The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a prestigious national-level examination administered jointly by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). This exam serves as a gateway for admission to M.Tech, ME, or direct PhD programs in top-tier institutions like IITs, NITs, and IIITs, and is also a crucial criterion for recruitment in leading Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). GATE 2026 scores are valid for three years from the date of the scorecard release, making them a significant factor for engineering and technology admissions and career opportunities.
GATE 2026 Exam
GATE is primarily conducted for M.Tech admissions, other postgraduate courses, and PSU recruitment. Eligibility extends to candidates currently pursuing or who have completed their degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture/Science/Commerce/Arts/Humanities from a recognized institute, provided they are in their third year or higher or have already obtained their degree.
| GATE 2026- Exam Summary | |
| Examination Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) |
| Commonly Known As | GATE |
| Conducting Institute | Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) |
| Administered By | Jointly by IIT Roorkee and Seven IIT's |
| Purpose of Examination | Qualifying Examination for M.E./ M.Tech/ Ph.D admissions and PSU Recruitment |
| GATE Exam Date 2026 | 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th February 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Examination Duration | 180 Minutes (3 Hours) |
| Frequency of Examination | Annual |
| Total Number of Exam Cities | 176 |
| Number of GATE Papers | 30 |
| Number of Questions in Each Paper | 10 (GA) + 55 (subject) = 65 Questions |
| Total Marks of Examination | 100 |
| Validity of GATE 2026 Score/Grade | 3 Years |
| Official website | https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in/ |
GATE Exam Date 2026 Out
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 examination dates were scheduled for February 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th, 2026, covering both general aptitude and subject-specific papers. The GATE 2026 exam, encompassing 30 subjects, was conducted in two daily shifts: the first from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and the second from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, across 235 examination centers spanning 8 IIT zones.
GATE Score Card 2026: Check Your Results Here
GATE 2026 Toppers List Released: See the Top Performers
GATE 2026- Important Dates
The online application process for GATE 2026 has concluded on the official portal, https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in/. The GATE 2026 examination was successfully conducted on February 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th, 2026. Important dates and milestones are detailed in the table below.
| GATE 2026 Important Dates | |
| Events | Date |
| GATE 2026 Registration Starts | 28th August 2025 |
| GATE Application Form Last Date | 7th October 2025 (Extended) |
| Last date of online registration/application (with late fee) | 9th October 2025 |
| GATE Admit Card 2026 | 13th January 2026 |
| GATE Exam Date 2026 | 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th February 2026 |
| GATE Answer Key 2026 | 22nd February 2026 |
GATE 2026 Exam Notification
This year, IIT Guwahati launched the official GATE 2026 website and the Graduate Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) portal, goaps.iitg.ac.in. The GATE 2026 Notification PDF and Information Brochure, containing all essential details about the examination, were released on the official website. Candidates could download these documents directly from the provided link.
GATE 2026 Poster: Download Now
GATE 2026 Information Brochure: Get the Details
GATE Exam 2026- What’s New?
- There are now two new subjects, namely Geomatics Engineering (GE) and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM), added in the GATE 2026 exam. Now the total number of subjects has increased to 30.
- In GATE 2026, candidates applying for the GATE Exam 2026 can also opt for two different papers from the prescribed set of combinations.
- The eligibility criteria to appear for GATE-2026 have been relaxed from a minimum 10+2+4 (ongoing) to a minimum 10+2+3 (ongoing), enabling even those in the third year of their undergraduate studies to appear for the examination. Thus, candidates have an additional opportunity to improve their performance and secure better career options.
- All test papers of the GATE Exam 2026 will be entirely objective type. The pattern of questions may include (i) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), (ii) Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and/or (iii) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for GATE 2026, candidates must be Indian citizens. International candidates can also apply if they meet the specified eligibility criteria for the GATE exam 2026.
Nationality
Candidates are advised to carefully review the eligibility requirements for GATE 2026, as outlined by IIT Kharagpur. These criteria are essential for all aspiring candidates wishing to appear for the GATE examination.
➤ Must have completed or be pursuing their bachelor’s degree in engineering and technology, currently in the final or pre-final year.
