GATE 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is a prestigious national-level entrance exam in India conducted by IIT Guwahati for admission into postgraduate programs like M.E., M.Tech, and Ph.D. at IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other universities, as well as for recruitment in public sector units (PSUs). It tests the comprehensive understanding of undergraduate subjects across engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, arts, and humanities. The exam is computer-based, held annually, with 30 papers expected, and a validity of the GATE score for 3 years. Registration begins on August 28, 2025, and the exam dates are scheduled for February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level examination in India that primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of undergraduate subjects in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, and arts. It is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The GATE exam is used for admission to postgraduate programs such as M.E., M.Tech, M.Arch, and Ph.D., and scores are also used by various public sector undertakings (PSUs) for recruiting engineers.
The GATE 2026 exam, conducted by IIT Guwahati, will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The exam will be conducted online in two sessions each day: a forenoon session from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and an afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
GATE 2026 exam is scheduled to be conducted in multiple sessions across four days in February 2026. The registration and application deadlines extend from late August to early October 2025, with important events like admit card release and result declaration following the exam dates.
| GATE 2026 Exam Dates and Important Schedule | |
| Event | Date(s) |
| Notification Release | August 5, 2025 |
| Registration Starts | August 28, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (No Late Fee) | September 28, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (With Late Fee) | October 9, 2025 |
| Application Correction | 3rd week of November 2025 |
| GATE Admit Card Release | 1st week of January 2026 |
| GATE Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026 |
| Exam Sessions | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Forenoon) & 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Afternoon) |
| Response Sheet Availability | February 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | February 2026 |
| Last Date for Objections | February 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | 1st week of March 2026 |
| Result Declaration | March 19, 2026 |
| Scorecard Availability (Free) | March 27 to May 31, 2026 |
| Scorecard Availability (Paid) | June 1 to December 31, 2026 |
GATE 2026 eligibility criteria allow candidates who are in the third or higher year of their undergraduate program or have completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities to appear for the exam. There is no age limit or restriction on the number of attempts.
| GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria | |
| Qualification Category | Eligibility Description |
| Undergraduate Students | Currently in 3rd year or higher in a 4-year Bachelor’s program (B.E./B.Tech/B.Arch) or have completed it. |
| Postgraduate Students | In final year or completed Master’s degree (M.Sc./M.A./M.S.) in Science, Math, Statistics, Computer Applications. |
| Integrated Degree Students | 2nd/3rd/4th year of a 5-year integrated Master’s program or 4th/5th year of a dual degree program. |
| Professional Certification | Passed Section A exams of AMIE, AMICE, or AMIETE recognized by UGC/AICTE/AIU. |
| Other | Candidates with B.Sc./B.A./B.Com (3-year program) currently in 3rd year or completed, eligible for some programs. |
The GATE 2026 exam pattern is a computer-based test conducted over 3 hours with a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. The question paper consists of a General Aptitude section and a subject-specific section, with three types of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
| GATE 2026 Exam Pattern | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 65 (10 General Aptitude + 55 Subject-specific) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Types of Questions | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
| Marking Scheme | Questions carry 1 or 2 marks |
| Negative Marking | Applicable for MCQs (1/3 negative for 1-mark, 2/3 negative for 2-mark questions) |
| General Aptitude Section | 15 marks (includes verbal and numerical ability) |
| Subject-Specific Section | Usually 72 marks (except certain papers with different distribution) |
| Question Categories | Recall, Comprehension, Application, Analysis & Synthesis |
GATE 2026 syllabus consists of General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics (for applicable papers), and Subject-Specific Topics. The exam covers 30 papers with each paper having 65 questions totaling 100 marks — 10 questions from General Aptitude and 55 from the candidate’s chosen domain subject.
The GATE 2026 result will be announced on March 19, 2026. Candidates who have appeared for the exam can check their results on the official GOAPS portal by logging in with their enrollment ID and password.
After the result declaration, scorecards will be available for free download from March 27 to May 31, 2026. Beyond this period, scorecards can be downloaded by paying a fee of INR 500 till December 31, 2026. The GATE scorecard is valid for three years and is used for admission to postgraduate programs like M.Tech, Ph.D., and for PSU recruitment.
