GATE 2026 Notification: Application Form, Exam Date, Registration Fee
Attention Engineers! IIT Guwahati has officially released GATE 2026 notification. The application form for GATE 2026 starts from 28th August 2025. The last date to apply for GATE 2026 is 28th September 2025 without late fee. Read this blog by MADE EASY to know more about GATE 2026 notification, GATE 2026 Registration Fee, GATE 2026 eligibility and important dates.
Table of Contents
- Overview of GATE exam
- GATE 2026 Notification
- GATE 2026 Important Dates
- GATE 2026 Application Process
- GATE 2026 Eligibility criteria
- GATE 2026 Paper Codes and Subject List
- GATE 2026 exam pattern and marking scheme
- GATE 2026 Registration Fee
- GATE 2026 Preparation Strategy by MADE EASY Experts
- Subject Wise weightage
- FAQs:
Overview of GATE exam
IIT Guwahati has released the official website of the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, popularly known as GATE. It is an annual examination jointly conducted by the 7 IITs and IISc Bangalore for admission into various postgraduate courses like M.Tech, M.S., etc., on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB)-GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India. The list of GATE-conducting institutes is given below:
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Madras
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Kanpur
- IIT Kharagpur
- IIT Guwahati
- IIT Roorkee
- IISc Bangalore
Many PSUs consider GATE scores for their recruitment purpose of engineers at entry level. PSUs, like NTPC, PGCIL, NTPC, ONGC, etc., consider the GATE scorecard for shortlisting of candidates. Other than PSUs, many state government departments also consider GATE scores for shortlisting and recruitment of candidates at the AE level.
Candidates can get financial assistance in postgraduate programs (master’s and doctoral) with Ministry of Education (MoE) and other government scholarships/assistantships if they have qualified for GATE. For the M.Tech program, the financial assistance is Rs 12,400 per month for 22 months, and for the PhD program, the financial assistance is Rs 37,000 per month for the first two years and Rs 42,000 per month from the third to fifth year. For more detail, candidates can visit here.
The GATE score is valid for 3 years, which means that candidates can take part in the admission process for postgraduate programs for 3 years. The GATE score is also useful for admission to various foreign universities like NTU, NUS etc.
GATE 2026 Notification
IIT Guwahati launched the official website for GATE 2026 on 5th August 2025. This website would be useful for GATE aspirants to stay aware of all the latest updates regarding the GATE exam. As per the latest information, the GATE 2026 application form will be active from 28th August 2025, and the last date to apply for GATE 2026 is 9th October 2025 (along with a late fee). In 2026, there would be a total of 30 papers. A new sectional paper, Energy Science, is being introduced in the Engineering Science (XE) paper.
As per the official website, GATE 2025 would be conducted on 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th February 2026. The result would be announced on 19th March 2026. However, these dates are liable to change depending upon the situation. To know more about the GATE schedule, candidates can visit the official website.
In GATE 2026, there would be no international centre. The list of exam cities will be updated soon.
In the table below we are providing the important details, including the fee for GATE 2026 Registration. Aspirants can refer to the table below for a quick overview of GATE 2026.
GATE 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Important Date |
|---|---|
| GATE Official website launch | 5th August 2025 |
| GATE 2026 application form starting date | 28th August 2025 |
| GATE 2026 last date to apply without late fee | 28th September 2025 |
| GATE 2026 last date to apply with late fee | 9th October 2025 |
| GATE 2026 exam date | 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th February 2026 |
| GATE 2026 result | 19th March 2026 |
| GATE 2026 exam cities | Updated soon |
The examination schedule of GATE 2026 is given in the table below:
| Day | Date | Timing and session |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 7th February 2026 | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Forenoon session) |
| 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon session) | ||
| Sunday | 8th February 2026 | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Forenoon session) |
| 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon session) | ||
| Saturday | 14th February 2026 | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Forenoon session) |
| 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon session) | ||
| Sunday | 15th February 2026 | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Forenoon session) |
| 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon session) |
GATE 2026 Application Process
The application process for GATE 2026 would start from 28th August 2025. The last date to apply without late fee would be 28th September 2025. However, the last date would be extended by 9th October 2025.
The documents required for GATE 2026 application would be uploaded on the official website of GATE 2026 soon. Candidates are advised to check the required document before applying.
GATE 2026 Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria of GATE 2026 is same as GATE 2025. Still for the comfort of aspirants we are providing detailed eligibility criteria for GATE 2026. Candidates should make sure that they are fulfilling GATE 2026 eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for GATE 2026 is given below:
- Candidates currently studying in 3rd year or higher of any UG degree program are eligible to appear in GATE 2026.
- Candidates who have completed any government degree-approved program in Engineering/Technology/ Architecture/Science/Commerce/Arts/Humanities are eligible to appear in GATE 2026.
