Updated on Jul 25, 2025
Amrita Das
GATE 2026 Application Process is expected to begin in August 2025. IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 Application Form online through the GOAPS 2026 Portal. Candidates seeking admission to M.Tech, M.E., Ph.D, or PSU recruitment must register for the GATE 2026 exam. Along with filling out the application form online, test takers must upload the required documents and pay the GATE 2026 Application Fee of INR 900 (SC/ST/PwD/Female) & INR 1800 (other remaining candidates) to complete the registration process. Most importantly, it is utmost necessary to meet the requisite GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 to be eligible for taking the GATE examination. The conducting authority will also open the application form correction window for candidates to make necessary changes in their GATE Application Form 2026. Read further to know more about the GATE 2026 Registration in detail.
- GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- GATE 2026 Application Dates
- GATE 2026 Application Fees
- GATE 2026 Application Process
- Required Documents for GATE 2026 Application Process
- GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combinations (New)
- How to Retrieve Forgotten GATE 2026 Enrollment ID or Password?
- GATE 2026 Application Form Status
- GATE 2026 Application Form Correction
- GATE 2026 Application Process FAQs
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for GATE 2026, candidates must meet specific eligibility conditions. There is no age limit or attempt limit. Both Indian and foreign nationals are eligible. Candidates must have completed or be in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, or a Master’s degree in relevant Science subjects. Those pursuing degrees outside India must be in their third year or beyond to be eligible for the GATE 2026 exam. Check the following table for GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria in brief.
Criteria | Eligibility Criteria |
Nationality | Indian citizens and foreign nationals are eligible |
Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture or Master’s in Science. Final and pre-final year students can apply. Foreign students must be in 3rd year or beyond of qualifying degree. |
Age Limit | No upper age limit |
Attempt Limit | No limit on the number of attempts |
GATE 2026 Application Dates
The GATE 2026 application form is likely to be released in August 2025. The GATE 2026 registration will continue until September 2025 without any late fee. Later, the GATE registration with late fee is expected to begin in October 2025 along with the application correction facility. The GATE 2026 exam is expected to be conducted in February 2026. Check the following table for tentative exam dates of GATE 2026.
Upcoming Events | Tentative Dates |
GATE 2026 Application Form (without late fee) | August 2025 to September 2025 |
Registration with late fee | October 2025 |
Form Correction Window Opens | October 2025 |
Last Date for Form Correction | November 20, 2025 |
Release of GATE 2026 Admit Card | January 07, 2026 |
GATE 2026 Exam (Multiple Days) | February 2026 |
GATE 2026 Application Fees
The GATE 2026 application fee must be paid online via credit/debit cards, net banking, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable. Candidates applying for two papers need to pay twice the fee of a single paper. PwD candidates with benchmark disabilities above 40% are eligible for fee concessions. The application fee does not include additional bank or transaction charges. Check the following table for GATE 2026 Registration Fees.
Category | Regular Period Fee (Single Paper) | Extended Period Fee (Single Paper) |
SC/ST/PwD/Female Candidates | ₹900 | ₹1400 |
All Other Candidates (incl. Foreign Nationals) | ₹1800 | ₹2300 |
*Note- If any candidate faces any issue regarding the GATE 2026 application fee, they must reach out to the concerned authorities via phone number (8037097919) or email (iitrgate@ccavenuehelpdesk.com)
GATE 2026 Application Process
The GATE 2026 Registration will be conducted online through the official GOAPS portal. Candidates will need to login and fill out the application form followed by uploading documents and fee payment in online mode. Additionally, aspirants must meet the eligibility requirements before filling out the online application form of GATE 2026. The GATE 2026 Application Form will be made available by the IIT Guwahati in August 2025. The exact GATE 2026 registration dates are yet to be announced by the authority. Follow the steps given below to apply for the GATE 2026 exam.
Step I: GATE 2026 Registration
- Candidates must visit the GOAPS portal and register using their full name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number.
- After successful registration, they will receive a GATE Enrollment ID.
- A password between 8 to 15 characters must be created during this step.
- The Enrollment ID and password are needed to log in and access the application form.
Step II: Filling the GATE 2026 Application Form
- After registration, candidates must fill in all the required personal, academic, and exam-related information.
- Candidates need to fill in the details such as parent's name, contact number, educational background, choice of paper, and exam city carefully.