➤ Must have completed or be pursuing their postgraduate degree in any relevant science subjects, currently in the final or pre-final year.
Education Qualification
Individuals who have already obtained a degree higher than those specified are also eligible to take the GATE 2026 examination. Refer to the table below for detailed qualification requirements for respective degrees.
| GATE 2026 Academic Qualification | ||
| Qualifying Degree | Qualifying Degree / Examination | Passing Year Not Later than |
| B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Pharm. | Candidate must be a Bachelor in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./ Diploma in Engineering / Technology) | 2026 |
| B.Arch. | Candidate must be a Bachelor’s degree of Architecture (5- year course) / Naval Architecture (4- year course) / Planning (4- year course) | 2026 (for 5 year program) 2026 (for 4 year program) |
| B.Sc. (Research)/ B.S. | Candidate need to have completed the Bachelor's of Science degree (Post-Diploma/ 4 years after 10+2) | 2026 |
| Pharm.D (after 10+2) | Candidate must have completed 6 years program having internship or residency training during the sixth year as part of it | 2027 |
| M.Sc./ M.A./ MCA or equivalent | Candidates need to have a Masters in Science/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Computer Applications/ or equivalent | 2026 |
| Int. M.E./ M.Tech (Post-B.Sc.) | Candidates should have done Post-BSc Integrated Master’s degree in Engineering or Technology (4 years programme) | Any Year |
| Int. M.E./ M.Tech. or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Candidates should have completed Integrated Master’s degree programme or Dual Degree in Engineering or Technology (5 years programme) | 2026 |
| MBBS | Degree holders of M.B.B.S. and those who are in the fifth/ sixth/ seventh semester or higher semester of such programme | 2026 |
| BSc/ BA/ BCom | Bachelor degree in any branch of Science/Arts/Commerce (3-year programme) | 2026 |
| Int. M.Sc./ Int. B.S.-M.S. | Candidates applying must have completed Integrated M.Sc. or 5 years integrated B.S.-M.S. program | 2026 |
| Professional Society Examinations* (equivalent to B.E/ B.Tech/ B.Arch.) | Candidates need to have completed B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Arch. Equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MHRD/UPSC/AICTE (e.g., AMIE by Institution of professional courses Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India) | NA |
Age Limit
There is no age restriction for appearing in the GATE 2026 exam. A GATE qualification is mandatory for candidates seeking admission to Master's programs or for recruitment in any PSU.
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Review Now
GATE 2026 Application Form
The GATE 2026 online application period, without a late fee, concluded on October 7th, 2025. Candidates who met the eligibility requirements were urged to submit their applications promptly to avoid rejection.
GATE 2026 Registration: Complete Your Application
GATE 2026 Application Fee
Submission of a correctly filled application form is mandatory, along with the payment of the prescribed application fee, to ensure acceptance. The category-wise GATE 2026 application fees are detailed in the table below.
| GATE 2026 Application Fees | ||
| Category | Regular Period | Extended Period |
| Female candidates SC/ST/PWD (per test paper) | Rs. 1000 | Rs. 1500 |
| All other candidates including foreign nationals (per test paper) | Rs. 2000 | Rs. 2500 |
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
The GATE 2026 examination was conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). The exam comprised a total of 65 questions worth 100 marks, with a total duration of 3 hours. Familiarize yourself with the GATE exam pattern detailed below.
Mode of Exam: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Papers: 30 Subjects
Question Types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
Duration: 3 hours.
Maximum Marks: 100 marks.
Number of Questions: 65 questions.
