GATE 2026: Notification (Soon), Registration (Aug), Pattern, Syllabus, Cutoff, Counselling

GATE 2026 official notification and website will be launched by the 4th week of July 2025. Additionally, the GATE 2026 Registration is going to begin in August 2025. The GATE 2026 exam dates will be released along with the information brochure on the official website. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering exam is conducted for M.Tech/ M.E. & Ph.D admissions in IITs, NITs, and other well-known institutions. IIT Guwahati will be conducting the GATE 2026 exam in February 2026, this year.

In the previous year, IIT Roorkee introduced two new paper combinations. To start preparing for the GATE 2026 exam, candidates must get to know the exam pattern & syllabus properly. The GATE 2026 Result will be published after the completion of the . Read further to know more about the GATE 2026 Exam in detail.

GATE 2026 Highlights

The GATE 2026, also known as the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, is a national level engineering entrance test conducted for M.Tech, M.E., & Ph.D admission to IITs, NITs, IITs, and other prestigious institutions across India. The exam is being conducted jointly by Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and seven IITs (Delhi, Kharagpur, Guwahati, Roorkee, Madras, Kanpur, Bombay). The exam will be conducted in an online computer-based test mode for a duration of three hours. It will include different questions types such as MCQ, MSQ, and NAT. Check the following table for GATE 2026 Highlights.

GATE 2026 Exam Dates

The official GATE 2026 Exam Dates are yet to be announced. IIT Guwahati will be releasing the exam dates of GATE 2026 along with the information brochure. The registration is expected to begin in August 2025. Check the following table for the tentative schedule of GATE 2026 Exam Dates.

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To apply for GATE 2026, candidates must meet the basic eligibility conditions set by the conducting body. Candidates must have completed or be in the final or pre-final year of a relevant undergraduate degree program. There is no age limit and no minimum percentage required to appear for the exam. GATE 2026 is open to Indian nationals as well as international candidates from selected countries. However, foreign nationals must take the exam at centres within India only. Check the following table for GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria.

(Note- GATE 2026 International Applicants: Candidates from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Ethiopia, and UAE can apply for GATE 2026 exam.)

GATE 2025 Application Process

The GATE 2026 application process will be conducted online through the officialGOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) portal. The application window is expected to open in August 2025 and close in September 2025 without late fees. A late fee period may extend into October 2025, followed by an application correction window. Candidates must upload required documents, pay the application fee, and submit the form before the deadline. The application fee can be paid online through debit card, credit card, or net banking. Follow the steps below to apply for the GATE 2026 exam.

• Register on the GOAPS 2026 portal using a valid email ID and mobile number to generate the Enrollment ID and Password.
• Log in to the GOAPS portal using the generated credentials.
• Fill out the GATE 2026 application form with accurate personal, academic, and exam details.
• Upload the required documents such as a scanned photograph, signature, and eligibility proof as per specifications.
• Pay the GATE 2026 application fee through any online payment method.
• Recheck the form, accept the declaration, and submit the application.

Check GATE 2026 Application Process Here

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

IIT Guwahati is expected to conduct the GATE 2026 exam in February 2026, in two sessions: morning and afternoon. The exam will be carried out in online CBT mode for three hours. A total of 65 questions will be asked, in which each question would carry one mark & two marks (depending on the question type). Check the following table for GATE 2026 Exam Pattern.

GATE 2026 Marks Distribution

Check out the following table for the marks distribution in GATE 2026 as per paper type. The table is as given below-

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. Till then, check out the table below for tentative paper combinations of GATE 2025.

GATE 2026 Syllabus

The GATE 2026 Syllabus will be released by IIT Guwahati along with the official information brochure. The GATE exam will test candidates on three main sections namely, General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and the subject-specific core paper chosen by the candidate. The General Aptitude section is common to all papers and carries 15 marks out of the total 100. For paper codes like AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, XH, and XL, there will be no Engineering Mathematics section, and 85 marks are allotted to the subject-specific questions. For all other papers, 13 marks are allocated to Engineering Mathematics, and the remaining 72 marks are for the subject core. Check the following table for a brief overview of the GATE Syllabus 2026.

Check GATE 2026 Syllabus Here

GATE 2026 Mock Tests

IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 mock test links on the official website. The GATE Mock Tests will be available free of cost to take. This will help candidates to understand the GATE 2026 exam pattern and type of questions properly. The mock tests are subject-specific, and candidates can choose the paper they have applied for better practice. It is important to take these mock tests seriously to identify strengths and weak areas before the actual exam. Follow the steps below to access the GATE 2026 Mock Tests-

1. Visit the official website of GATE 2026.
2. Click on the mock test link available on the homepage.
3. Select the subject or paper from the list.
4. Enter dummy login credentials (as no actual login is required).
5. Start attempting the mock test and practice for the exam.

GATE 2026 Admit Card

The GATE 2026 Admit Card will be released by IIT Guwahati in January 2026. Candidates who have successfully registered for the GATE 2026 will be able to download their admit cards through the GOAPS 2026 portal. The admit card will contain important details like the candidate's name, photo, signature, exam date, time, paper code, and exam centre address. Candidates must check that the photograph and signature on the GATE Admit Card 2026 are clear and match their appearance. A valid photo ID proof, along with a colored printout of the admit card is mandatory for entry to the examination hall. Follow the steps below to download the GATE 2026 Admit Card.

