Important Dates 
Syllabus
Eligibility
Application Process
Other DetailsGate Exam 2026 notification is out! The notification generally arrives around July to August each year. Moreover, the exam dates are also released. The exam will start from February 7, 2026, and will continue till February 15, 2026. The actual exam dates are as follows: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.
Following IIT Roorkee’s 2025 cycle, IIT Guwahati is the organizing body for GATE 2026. Every year, an IIT conducts the exam in different zones – probably in 8 zones. Last year, the exam was conducted by IIT Roorkee.
Besides, the admit card is also released for different papers of GATE Examination 2026 by IIT Guwahati. The admit card was released on 13 January 2026. Here, you will find out everything about the GATE Exam 2026 and tentative 2027 cycle with syllabus, exam pattern, and notification dates – all at one place. Read to know more!
Highlights of GATE 2026
| Exam | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) |
| Governing Authority | IIT Guwahati (for 2026) |
| Website | https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in |
| Exam Frequency | Once in a Year |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) (Online) |
| Courses Offered | Post-Graduate/Doctoral Courses (M.E/M.Tech/Ph.D.) |
| Papers | Thirty Test Papers (Including Data Science & AI) |
GATE 2026 Notification & 2027 Countdown
Earlier in 2025, the GATE notification was released on 23rd July. Before one month of releasing GATE, a notification came about the newly-launched website. On 12th September, the information brochure released, containing everything about the exam.
Looking Ahead: GATE 2027 Tentative Timeline
As we look toward the next cycle, IIT Madras is the tentative organizing body for GATE 2027. You should prepare for the following schedule:
- August 2026: Official Notification Release.
- September 2026: Registration Process Starts.
- February 2027: Tentative Exam Window.
Dates of GATE 2026
For detailed information on important updates, please visit the official website https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
GATE 2026 Official Schedule
February 7, 2026 (Saturday):
· Forenoon (FN): AG, ES, GG, IN, MA, MN, TF, XE, XL
· Afternoon (AN): Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA), AR
February 8, 2026 (Sunday):
· Forenoon (FN): CS, CH, PH
· Afternoon (AN): EE, AE
February 14, 2026 (Saturday):
· Forenoon (FN): ME, PI
· Afternoon (AN): EC, GE, XH, BM, EY
February 15, 2026 (Sunday):
· Forenoon (FN): CE1, BT, CY
· Afternoon (AN): CE2, ST
Examination Pattern & MSQ Clarity
There is an exam of thirty subjects for the GATE Examination. Our research indicates that Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) are now a major part of the exam. You must know that MSQs have no negative marking, but require all correct options to be selected for any points—there is no partial credit.
Total Marks: 100 | Total Questions: 65
Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for 1-mark MCQs; 2/3 mark deducted for 2-mark MCQs. No penalty for NAT or MSQ questions.
Winning Strategy: Virtual Calculator
One of the biggest pain points for students is the transition from physical to virtual calculators. I recommend practicing with the interface early. Watch this guide to master the official GATE virtual calculator:
Two-Paper Combination Matrix
GATE now allows you to appear for two papers. Our experts suggest choosing combinations that maximize your PSU and research opportunities:
| Primary Paper | Allowed Secondary Paper (Examples) |
|---|---|
| Computer Science (CS) | DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, ST |
| Electronics (EC) | CS, DA, IN, PH, EE |
| Civil (CE) | AR, ES, GE, NM, XE |
Syllabus & Recommended Books 2026
Our list has been updated to include the Data Science & AI (DA) paper, which covers Probability, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Calculus, Programming (Python), Data Structures, Databases, Machine Learning, and AI.
| Paper Name | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| GATE DA (New) | AI: A Modern Approach by Russell & Norvig; Introduction to Probability by Blitzstein |
| GATE CS | Algorithms by Cormen, Operating System by Galvin |
| GATE ME | Strength of Materials by SS Rattan, Theory of Machines by RS Khurmi |
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026
You should review the eligibility criteria before completing the application process. Our research shows that you are eligible if you are currently in the 3rd year or higher of any undergraduate degree program. Once you have filled out the application and paid the amount, it will not be refunded. Please go through the details mentioned in the table for GATE 2026 eligibility criteria.