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern Detailed Breakdown:
| Particulars | Details |
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (Online) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Number of Discipline in GATE 2026 | 30 Discipline |
| Section |
|
| Type of Questions |
|
| Design of Questions | The questions are meticulously designed to assess the following abilities:
|
| Number of Questions | 10 (GA) + 55 (subject) = 65 Questions |
| Distribution of Questions in all Papers except AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL | General Aptitude: 15 Marks + Engineering Mathematics**: 13 Marks + Subject Specific Questions: 72 Marks = Total: 100 Marks (**XE includes the Engineering Mathematics section XE-A, worth 15 Marks) |
| Distribution of Questions in AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL | General Aptitude: 15 Marks + Subject Questions: 85 Marks = Total: 100 Marks |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks |
| Negative Marking | For 1-mark MCQs, a deduction of 1/3 mark will be applied for each incorrect answer. For 2-mark MCQs, a deduction of 2/3 mark will be applied for each incorrect answer. Negative marking is not applicable for incorrect answers in MSQ or NAT questions. |
Gate 2026 Marking Scheme
Candidates can find the detailed marking scheme for GATE 2026 below:
| Paper Code | General Aptitude (GA) Marks | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Total Time (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AE, AR, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, CY, EC, EE, ES, EY, IN, MA, ME, MN, MT, PE, PH, PI, TF, ST, and BM | 15 | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| GG [Part A + Part B (Section 1 Geology OR Section 2 Geophysics)] | 15 | 25 + 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XE (Section A + Any TWO Sections) | 15 | 15 + (2 x 35) | 100 | 180 |
| XH (Section B1 + Any ONE Section) | 15 | 25 + (1 x 60) | 100 | 180 |
| XL (Section P + Any TWO Sections) | 15 | 25 + (2 x 30) | 100 | 180 |
GATE 2026 Syllabus
GATE 2026 features 30 distinct disciplines/subjects. Aspirants are permitted to appear in only one paper of their chosen discipline. To excel in the GATE 2026 Exam, a thorough understanding of the syllabus for your specific subject is crucial. Click the link below to access the comprehensive GATE 2026 Syllabus and commence your preparation effectively.
GATE 2026 Syllabus: Download and Prepare
Paper Codes for GATE 2026
| GATE Paper | Code | GATE Paper | Code |
| Aerospace Engineering | AE | Instrumentation Engineering | IN |
| Agricultural Engineering | AG | Mathematics | MA |
| Architecture and Planning | AR | Mechanical Engineering | ME |
| Bio-medical Engineering | BM | Mining Engineering | MN |
| Biotechnology | BT | Metallurgical Engineering | MT |
| Civil Engineering | CE | Petroleum Engineering | PE |
| Chemical Engineering | CH | Physics | PH |
| Computer Science and Information Technology | CS | Production and Industrial Engineering | PI |
| Chemistry | CY | Statistics | ST |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | EC | Textile Engineering and Fibre Science | TF |
| Electrical Engineering | EE | Engineering Sciences | XE |
| Environmental Science & Engineering | ES | Humanities & Social Sciences | XH |
| Ecology and Evolution | EY | Life Sciences | XL |
| Geology and Geophysics | GG | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | NA |
| Geomatics Engineering | GE |
GATE 2026 Paper Codes for XE, XH, and XL Papers
| GATE Exam Papers and Their Codes | |||
| GATE Paper | Code | GATE Paper | Code |
| Aerospace Engineering | AE | Geology & Geophysics | GG |
| Agricultural Engineering | AG | Instrumentation Engineering | IN |
| Architecture and Planning | AR | Mathematics | MA |
| Biomedical Engineering | BM | Mechanical Engineering | ME |
| Biotechnology | BT | Mining Engineering | MN |
| Civil Engineering | CE | Metallurgical Engineering | MT |
| Chemical Engineering | CH | Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering | NM |
| Computer Science & Information Technology | CS | Petroleum Engineering | PE |
| Chemistry | CY | Physics | PH |
| Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (NEW) | DA | Production & Industrial Engineering | PI |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering | EC | Statistics | ST |
| Electrical Engineering | EE | Textile Engineering & Fibre Science | TF |
| Environmental Science & Engineering | ES | Engineering Sciences | XE |
| Ecology and Evolution | EY | Humanities & Social Sciences | XH |
| Geomatics Engineering | GE | Life Sciences | XL |
GATE 2026 Exam Centres
Candidates selected their preferred exam center for GATE 2026 during the online application process. Exam center allocation was based on preference and availability. The examination was conducted across eight zonal centers, each encompassing various cities.