Step III: Uploading Required Documents
- Candidates must upload scanned copies of their photo, signature, valid ID, certificates, category certificate (if applicable), PwD/Dyslexia certificate (if applicable).
- The documents must meet the prescribed format, size, and resolution.
Step IV: Payment of GATE 2026 Application Fees
- After completing the form, candidates must pay the GATE 2026 application fee online.
- The payment can be made using credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
- After a successful transaction, a Fee Payment Number is generated. Candidates are advised to remember the fee payment number or write it down somewhere for further use.
Step V: Submission of GATE 2026 Application Form
- Candidates must confirm the declaration statement and submit the GATE application.
- Once submitted, no details can be changed unless the application form correction window opens.
- The completed application form must be downloaded and saved in PDF format for future reference.
Details To Be Filled in GATE 2026 Application Form
Candidates are required to fill various personal, academic, and exam-related details in the GATE 2026 application form. These details must be filled correctly and match the official ID and certificates to avoid rejection. Any mismatch in details filled may lead to cancellation of the candidates’ application. Check the following table for the details to be filled in GATE 2026 Application Form.
Category | Information to be Filled |
Applicant's Details | Full Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Category, Nationality, Parent's Name & Contact Info |
Communication Details | Address, Pincode, State, Email ID, Mobile Number |
Educational Details | Degree, Discipline, Year of Graduation, University Name & Address |
Exam Details | GATE Paper Code, Subject Paper Name, Choice of Exam Cities (up to 3) |
Payment Details | Mode of Payment, Transaction ID, Fee Amount, Payment Date |
Other Information | Declaration, e-Signature, Digital Fingerprint |
Required Documents for GATE 2026 Application Process
Candidates must keep all necessary documents ready before filling out the GATE 2026 form. The scanned copies must be clear, properly cropped, and in the correct format and size. Check the following table for required documents for GATE 2026 Application Process.
Document | Specification/Format |
Photograph | Colour photo with white background, JPG/JPEG, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, size: 5 KB – 1 MB |
Signature | Black/Blue ink, JPG/JPEG, size: 3 KB – 1 MB, covering 70–80% of the image |
Educational Documents | Degree certificate or final year certificate, PDF, 10–300 KB |
Photo ID Proof | Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, PAN Card, Driving License – clearly showing DOB, name |
Category Certificate (if applicable) | SC/ST certificate, PDF format, issued by competent authority |
PwD Certificate (if applicable) | Must show disability >40%, issued by a govt-authorised medical officer, in PDF format |
Dyslexia Certificate (if applicable) | PDF from authorised centres like MDA or Dyslexia Association |
Scribe Requirements (if applicable) | To be submitted if candidate opts for a scribe |
GATE 2026 Application Form: Photograph & Signature Specifications
While uploading the photograph and signature of the candidate, it is important to follow the guidelines. Check the following table for the specifications and guidelines for uploading the candidates’ photograph & signature for GATE 2026 Application Process.
Requirement | Photograph | Signature |
Color & Background | A recent color photo with a white background | Must be in black or dark blue ink |
Face Visibility | Face must cover 60-70% of the image; frontal face view looking directly into the camera | The signature must cover 70-80% of the image after cropping |
Size (Dimensions) | 3.5 cm (width) × 4.5 cm (height) | 1 cm (width) × 2.75 cm (height) to 1 cm (width) × 3.75 cm (height) |
File Size | 5 KB to 1 MB | 3 KB to 1 MB |
Resolution | 200 × 260 pixels to 530 × 690 pixels | 250 × 80 pixels to 580 × 180 pixels |
Aspect Ratio | Minimum: 0.66, Maximum: 0.89 | Height-to-width ratio of 1:R, where R is between 2.75 and 3.75 |
Format | JPG/JPEG | JPG/JPEG |
Acceptable Conditions | No caps, hats, sunglasses, or colored glasses; normal spectacles allowed but must avoid glare | Must be signed only by the applicant |
Restrictions | No shadows, head coverings (except for religious reasons), or obstructions | If the signature does not match at the exam center, the candidate may be disqualified |
Note: Non-compliance may lead to rejection of the application, and the fee will not be refunded. Educational certificates, category certificates (SC/ST/PwD), and ID proofs must be clear and in the specified format (PDF for certificates, JPG/JPEG for photos and signatures).
GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combinations (New)
Last Year, IIT Roorkee introduced the two paper combination in GATE exam which means candidates can choose at least two papers for GATE 2026 exam. Those two papers are named as, Paper I (primary paper), and Paper II (secondary paper). The official paper combinations for GATE 2026 will be released soon by IIT Guwahati. Candidates choosing two paper combinations, need to fill out two separate application forms for each paper and pay twice the application fee of one paper for two subjects. Till then, check out the table below for tentative paper combinations of GATE 2025.
First Paper Code (Paper I) | Second Paper Code (Paper II) |
Aerospace Engineering (AE) | Geomatics Engineering (GE) |
Agricultural Engineering (AG) | Engineering Sciences (XE) |
Architecture and Planning (AR) | Geology and Geophysics (GG) | Engineering Sciences (XE) |
Biomedical Engineering (BM) | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) | Electrical Engineering (EE) | Engineering Sciences (XE) |
Biotechnology (BT) | Environmental Science and Engineering (ES) | Ecology and Evolution (EY) | Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence |
Civil Engineering (CE) | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) | Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) | Electrical Engineering (EE) |
Chemical Engineering (CH) | Chemistry (CY) | Life Sciences (XL) | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) |
Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) | Engineering Sciences (XE) | Biotechnology (BT) | Electrical Engineering (EE) | Mechanical Engineering (ME) |
Chemistry (CY) | Chemical Engineering (CH) | Humanities and Social Sciences (XH) |
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) | Biomedical Engineering (BM) | Civil Engineering (CE) | Instrumentation Engineering (IN) | Chemical Engineering (CE) | Metallurgical Engineering (MT) | Biotechnology (BT) | Humanities and Social Sciences (XH) | Geomatics Engineering (GE) |
Electronics and Communication (EC) | Life Sciences |
Electrical Engineering (EE) | Biomedical Engineering (BM) | Life Sciences (XL) | Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) | Civil Engineering (CE) |
Environmental Science and Engineering (ES) | Biotechnology (BT) | Ecology and Evolution (EY) |
Ecology and Evolution (EY) | Biotechnology (BT) | Mathematics (MA) | Environmental Science and Engineering (ES) |
Geomatics Engineering (GE) | Mining Engineering (MN) | Engineering Sciences (XE) | Aerospace Engineering (AE) | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) |
Geology and Geophysics (GG) | Architecture and Planning (AR) | Mining Engineering (MN) | Engineering Sciences (XE) |
Instrumentation Engineering (IN) | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) |
Mathematics (MA) | Ecology and Evolution (EY) |
Mechanical Engineering (ME) | Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) |
Mining Engineering (MN) | Geomatics Engineering (GE) | Geology and Geophysics (GG) |
Metallurgical Engineering (MT) | Production and Industrial Engineering (PI) | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) |
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM) | Engineering Sciences (XE) |
Petroleum Engineering (PE) | Engineering Sciences (XE) |
Physics (PH) | Life Sciences (XL) |
Production and Industrial Engineering (PI) | Metallurgical Engineering (MT) |
Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) | Engineering Sciences (XE) | Civil Engineering (CE) |
Engineering Sciences (XE) | Agricultural Engineering (AG) | Architecture and Planning (AR) | Biomedical Engineering (BM) | Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) | Geomatics Engineering (GE) | Geology and Geophysics (GG) | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM) | Petroleum Engineering (PE) | Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) |
Humanities and Social Science (XH) | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) | Chemistry (CY) |
Life Sciences (XL) | Chemical Engineering (CH) | Electrical Engineering (EE) | Physics (PH) | Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC) |
How to Retrieve Forgotten GATE 2026 Enrollment ID or Password?
If a candidate forgets their GATE 2026 Enrollment ID or password, they can retrieve it easily through the GOAPS portal. The enrollment ID is sent to the registered email ID and mobile number after registration. For the password, candidates can reset it using OTP verification. It is important to have access to the registered mobile number and email for the recovery process. Candidates must keep their GATE 2026 login credentials safe for further processes like application status check, form correction, and admit card download.
How to Retrieve GATE 2026 Enrollment ID?
Follow the steps below to retrieve the GATE 2026 Enrollment ID. The steps are as follows-
- Visit the GATE GOAPS 2026 portal.
- Click on the “Forgot Enrollment ID” link.
- Enter the registered mobile number and email ID.
- An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number.
- After verifying the OTP, the Enrollment ID will be sent to the candidates’ mobile number and email.
How to Retrieve GATE 2026 Password?
Follow the steps below to retrieve GATE 2026 Password. The steps are as given below-
- Go to the GATE 2026 official website or the GOAPS candidate login page.
