GATE 2026: Registration Starts August 25 – Exam in February, Check Eligibility, Fees & Schedule
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 is officially announced, with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati as the organising institute. The official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in is live, and candidates can now access exam details, eligibility criteria, and the complete schedule.
Registration Dates & Process
- Start Date: August 25, 2025
- Last Date (No Late Fee): September 25, 2025
- Last Date (With Late Fee): October 6, 2025
- Mode: Online through GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) on the official website.
Candidates must register online, fill out the form, upload required documents, and pay the application fee to complete the process.
Exam Dates
The GATE 2026 exam will be held over two weekends in February:
- February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026
- Two shifts each day: Morning & Afternoon
- Conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
New Paper in GATE 2026
A new sectional paper Energy Science (XE-I) has been added under the Engineering Sciences (XE) category. This brings the total number of subject papers to 30.
Eligibility Criteria
- Education: Students in the 3rd year or higher of their undergraduate program or graduates in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Arts, or Commerce from a recognized institution.
- Foreign Candidates: Eligible if their degree is equivalent as per UGC/AICTE/MoE/UPSC guidelines.
- No Age Limit: There is no restriction on age or the number of attempts.
Application Fees
| Category | Regular Fee (per paper) | Late Fee (per paper) |
|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,000 | ₹1,500 |
| All Others | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
Why GATE is Important
GATE scores are used for:
- Admission to M.Tech, M.E., Ph.D. programs in IITs, NITs, and other top institutions.
- Recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as NTPC, ONGC, IOCL, and more.
- Eligibility for scholarships and fellowships from the Government of India.
Key Preparation Tips
- Start early with the official syllabus.
- Practice previous years’ question papers.
- Take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Keep track of official announcements on the GATE 2026 portal.
Conclusion
With the GATE 2026 schedule officially out, aspirants have enough time to prepare strategically. Mark the dates, check the eligibility, and begin your preparation to ace one of India’s most competitive exams.
Official Website: https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in