| GATE 2026 Exam Centres | |
| Zones | Name of the cities |
| IISc Bangalore | Ananthapuramu, Kurnool, Bagalkot, Ballari (Bellary), Belagavi (Belgaum), Bengaluru North, Bengaluru South, Bidar, Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere, Hassan, Hubballi (Hubli), Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Kolar, Mangaluru, Manipal, Mysuru (Mysore), Shivamogga (Shimoga), Tumakuru, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Hyderabad, Port Blair |
| IISc Bombay | Ahmedabad, Anand, Bhavnagar, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmednagar, Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Baramati, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai, Navi, Mumbai-Thane, Nagpur, Nanded, Panvel-Raigad, Pune, Ratnagiri, Sangamner-Loni-Shirdi, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Vasai-Palghar, Goa |
| IIT Delhi | Faridabad, Gurugram, Jammu-Samba, Srinagar, Leh, Indore, Ujjain, New Delhi, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur, Greater NOIDA, Mathura |
| IIT Guwahati | Itanagar, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea, Dhanbad, Shillong, Aizawl, Dimapur-Kohima, Agartala West, Asansol-Durgapu, Burdwa, Kalyan, Siliguri |
| IIT Kanpur | Bhopal, Gwalior, Agra, Aligarh, Allahabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Jabalpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Satna, Varanasi |
| IIT Kharagpur | Eluru, Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry), Srikakulam, Tadepalligudem, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Bhilai, Bilaspur, Raipur, Hazaribag, Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Baharampur-Murshidabad, Hooghly, Kharagpur, Kolkata |
| IIT Madras | Chirala, Chittoor, Gudur, Guntur, Nellore, Ongole, Tirupati, Alappuzha, Aluva-Ernakulam, Kollam, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Puducherry, Chennai South, Chennai West, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Kanyakumari-Nagercoil, Madurai, Namakkal, Salem, Thanjavur, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Virudhunagar, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kodad, Nizamabad, Suryapet, Warangal |
| IIT Roorkee | Ambala, Hamirpur, Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Mohali-Chandigarh, Patiala, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, NOIDA, Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee |
Gate 2026 Conducting Body
The GATE exam is a collaborative effort by IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee, and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc Bangalore), with organizing responsibilities rotating annually. The table below outlines the organizing institutes for various years.
| Year | Organizing | Institute |
| 2024 | IIT | IISc Bangalore |
| 2023 | IIT | Kanpur |
| 2022 | IIT | Kharagpur |
| 2021 | IIT | Bombay |
| 2020 | IIT | Delhi |
| 2019 | IIT | Madras |
| 2018 | IIT | Guwahati |
| 2017 | IIT | Roorkee |
| 2016 | IISc | Bangalore |
| 2015 | IIT | Kanpur |
| 2014 | IIT | Kharagpur |
| 2013 | IIT | Bombay |
| 2012 | IIT | Delhi |
| 2011 | IIT | Madras |
| 2010 | IIT | Guwahati |
| 2009 | IIT | Roorkee |
| 2008 | IISc | Bangalore |
| 2007 | IIT | Kanpur |
| 2006 | IIT | Kharagpur |
| 2005 | IIT | Bombay |
| 2004 | IIT | Delhi |
| 2003 | IIT | Madras |
| 2002 | IISc | Banglore |
| 2001 | IIT | Kanpur |
| 2000 | IIT | Kharagpur |
| 1999 | IIT | Bombay |
| 1998 | IIT | Delhi |
| 1997 | IIT | Madras |
| 1996 | IISc | Banglore |
| 1995 | IIT | Kanpur |
GATE 2026 Cut Off Marks
The cut-off marks for GATE 2026 will be released post-examination. In the interim, candidates can review the previous year's "GATE 2021 Cut Off marks and highest marks" for reference.
Two primary types of cut-offs exist: the Qualifying Cut-Off and the Admission Cut-Off, both explained in detail below.
GATE Qualifying Cut-Off: This represents the minimum score required to qualify the examination. Subject-specific cut-offs are also established. The conducting body will announce the GATE qualifying cut-offs.
GATE Admission Cut-Off: Determined by individual institutes, this cut-off varies based on factors such as available seats, applicant numbers, and applicant categories.
