GATE 2026 registration window open: Here's how to apply, important dates, fees & other details

GATE 2026: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati on Thursday opened the registration window for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026.

Interested candidates can apply for the entrance examination on the official website — gate2026.IITG.ac.in.

GATE 2026 will be held by IIT Guwahati on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts each day. The first shift is scheduled for 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, while the afternoon shift will be conducted from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.


Registration window and deadlines

The registration window without a late fee for GATE 2026 will be open till September 28. The registration process will continue beyond the date with an additional late fee of Rs 500.

The last date to apply with the late fee is October 9.

Candidates will have to fill out the application form, upload necessary documents, and make the fee payment as per their category.

Application process step by step
Step 1: Visit the official website — gate2026.IITG.ac.in
Step 2: Click on the GATE 2026 registration link
Step 3: Complete the registration to generate login credentials
Step 4: Log in using the generated credentials
Step 5: Fill in the GATE 2026 application form
Step 6: Upload the required scanned documents
Step 7: Pay the application fee according to the applicable category
Step 8: Review the filled form and submit the application

Direct link to apply online

Application fee details by category

The application fee for GATE 2026 varies based on the category and registration period.
Female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates:

• Rs 1,000 during the regular registration period
• Rs 1,500 during the extended registration period

All other candidates (including foreign nationals):

• Rs 2,000 during the regular registration period
• Rs 2,500 during the extended registration period

Eligibility criteria for GATE 2026

• Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering/Technology (BE/BTech/BPharm)
• Master’s degrees in Science/Arts/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications (MSc/MA/MCA)
• Professional degrees in Architecture, Pharmacy, or Medicine (BArch, PharmD, MBBS, BDS, BVSc)
• Integrated degrees such as Integrated ME/MTech, Dual Degree, and Integrated MSc/BS-MS programmes
• Professional Society Examinations equivalent to BE/BTech/BArch (e.g., AMIE, AMICE)
• Candidates must either be in the relevant academic year or have already completed the qualifying degree

New paper and exam details

IIT Guwahati has introduced a new sectional paper in Energy Science (XE-1) under the Engineering Sciences (XE) category for GATE 2026. There are a total of 30 papers, including newly introduced and existing disciplines.

The examination will be held in a computer-based test (CBT) mode and will have Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.

Each paper ahs a maximum of 100 marks, with general aptitude comprising 15 marks. Papers involving engineering mathematics will allocate 13 marks to that section.

Negative marking will apply to MCQs only, where 1/3 mark will be deducted for every one-mark incorrect MCQ, and 2/3 mark will be deducted for every incorrect two-mark MCQ. There is no negative marking for MSQ and NAT questions.

Availability of question papers and brochure

IIT Guwahati released GATE 2026 sample paper for the newly introduced Energy Science (XE-1) subject and previous years’ question papers on the official website. Candidates can access question papers from 2007 to 2025.

The official GATE 2026 information brochure is also available on gate2026.IITG.ac.in, which details the paper-wise syllabus, marking scheme, test centre information, and guidelines.

Two-paper combinations introduced

GATE 2026 candidates can opt for two-paper combinations as listed on the official website. IIT Guwahati may introduce additional combinations depending on infrastructure and scheduling feasibility.