- Candidates who possess any certification from the societies like, The Institution of Engineers (India), 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) must make sure that the certifications are approved by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC as being equivalent to B.E./B.Tech/B. Arch/B.Planning, etc.
- Those candidates who have completed/are pursuing their qualifying degrees from countries other than India must be in 3rd year or higher years or they have completed their Bachelor’s degree (of minimum 3 years) in Engineering/Technology/ Architecture/Science/ Commerce/Arts/Humanities.
- Candidates with B.Sc/B.A./B.Com. Degrees (3 year program) desirous of getting enrolled in master’s program in IIT and IISc.
Candidates who fulfil the above mentioned criteria are eligible to appear in GATE 2026.
For the ease of aspirants we are providing the list of various degrees and the description of candidates eligible for GATE 2026.
| Degree | Qualifying degree/Exam | Description of eligible candidates |
|---|---|---|
| B.E./B.Tech/B.Pharm. | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./Diploma in Engineering/Technology) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B. Arch. | Bachelor’s degree of Architecture (5-year course)/Naval Architecture (4-year course)/Planning (4-year course) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B.Sc. (Research)/B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/4 years after 10+2) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Pharm. D. (after 10+2) | A Professional Pharmacy doctoral program of 6 years duration after 10+2 which includes 1 year of internship or residency | Currently in the 3rd/4th/5th/6th year or already completed |
| M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. | Professional Medical degree programs – M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. | 5th/6th/7th or higher semester or already completed |
| M.Sc./M.A./MCA or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Arts/Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in the 1st year or higher or already completed |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc. Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering/Technology (4-year program) | Currently in the 1st/2nd/3rd/4th year or already completed |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5-year program) | Currently in the 3rd/4th/5th year or already completed |
| B.Sc./B.A./B.Com. | Bachelor’s degree in any branch of Science/Arts/Commerce (3-year program) | Currently in the 3rd year or already completed |
| Int. M.Sc./Int. B.S./M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S. – M.S. program | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Professional Society* Examinations (equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch.) | B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (e.g. AMIE by Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India and so on) | Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-year program | Currently in the 3rd/4th year or already completed |
GATE 2026 Paper Codes and Subject List
Just like GATE 2025, GATE 2026 would also be conducted for 30 test papers. The list of test papers along with code is given below.
| S.No. | Paper Name | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Aerospace Engineering | AE |
| 2. | Geology & Geophysics | GG |
| 3. | Agricultural Engineering | AG |
| 4. | Instrumentation Engineering | IN |
| 5. | Architecture and Planning | AR |
| 6. | Mathematics | MA |
| 7. | Biomedical Engineering | BM |
| 8. | Mechanical Engineering | ME |
| 9. | Biotechnology | BT |
| 10. | Mining Engineering | MN |
| 11. | Civil Engineering | CE |
| 12. | Metallurgical Engineering | MT |
| 13. | Chemical Engineering | CH |
| 14. | Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering | NM |
| 15. | Computer Science & Information Technology | CS |
| 16. | Petroleum Engineering | PE |
| 17. | Chemistry | CY |
| 18. | Physics | PH |
| 19. | Data Science & Artificial Intelligence | DA |
| 20. | Production & Industrial Engineering | PI |
| 21. | Electronics & Communication Engineering | EC |
| 22. | Statistics | ST |
| 23. | Electrical Engineering | EE |
| 24. | Textile Engineering & Fibre Science | TF |
| 25. | Environmental Science & Engineering | ES |
| 26. | Engineering Sciences | XE |
| 27. | Ecology and Evolution | EY |
| 28. | Humanities & Social Sciences | XH |
| 29. | Geomatics Engineering | GE |
| 30. | Life Sciences | XL |
From the above-mentioned papers, a candidate can appear in either one or up to two papers. The list of two paper combinations will be updated soon.
For papers having code XL (Life Science) and XE (Engineering Science), candidates need to choose any two optional sections, each of 35 marks in XE and 30 marks in XL, along with the compulsory papers of chemistry (25 marks) and engineering mathematics (15 marks), respectively.
For the paper code XH (humanities and social science), candidates have to select any one optional subject having 60 marks along with a compulsory paper of reasoning and comprehension of 25 marks.
The list of optional papers is given in the table below.
| XE optional paper sections | Code | XH optional paper sections | Code | XL optional paper sections | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluid Mechanics | B | Economics | C1 | Biochemistry | Q |
| Material Science | C | English | C2 | Botany | R |
| Solid Mechanics | D | Linguistics | C3 | Microbiology | S |
| Thermodynamics | E | Philosophy | C4 | Zoology | T |
| Polymer Science and Engineering | F | Psychology | C5 | Food Technology | U |
| Food Technology | G | Sociology | C6 | ||
| Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences | H | ||||
| Energy Science | I |
To know more about GATE 2026 XE paper, candidates can visit here.
Visit for GATE 2026 syllabus .
