GATE 2026 Notification Out, Registration Form, Exam Date, Eligibility, Exam Pattern

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) is a popular national-level exam in India. It is mainly for students who have completed their graduation in engineering, science, or humanities. The GATE exam is held every year by 7 IITs and IISc Bangalore. They conduct it on behalf of the National Coordination Board (GATE), under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The online application process is likely to start on August 25. GATE 2026 Notification is released on 21 August 2025, and the exam will take place on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.

GATE 2026 New Sectional Paper

The IIT Guwahati has introduced Energy Science (XE-I), a new sectional paper to give students more choices and opportunities. This change is designed to help candidates showcase their knowledge in specific areas.  The new sectional paper format is designed to test knowledge in a more detailed and subject-specific way, reducing pressure on students who want to showcase their strengths in a particular area. With the addition of the new paper, aspirants can plan their preparation in a better way and focus on their strengths. It also opens doors for more career and higher study options, making GATE 2026 more flexible and student-friendly.

GATE 2026 Notification PDF Out

The GATE 2026 Notification PDF has been released on the official website. It will provide complete details about the exam, including eligibility, important dates, exam pattern, and application process. Candidates planning to appear for GATE 2026 must download and read the notification carefully. The PDF also includes guidelines for filling out the online form. The candidate can download the GATE 2026 Notification PDF direct link provided below.

GATE 2025 Notification PDF

GATE 2026 Exam Key Points

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is released the GATE 2026 Notification on IIT Guwahati official website. The GATE 2026 is a well-known national-level exam held for students who want to join postgraduate courses like M.E., M.Tech, or Ph.D., and also for those aiming to get jobs in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

GATE 2026 Exam Important Dates

The GATE 2026 examination is expected to be organized by IIT Guwahati. The official notification is anticipated on 25 August 2025, with registration likely beginning in August 2025. Below is a list of all the tentative dates for GATE 2026:

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To appear for GATE 2026, candidates must meet certain academic qualifications, irrespective of age. The exam is open to Indian citizens and foreign nationals with recognized degrees. Importantly, there is no age limit or cap on the number of attempts for GATE, allowing candidates the flexibility to appear whenever they meet the required qualifications.

Who is Not Eligible for GATE 2026?

• Students in the 1st or 2nd year of a 4-year Bachelor’s degree (unless your degree is only 3 years).
• Students in the 1st year of a Master’s program in Science, Math, or Statistics.
• Candidates who have only a diploma (unless they also have a recognized Bachelor’s degree).

GATE 2026 Registration

GATE 2026 registration opens on August 25, 2025, and can be completed without a late fee until September 25, 2025, with a late fee option available until October 6, 2025. Applications must be submitted online through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) portal. Candidates need to register, provide personal and academic details, upload necessary documents like a photo and signature, and pay the application fee.

How to Apply for GATE 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)

GATE 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is going to be conducted by IIT Guwahati. Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to apply for GATE 2026:

• Visit the GOAPS Portal: Go to the official GATE website and click on the application portal link.
• Register: Sign up using a valid email address and mobile number to create an account and obtain your unique enrollment ID and password.
• Log In: Log in to the GOAPS portal using your enrollment ID and password.
• Fill the Application Form: Enter your personal, academic, and contact details accurately.
• Upload Documents: Upload a scanned copy of your passport-sized photograph, signature, and any required category certificate.
• Pay Application Fee: Complete the application process by paying the fee through online payment modes.
• Submit and Download: Submit the application form and download a copy of the submitted form for your records.
  

GATE 2026 Application Fees

The application fee for GATE 2026 varies based on the candidate’s category and the number of papers they are applying for. The fee must be paid online through the GATE portal using net banking, UPI, credit, or debit card. It is non-refundable under normal circumstances.

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format and is designed to assess a candidate’s conceptual understanding, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities in engineering, science, and humanities subjects. The exam pattern is standardized across all 30 papers, with slight variations for multidisciplinary subjects like XE, XH, and XL. The test consists of 65 questions carrying a total of 100 marks, to be completed in 3 hours.

Additional Charges

• Late Fee (if any): ₹500 for Indian students or $20 for international students.
• Extra Paper Fee: ₹500 for each extra paper (Indian students) or $20 for each extra paper (international students).

Documents Required For GATE 2026 Registration

Following documents are required to fill up the GATE 2026 Registration Form:

• Candidates Name (as per government records).
• Date of Birth (DOB).
• Gender (Male/ Female/ Others)
• Category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwD).
• Nationality.
• Aadhaar Number (for Indian candidates) or Passport Number (for international candidates).
• Mobile Number
• Email ID
• Address (for official communication).
• Educational Qualification
• Photograph
• Signature

GATE 2026 Paper Codes and Branches

GATE 2026 will offer 30 subject papers, each identified by a unique paper code. Candidates can choose to appear for one or two papers, provided the combination is allowed as per the official guidelines. Each paper tests domain-specific knowledge along with General Aptitude, which is common across all papers.

GATE 2026 Syllabus

The GATE 2026 Syllabus is designed to test candidates’ understanding of undergraduate-level subjects across engineering, science, architecture, and humanities streams. It consists of two main components in each paper:

• General Aptitude (GA) – Common to all papers (15 Marks)
• Subject-Specific Syllabus – Varies based on the selected paper (85 Marks)

GATE Subject Wise Syllabus – Click to Check

How to Download GATE 2026 Admit Card?

The GATE 2026 Admit Card will be expected to released in January 2026 on GATE IIT Guwahati official website. Candidates who eligible and complete the registration process for GATE 2026 will received the admit cards. Candidates can follow the simple process to download GATE 2026 Admit Card.

• Go to the official GATE 2026 IIT Guwahati website.
• Login to GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System)
• Click on GATE 2026 Admit Card Link and fill up with Enrollment ID and Password, enter the CAPTCHA code and click on login button.
• A new page will open for the admit card. Just click on the download button to get it in PDF format.

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

Candidates can check the GATE 2026 Exam Pattern below.

• Mode of Exam: Online (Computer-Based Test).

• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT).

• Total Papers: 30 subjects (candidates can choose one or two papers).

• Total Marks: 100 marks.

• Number of Questions: 65 questions.

• Sections:

  • General Aptitude (15 marks – compulsory for all)

  • Core Subject / Paper-specific syllabus (85 marks)

• Duration: 3 hours.

• Marking Scheme:

  • 1-mark and 2-mark questions.

  • Negative marking for MCQs (⅓ mark cut for 1-mark questions, ⅔ mark cut for 2-mark questions).

  • No negative marking for MSQ and NAT.

GATE 2026 Score Validity and Benefits

The GATE 2026 scorecard is much more than just a rank—it’s a gateway to multiple academic and career opportunities across India and abroad. Whether you aim for higher education, public sector jobs, or research positions, a valid GATE score can open the door. The GATE 2026 score will be valid for 3 years from the date of result declaration. This means candidates can use their score until March 2029 for admissions and job applications. The score is valid only for the paper in which the candidate has appeared.

Some of the Benefits of the GATE Score 2026 are:

• 1. Postgraduate Admissions (M.Tech/M.E./M.S./Ph.D.)
• 2. Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) Recruitment
• 3. Research Fellowships
• 4. Higher Studies Abroad
• 5. Private Sector Advantage
• 6. Scholarships and Financial Aid

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