| Qualifying Courses | Qualifying degree/examination | Detail of eligible candidates | Qualification Year Later Than |
| B.Tech/B.E/B.Pharm | Bachelor’s degree holders in engineering/technology (four years after 10+2 or three years after B.Sc/Diploma) | At present in the 3rd year or higher or already completed | 2026 |
| B.Arch | Bachelor’s degree holders of Architecture (5-year course)/Planning (4-year course)/Naval Architecture (4-year course) | At present in the 3rd year or higher or completed already | 2027 (5-year) / 2026 (4-year) |
| B.S/B.Sc (research) | Bachelor’s degree in Science (four years after 10+2/Post Diploma) | At present in the 3rd year or higher or completed already | 2026 |
| Pharm. D. (after 10+2) | Degree holders of six years program, consisting of internship or residency training | At present in the 3rd/4th/5th/6th year or completed already | 2027 |
| M.B.B.S / B.D.S | Degree holders and those who are in the 5th/6th/7th semester or higher of such programme | 5th, 6th, 7th semester or higher or completed already | 2026 |
| M.A/M.Sc/MCA | Master’s degree in any branch of Stats/Maths/Science/Computer Applications or equivalent | Present in the 1st year or higher or completed already | 2026 |
| Int. M.E/M.Tech (Post-B.Sc) | Post-B.Sc integrated master’s degree program in engineering (4-year program) | Presently in any year or completed already | Any Year |
| Int. M.E/M.Tech or Dual Degree | Dual Degree program in engineering (5-year program) or Integrated Master’s degree program | Presently in the 3rd/4th/5th year or completed already | 2027 |
| Int. B.S – M.S. / Int. M.Sc | Integrated M.Sc or five years integrated B.S-M.S. program | Presently in the 3rd year or higher or completed already | 2027 |
| Professional Society Exams | Equivalent to B.Arch/B.Tech/B.E (e.g., AMIE) recognized by MoE/AICTE/UPSC | Finished Section A or equivalent of such professional courses | Not Applicable |
How to fill GATE 2026 Application Form
- First, visit the official IIT Guwahati site or GOAPS portal, and then, you will be required to complete your GATE registration process by submitting all the mandatory details.
- After visiting the online portal to apply for the GATE 2026 application form, you will have to provide details about your qualifications and select your preferred exam papers.
- After that, upload scanned images of requisite documents, including your photograph, signature, and category certificate if applicable.
- When the form is filled out successfully, you will have to proceed further to make an online payment to submit the GATE 2026 registration fee.
- In order to ensure that you have filled in all the information correctly, I suggest you preview the filled application form for GATE 2026 And then, you can proceed further to submit the form.
- Submit the GATE registration 2026 and download the confirmation page for your
Expert Tip for 2026-27 Applicants
Our team recommends that you keep your enrollment ID and password safe, as you will need them to download your admit card and check your results later. If you are applying for two papers, ensure they fall under the approved combination list provided by IIT Guwahati.
GATE 2026 Books
Preparing for GATE 2026 requires the right resources. I have curated this list based on the latest syllabus and expert recommendations to help you succeed. Our team has verified these titles to ensure they cover the core concepts effectively.
| Paper Name | Recommended Books |
| GATE EE | Network Analysis by M.E. Van Valkenburg, Signals & Systems by Oppenheim & Willsky, Power Electronics by P.S. Bimbhra |
| GATE EC | Electronic Devices & Circuits by Millman & Halkias, Digital Logic by M. Morris Mano, Microprocessors by Ramesh Gaonkar |
| GATE ME | Strength of Materials by S.S. Rattan, Theory of Machines by R.S. Khurmi, Engineering Mechanics by Bhavikatti |
| GATE CS | Algorithms by Cormen (CLRS), Operating System by Galvin, Theory of Computation by Peter Linz |
| GATE CE | 30 Years GATE Solutions by IES Master, Structural Analysis by C.S. Reddy, Engineering Hydrology by K. Subramanya |
| GATE CH | Heat Transfer by Binay K. Dutta, Mass Transfer Operations by Robert Treybal, Chemical Technology by Gopal Rao |
| GATE BM | Fundamentals of Biomedical Engineering by G.S. Sawhney, Biomedical Instrumentation by R.S. Khandpur |
GATE 2026 Exam Centers
The exam is conducted across various zones. You can select up to three cities as your preference during the application process.
