GATE 2026 Notification PDF has been released at the official website by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) for 30 test papers. GATE 2026 application portal is now live at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can register online till Sept 25, 2025, or with late fee till Oct 6, 2025. Apply now through the direct link and secure your chance to appear for the February 2026 exam. Candidates can check all the details including registration dates, exam pattern, eligibility, fees, syllabus, and selection procedure in this detailed article.
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is national-level exams for engineering, technology, science, humanities, and commerce graduates seeking postgraduate admissions, scholarships, and PSU jobs. IIT Guwahati is the organizing institute for GATE 2026 and has released the official notification PDF at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Scroll below to check the GATE 2026 important dates, eligibility, exam pattern, application fees, syllabus, and all latest updates.
Also Check: GATE 2026 Registration From 28 Aug: Dates, Fees, Documents & Step-by-Step Process
GATE 2026 Recruitment: Overview
Through GATE 2026, candidates can seek admission into Master’s and Doctoral programs at IITs, IISc, NITs, and other CFTIs with scholarships. In addition, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like ONGC, IOCL, NTPC, BHEL, Power Grid, HPCL, etc., also recruit candidates based on their GATE score.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | IIT Guwahati (Organizing Institute) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Dates | 7th, 8th, 14th & 15th February 2026 |
| Number of Papers | 30 Test Papers |
| Eligibility | 3rd year & final year UG students and graduates in Engg/Science/Arts/Commerce/Humanities |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Validity of Score | 3 Years |
| Application Dates | 28th August 2025 – 28th September 2025 (Regular) |
| Extended Registration (Late Fee) | 26th September – 9th October 2025 |
| Result Date | 19th March 2026 |
| Official Website | gate2026.iitg.ac.in |
GATE 2026 Notification PDF Out
IIT Guwahati released the GATE 2026 Information Brochure/Notification PDF on 21st August 2025 containing all important details like exam pattern, eligibility, registration process, and syllabus for all 30 subjects. Candidates can download the official notification from the official website.
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026, candidates must carefully check the eligibility criteria prescribed by IIT Guwahati, the organizing institute. The eligibility criteria primarily include nationality, educational qualifications, and other important conditions. Here’s a detailed explanation:
1. Nationality
Indian Citizens: All Indian nationals are eligible to apply.
Foreign Nationals: Candidates from other countries are eligible if they are studying in India or hold equivalent educational qualifications approved by the Government of India.
OCI/PIO Card Holders: Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) are also eligible.
2. Age Limit
There is no upper age limit to appear for the GATE 2026 exam.
This makes GATE suitable for both fresh graduates and working professionals who wish to pursue higher education or secure PSU jobs.
3. Educational Qualification
The candidate must have completed or be currently studying in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate degree or a government-approved equivalent program. A detailed list of eligible courses is provided below:
| Degree / Program | Qualifying Degree / Examination | Eligibility Year / Status |
|---|---|---|
| B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Pharm. | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after Diploma / B.Sc.) | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| B.Arch. / B.Plan. / Naval Arch. | Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Planning, or Naval Architecture (4 to 5 years) | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma / 4 years after 10+2) | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| M.Sc. / M.A. / MCA / Equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Mathematics / Statistics / Computer Applications | Currently in 1st year or higher OR completed |
| MBBS / BDS / BVSc | Professional medical degrees like MBBS, BDS, BVSc | Currently in 5th semester or higher OR completed |
| Pharm.D. (Post-10+2) | Professional Doctoral Program in Pharmacy (6 years) | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| Integrated M.Tech. / M.E. (Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc. Integrated Master’s program in Engg./Tech. (4 years) | Currently in 1st year or higher OR completed |
| Integrated M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (after 10+2 or Diploma) | 5-year integrated / dual degree programs in Engineering / Technology / Pharmacy | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. | Bachelor’s degree in Science / Arts / Commerce (3 years) | Currently in 3rd year OR completed |
| Integrated M.Sc. / Integrated B.S.-M.S. | 5-year integrated program in Science / Mathematics | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| Professional Society Exams | Exams conducted by recognized professional societies (like AMIE, ICE, IETE, etc.) | Must have completed Section A OR equivalent |
4. Special Notes on Eligibility
Pending Results: Candidates who are in their final year can apply, but they must produce the required certificate at the time of admission or counselling.
Foreign Degree Holders: Candidates pursuing or completing their degree from a foreign university must have an equivalent qualification recognized by MoE/AICTE/UGC.
Professional Society Recognition: Candidates who have certifications from institutions like IE, ICE, IETE, etc., must ensure that these are approved by MoE / AICTE / UPSC.
5. Documents Required for Eligibility Proof
During the GATE 2026 application, candidates must upload relevant documents:
- For completed degrees: Final degree certificate or provisional certificate.