GATE Cut off (Previous Years): Access All Subject Data
GATE 2021 cut-off marks are provided below.
| GATE 2021 Cut Off | |||
| Paper Code | Highest Score | Highest Marks (out of 100) | Cut-off Marks (out of 100) |
| AE | 1000 | 84 | 26.3 |
| AG | 1000 | 61.33 | 25 |
| AR | 1000 | 79.67 | 40.9 |
| BM | 1000 | 64 | 25 |
| BT | 1000 | 75.33 | 30 |
| CE* | 1000 | 95.56 | 29.2 |
| CH | 1000 | 89.67 | 35.1 |
| CS* | 1000 | 87.81 | 26.1 |
| CY | 996 | 91.33 | 36.2 |
| EC | 1000 | 82 | 25 |
| EE | 974 | 85.33 | 30.3 |
| ES | 966 | 88 | 39.6 |
| EY | 1000 | 78 | 35.7 |
| GG (Geology) | 945 | 72.67 | 38.9 |
| GG (Geophysics) | 1000 | 68.67 | 44.8 |
| IN | 933 | 79 | 36 |
| MA | 1000 | 68.33 | 29 |
| ME* | 979 | 93.22 | 33 |
| MN | 1000 | 77.67 | 31 |
| MT | 923 | 87.67 | 48.5 |
| PE | 947 | 88.67 | 51.4 |
| PH | 1000 | 69.67 | 32.8 |
| PI | 939 | 83.67 | 35.7 |
| ST | 1000 | 51.67 | 25 |
| TF | 945 | 79.67 | 41.8 |
| XE | 1000 | 90.33 | 37 |
| XH-C1 (Economics) | 1000 | 62.67 | 29.4 |
| XH-C2 (English) | 986 | 77.67 | 41.7 |
| XH-C3 (Linguistics) | 1000 | 65.67 | 35.3 |
| XH-C4 (Philosophy) | 1000 | 71 | 37.9 |
| XH-C5 (Psychology) | 1000 | 77.33 | 48.5 |
| XH-C6 (Sociology) | 1000 | 66 | 34.3 |
| XL | 983 | 74.33 | 36 |
GATE 2026 Answer Key
Initially, the authorities release a provisional answer key on the official website for each exam shift. Candidates can submit objections to this provisional key, after which the final GATE 2026 Answer Key will be published following a thorough review of all submitted feedback.
GATE Result 2026
GATE 2026 results are anticipated on the official website. Following their declaration, candidates can access their results and scorecards. These scores are instrumental for admissions to various institutes and recruitment processes in PSUs.
GATE 2026 Score Card
IISC Bangalore will issue the GATE 2026 scorecards to all candidates who qualify the written examination, after the results are declared. The GATE 2026 marksheet will be available for download on the official GOAPS portal. Candidates must use their enrollment ID and password to access their GATE scorecard, which includes vital details like marks, score, All India Rank, and qualifying marks.
GATE Qualifying Marks 2026: See Minimum Requirements
GATE 2026: FAQs
Ans. The GATE Exam 2026 was scheduled to be held on February 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th, 2026.
Ans. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) will have 4 options, while Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions will not have options.
Ans. The application fee varies by category. Please refer to the article for detailed category-wise application fee information.
Ans. There is no age limit for applying to the GATE Exam.
Ans. The validity period for GATE 2026 scores is three years from the date of the scorecard release.
Ans. There is no restriction on the number of attempts allowed for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).
Also Read:
- GATE 2026 Exam Dates Announced: Check Official Schedule at gate2026.iitg.ac.in
- GATE Final Answer Key 2026 Released: Direct Link, PDF Download & Result Date
- GATE Admit Card 2022: Download Link & Exam Schedule (Out Jan 7)
- GATE 2026 Registration Now Open: Apply Online at gate2026.iitg.ac.in
- GATE 2026 Answer Key & Response Sheet Out: Download Link at goaps.iitg.ac.in
- GATE Result 2026 Released: Direct Link at gate2026.iitg.ac.in
- GATE Admit Card 2026: Official Download Link, Exam Dates & Schedule at gate2026.iitg.ac.in
- GATE Qualifying Marks 2026: Paper-Wise Cut-Offs & Result Updates
- GATE Cut Off 2026: Branch-Wise Qualifying Marks for IIT, NIT, and IIIT
- GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualification, Age Limit & Important Guidelines