The subject-wise weightage for GATE 2026 varies across different engineering disciplines, but generally follows a pattern of distribution among General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and core subject topics. Here is a summarised breakdown for some major branches:
| GATE 2026 Subject-Wise Weightage | ||||
| Subject | General Aptitude (%) | Engineering Mathematics (%) | Core Subject (%) | Total (%) |
| Computer Science (CSE) | 15 | 13 | 72 | 100 |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 16 | 13 | 71 | 100 |
| Electronics Engineering (EE) | 16 | 4 | 80 | 100 |
| Electronics & Comm. Engg (ECE) | 15 | 11 | 74 | 100 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 16 | 28 | 56 | 100 |
| Chemical Engineering (CH) | 15 | 14 | 71 | 100 |
| Data Science & AI (DA) | 15 | — | 85 | 100 |
| Chemistry | 15 | — | 85 | 100 |
The GATE 2026 admission process involves the following steps:
Solving PYQs is crucial as it gives insights into question patterns, difficulty level, and important topics. Practicing these papers also improves time management and problem-solving speed. Vedprep provides PYQ books with solutions that help students prepare strategically.
Download GATE Previous Year Question Papers
Books play a vital role in structured preparation. Vedprep offers a wide range of exam-specific books, including Theory books, PYQ compilations, and Question Banks. These resources are designed by experts and are highly beneficial for concept clarity and practice.
| GATE 2026 Books |
| GATE Chemistry Theory with Exercises – Inorganic Chemistry |
| GATE Chemistry Questions Bank with Solutions – Inorganic Chemistry |
| GATE Chemistry PYQ with Solutions (Unit wise Chapter, 2000–2023) |
| GATE Life Sciences Theory, PYQ and Questions Bank with Solutions |
| GATE Chemistry Theory, PYQ and Questions Bank with Solutions |
A smart strategy involves understanding the syllabus, revising regularly, solving PYQs, and taking mock tests. Students should dedicate more time to high-weightage topics. With Vedprep’s online classes, doubt support, and study material, students can prepare effectively from home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2u5UNyYiC8&pp=ygURR0FURSBQUkVQIFZFRFBSRVDSBwkJsgkBhyohjO8%3D
Vedprep’s GATE 2026 online classes are designed to help students prepare effectively from home with expert guidance. These classes include live interactive lectures, recorded video lessons, topic-wise practice tests, previous year questions (PYQs), and dedicated doubt-solving sessions. The structured course plan ensures that the entire GATE 2026 syllabus is covered systematically.
The faculty at Vedprep consists of experienced mentors from IITs and other reputed institutes, who bring years of expertise in guiding students for GATE. Along with conceptual clarity, Vedprep also provides mock tests, detailed performance analysis, and personalized preparation strategies to make students exam-ready.
Key Highlights of Vedprep Online Classes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2s02ka4Pk4&pp=ygURR0FURSBQUkVQIFZFRFBSRVA%3D
Q1. When will GATE 2026 registration start?
GATE 2026 registration will begin on August 28, 2025, and candidates can apply online until September 28, 2025 (without late fee) and October 9, 2025 (with late fee).
Q2. What are the exam dates for GATE 2026?
The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 in two sessions each day – forenoon (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) and afternoon (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM).
Q3. Who is eligible for the GATE 2026 exam?
Candidates in the 3rd year or higher of a bachelor’s degree program (B.E., B.Tech, B.Arch, etc.) or those who have completed a UG/PG degree in Engineering, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities are eligible. There is no age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts.
Q4. What is the exam pattern of GATE 2026?
GATE 2026 is a 3-hour online test with 65 questions (MCQ, MSQ & NAT) for 100 marks. It includes a General Aptitude section (15 marks) and a subject-specific section. Negative marking applies for MCQs only.
Q5. Where can I download the GATE 2026 syllabus PDF?
The official syllabus PDF for all 30 GATE papers will be released by IIT Guwahati on the official website along with the notification. Students should prepare from this official syllabus for accuracy.
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