GATE is one of the most important exams for engineering graduates who wish to pursue M.Tech, M.E. or PhD in top institutions like IITs, NITs and IIITs. Apart from higher education, this exam also opens up opportunities in major public sector undertakings like BHEL, ONGC, IOCL and several other PSUs. For anyone aiming for a strong technical career in the engineering sector or a stable government role, GATE is often the first step.

As per the recent announcement, IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE 2026 on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Ministry of Education. The official notification and information brochure were released on the new portal gate2026.iitg.ac.in on August 5, 2025. The registration deadline through GOAPS, which was earlier scheduled to start on August 25, 2025, was shifted to August 28 and continued till October 7, 2025. The deadline for late applications was also extended from October 9 to October 13, 2025.  The correction window for applicants is open November 10, 2025.
 

GATE 2026 will be held in multiple sessions on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) format (dates may be revised if necessary). The exam includes over 30 subjects from engineering, technology, science, architecture and even humanities. Candidates can choose a maximum of two subjects as per the eligibility guidelines given for GATE 2026.

While the exam is open to Indian and eligible international candidates, the test centres will be available only within India. After the declaration of results, candidates will have to download their scorecards and attend counselling through CCMT for NIT admissions and COAP for IIT admissions. GATE scores are valid for three years and top performers can get direct interview calls from various PSUs.

In this article discusses in detail all the information related to GATE 2026, including exam dates, eligibility, syllabus, paper options, application steps, result deadlines, and counseling procedures. If you are planning a future in engineering, research, or the public sector, this guide will help you understand the process and prepare with confidence.

GATE 2026: Highlights

GATE 2026 related all important information mentioned in detail below. Please check it out

GATE 2026: Important Dates (Official)

All the important schedules and dates of GATE 2026 are detailed in the table below. Please Check it out.

GATE 2026 exam schedule mentioned in detail table below.

Check: GATE 2026 Dates

GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026

Before applying for the exam, it is very important to check the GATE 2026 eligibility criteria. Candidates must ensure that they fulfill all the norms related to education, age, and nationality. If one does not fulfill the criteria, their application may be rejected.

The eligibility criteria for GATE 2026 are given in detail below:

Also Check: GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026

GATE 2026 Syllabus

GATE 2026 syllabus is different for each paper. However, General Aptitude is a common part in all the papers. The table below gives the syllabus for the main subjects.

Check: GATE 2026 Syllabus

GATE Exam Pattern 2026

The expected GATE exam pattern for the year 2026 is mentioned below. Please check it out.

You may also check GATE Exam Pattern 2026

GATE 2026 Registration Process

To appear for the GATE 2026 exam, candidates have to complete the registration process through the official GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS). The application process is discussed in detail below:

1. Visit the official GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
2. Register as a New User - Enter name, valid email ID, mobile number, and create a password to generate an enrolment ID.
3. Fill Application Form - Provide personal details, educational qualifications, choice of exam papers, and preferred exam cities.
4. Upload Documents - Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and category/disability certificates (if applicable).
5. Pay Application Fee - Make the payment online via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.
6. Submit and Download Confirmation - Review the form, submit it, and save the application form/fee receipt for future reference.

You can check the details of GATE 2026 Registration

GATE 2026 Registration Fees

GATE 2026 application fee will differ based on the applicant’s category and gender. Below is the detailed fee structure.

Note:

• The above mentioned fee is applicable for only one paper.
• Candidates opting for two papers will have to pay double the mentioned amount.
• PWD refers to persons with benchmark disabilities as defined under the official GATE eligibility criteria.

GATE Admit Card 2026

The GATE 2026 admit card is expected to be available for download from the official website - goaps.iitr.ac.in from January 2, 2026. Please note that no hard copy of the admit card will be sent by post or email. All registered candidates will have to download it from the website themselves.

Here is how you can download your GATE 2026 admit card:

• First, visit the official GATE portal: goaps2026.iitg.ac.in.
• Log in using your enrolment ID or registered email ID and password.
• After logging in, you will see the option to download the admit card. Click on it and save the file.

Check all the details mentioned in your admit card. If you notice any errors (like name, photograph, exam centre, etc.), contact the GATE authorities immediately for correction.

• While taking the exam, don't forget to carry the following items:
• A printed copy of the admit card on A4 size paper.
• A valid photo ID (which you mentioned during registration), such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID card, passport, or driving license.