- Click on the “Forgot Password” link.
- Enter the registered email ID or mobile number.
- Verify the OTP sent to the registered contact.
- A password reset link will be shared.
- Enter the new password twice and confirm it.
GATE 2026 Application Form Status
The GATE 2026 application form status shows whether the candidates’ application has been successfully submitted or is under review. After submitting the form, candidates should regularly check the status on the GOAPS portal. If there are any issues, the status will show "Application Under Scrutiny". The candidate will also receive an email and SMS alert if any correction is required.
How to Check GATE 2026 Application Form Status?
Candidates may follow the following steps to check their GATE 2026 Application Form Status. The steps are as given below-
- Visit the official GATE 2026 website.
- Click on the GATE application link.
- Log in using your Enrollment ID and password.
- After logging in, your application status will be displayed along with your name and Enrollment ID.
GATE 2026 Application Form Correction
Once the application form scrutiny is done, the GATE 2026 correction window will be opened by IIT Guwahati. Candidates can edit specific details by logging in through the GOAPS portal. Candidates will have to pay a correction fee depending on the type of change they want to edit in the GATE Application Form 2026. Those specific changes include name, gender, or category will include additional charges.
How to Correct GATE 2026 Application Form?
Candidates can follow the steps below to correct/edit their GATE 2026 application form during the form correction period. The steps are as given below-
- Visit the GATE 2026 official website.
- Click on the ‘GATE 2026 Online Application Processing System (GOAPS)’ link.
- Log in using the Enrollment ID and password.
- Select the option to edit the application form.
- Make the necessary corrections as per the instructions.
- Submit the corrected form.
- Download and take a printout of the updated application for future use.
GATE 2026 Application Correction Fees
Candidates will need to pay additional fees per change they make in the GATE 2026 Application Form. Check the following table for GATE 2026 Application Correction Fees.
Type of Changes/Modification | Fee Charges (Per Paper) |
Change in Name | INR 500 |
Change in Date of Birth | INR 500 |
Change in Choice of Exam Cities | INR 500 |
Change in Existing Exam Cities | INR 500 |
Adding a Second Paper | INR 500 + additional application fee |
Change of Gender to Female | INR 500 |
Change of Gender from Female to Others | INR 1400 (INR 500 + INR 900) |
Change of Category from SC/ST to Others | INR 500 (or INR 1400 for general candidates) |
Change from Non-PwD/Dyslexic to PwD/Dyslexic | INR 500 |
Change from PwD/Dyslexic to Non-PwD/Dyslexic | INR 500 (or INR 1400 for general candidates) |
Any Other Category Change | INR 500 |
Details of Parents/Guardian/Correspondence Address | No Fee |
College Name and Location, Roll Number, Registration Number | No Fee |
GATE 2026 Application Process FAQs
How can I apply for GATE 2026?
To apply for GATE 2026, candidates need to register on the official GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS). After registration, fill in personal, academic, and exam details, upload required documents, and pay the application fee. GATE 2026 application form must be submitted before the last date to avoid late fees.
What documents are required for GATE 2026 application form?
Candidates need to upload a passport-size photo, signature, category certificate (if applicable), and degree certificate or provisional certificate. These documents must meet the specified size and format guidelines. Without valid documents, the GATE 2026 application form may be rejected.
Can I edit my GATE 2026 application form after submission?
Yes, GATE 2026 provides a correction window for candidates to make changes to certain fields in the application form. However, not all details can be edited, and some changes may require an additional fee. It’s advised to carefully check the application before final submission.
What is the GATE 2026 application fee?
For GATE 2026, the application fee for General category candidates is expected to be around INR 1800 and for SC/ST/PwD/Female candidates around INR 900. Late application fees are slightly higher. International candidates have a different fee structure depending on the country.
Can final year students apply for GATE 2026?
Yes, final year undergraduate students are eligible to apply for GATE 2026. They must upload a certificate from their institution or a provisional degree certificate. Their eligibility must comply with the program and subject requirements set by GATE 2026.
How many papers can I apply for in GATE 2026?
In GATE 2026, candidates can apply for one or two papers, subject to the paper combination rules. The second paper must be from an allowed set of combinations.
Can international students apply for GATE 2026?
Yes, international students from countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and UAE can apply for GATE 2026. They must have completed or be in the final year of a relevant undergraduate degree. The application process is the same, but with a different fee structure.
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