GATE 2026 exam pattern and marking scheme
GATE 2026 would be conducted in CBT mode. The total duration of the exam would be 3 hours, and the total marks would be 100. The exam would be conducted in the English language only in different cities of India. There would be two sections in the GATE 2026 exam, viz., the aptitude part and the technical/candidate-selected paper. MCQ, MSQ, and NAT-type questions will be asked in the GATE 2026 exam. The questions designed would test the recall, comprehension, application, analysis, and synthesis ability of the student.
Except the paper code AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL the exam format would be:
- General Aptitude: 15 marks
- Engineering Mathematics*: 13 marks
- Subject Question: 72 marks
- Total: 100 marks
(*XE includes Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 marks)
For the paper code AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL the exam format would be:
- General Aptitude: 15 marks
- Subject Question: 85 marks
- Total: 100 marks
The questions would carry a maximum weightage of 2 marks and a minimum of 1 mark. There would be negative marking of 1/3 of the total assigned marks for that particular question. However, for NAT- and MSQ-type questions, there would be no negative marking. Also, there is no provision of partial marking in MSQ-type questions.
For more details, candidates are requested to visit here.
GATE 2026 Registration Fee
| Category | Regular Period (August 25 – September 25, 2025) | Extended Period (September 26 – October 06, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD candidates | ₹ 1000 | ₹ 1500 |
| All other candidates (including unreserved males and foreign nationals) | ₹ 2000 | ₹ 2500 |
Note: Candidates who are appearing in two papers would have to pay twice the above-mentioned fees.
GATE 2026 Subject Wise Weightage
So far, you have learned about the GATE 2026 notification, exam dates, and registration fees. But have you considered the subject-wise weightage in GATE 2026? The truth is, nobody can predict the exact distribution of marks across subjects before the exam. However, by analyzing previous years’ GATE papers, you can get a clear idea of which subjects usually carry more marks and how many questions are likely to come from each subject. This helps you plan your preparation strategically and focus on the most important topics.
Click the links below to check detailed subject-wise weightage for your GATE stream:
- GATE 2026 CE (Civil Engineering) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE 2026 ME (Mechanical Engineering) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE 2026 EE (Electrical Engineering) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE 2026 EC (Electronics and Communication Engineering) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE 2026 DA (Data Science & Artificial Intelligence) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE 2026 XE (Engineering Sciences) Subject Wise Weightage
GATE 2026 Preparation Strategy by MADE EASY Experts
GATE is a highly competitive exam. A good GATE score opens the door of opportunities for students, and therefore it won’t be an exaggeration to call the GATE exam the Gateway of Opportunities. To get a good score in GATE 2026, candidates can follow the tips given below:
- Complete the syllabus: Those students who have joined any good coaching institute like MADE EASY need not worry about syllabus completion, but those who are preparing by self-study should try to complete the syllabus as soon as possible.
- Revise and practice multiple times: The questions asked in the GATE exam are generally numerical in nature and require a lot of practice. Candidates should not wait for syllabus completion for practice; rather, they should keep practicing in parallel while completing the syllabus.
- Don’t forget short notes: Short notes are very handy for last-moment revision; candidates should make short notes during their preparation. For helping students, MADE EASY provides handbooks that consist of important formulas and concepts. Those candidates who couldn’t prepare short notes may refer to these handbooks. To know more about the handbooks, candidates can visit here.
- Attempt PYQs: Solving previous year questions is very important to get an idea of the level of the exam. Candidates preparing for GATE 2026 should try to solve at least the last 10 years of GATE papers. This would boost their confidence and also give them an idea of the level of the GATE exam. Candidates can check GATE previous year papers from here.
- Attempt mock tests and analyze them: Candidates preparing for GATE 2026 should attempt mock tests on a regular basis and analyze their mistakes. Candidates can note down their mistakes in a notebook and try not to repeat them in the future. MADE EASY has launched the GATE 2026 test series for GATE 2026 aspirants. Candidates can check the test series from here.
- Stay calm and healthy: Candidates should take care of their health, as a slight disturbance in health can affect their preparation.
These are some tips for GATE 2026 aspirants. These tips are general in nature, and candidates can modify them as per their need.
FAQs:
Is GATE 2026 application form out?
Answer: No, GATE 2026 application form are not out yet.
What is the last date to apply?
Answer: The last date to apply without late fee is 28th September 2025.
Can I choose two papers in GATE 2026?
Answer: Yes, candidates can choose two paper in GATE 2026.
Is GATE compulsory for M.Tech?
Answer: Yes, GATE score is mandatory for M.Tech admission in various IITs, NITs, IISc Bangalore and other top institutions. Those who pursue higher education in India on the basis of GATE score would be eligible for financial assistance from Ministry of Education.
What’s new in GATE 2026?
Answer: In GATE 2026, a new subject, energy science, has been introduced in the engineering science paper.
We wish all the very best to every GATE 2026 aspirant.
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