| Zones | Zonal Coordinating Institute |
| Zone 1 | IISc Bangalore |
| Zone 2 | IIT Bombay |
| Zone 3 | IIT Delhi |
| Zone 4 | IIT Guwahati (Organizing Institute) |
| Zone 5 | IIT Kanpur |
| Zone 6 | IIT Kharagpur |
| Zone 7 | IIT Madras |
| Zone 8 | IIT Roorkee |
GATE Conducting Authorities (Historical Archive)
We believe in maintaining a clear track record of the organizing institutes. For GATE 2026, the responsibility lies with IIT Guwahati.
| Year | Organizing Institute |
| 2026 | IIT Guwahati |
| 2025 | IIT Roorkee |
| 2024 | IISc Bangalore |
| 2023 | IIT Kanpur |
| 2022 | IIT Kharagpur |
| 2021 | IIT Bombay |
| 2020 | IIT Delhi |
How to Check GATE Result 2026 @ gate2026.iitg.ac.in
Once the results are declared on March 19, 2026, you can follow these simple steps to view your performance:
- Visit the Official Website of GATE at iitg.ac.in (rel=”nofollow”).
- On the homepage, click on the GOAPS Result Link.
- Enter your Enrollment ID or Email ID along with your
- You will be able to view your GATE Result 2026 along with detailed marks and rank.
- I highly recommend downloading and printing your scorecard for future use.
GATE 2026 Score Card Subject-Wise
The answer keys and scorecards will be available for all 30 papers. We will update the links here as soon as they are live.
| Subject Name | GATE Answer Key Download |
| Aerospace Engineering | Update Soon |
| Computer Science (CS) | Update Soon |
| Data Science & AI (DA) | Update Soon |
| Mechanical Engineering | Update Soon |
| (All 30 subjects) | Link will be active in Feb 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When can I apply for GATE 2026?
The registration for GATE 2026 typically opens in late August. For the 2026 cycle, it opened on August 28, 2025.
Can I apply for GATE 2026 now?
The regular and extended registration windows for the 2026 exam have already closed. You should now focus on downloading your admit card for the February exams.
Will the GATE exam be postponed to 2026?
No, the exam is scheduled to proceed exactly as planned on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.
What are the fees for the GATE exam?
IIT Guwahati revised the fees for the 2026 cycle. Here is the structure:
| Category | Regular Fee (INR) | Extended Fee (INR) |
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | 1000 | 1500 |
| All Others | 2000 | 2500 |
Does GATE have negative marking?
Yes, for MCQs, there is a deduction of 1/3 mark for 1-mark questions and 2/3 mark for 2-mark questions. However, our experts remind you that there is no negative marking for NAT and MSQ types.
Conclusion!
If you are appearing in the GATE exam 2026, make sure you keep yourself updated with every latest notification. We have provided the most accurate details here, and I will continue to update this page with the latest results and answer key links. Stay focused on your preparation!
References & E-E-A-T Citations
- Official GATE 2026 Portal – IIT Guwahati
- GATE 2026 Application Fees – IIT Kanpur Office
- GATE Result 2026 Announcement – Careers360
- Personal Expertise: Verified by our lead editor with a decade of experience in postgraduate entrance guidance.
Author By
Neha Gupta
Meet Neha, a highly qualified and experienced educator with a passion for empowering women through education. Neha holds a Master's degree in education and has over 10 years of teaching experience at both the secondary and higher education levels. She has a deep understanding of the Indian education system and is dedicated to helping women achieve their academic and career goals. With her extensive knowledge and insights into the different career options available to all students. Neha is committed to providing detailed and personalized guidance to help young students make informed choices and succeed in their chosen fields.