- For ongoing degrees: A certificate from the Head of Department/Institute confirming enrollment.
- For category benefits: SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificates (if applicable).
- For PwD candidates: Valid disability certificate or UDID.
GATE 2026 Application Process
The GATE 2026 application process will be conducted completely online through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS), accessible via the official website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The process is user-friendly and allows candidates to register, fill the form, upload documents, pay fees, and track their application status.
Here is the complete, detailed guide to help candidates successfully complete their GATE 2026 registration and application.
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Candidates must visit the official GATE 2026 website and click on the “Apply Online” link. This will redirect them to the GOAPS portal, where the registration and application process takes place.
Step 2: Register on GOAPS
Candidates need to register by entering their full name, valid email address, mobile number, and creating a secure password. After successful registration, a unique Enrollment ID will be generated and sent to the registered email ID. This ID will be required for all future logins and communication related to GATE 2026.
Step 3: Login and Fill the Application Form
Using the Enrollment ID and password, candidates must log in to the GOAPS portal to fill in personal details such as name, date of birth, gender, category, parent’s name, communication address, and educational qualifications. Candidates also need to choose the GATE paper they wish to appear for and select up to three preferred exam cities.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
Candidates must upload scanned copies of essential documents, including a passport-size photograph, signature, valid photo ID, and category/PwD/Dyslexic certificates if applicable. All documents must be uploaded as per the specifications mentioned in the notification to avoid rejection.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
After completing the form and uploading documents, candidates must pay the GATE 2026 application fee online. The fee can be paid via net banking, debit/credit cards, UPI, or wallets.
Step 6: Review and Submit the Application
Before final submission, candidates should carefully review the filled-in details using the “Save and View Application” option. Once verified, click on “Submit and Proceed to Payment”. After successful submission, download and save the application confirmation page for future reference.
Step 7: Check Application Status
After submission, candidates can track their GATE 2026 application status on the GOAPS portal. The status will display updates like Received, Under Scrutiny, Accepted, Defective, or Rejected. If there are any defects, candidates must correct them within the specified timeline.
Step 8: Forgot Enrollment ID or Password
If a candidate forgets their Enrollment ID or password, the GOAPS portal provides an easy recovery option using the registered email ID or mobile number.
Also Read: GATE 2026 Application Portal Live, Direct Apply Link Here
GATE 2026 Application Fees
Applications will be accepted only online via the GATE Online Application Portal (GOAPS) at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Below is the application fees for the online application of GATE 2026.
| Category | Regular Fee | Extended Period Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1000 | ₹1500 |
| All Other Candidates | ₹2000 | ₹2500 |
| For Two Papers | Double the above fees |
Mode of Payment: Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, Wallets
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted in CBT mode and has General Aptitude and subject sections, with objective-type multiple-choice questions. Each correct answer gives 1 or 2 marks. The duration of the exam is 3 hours.
GATE 2026 is a 3-hour CBT with 65 questions totaling 100 marks. It includes General Aptitude (GA) and subject-specific sections. Types of questions: MCQ (one correct option), MSQ (one or more correct), NAT (numerical entry via virtual keypad). No physical calculator allowed; use on-screen virtual one.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours (4 hours for PwD with compensatory time) |
| Sections | GA + Candidate’s Selected Subject(s) |
| Types of Questions | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Number of Questions | 65 (10 GA + 55 Subject) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Negative Marking | For MCQ: 1/3 for 1-mark, 2/3 for 2-mark; None for MSQ/NAT |
Special provisions for PwD include scribe assistance and compensatory time as per MoE guidelines (F. No. P-13013/75/2023-Policy-DD-III dated August 01, 2025). Candidates with benchmark disabilities (40% or more) must submit certificates from authorities listed in Appendix A and B.
Also Read: GATE 2026 Syllabus and Exam Pattern, Don’t Miss Out!
GATE 2026 Test Papers
There are 30 Subjects in GATE 2026. Candidates can appear in ONE or TWO papers (allowed combinations only).
Few Examples of Papers
- AE – Aerospace Engineering
- CS – Computer Science
- EE – Electrical Engineering
- CE – Civil Engineering
- ME – Mechanical Engineering
- DA – Data Science & AI
- ES – Environmental Science and Engineering
- XH – Humanities (Economics, English, Sociology, Psychology, etc.)
- XL – Life Sciences (Biochemistry, Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, etc.)
