Updated on Jul 25, 2025
Amrita Das
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria:IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria on its official website once launched. Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria to apply for the GATE exam before the GATE 2026 application process. Indian nationals, as well as foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Ethiopia, and the UAE, are eligible for the GATE 2026 exam. As per GATE eligibility criteria, a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree in Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Applications, or an Integrated Master’s or Dual Degree in Engineering/Technology is required. Candidates who have completed or are in the final year of graduation examinations equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch., recognized by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, such as AMIE by the Institution of Engineers (India), are also eligible. Additionally, there is no age limit for GATE 2026. Read further to know more about the GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria.
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
GATE 2026 is open to candidates from India and selective international countries. There is no age limit to appear for the GATE 2026 exam. Candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they want. To be eligible, candidates must have either completed or bein thefinal or pre-final year of a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate program.Professional degree holders and students in integrated or dual degree programs are also eligible, provided their course is recognized by the Government of India. Check the following link for GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria in general.
Criteria | Details |
Nationality | Indian nationals and candidates from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Ethiopia, and UAE are eligible. |
Educational Qualification | Candidates must have completed or be in the final year of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering/Technology/Science/Commerce/Arts. |
Professional Society Exams | Candidates with qualifications like AMIE, AMICE, etc., approved by MoE/UPSC/AICTE, are eligible. |
Age Limit | No age limit for GATE 2026. |
Number of Attempts | Unlimited attempts are allowed. |
Eligible Programs | UG, PG, Integrated, Dual degree, and Professional Society exams. |
Check GATE 2026 College Predictor
GATE 2026 Course-Wise Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet specific educational qualifications based on the course they are pursuing or have completed. Undergraduate students in their third year or higher can apply for GATE 2026 exam. Postgraduate students in any year of their program are also eligible for GATE 2026. Candidates enrolled in integrated or dual-degree programs must be in the relevant year, depending on the course duration. Professional society exam qualifiers must ensure that their qualification is recognized by MoE or related government bodies. Check the following table for Course-wise eligibility criteria of GATE 2026.
Program Type | Specific Course | Eligibility Criteria |
UG Programs | B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Pharm. | Candidates must have completed or be in the 3rd year or higher of a 4-year Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, or Pharmacy. |
B.Arch. | Must be in the 3rd year or later of a 5-year degree in Architecture or 4-year program in Naval Architecture/Planning. | |
B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Candidates pursuing a 4-year Science degree must be in the 3rd year or beyond. | |
B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. | Must be in the 3rd year or have completed a 3-year Bachelor's degree in Science, Arts, or Commerce. | |
B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | Must be in the 3rd or 4th year or completed a 4-year degree in relevant fields. | |
PG and Professional Degrees | M.Sc. / M.A. / MCA or Equivalent | Candidates should be in the 1st year or higher of a relevant Master's degree in Science, Arts, Computer Applications, or related fields. |
M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc. | Must be in the 5th, 6th, or 7th semester or beyond the degree program. | |
Pharm. D. (Post 10+2) | Should be in the 3rd year or beyond of a 6-year integrated Doctor of Pharmacy program. | |
Integrated / Dual Degree Programs | Integrated M.E. / M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) | Must be in the 1st to 4th year of the 4-year integrated program. |
Integrated M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (Post 10+2/Diploma) | Candidates should be in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th year of the 5-year program. | |
Integrated M.Sc. / B.S.-M.S. | Candidates must be in the 3rd year or higher of the 5-year integrated program. | |
Professional Society Exams | AMIE, AMICE, etc. | Candidates who have completed Section A or equivalent exams of recognized professional societies approved by MoE/UPSC/AICTE are eligible. |
Also Read GATE 2026 Application Process Here
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Candidates
Foreign candidates are also eligible to appear for GATE 2026. Students from selective countries can apply and seek admission to postgraduate and doctoral programs in top Indian institutes like IITs and IISc. These candidates must have completed or be in the final year of a relevant engineering or science degree. There is no age limit for foreign nationals, just like Indian candidates. Check the following table for GATE 2026 Eligibility Requirements for foreign candidates.
Particulars | Details |
Eligible Countries | Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) |
Academic Qualification | Must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or equivalent (BE/B.Tech/M.Tech) |
Degree Duration | Minimum of 3 years for a completed bachelor’s degree |
Age Limit | No upper age limit |
Eligible Courses | M.Tech and Ph.D. programs in IITs, IISc, and other institutes |
GATE 2026 PSU Recruitment Eligibility Criteria
Many Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India recruit engineers based on their GATE 2026 scores. These organizations include NTPC, IOCL, PGCIL, GAIL, and more. Candidates must meet the specific academic qualifications and age criteria defined by each PSU. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology is required, along with a minimum percentage of marks. Relaxation in age and marks is provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories. Qualifying GATE alone does not guarantee a PSU job; candidates must also clear the PSU’s selection process, including interviews or group discussions. Check the following table for GATE 2026 eligibility for PSU Recruitment.
PSU | Age Criteria | Academic Eligibilities |
NTPC |
| 4-year Engineering/Technology degree or AMIE with 65% (Gen), 55% (SC/ST/PwBD) |
IOCL |
| 4-year Engineering degree with 65% (Gen/OBC), 55% (SC/ST/PwBD) |
PGCIL |
| B.E./B.Tech/B.Sc (Engineering) with minimum 60% or equivalent CGPA |
GAIL |
| Bachelor’s degree with minimum 65% (Gen), 60% or 55% for SC/ST/PwBD as per relaxation |
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for GATE 2026?
As per the GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026, candidates must have completed or be in the final or pre-final year of their qualifying degree in Engineering, Technology, Science, Architecture, or related fields. There is no age limit, and international candidates from specified countries can also apply.
Can students in their third year apply for GATE 2026?
Yes, candidates who are in their third year or higher of an eligible undergraduate program, such as B.Tech, B.E, B.Sc. (Research), B.Arch, or Integrated M.Sc., can apply for GATE 2026.
Are final-year students eligible for GATE 2026?
Yes, students who are in the final year of their qualifying degree can apply for GATE 2026, provided they meet all academic requirements.
Can diploma holders apply for GATE 2026?
No, diploma holders are not eligible for GATE 2026. The exam requires candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree in an approved discipline which must be recognised by the Government of India.
What are the educational qualifications required for GATE 2026?
The GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 requires candidates to have completed or be in the third/final year of their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in fields such as Engineering, Technology, Science, Architecture, Mathematics, or Statistics. Candidates with professional society examinations recognized by MoE, AICTE, or UPSC are also eligible.
Can international students apply for GATE 2026?
Yes, international candidates from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Ethiopia, and the UAE can apply for GATE 2026, provided they meet the educational qualifications as per the eligibility criteria.
What is the GATE 2026 exam age limit?
No, GATE 2026 does not have any age restrictions. Candidates of any age group who meet the academic requirements can apply.
Are candidates with backlogs eligible for GATE 2025?
Yes, candidates with backlogs in their qualifying degree can apply. However, they must upload a mark sheet of their final year issued by the institute.
Is there any relaxation in GATE 2026 eligibility for SC/ST/PwD candidates?
No relaxation is provided in the educational qualifications for SC/ST/PwD candidates. However, they are eligible for GATE 2026 fee concessions upon submitting valid category certificates.
Can a candidate from a non-engineering background apply for GATE 2026?
Yes, candidates from Science, Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Applications backgrounds can also apply for GATE, provided they meet the specified GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026.
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