GATE 2026 Exam: Your Ultimate Guide to Dates, Syllabus, and Exam Pattern

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the most prestigious examinations in India for engineering and science graduates. A good GATE score is your ticket to pursuing postgraduate studies at premier institutions like IISc and IITs, and it can also open doors to recruitment in several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

For the year 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) is the organizing institute for the GATE 2026 exam. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know, from important dates and eligibility criteria to the detailed exam pattern and question types, all based on the official GATE 2026 Information Brochure.

GATE 2026 Important Dates: Mark Your Calendar! 🗓️

Staying updated with the timeline is crucial for your preparation. Here are the key dates for the GATE 2026 examination. Remember, these dates are subject to change, so always check the official website for the latest information.

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Are You Eligible?

Good news for aspiring candidates! The eligibility criteria for GATE are quite flexible. There is

NO age limit to appear for the GATE 2026 exam.

The primary academic requirements are:

• A candidate who is currently in the 3rd year or higher of any undergraduate degree program is eligible to apply.
• A candidate who has already completed any government-approved degree program in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities is also eligible.
• Candidates with degrees like M.B.B.S., B.D.S., or B.V.Sc. are eligible if they are in their fifth year or higher, or have completed the degree.

For a detailed breakdown of eligibility based on your specific degree, you can refer to the official information brochure.

GATE 2026 Application Process and Fees

How to Apply

The application process for GATE 2026 is entirely online through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) portal, which will be available on the official website: https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in. You should not send any hard copies of your application to any GATE office.

Application Fees

The application fee varies by category and the registration period. The fees mentioned are for a single test paper. If you wish to appear for two papers, the fee will be twice the amount.

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Understanding the GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

Knowing the exam pattern is the first step toward building a solid preparation strategy. GATE 2026 will be a Computer Based Test (CBT) conducted in English.

General Exam Structure

• Duration: 3 hours.
• Total Questions: 65 questions.
• Total Marks: 100 marks.
• Sections: The paper is divided into two sections:
  1. General Aptitude (GA): 15 marks.
  2. Candidate’s Selected Subject(s): 85 marks.

GATE 2026 Question Types Explained

The exam will feature three different types of questions. Understanding how to tackle each one is key to maximizing your score.

1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): These are the standard objective questions with four options, where only one option is correct. Be careful, as these questions have negative marking for wrong answers!.
2. Multiple Select Questions (MSQs): These questions also have four options, but one or more than one option can be correct. You get full marks only if you select all the correct options and no wrong options. The best part? There is NO negative marking for MSQs, but there’s also no partial credit.
3. Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions: For these questions, there are no options provided. You need to enter a numerical answer using the on-screen virtual keypad. Like MSQs, NAT questions have NO negative marking, so it’s always worth attempting them.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Questions will be worth either 1 or 2 marks.
• Negative marking exists ONLY for wrong answers to MCQs.
  • For a 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted.
  • For a 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted.

• There is NO negative marking for wrong answers to MSQ or NAT questions.

GATE 2026 Test Papers and Syllabus

GATE 2026 will be conducted for 30 test papers, including a new sectional paper on Energy Science (XE-I) in the Engineering Sciences (XE) paper.

Candidates can choose to appear for either one or two test papers. If you opt for two, they must be from the allowed combinations listed in the official brochure.

The syllabus for each paper is detailed on the official GATE 2026 website. It is crucial to download and thoroughly review the syllabus for your chosen subject(s) to align your preparation.

Key Highlights of GATE 2026

Here’s a quick summary of the most important points:

• Organizing Institute: IIT Guwahati.
• Official Website: https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
• Score Validity: Your GATE 2026 score will be valid for three years from the date of the result announcement.
• Calculator: Only the on-screen virtual scientific calculator is allowed. Physical calculators are strictly prohibited.
• Exam Centers: The exam will be held in over 200 cities across India only. There are no international centers.

📌 Important Links for GATE 2026

To help you with preparation and official updates, here are some useful GATE 2026 resources:

• 🔗 GATE 2026 Registration Portal (GOAPS) – Register application.
• 📄 GATE 2026 Information Brochure (PDF) – Detailed guidelines about exam pattern, eligibility, and syllabus.
• 🖼️ Official GATE 2026 Poster – Quick highlights of exam details.
• 📚 GATE 2026 Syllabus & Exam Papers – Subject-wise syllabus and official exam papers.
• 📂 Previous Year GATE Question Papers (Google Drive Folder) – Practice past papers to strengthen your preparation.
• 💬 Join Our WhatsApp Channel for GATE Updates – Stay connected with the latest exam news, tips, and free resources.

👉 Bookmark these links for quick access during your GATE journey!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about GATE 2026

Q1. Which IIT is conducting GATE 2026? A. The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) is the organizing institute for GATE 2026.

Q2. What is the last date to apply for GATE 2026 without a late fee? A. The closing date for regular online registration is Thursday, September 25, 2025.

Q3. Is there negative marking in all question types in GATE? A. No. Negative marking is only applicable to Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). There is no negative marking for Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) or Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.

Q4. Can I appear for two papers in GATE 2026? A. Yes, you can appear for up to two test papers, provided the combination is allowed as per the official brochure. The application fee for two papers will be double that of a single paper.

Q5. Is there an age limit for the GATE exam? A. No, there is no age limit to appear for the GATE 2026 examination.