GATE 2026 vs ESE Prelims 2026: IIT Guwahati’s Exam Scheduling Relief

The beginning of the year 2026 is bringing a big challenge for students pursuing a career in engineering. This year, the dates of the GATE 2026 and UPSC ESE 2026 preliminary exams clashed. Clearly, both exams are considered crucial in the engineering field and can have a direct impact on students’ futures. However, a welcome relief is that IIT Guwahati has made a significant announcement regarding the date clash. In this blog, let’s explore how candidates should prepare amid the GATE 2026 vs. ESE preliminary exam clash.

GATE 2026: IIT Guwahati Announces

The GATE exam organizing committee has announced proactive measures to avoid a date clash with the UPSC Engineering Services Examination. IIT Guwahati has assured candidates that major core engineering papers, including Civil Engineering (CE), Electronics and Communications (EC), Electrical Engineering (EE), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Geology and Geophysics (GG), Instrumentation (IN), Production and Industrial (PI), and Geomatics Engineering (GE), will not be held on February 8. In such a situation, it is now clear that the dates of UPSC ESE 2026 and GATE 2026 do not overlap.

Now that your date clash is over, let’s move on to learning more about the GATE 2026 and ESE 2026 exams:

GATE 2026

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is conducted for PG admissions to IITs, IISc, and various universities and colleges across India. Candidates who qualify for GATE can apply for PSU recruitment through GATE 2026. In 2026, the exam will be conducted by IIT Guwahati. According to the official notification, candidates can register for the GATE 2026 exam without late fees until September 28th. Applications must be made by visiting the official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Applications with the prescribed late fee can be made until October 9th. The exam will be conducted at various centers across the country.  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.

GATE 2026 Application Fee

The GATE 2026 application fee is ₹1,000 for women/SC/ST/PWD candidates. Candidates from all other categories will have to pay ₹2,000. Additionally, reserved category candidates applying after September 28th will have to pay a late fee of ₹1,500, and other category candidates will have to pay a late fee of ₹2,500.

GATE 2026 Preparation Strategy

As you all know, there are fewer than five months left for the GATE exam, so you must develop a strategy for preparing for the exam. You can consider the following points.

• Understand the GATE Syllabus and Exam Pattern

First, understand the GATE syllabus and ensure complete clarity. Also, conduct a trend analysis of previous year papers. This will help you understand the exam pattern and identify your weak and strong areas. Therefore, it’s best to learn everything you need to know before taking the exam.

• Make a realistic study plan

While preparing for competitive exams like GATE 2026, it’s very important to have a realistic study plan. It’s better to study for at least 7-8 hours a day than to create a 10-12-hour study schedule with paper and pen. If you’re a working professional or a final-year student, focus on 3-4 hours of daily focused study. Also, set weekly targets and monthly revisions.

• Focus on Conceptual Clarity

GATE isn’t just a formula-based exam. Numerical problem-solving skills and concepts are equally important. Clearing concepts with standard books and easy-made classroom notes is the best approach.

• Practice, Practice, Practice!

Make sure to solve the previous 15 years’ papers. Attempt topic-wise and full-length mock tests. Focus on improving both accuracy and speed. For the GATE 2026 exam, you can join MADE EASY’s GATE test series, which will give a new dimension to your preparation.

• Revision Strategy

Revision is essential for any exam. Make short notes and formula sheets for revision. Also, set aside 1-2 months before the exam for revision only. Identify weak topics and revise them repeatedly.

Let’s move ahead after GATE and know about the UPSC ESE 2026 exam.

UPSC ESE 2026

According to the annual calendar released by UPSC, the preliminary examination of UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 will be held on 8 February 2026. Although UPSC has not yet released the official notification for ESE 2026, it is believed that the commission will release the notification soon. Let us tell you that through the ESE exam, appointments are made to Group A and Group B level engineering services posts in various departments of the Central Government, like Railways, Central Engineering Services, CPWD, MES, BRO, etc. This exam is one of the most prestigious competitive exams in the country, and engineers who succeed in it not only get a respectable career but also get a chance to contribute to building the infrastructure of the country.

Here, we have mentioned the preparation strategy for ESE 2026 aspirants, and a basic tip is that your preparation needs to be systematic and holistic. You are starting with a blank page, so the way you build your foundation will determine your success in the examination.

Here’s how you should approach:

• ESE syllabus coverage: It is very important to know about the exam before attempting it. So, it’s advisable to go step by step and make sure you cover the entire ESE syllabus without skipping topics.
• Understand the basics: Focus on building strong fundamentals rather than memorizing formulas. Once the basics are clear, advanced learning becomes much easier.
• Regular practice: Start solving previous years’ questions and objective problems daily. Practice turns knowledge into exam-ready skills.
• ESE Test series: Join a reliable test series (like MADE EASY) early. It will not only test your knowledge but also teach you time management and accuracy.

Final Words

So, the concern regarding the GATE 2026 and ESE 2026 exam date clash has thankfully been resolved, bringing a big sigh of relief to all the aspirants. With IIT Guwahati ensuring that major GATE papers will not overlap with the ESE prelims, candidates can now focus entirely on their preparation without worrying about scheduling conflicts.

As we know, both GATE and ESE are highly competitive exams that demand consistency, clarity of concepts, and a disciplined approach. While GATE opens pathways to higher studies and PSU opportunities, on the other hand, ESE provides a fair chance to serve the nation through prestigious engineering services. Now that the hurdle of the date clash is out of the way, dear aspirants, it’s high time to channel your energy into smart preparation, regular practice, and revisions.

Best wishes to all the aspirants preparing for GATE 2026 and ESE 2026!

FAQs

What is the date of the ESE Prelims exam 2026?

As per the UPSC calendar, the ESE Prelims exam 2026 is on 8th February 2026.

Is ESE 2026 postponed?

No! There has been no official announcement of any such postponement to ESE 2026.

When are the GATE 2026 exam dates?

GATE 2026 will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. However, as per the latest update, the CE, EC, EE, GE, GG, IN ME, and PI GATE 2026 papers are not scheduled on the same day as the UPSC ESE 2026 exam.

Which date was clashed for both exams?

The date of 8th February 2026 clashed for both exams.

Can a candidate appear for both exams on the same day?

No, a candidate can’t appear for both exams on the same day.