GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) 2026
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 is a national-level examination conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Ministry of Education, Government of India. The organizing institute for GATE 2026 is the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG).
GATE evaluates candidates’ comprehensive understanding of undergraduate-level subjects in Engineering, Technology, Architecture and both undergraduate and postgraduate level subjects in Science, Commerce, Arts and Humanities.
GATE 2026 Highlights
- Examination Name: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026
- Conducting Body: IISc and IITs
- Organizing Institute: IIT Guwahati
- Mode of Examination: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Medium of Examination: English only
- Total Test Papers: 30
- Duration of Examination: 3 Hours
- Total Marks: 100
- Maximum Papers Allowed: One or Two
- Score Validity: Three Years from result declaration
GATE 2026 Important Dates
Application Process
- GOAPS Online Application Opening Date: August 28, 2025
- Closing Date of Regular Registration (Without Late Fee): October 7, 2025
- Closing Date of Extended Registration (With Late Fee): October 13, 2025
Application Rectification
- Opening Date of Application Correction Window: October 28, 2025
- Final Closing Date of Application Rectification: November 10, 2025
Admit Card
- Admit Card Download Availability: January 13, 2026
Examination Dates
- February 7, 2026
- February 8, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 15, 2026
- The examination will be conducted in multiple sessions including forenoon and afternoon sessions.
Result Declaration & Scorecard Availability
- Result Announcement Date: March 19, 2026
- Free Download Period: March 27, 2026 to May 31, 2026
- Paid Download Period: June 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
GATE 2026 Examination Schedule
| Date | Session | Papers |
|---|
| February 07, 2026 (Saturday) | Forenoon (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) | AG, ES, GG, IN, MA, MN, TF, XE, XL |
| Afternoon (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM) | AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH, XH |
| February 08, 2026 (Sunday) | Forenoon Session | CS-1, ST |
| Afternoon Session | CS-2, EY, NM, PE |
| February 14, 2026 (Saturday) | Forenoon Session | CE-1, EE, PI |
| Afternoon Session | BM, CE-2, ME, MT |
| February 15, 2026 (Sunday) | Forenoon Session | EC |
| Afternoon Session | AR, DA |
GATE 2026 Test Papers & Syllabus
GATE 2026 will be conducted for 30 test papers. Candidates can appear in either one or up to two test papers as per the approved two-paper combinations.
The test papers will be conducted in English. Each paper carries a total of 100 marks, which includes:
- General Aptitude (GA): 15 marks (common for all papers)
- Subject-Specific Section: 85 marks
Candidates must carefully note the paper code, as it is required during both application submission and the examination.
| Test Paper | Code |
|---|
| 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 |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | DA |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | EC |
| Electrical Engineering | EE |
| Environmental Science and Engineering | ES |
| Instrumentation Engineering | IN |
| Mechanical Engineering | ME |
| Mining Engineering | MN |
| Metallurgical Engineering | MT |
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | NM |
| Petroleum Engineering | PE |
| Production and Industrial Engineering | PI |
| Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | TF |
| Chemistry | CY |
| Mathematics | MA |
| Physics | PH |
| Statistics | ST |
| Geology and Geophysics | GG |
| Ecology and Evolution | EY |
| Geomatics Engineering | GE |
| Engineering Sciences | XE |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | XH |
| Life Sciences | XL |
XE (Engineering sciences) Paper Sections
Compulsory Section- Engineering Mathematics – Code A (15 marks)
Optional SectionsCandidates must choose any two sections (2 × 35 = 70 marks)
- Fluid Mechanics – Code B
- Materials Science – Code C
- Solid Mechanics – Code D
- Thermodynamics – Code E
- Polymer Science and Engineering – Code F
- Food Technology – Code G
- Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences – Code H
- Energy Science – Code I
XH (Humanities and Social Sciences) Paper Sections
Compulsory Section- Reasoning and Comprehension – Code B1 (25 marks)
Optional SectionsCandidates must choose any one section (60 marks)
- Economics – Code C1
- English – Code C2
- Linguistics – Code C3
- Philosophy – Code C4
- Psychology – Code C5
- Sociology – Code C6
XL (Life Sciences) Paper Sections
Compulsory Section- Chemistry – Code P (25 marks)
Optional SectionsCandidates must choose any two sections (2 × 30 = 60 marks)
- Biochemistry – Code Q
- Botany – Code R
- Microbiology – Code S
- Zoology – Code T
- Food Technology – Code U
Important Instructions
- Candidates must familiarize themselves with the correct paper code before applying.
- Each candidate must submit only one application form.
- Candidates wishing to appear in a second paper must add the second paper within the same application as per allowed combinations.
- If multiple applications are submitted, only one application will be accepted and the remaining applications will be rejected without refund of the application fee.
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
Overview- Total Questions: 65
- Total Marks: 100
Section Distribution- General Aptitude: 15 Marks
- Subject-Specific Section: 85 Marks
Types of Questions- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
Marking Scheme- Questions carry either 1 mark or 2 marks
- Negative marking applies only to MCQ questions
- No negative marking for MSQ and NAT questions
- No partial marking for any question
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates are advised to carefully check the eligibility requirements before applying for GATE 2026. Any candidate fulfilling the prescribed criteria is eligible to appear for the examination.
