- GATE 2026 is organised by IIT Guwahati and was held on 7, 8, 14, and 15 February 2026, with results announced on 19 March 2026
- It offers 30 test papers, and the application fee was 1,000 rupees per paper for female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates and 2,000 rupees for others
- There is no minimum-percentage eligibility, and scores stay valid for three years.
What Is the GATE Exam?
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, known as GATE, is a national-level examination that tests candidates' comprehensive understanding of undergraduate subjects in engineering, technology, science, and allied disciplines. Scores are used for admission to postgraduate programmes such as MTech and MS, and for recruitment by many public sector undertakings across India.
GATE evaluates a candidate's grasp of core undergraduate subjects and general aptitude. A good GATE score opens doors to funded MTech and MS seats at the IITs, NITs, and IIITs, direct recruitment by many public sector undertakings, and research fellowships. The 2026 cycle is administered entirely through the online GOAPS portal.
Who Conducts GATE 2026?
GATE 2026 is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and the seven older Indian Institutes of Technology on behalf of the National Coordination Board, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. IIT Guwahati is the organising institute for the 2026 cycle.
The examination rotates among the organising institutes each year. For the 2026 cycle, IIT Guwahati manages registration, the question papers, the admit cards, and the results through its official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
When Is the GATE 2026 Exam?
The GATE 2026 examination is scheduled across four days: 7, 8, 14, and 15 February 2026. It is held in two shifts each day, a forenoon shift from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and an afternoon shift from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Results are announced on 19 March 2026.
| GATE 2026 Event | Date or Time |
|---|---|
| Exam days | 7, 8, 14, 15 February 2026 |
| Forenoon shift | 9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
| Afternoon shift | 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
| Result announcement | 19 March 2026 |
How Do You Register for GATE 2026?
Registration for GATE 2026 is done online through the GOAPS portal at goaps.iitg.ac.in. Candidates create an account, fill in personal and academic details, upload a photograph, signature, and degree certificate, and pay the application fee. The regular registration window ran from late August to 7 October 2025, with an extended late-fee period.
- Create a GOAPS account at goaps.iitg.ac.in with your name, email, and mobile number.
- Fill in your personal details, correspondence address, and qualifying-degree information.
- Upload a scanned photograph, signature, and eligibility or degree certificate in the required format.
- Choose your test paper and, if eligible, a permitted second paper.
- Pay the application fee online through net banking, debit card, or credit card.
What Is the GATE 2026 Application Fee?
During the regular period, GATE 2026 charged 1,000 rupees per paper for female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates, and 2,000 rupees for all others, including foreign nationals. During the extended late-fee period, the fees rose to 1,500 and 2,500 rupees respectively. Candidates opting for two papers pay double.
| Category (GATE 2026) | Regular Fee (per paper) | Extended Fee (per paper) |
|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | Rs 1,000 | Rs 1,500 |
| All other candidates | Rs 2,000 | Rs 2,500 |
What Is the Eligibility for GATE 2026?
Candidates currently studying in the third or higher year of any undergraduate degree programme, or who have already completed a government-approved degree in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, arts, or humanities, are eligible for GATE 2026. There is no minimum-percentage requirement and no upper age limit for appearing in the examination.
- Students currently in the third or higher year of any undergraduate degree programme are eligible.
- Candidates who have completed a government-approved degree in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, arts, or humanities can apply.
- There is no minimum-percentage requirement and no upper age limit.
- International candidates in the third year or higher, or holding a bachelor's degree of at least three years, are also eligible.
What Is the GATE 2026 Exam Pattern?
GATE 2026 is a three-hour computer-based test carrying 100 marks across 65 questions. Every paper has 15 marks of General Aptitude, with the remainder from the chosen subject and, in most papers, engineering mathematics. Questions are multiple-choice, multiple-select, or numerical-answer type; negative marking applies only to multiple-choice questions.
| GATE 2026 Pattern | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-based test (online) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Total questions | 65 |
| Total marks | 100 |
| General Aptitude | 15 marks |
| Question types | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Negative marking | Only on MCQs (1/3 or 2/3 mark) |
How Many Papers Does GATE 2026 Have?
GATE 2026 offers a total of 30 test papers covering full and sectional subjects, including a newly introduced Energy Science sectional paper. Candidates may appear in either one or two papers, but only specific two-paper combinations are permitted. Each candidate chooses the paper that matches their qualifying discipline and career goals.
The 30 papers range from established branches such as Computer Science, Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering to interdisciplinary and sectional papers. A new Energy Science paper was added for 2026. Candidates should choose the paper that best matches their qualifying degree and intended postgraduate specialisation.
How Long Is a GATE Score Valid?
A GATE score remains valid for three years from the date the results are announced. Within this window, candidates can use the score for postgraduate admissions at IITs, NITs, and other institutions, and for recruitment by many public sector undertakings. After three years the score expires and the exam must be retaken.
Because the score is valid for three years, candidates can apply to postgraduate programmes and PSU recruitment drives across multiple admission cycles without re-appearing. The scorecard is downloaded from the GOAPS portal and is also used during COAP counselling for IIT admissions.
How Should You Prepare for GATE?
Effective GATE preparation starts with understanding the exam pattern and the full subject syllabus, then building a study schedule with daily targets. Candidates should master core concepts, solve previous years' papers, and take regular mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. In the final days, focus on revision rather than starting new topics.
- Understand the exam pattern and complete subject syllabus before you begin.
- Build a study plan with realistic daily targets and track your progress.
- Master fundamentals from standard reference books rather than memorising shortcuts.
- Solve previous years' question papers and attempt full-length mock tests regularly.
- Reserve the final days for revision and avoid starting new topics.