GATE 2026 Notification: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has officially released the GATE 2026 Notification along with the information brochure for the upcoming Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. GATE 2026 will be conducted on 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th February 2026 across multiple cities in India. The online application process will begin on 25th August 2025 and continue till 25th September 2025, with an extended window till 6th October 2025 with late fees.
GATE is a national-level examination that serves as a gateway for admission to M.Tech/Ph.D. programs and recruitment in various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). The exam will be conducted in 30 papers, with IIT Guwahati as the organizing institute for 2026. This year, a new paper on Energy Science (XE-I) has been introduced under Engineering Sciences.
GATE 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | IIT Guwahati |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Online (CBT) |
| Total Papers | 30 |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Score Validity | 3 Years |
| Official Website | gate2026.iitg.ac.in |
GATE 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 20th August 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 25th August 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (Without Late Fee) | 25th September 2025 |
| Extended Application Date (With Late Fee) | 6th October 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 3rd January 2026 |
| Exam Dates | 7th, 8th, 14th & 15th February 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | 21st February 2026 |
| Result Declaration | 16th March 2026 |
| Scorecard Availability | 23rd March 2026 |
GATE 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Regular Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwD / Female | Rs 1000/- | Rs 1500/- |
| All Other Candidates | Rs 2000/- | Rs 2500/- |
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification:
Candidates must have completed or be in the 3rd year/final year of an undergraduate degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture/Science/Commerce/Arts. - Age Limit: No upper age limit.
- Nationality: Indian as well as international candidates can apply.
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Total Questions | 65 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Question Types | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Sections | General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (varies), Subject-specific |
Marking Scheme:
- 1-mark questions: 1/3 negative marking (MCQ only)
- 2-mark questions: 2/3 negative marking (MCQ only)
- No negative marking for MSQ and NAT
GATE 2026 Syllabus
The exam will cover 30 papers including traditional streams like CSE, ECE, ME, CE, EE, and new additions. Each paper has:
- General Aptitude (15 marks)
- Engineering Mathematics (for most papers)
- Subject-specific syllabus
This year, Energy Science (XE-I) has been added under the XE paper. The detailed syllabus for each subject is provided in the official brochure.
GATE 2026 Selection & Score Usage
- Score Validity: 3 years from the date of result announcement.
- Usage: Admission to IITs, NITs, IISc, and other institutes for M.Tech/Ph.D. programs.
- Recruitment in PSUs like ONGC, NTPC, IOCL, HPCL, BHEL, DRDO, and others.
How to Apply for GATE 2026
- Visit the official portal gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- Register on the GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System).
- Fill in personal, academic, and contact details.
- Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, ID, certificates).
- Pay the application fee online and submit the form.
- Download the confirmation page for future use.
GATE 2026 Important Links
| GATE 2026 Official Notification PDF | Notification |
| GATE 2026 Apply Online | Apply Online |
| GATE Official Website | GATE |
