The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level exam in India, pivotal for admissions to Master’s programs (M.Tech, M.E., M.Sc.) and Ph.D. courses at premier institutes like IITs, IISc, and NITs, as well as for recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as ONGC, NTPC, and IOCL. GATE 2026, organized by IIT Guwahati, introduces a new sectional paper on Energy Science (XE-I) under Engineering Sciences.
This detailed guide covers key aspects of GATE 2026, including dates, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, application process, and preparation tips, with tables for clarity.
Important Dates for GATE 2026
The GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) manages registrations. Below are the key dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening of GOAPS for Online Registration | August 25, 2025 (Monday) |
| Closing of Regular Online Registration (Without Late Fee) | September 25, 2025 (Thursday) |
| Closing of Extended Online Registration (With Late Fee) | October 6, 2025 (Monday) |
| GATE 2026 Examination Dates | February 7, 2026 (Saturday) February 8, 2026 (Sunday) February 14, 2026 (Saturday) February 15, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Announcement of Results | March 19, 2026 (Tentative) |
Note: Exams occur in two sessions daily—Forenoon (FN: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM) and Afternoon (AN: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM). Dates are subject to change; check gate2026.iitg.ac.in for updates.
Eligibility Criteria
GATE 2026 is open to candidates in their 3rd year or higher of undergraduate programs, with no age limit. It includes Indian and international candidates.
| Category | Eligibility Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualifications | 3rd year or higher (or completed) in a government-approved degree in: – B.E./B.Tech/B.Pharm (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after Diploma/B.Sc.) – B.Arch (5 years) or equivalent in Naval Architecture/Planning – B.Sc. (Research)/B.S. (4 years) – Pharm.D. (6 years after 10+2) – M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. (higher semesters or completed) – M.Sc./M.A./MCA or equivalent – Integrated M.E./M.Tech (Post-B.Sc. or after Diploma/10+2) – B.Sc./B.A./B.Com (3 years) – Int. M.Sc./B.S.-M.S. (5 years) – B.Sc. in Agriculture/Horticulture/Forestry (4 years) |
| Professional Certifications | Equivalent qualifications from societies like IE, ICE, IETE, AeSI, IIChE, IIM, IIIE (approved by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC) |
| International Candidates | 3rd year or higher (or completed) in a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) in relevant fields |
| Additional Notes | Higher degrees accepted; B.Sc./B.A./B.Com. holders eligible for Master’s at IITs/IISc |
Verify eligibility on the official website to ensure compliance.
Exam Pattern
GATE 2026 is a 3-hour Computer-Based Test (CBT) with 65 questions worth 100 marks, conducted in English.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA): 15 marks Subject-Specific: 85 marks (includes Engineering Mathematics for some papers, ~13 marks) |
| Question Types | – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): 1 or 2 marks; negative marking (-1/3 for 1-mark, -2/3 for 2-mark) – Multiple Select Questions (MSQs): 1 or 2 marks; no negative marking, full marks only for all correct options (no partial credit) – Numerical Answer Type (NAT): 1 or 2 marks; no negative marking; answers via virtual keypad |
| Total Papers | 30 subjects; candidates can choose one or two papers (specific combinations allowed, e.g., AE with CE or ME) |
| Mode & Centers | Online; conducted in India only (no international centers) |
| Score Validity | 3 years for admissions/recruitment |
Check exam city lists on the official site.
Syllabus
The syllabus, available as PDFs on gate2026.iitg.ac.in, includes a new Energy Science (XE-I) section in Engineering Sciences. General Aptitude is mandatory, testing verbal, numerical, analytical, and spatial skills.
| Paper Code | Paper Name | Sections (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| AE | Aerospace Engineering | – |
| AG | Agricultural Engineering | – |
| AR | Architecture and Planning | – |
| BM | Biomedical Engineering | – |
| BT | Biotechnology | – |
| CE | Civil Engineering | – |
| CH | Chemical Engineering | – |
| CS | Computer Science and Information Technology | – |
| CY | Chemistry | – |
| DA | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | – |
| EC | Electronics and Communication Engineering | – |
| EE | Electrical Engineering | – |
| ES | Environmental Science and Engineering | – |
| EY | Ecology and Evolution | – |
| GE | Geomatics Engineering | – |
| GG | Geology and Geophysics | – |
| IN | Instrumentation Engineering | – |
| MA | Mathematics | – |
| ME | Mechanical Engineering | – |
| MN | Mining Engineering | – |
| MT | Metallurgical Engineering | – |
| NM | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | – |
| PE | Petroleum Engineering | – |
| PH | Physics | – |
| PI | Production and Industrial Engineering | – |
| ST | Statistics | – |
| TF | Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | – |
| XE | Engineering Sciences | A: Engineering Mathematics B: Fluid Mechanics C: Materials Science D: Solid Mechanics E: Thermodynamics F: Polymer Science and Engineering G: Food Technology H: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences I: Energy Science (New) |
| XH | Humanities and Social Sciences | B1: Reasoning and Comprehension C1: Economics C2: English C3: Linguistics C4: Philosophy C5: Psychology C6: Sociology |
| XL | Life Sciences | P: Chemistry Q: Biochemistry R: Botany S: Microbiology T: Zoology U: Food Technology |
Application Process and Fees
Applications are submitted via GOAPS on gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Required documents: recent photo, signature, valid ID (Aadhaar/Passport/Driving License/PAN/Voter ID), and eligibility certificate (if applicable).
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Steps | Register on GOAPS, fill details, upload documents, pay fee, submit. Corrections allowed during a window (with fee). |
| Fees | Likely ₹900 (SC/ST/PwD/Female) and ₹1800 (others); late fee extra. Confirm on official site. |
| Two-Paper Option | Select during application or correction; allowed combinations listed on official site. |
| Note | Applications are non-refundable. |
Preparation Tips
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Understand Syllabus | Study core topics using official PDFs; prioritize high-weightage areas. |
| Study Plan | Allocate time: 15% GA, Engineering Math, and subject-specific topics. Solve past papers. |
| Resources | Use books (e.g., “Engineering Mathematics” by B.S. Grewal), NPTEL, Made Easy, Physics Wallah. |
| Mock Tests | Take CBT mocks to improve speed and accuracy. |
| Time Management | Focus on weak areas; study 6-8 hours daily. |
| Health & Updates | Balance study with rest; monitor gate2026.iitg.ac.in for updates. |
GATE 2026 is a critical opportunity for academic and career advancement. Start early, stay focused, and visit gate2026.iitg.ac.in for updates. Questions? Share below. Best of luck!
