GATE exam assesses the understanding of various undergraduate subjects in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities. GATE exam 2026 is being organized by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, with the examination being conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, and seven IITs: IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee. GATE examination is conducted on behalf of the National Coordination Board under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
What is GATE Exam 2026?
GATE exam 2026 is a national exam held by the IITs. It is for students who want to pursue postgraduate courses like M.Tech or M.S. in engineering, technology, and science at universities in India. GATE scores are also used by many public sector companies to hire employees. Gate exam checks students’ knowledge in subjects like engineering mathematics, general aptitude, and their main subject.
GATE exam is a computer-based test with different types of questions, such as multiple-choice and numerical problems.
GATE full form: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
GATE Exam Pattern 2026
GATE exam 2026 pattern is designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical problem-solving abilities. GATE exam 2026 consists of two major sections:
- General Aptitude (GA): This section is mandatory for all candidates and assesses their basic reasoning, verbal ability, and numerical skills.
- Subject-Specific Questions: These questions are based on the candidate’s chosen engineering or science discipline, such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, etc. These questions test the candidate’s subject knowledge in greater depth.
GATE Exam 2026 Types of Questions
GATE exam 2026 feature three types of questions:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): These questions offer four options, with only one correct answer.
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQs): For these questions, there may be more than one correct answer, and candidates need to select all correct answers.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions: These questions require candidates to type the numerical answer using a virtual keyboard.
GATE Exam 2026 Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
In Gate exam 2026 each question carries either 1 mark or 2 marks, and the distribution of marks will depend on the subject paper. For most papers, General Aptitude will be worth 15 marks, with the remaining 85 marks assigned to the subject-specific questions.
GATE exam 2026 marking scheme also includes negative marking for MCQs. If a candidate selects an incorrect answer in an MCQ, there will be a deduction of 1/3 mark for a 1-mark question and 2/3 marks for a 2-mark question. There is no negative marking for MSQ or NAT questions, making them less risky for candidates to attempt.
GATE Exam 2026 Important Details
- Number of Papers: GATE 2026 will have 30 subject papers. Candidates can choose the subject of their preference, and some interdisciplinary papers may be offered. It is important for candidates to choose the subject that aligns with their academic background.
- Examination Centers: GATE 2026 exam is conducted in selected cities across India.
- Admit Card and Results: Admit card for GATE 2026 is available on the official website for download. After the exam, the results will be declared, and candidates can check their scores to apply for higher studies or PSUs.
GATE 2026 Subject List
GATE 2026 Subject List includes various papers across engineering, science, and architecture fields. Each subject has a unique paper code for identification. The papers and their corresponding codes are –
| S.No. | Subject Name | Paper
Code |
S.No. | Subject Name | Paper Code |
| 1. | Aerospace Engineering | AE | 16. | Mining Engineering | MN |
| 2. | Agricultural Engineering | AG | 17. | Metallurgical Engineering | MT |
| 3. | Architecture and Planning | AR | 18. | Petroleum Engineering | PE |
| 4. | Biotechnology | BT | 19. | Physics | PH |
| 5. | Civil Engineering | CE | 20. | Production and Industrial Engineering | PI |
| 6. | Chemical Engineering | CH | 21. | Textile Engineering and Fiber Science | TF |
| 7. | Computer Science and Information Tech | CS | 22. | Statistics | ST |
| 8. | Chemistry | CY | 23. | Biomedical Engineering | BM |
| 9. | Electronics and Communication Eng | EC | 24. | Engineering Sciences | XE |
| 10. | Electrical Engineering | EE | 25. | Life Sciences | XL |
| 11. | Ecology and Evolution | EY | 26. | Humanities and Social Sciences | XH |
| 12. | Geology and Geophysics | GG | 27. | Environmental Science and Engineering | ES |
| 13. | Instrumentation Engineering | IN | 28. | Geomatics Engineering | GE |
| 14. | Mechanical Engineering | ME | 29. | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | NM |
| 15. | Mathematics | MA | 30. | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | DA |
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
GATE 2026 is open to a wide range of candidates from diverse academic backgrounds. The eligibility criteria include:
- Undergraduate Students: Candidates who are currently in their third year or higher of a Bachelor’s degree (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./Diploma in Engineering/Technology) are eligible to apply.
- Graduates: Candidates who have already completed their Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or any equivalent program are eligible to apply for GATE 2026.
- Master’s Degree Holders: Candidates holding a Master’s degree in any branch of Science/Arts/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent are also eligible.
- Integrated Degree Programs: Students enrolled in Integrated Master’s programs (such as MTech, ME) or Dual Degree programs (5 years) can apply if they are in their 3rd, 4th, or final year, or if they have already completed their degree.
- Professional Society Examinations: Candidates who have completed the section A or equivalent of professional society examinations (e.g., AMIE, AMICE) recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE are also eligible.
GATE Exam 2026 Syllabus
GATE exam syllabus varies by discipline, but it generally tests a candidate’s understanding of undergraduate-level engineering and science concepts. Each paper includes a General Aptitude section common to all, consisting of 10 questions (worth 15 marks) assessing verbal and numerical ability.
GATE 2026 Career Opportunities
GATE 2026 plays a crucial role in shaping the future careers of aspiring engineers. It serves not only as a tool for securing admissions to top institutions but also as a key for opening doors to lucrative job opportunities in public sector companies. Many PSUs such as ONGC, NTPC, and GAIL recruit candidates based on their GATE scores, offering them attractive salary packages and career growth.
GATE scores are also used for various research roles and positions in government organizations like DRDO, BARC, and ISRO, which further boosts the research and development sector of the country.
