GATE 2026 exam will be organised by IIT Guwahati on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The application process through the online mode began on August 28, 2025, and the application without a late fee can be made up to September 28, 2025. The candidates may apply with a late fee until October 9, 2025. The application fee is INR 2000 for general candidates and INR 1000 for female, SC/ST, and PwD candidates. A higher fee will be charged if the application is submitted with a late fee. The process of applying is done online through the GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) portal. The article contains all the major details, such as dates of examination, application schedule, and fee plan for GATE 2026, to keep the candidates informed and prepare them properly.
GATE 2026 Exam Date
Interested candidates can check the important dates related to GATE 2026 exam in the table below. IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 notification on its official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
GATE 2026 New Changes
There have been two notable updates for GATE 2026. First, a new test paper called "Energy Science" (Paper Code: XE-I) has been added under the category of Engineering Sciences (XE), increasing the scope of topics offered to the candidates. Secondly, the application fee through online mode for the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) category candidates has been reduced to INR 1000, while for the other categories of candidates, the fee is still INR 2000. These reductions have been done with the objective of giving candidates more choices and reducing the cost of application for reserved category students.
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
GATE 2026 eligibility criteria have been streamlined, making it easier for more candidates to apply. For eligibility, candidates must satisfy the following major conditions:
- The candidates must be Indian nationals. Candidates from other nations can also apply.
- Educational Qualifications: Candidates should be either in the third year or above or have already passed a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities from a recognised institution.
- Candidates who are pursuing or have a master's degree in any other relevant discipline are also eligible.
- There is no upper age limit to sit for GATE 2026, hence candidates of any age group can appear.
- The attempts for the GATE exam are not limited.
For professional certification holders from recognised institutions (such as AMIE or AMICE), their certification must meet a standard equivalent to a bachelor's degree, as accepted by government agencies. Check GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026
GATE 2026 Application Process
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can fill out GATE 2026 Application Form from the official website. Follow the steps below to complete the application process.
Official Website: Log on to the official GATE 2026 website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in to initiate the application procedure.
Registration: To register, click on the registration link and sign up on the GOAPS portal for an account. Fill in basic information such as full name, date of birth, valid email ID, and mobile number. Post-registration, confirm your details via the OTP received on your email or mobile. You will obtain a unique enrollment ID for subsequent login.
Login and Application Form: Log in using the enrollment ID and password, and submit the application form. Provide personal information (parents' name and date of birth), educational qualifications, and communication address.
Choose Exam Paper: Carefully select the GATE paper you wish to take, as this option cannot be changed afterwards.
Select Exam Centers: Pick three exam centers. The first two should be from the same region, but the third one can be of any region.
Upload Documents: Upload scanned documents of your passport photo, signature, and valid photo ID proof such as Aadhaar card, passport, or driving license. Ensure that the files are in the proper size and format.
Application Fee: Pay the registration fee online via debit/credit card, net banking, UPI, or wallet. The fee is INR 1000 for female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates, and INR 2000 for others per paper. If two papers are being applied for, pay twice.
Review and Submit: Verify all the details carefully and submit the application form. Download and take a printout of the confirmation page for reference.
Deadlines: Submit by September 28, 2025, to escape late charges. The extended deadline with late charges is October 9, 2025.
By following these steps meticulously, one can complete the GATE 2026 application form without any complications. The clear and easy method helps candidates submit their applications easily and become better prepared to face the exam.
