GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 has been released by IIT Guwahati along with GATE Notification 2026 on official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in. GATE Exam eligibility criteria 2026 is different for different courses.Condition covers details such as nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and more. Candidates who have qualified undergraduate degree or are in their final year can apply for GATE Exam 2026. Candidates must ensure to meet required GATE Exam Eligibility criteria 2026 determined by organising authority IIT Guwahati, before applying for GATE Exam 2026.
GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026
IIT Guwahati has released GATE Notification 2026 on 5 August 2025 for GATE Exam 2026 along with GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026. Interested candidates who meet required eligibility criteria for GATE Exam 2026 can proceed to GATE Registration process. Candidates have to note that GATE Exam Eligibility criteria 2026 is different for different courses. It includes academic qualification, like a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology, or a Master’s degree in a relevant science field. Detailed eligibility criteria for GATE Exam 2026 based on GATE Notification 2026 is given below
Also Read: GATE cutoff
| GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Criteria | Eligibility |
| Nationality | Indian & some foreigners are also eligible |
| Education Qualification |
|
| Age limit | There is no age limit for GATE Exam 2026 |
| Attempt limit | There is no restriction on GATE attempts |
GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 Educational Qualification
GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 is different for different courses. Candidates have to check properly before filling out GATE Application form 2026. Detailed information regarding GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 Educational Qualification, Paper-wise, is given in table below.
| GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 Educational Qualification | |||
| Degree/Program | Qualifying Degree/Examination | Eligible Candidates | Expected Year of Completion |
| B.E. / B.Tech. / B. Pharm. | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc. / Diploma in Engineering / Technology) | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or already completed | 2026 |
| B. Arch. | Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (5-year course) / Naval Architecture (4-year course) / Planning (4-year course) | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or already completed | 2027 (for a 5-year program), 2026 (for a 4-year program) |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/4 years after 10+2) | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or already completed | 2026 |
| D. Pharm. (after 10+2) | 6-year degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, from third year onwards | Currently in 3rd/4th/5th/6th year or already completed | 2027 |
| M.B.B.S./B.D.S. | Degree holders of M.B.B.S./B.D.S. and those who are in 5th/6th/7th semester or higher semester of such a program. | 5th, 6th, 7th, or higher semester, or already completed | 2026 |
| M. Sc. / M.A. / MCA or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Arts/Science/Mathematics/Statistics/ Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in first year or higher, or already completed | 2026 |
| Int. M.E./ M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering/ Technology (4-year program) | Currently, in any year | any year |
| Int. M.E./ M.Tech./M.Pharm or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5-year program) | Currently in 3rd /4th/5th year or already completed | 2027 |
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. | Bachelor’s degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Commerce (3-year program) | Currently in 3rd year or have already completed | 2026 |
| Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S. / M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.-M.S. program | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or already completed | 2027 |
| Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch.) | B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (e.g., AMIE by Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by Institute of Civil Engineers-India, and so on) | Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses | Enrolled Upto 31st May 2013* |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-years program | Currently in 3rd/4th year or have already completed | 2026 |
Also read GATE PYQs
GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 Age Limit
Candidates of any age can apply for GATE Exam if they fulfil required GATE Exam eligibility criteria 2026. There is no GATE age limit 2026 for appearing in GATE Exam 2026. But Educational Qualification is Essential for applications.
GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 Attempt Limit
There is no restriction on GATE Exam attempts mentioned in GATE Exam Eligibility criteria 2026. Candidates can appear in GATE Exam as many times as they want to appear, and their GATE Scorecard 2026 will be valid for three years from releasinhg date.
GATE Exam Percentage Criteria 2026
There is no specific percentage of marks required at time of GATE Application form 2026. Candidates scoring any Percentage in undergraduate studies can apply for GATE Exam 2026 as mentioned in GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026. But during Counselling in M.E. / M.Tech, Candidates must have 60% or 6.0 CGPA marks in their Bachelor’s degree for general candidates. For other normalised categories, there is relaxation in required percentage.
What are The Percentage Criteria For GATE Exam?
Percentage criteria for GATE Exam are applicable during counselling or at time of COAP/CCMT registration. Required percentage marks varies for reserved candidates There is no percentage criteria is mentioned in GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 released by IIT Guwahati. Detailed information on what are the percentage Criteria for GATE Exam 2026 is given in table below.
| What are the Precentage Criteria for GATE Exam 2026 |
|
| Category | Required percentage |
| Gen/ OBC | 60% |
| SC/ST/PWD | 55% |
| Related Articles | ||
| GATE Exam 2026 | GATE Exam Pattern | GATE Exam Date 2026 |
| GATE Syllabus 2026 | GATE Previous Year Question Paper | GATE Books |
GATE Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
How many times can I apply for the GATE Exam?
There is no restriction on attempts candidates can apply a number of times they want to appear in the Exam.
What is the Age limit for GATE Exam 2026?
There is no age limit. Candidates who are eligible for the GATE Exam of any age can apply.
CAN foreign students apply for the GATE Exam 2026?
Yes, students from abroad can also apply for the GATE Exam and they can appear in the exam. The GATE eligibility criteria for such students is different and the percentage criteria will be changed.
Who will conduct the GATE Exam 2026?
IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE Exam 2026. The application brochure will be released soon along with GATE eligibility criterias 2026.