GATE 2026 Examination Cities
GATE 2026 will be held at several centres spread across more than 200 cities/towns in India only. Table gives a tentative list of the examination cities (zone-wise) in which GATE 2026 examination is scheduled to be held. A candidate can choose three cities from the list given in Table , with the three choices chosen from the same GATE 2026 zone.
| Zonal Coordinating Institutes for GATE 2026 and list of examination cities |
|---|
| IISc Bengaluru: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Telangana |
| IIT Bombay: Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh |
| IIT Delhi: Chandigarh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, New Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (West) |
| IIT Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal |
| IIT Kanpur: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (Central and East) |
| IIT Kharagpur: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, West Bengal |
| IIT Madras: Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana |
| IIT Roorkee: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh (West) |
GATE 2026 Admit Card
The admit cards for GATE 2026 will be available for download starting January 2, 2026, from the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) portal at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates must log in with their credentials to access and download their admit cards, which are essential for entry into the examination hall.
GATE 2026 Results and Scorecards
GATE 2026 results will be announced on the GATE 2026 website. GATE 2026 Scorecards will be available for download by the qualified candidates. It is highly recommended that an electronic version of the Scorecard be preserved by the candidates for future use. After May 31, 2026 and until December 31, 2026, a fee of ₹ 500 (Rupees five hundred only) per test paper per candidate will be levied for obtaining the Scorecard. From January 1, 2027 onward, Scorecards will not be issued for GATE 2026 qualified candidates.
GATE 2026 scorecard is valid for THREE years from the date of announcement of the results. No information on GATE 2026 score will be available after this period.
There is NO provision for the issue of hard copies of the GATE 2026 scorecard.
GATE 2026: Important Dates
The complete exam schedule and application dates have been released in the GATE 2026 notification. The exam will be held on two weekends in February 2026.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| GATE 2026 Notification Release | 21st August 2025 |
| Online Registration Starts | 28th August 2025 |
| Last Date for Registration (Normal Fee) | 28th September 2025 |
| Extended Registration with Late Fee | 9th October 2025 |
| Last Date to Change Category/Paper/City | 6th November 2025 |
| Admit Card Download | 2nd January 2026 |
| GATE 2026 Exam Dates | 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th February 2026 |
| Result Declaration | 19th March 2026 |
| Score Card Free Download | 27th March – 31st May 2026 |
| Score Card with Fee ₹500 | 1st June – 31st December 2026 |
Opportunities After GATE 2026
Qualifying GATE 2026 opens up a wide range of opportunities for candidates in higher education, government jobs, and the private sector. Candidates can pursue M.Tech, M.E., M.S., or Ph.D. programs at prestigious institutes like IITs, NITs, IISc, and many top universities across India and abroad. GATE scores are also widely used for recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as BHEL, IOCL, ONGC, NTPC, GAIL, SAIL, and many more, which offer attractive salary packages and job security.
Additionally, several central government organizations and research labs accept GATE scores for direct recruitment. Apart from this, candidates interested in studying abroad can also use their GATE scores to apply for postgraduate programs in countries like Germany and Singapore, where some universities recognize GATE for admission. Overall, clearing GATE 2026 enhances career prospects significantly, providing candidates with better education, high-paying job roles, and opportunities for research and innovation.
FAQs
Q: When will the GATE 2026 exam be conducted?
A: The exam is scheduled for February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 with two sessions each day: forenoon (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) and afternoon (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM).
Q: When does the GATE 2026 online registration start and end?
A: Registration starts on August 28, 2025, and the regular registration closes on September 28, 2025. Late registration with a fee is accepted until October 9, 2025.
Q: Who is eligible to appear for GATE 2026?
A: Candidates must be in the 3rd year or higher of their undergraduate program in Engineering/Science/Architecture/Medical or have already completed the qualifying degree. There is no age limit.
Q: Can a candidate apply for more than one paper?
A: Yes, candidates may apply for one or two papers, but the pair must be among the valid combinations provided.
Q: What is the exam pattern?
A: The exam is computer-based, lasts 3 hours (4 hours for PwD candidates), and has 65 questions: 10 from General Aptitude and 55 from the selected subject paper.
Q: Are there negative markings?
Yes, negative marking applies only to MCQs: 1/3 mark for 1-mark questions, and 2/3 marks for 2-mark questions.
Q: When will the admit card be available?
A: Online admit card download will begin on January 2, 2026.
Q: What documents are needed on exam day?
A: Candidates must bring a printed admit card and the valid photo ID used during registration.
Q: How is the GATE score calculated?
A: Normalized marks (for multi-session papers) or raw marks (for single sessions) are used to compute the score based on statistical normalization formulas.
Q: For how long is the GATE 2026 score valid?
A: The score is valid for 3 years from the date of result announcement.
Gate 2026 mechanical engineering syllabus copy display
Hello Mythri, thank you for reaching out. The complete GATE 2026 Mechanical Engineering syllabus PDF is already available in our detailed article – “https://www.indiaexamalert.com/gate-2026-syllabus-and-exam-pattern/”. You can open the post and directly download the subject-wise syllabus copies from there.
Best wishes,
IndiaExamAlert Team