GATE 2026 Registration Begins Today: Key Dates, Eligibility, and How to Apply

Guwahati, August 28, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has officially launched the registration process for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 today, August 28, 2025. Aspiring candidates can now apply through the official portal at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. GATE 2026, a national-level examination, serves as a gateway for postgraduate admissions in engineering, technology, science, architecture, humanities, and commerce, as well as recruitment opportunities in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and select international universities.

Key Dates and Deadlines

• Registration Start Date: August 28, 2025
• Last Date to Apply Without Late Fee: September 28, 2025
• Last Date to Apply With Late Fee: October 9, 2025
• Exam Dates: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026
• Result Announcement: March 19, 2026

The exam will be conducted in two shifts daily: a forenoon session from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and an afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, in computer-based test (CBT) mode.

Application Process

Candidates can register through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) by following these steps:

1. Visit gate2026.iitg.ac.in and click on the “New User” or “GATE 2026 Registration” link.
2. Register by providing your name, email ID, mobile number, and setting a password to generate login credentials.
3. Log in to the GOAPS portal using the enrollment ID and password sent to your registered email and phone.
4. Fill in personal details, academic qualifications, choice of GATE paper(s) (up to two allowed from approved combinations), and preferred exam cities.
5. Upload scanned copies of required documents, including:

• A recent passport-size color photograph (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, 10–200 KB, JPEG/PNG, with 60–70% face coverage and white background).
• Signature in the prescribed format.
• Valid photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar, PAN Card, Driving License, or Voter ID).
• Category certificate (if applicable, for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
• Degree certificate or mark sheets for academic qualifications.

1. Pay the application fee via net banking, debit/credit card, UPI, or wallet.
2. Review the form, submit it, and download the confirmation page for future reference.

Application Fees

The fee structure varies by category and registration period:

• Female/SC/ST/PwD Candidates:
• Regular Period (Aug 28 – Sep 28): ₹1,000 per paper
• Extended Period (Sep 29 – Oct 9): ₹1,500 per paper
• All Other Candidates (including foreign nationals):
• Regular Period: ₹2,000 per paper
• Extended Period: ₹2,500 per paper
  A late fee of ₹500 applies for submissions after September 28, 2025. Candidates opting for two papers must pay double the applicable fee.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be in the third year or higher of any undergraduate degree program.
• Have completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities.
• Candidates with certifications from professional societies (e.g., AMIE) must ensure these are recognized by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC as equivalent to BE/BTech/BArch.

Exam Details

GATE 2026 will feature 30 test papers, including a new sectional paper on Energy Science (XE-I) under Engineering Sciences. Candidates can appear for one or two papers, provided the second paper is from the approved two-paper combinations listed on the official website. Each paper is worth 100 marks, with 15 marks for General Aptitude and 85 marks for subject-specific sections. The exam includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions, conducted entirely in English.

Importance of GATE 2026

GATE is a prestigious examination administered by IISc Bangalore and the seven IITs on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. A valid GATE score, which remains active for three years, is crucial for:

• Admission to Master’s and direct Doctoral programs in prestigious institutions like IITs, NITs, and IIITs.
• Financial assistance for postgraduate programs supported by the Ministry of Education and other government agencies.
• Recruitment in PSUs and select international universities.

Tips for Applicants

• Verify Documents: Ensure the uploaded photograph and signature meet the specified guidelines to avoid application rejection. The same photograph will appear on the admit card and scorecard.
• Check Eligibility: Review the detailed eligibility criteria in the GATE 2026 information brochure to avoid disqualification.
• Stay Updated: Regularly check gate2026.iitg.ac.in for updates, including the release of the admit card (expected in January 2026) and mock test links.
• Prepare Early: Candidates are advised to start preparing using recommended books, practice sets, and GATE 2026 mock tests available on the official portal.

For more details, including the syllabus, exam cities, and two-paper combinations, visit the official GATE 2026 website. Candidates are encouraged to apply early to avoid last-minute issues and ensure a smooth registration process for this highly competitive examination.

Sources: Official GATE 2026 website (gate2026.iitg.ac.in)