You will not be allowed to enter the exam hall without the admit card and valid ID.

GATE 2026 Top Accepting Colleges

IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 exam for admission to M.Tech, PhD and other postgraduate programmes in various engineering, science and technology disciplines. A large number of top technical institutes across India accept GATE scores for their admissions.

Below is a list of top institutes accepting GATE 2026 scores:

IITs Accepting GATE 2026 Scores

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are among the most prestigious technical institutes in India. Admissions to postgraduate and doctoral programmes in IITs are done through the GATE exam. Below are some of the major IITs where GATE 2026 scores will be accepted:

NITs Accepting GATE 2026 Scores

National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are one of the most prestigious engineering colleges in India after IITs. These institutions accept GATE 2026 scores for admission to various M.Tech, M.Arch and PhD programs.

Below are some of the top NITs that will accept GATE 2026 scores for postgraduate admissions:

IIITs Accepting GATE 2026 Scores

The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) are well-known institutions in India that mainly offer education and research in Information Technology, Computer Science, and similar fields. These institutions offer M.Tech and research programs to students with valid GATE 2026 scores.

Some of the top IIITs that are likely to accept GATE 2026 scores are mentioned in the table below:

GFTIs Accepting GATE 2026 Scores

The table below lists some government-funded technical institutions that accept GATE 2026 core.

GATE 2026 Expected Cutoff

The expected GATE cutoff for 2026 based on the previous year's cutoff information is given in the table below.

Check: GATE 2026 Cutoff

GATE 2026 Answer Key

GATE 2026 Answer Key is likely to be published around two to three weeks after the exam is conducted. You can access it through the official website - gate2026.iisc.ac.in.

This official Answer Key helps you estimate your marks before the results are declared. If you find any discrepancy in the provisional Key, you can also raise objections. Once all the objections are reviewed, the final answer key will be published.

How to download GATE 2026 Answer Key?

• Visit the official website of GATE: gate2026.iitg.ac.in
• Click on “Login”
• Enter your enrolment ID / email ID and password
• After logging in, click on the “Answer Key” link
• Select your paper and download the PDF file
• If necessary, click on “Raise Objection” to challenge any answer
• You will have to pay a small fee per question to submit an objection.

Check: GATE 2026 Answer Key

GATE 2026 Result

GATE 2026 result is expected to be declared in the third week of March 2026. You can check it on the official website - gate2026.iisc.ac.in.

The result will show your marks, All India Rank (AIR) and GATE score (out of 1000). This score is valid for three years and is used for MTech/PhD admissions and PSU recruitment.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to check GATE 2026 result:

• Go to -gate2026.iitg.ac.in
• Click on the “Login” button
• Use your Enrolment ID / Email ID and Password to sign in
• Click on the “Results” tab visible on your dashboard
• Your GATE 2026 result will be displayed
• To save it, click on “Download Scorecard”

Check: GATE 2026 Result

GATE 2026 Counselling Process

After qualifying the GATE 2026 exam, candidates will have to participate in the counselling process to secure admission to MTech or equivalent programmes. Two separate counselling platforms are available based on the type of institute:

• COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal) - Used for admission to IITs.
• CCMT (Centralised Counselling for MTech/M.Arch/M.Plan) - Used for admission to NITs, IIITs and GFTIs.

Participation in COAP or CCMT is mandatory, depending on the institute you are aiming for admission in. Keep an eye on the official schedule and notifications to avoid missing any important deadlines.

The steps to participate in GATE 2026 counselling are discussed in detail below:

• Online Registration: Visit the official portal of COAP or CCMT and register using your GATE 2026 credentials.
• Choice Filling: Select your preferred institution and course from the given list.
• Choice Locking: Lock your filled choices before the given deadline to confirm your choices.
• Auto Locking: If you do not lock your choices manually, the system will automatically lock the saved options.
• Seat Allotment: Based on your GATE score, choices and seat availability, the institutions will allot seats in multiple rounds.
• Seat Acceptance and Fee Payment: If you are satisfied with the allotted seat, confirm it by paying the seat acceptance fee online.
• Document Upload: Upload all the required academic and identity documents as per the format and size guidelines.
• Online Document Verification: The allotted institution will verify your documents online before final admission.

Note:

It is important to keep a regular eye on the official COAP and CCMT websites to stay updated with the latest announcements, counselling dates and seat allotment rounds so as not to miss out on any important information.