password, solve the on-screen arithmetic check, then open and print the admit card. Verify that your photograph, signature and paper details are clear before taking a colour printout.
- Visit the official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in and open the GOAPS login page at goaps.iitg.ac.in.
- Enter your enrolment ID or registered email and your password.
- Solve the on-screen arithmetic verification and click login.
- Open the admit card link, check every detail, and download the PDF.
- Take a clear colour printout on A4 paper to carry to the exam centre.
What Documents Must You Carry With the Admit Card?
Along with a printed colour copy of the GATE 2026 admit card, you must carry a valid original photo identity document, such as an Aadhaar card, passport, PAN card, voter ID or driving licence. The name on the ID must match the admit card exactly. Digital copies shown on a phone are not accepted at the centre.
- Aadhaar card
- Passport
- PAN card
- Voter ID card
- Driving licence
What Is the GATE 2026 Exam Pattern?
GATE 2026 is a three-hour computer-based test of 100 marks, containing General Aptitude worth 15 marks and the subject paper worth 85 marks across MCQ, MSQ and Numerical Answer Type questions. Negative marking applies only to MCQs, deducting one-third for one-mark and two-thirds for two-mark wrong answers; MSQ and NAT carry no penalty.
Because the exam runs in two shifts, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, always check the shift timing and centre address printed on your admit card and plan to reach the venue well before the reporting time. Keep the admit card safe even after the exam, as it is needed for admission and recruitment processes.