Basic EligibilityCandidates are eligible to apply for GATE 2026 if they meet any of the following conditions:
- Candidates currently studying in the 3rd or higher year of any undergraduate degree program are eligible to apply.
- Candidates who have completed any government-approved degree program in the following disciplines are also eligible:
- Engineering
- Technology
- Architecture
- Science
- Commerce
- Arts
- Humanities
Eligibility for Candidates from Foreign CountriesCandidates who have obtained or are pursuing their qualifying degree from countries outside India must meet the following conditions:
- Must be currently in the 3rd or higher year, OR
- Must have completed a Bachelor’s degree of at least three years duration
The qualifying degree must be in:
- Engineering
- Technology
- Architecture
- Science
- Commerce
- Arts
- Humanities
Professional Societies / InstitutionsThe following professional societies conduct examinations in various engineering fields:
- The Institution of Engineers (India) (IE)
- The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
- The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE)
- The Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI)
- The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, including Polymer and Environmental Group (IIChE)
- The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM)
- The Indian Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIIE)
Candidates possessing certification from such professional societies must ensure that the examinations are approved by MoE / AICTE / UGC / UPSC as equivalent to B.E., B.Tech., B.Arch., B.Planning or similar degrees.
Important Notes- Candidates pursuing or holding a higher degree than those listed are also eligible to appear for GATE 2026.
- Candidates with B.Sc., B.A. or B.Com. (3-year programs) are eligible if they wish to seek admission to Master’s programs in IITs and IISc.
Eligible Degree / Program Details
Undergraduate Degree Programs
Candidates with the following undergraduate degrees are eligible:
Engineering and Technology Degrees- B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Pharm.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology
- Duration: 4 years after 10+2 OR 3 years after B.Sc. or Diploma in Engineering/Technology
- Eligibility: Currently in 3rd year or higher OR already completed
Architecture and Planning Degrees- B.Arch.
- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (5 years)
- Naval Architecture (4 years)
- Planning (4 years)
- Eligibility: Currently in 3rd year or higher OR already completed
Science Degrees- B.Sc. (Research) / B.S.
- Bachelor’s degree in Science (4 years after 10+2 or Post-Diploma)
- Eligibility: Currently in 3rd year or higher OR already completed
Pharmacy Doctoral Program- Pharm. D.
- 6-year professional pharmacy doctoral program after 10+2
- Eligibility: Currently in 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th year OR already completed
Agriculture and Allied Science Degrees- B.Sc. (Agriculture / Horticulture / Forestry)
- 4-year undergraduate program
- Eligibility: Currently in 3rd or 4th year OR already completed
General Bachelor’s Degrees- B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com.
- 3-year undergraduate degree in Science, Arts or Commerce
- Eligibility: Currently in 3rd year OR already completed
Professional Medical ProgramsCandidates pursuing or holding professional medical degrees are eligible:
Eligibility Requirement:- Currently in 5th, 6th, 7th semester or higher
- OR Degree already completed
Postgraduate and Integrated Degree Programs
Postgraduate ProgramsCandidates pursuing or holding postgraduate degrees are eligible:
- M.Sc.
- M.A.
- MCA
- Equivalent Master’s Degree
Eligibility Requirement:- Currently in 1st year or higher
- OR Degree already completed
Integrated and Dual Degree ProgramsCandidates enrolled in integrated or dual degree programs are eligible:
Integrated M.E. / M.Tech. (Post B.Sc.)- Integrated Master’s degree in Engineering or Technology (4-year program)
- Eligibility: Currently in 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th year OR already completed
Integrated M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Pharm. or Dual Degree Programs- 5-year integrated or dual degree programs after Diploma or 10+2
- Eligibility: Currently in 3rd, 4th or 5th year OR already completed
Integrated M.Sc. / Integrated B.S. / M.S.- 5-year integrated programs
- Eligibility: Currently in 3rd year or higher OR already completed
Professional Society Examinations
Candidates holding qualifications equivalent to B.E., B.Tech. or B.Arch. through professional societies are eligible if:
- The qualification is recognized by MoE, UPSC or AICTE
- The candidate has completed Section A or equivalent stage of the course
Recognition of Professional Body QualificationsStudents enrolled with professional bodies and institutions as per MHRD OM (No. 11- 15/2011-AR (TS.II)) with permanent recognition up to May 31, 2013 remain recognized.
Additional details are available under:
- AICTE Circular No. 13/56/PC/ODL-Mode/AICTE/2020
- Dated November 23, 2020
GATE 2026 Application Fee (Per Test Paper)
| Category | Regular Period | Extended Period |
|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD Candidates | ₹1000 | ₹1500 |
| Other Candidates | ₹2000 | ₹2500 |
For two test papers, the fee payable is twice the fee of a single paper.
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