How to Download the GATE 2026 Admit Card?

Test takers are advised to follow the steps given below to download the admit card of GATE 2026. The steps are as given below-

1. Visit the official GATE 2026 website.
2. Log in using the GOAPS Enrolment ID or Email ID and Password.
3. Click on the "Download Admit Card" link.
4. Download the admit card and check all the details mentioned.
5. Take multiple colored printouts using a laser printer for future use.
6. Contact the exam authorities in case of any errors or discrepancies.

GATE 2026 Exam Centres

The GATE 2026 Exam Centres will be allotted based on the preferences given during the application process. Candidates can choose three cities from the same GATE zone while filling out the form. There are no international exam centres this year, so all candidates, including foreign nationals, must take the exam in India. GATE 2026 exam centres will be categorized under eight different zones, each managed by a different IIT or IISc.

GATE 2026 Answer Key

The GATE 2026 Answer Key will be released 2 to 3 weeks after the exam is conducted in February 2026. The answer key will be published on the official GATE 2026 portal. It will contain the correct responses to all the questions asked in the paper. Candidates can download the answer key and compare it with their response sheet to calculate their probable scores. Those who find any discrepancy in the official key can raise objections by paying a fee of INR 500 per question. The final answer key of GATE 2026 will be released after the evaluation of the raised objections. Follow the steps below to download the GATE 2026 Answer Key.

How to Download the GATE 2026 Answer Key?

Candidates can follow the steps given below to download the answer key of GATE 2026. The steps are as given below-

1. Visit the official GATE 2026 website.
2. Click on the Candidate Login or Answer Key link.
3. Log in using your GOAPS Enrolment ID or Email ID and Password.
4. After logging in, click the link to download the answer key.
5. Save the answer key PDF and use it for score calculation.

GATE 2026 Response Sheets

The GATE 2026 Response Sheet will be available on the GOAPS portal along with the answer key and question paper. It will include all the answers submitted by the candidate during the exam. Candidates can use the response sheet along with the answer key to calculate their probable scores. Follow the steps below to download the GATE 2026 Response Sheet.

1. Visit the official GATE 2026 website.
2. Click on the “Candidate Login” link.
3. Enter the GOAPS enrollment ID or email ID and password.
4. Once logged in, click on the “Download Response Sheet” link.
5. Download and save the PDF file for reference.

GATE 2026 Result

The GATE 2026 result will be announced in March 2026 through the official GOAPS portal. Candidates can view their results by logging in with their Enrolment ID and password. The GATE 2026 Scorecard will be made available to qualified candidates between March and May 2026. The GATE Result 2026 will show the marks obtained, normalized score, and All India Rank (AIR). The score is calculated on a scale of 0 to 1000, depending on the paper and the number of candidates. The GATE Scorecard will remain valid for three years from the date of the result announcement. Follow the steps below to check the GATE 2026 Result online.

How to Check GATE 2026 Result?

Candidates can follow the steps given below to check & download the GATE Result 2026 online. The steps are as given below-

1. Visit the official GATE 2026 website.
2. Log in using your GOAPS Enrolment ID and Password.
3. Click on the “GATE 2026 Result” link.
4. View your result details and download the result PDF.
5. Save the file and take a printout for future reference.

GATE 2026 Toppers List

IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 Toppers List along with the release of the result. Last Year, Sadineni Nikhil Chowdhary topped the GATE 2025 in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Program with 96.33 marks out of 100 and a GATE Score of 1000. Check the following table for GATE 2025 Toppers List.

GATE 2026 Cutoff

IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 Cutoff on the official website. The cutoff for GATE 2026 is the minimum qualifying marks that candidates need to score for getting admission in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other prestigious institutions across India. The GATE Cutoff Marks 2026 is expected to range from 25 to 50 marks for different papers. The cutoff will depend on various factors such as exam difficulty level, number of candidates appeared, previous year cutoff trends, etc. Check the following table for GATE 2025 Cutoff for reference.

GATE 2026 Counselling

The GATE 2026 Counselling Process offers two main options for admission: COAP for admission to IITs and CCMT for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Only GATE-qualified candidates are eligible to participate in these counselling processes. Applicants must register online, fill and lock their choices, and participate in multiple rounds of seat allocation. Candidates who are offered seats must upload documents, pay the acceptance fee, and undergo document verification. Those admitted through GATE are also eligible for a monthly stipend of INR 12,400. GATE 2026 counselling will be held in multiple rounds between May and July 2026. The GATE 2026 Counselling Process includes the following steps-

1. Candidates must register online on the respective counselling portals namely, COAP for IITs and CCMT for NITs.
2. They should fill in and lock their preferred course and college choices.
3. If candidates forget to lock their choices, the system will auto-lock the saved choices.
4. Based on merit and preferences, the authorities will announce seat allotments in multiple rounds.
5. Candidates must pay the Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) and upload documents.
6. They must choose their willingness status – Freeze, Float, Slide, or Withdraw.
7. All uploaded documents will be verified online by the allotted institute.

GATE COAP Counselling 2026

The Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) is used for admission to M.Tech. programs in IITs and for receiving job offers from PSUs. COAP 2026 will be conducted in five main rounds and five additional rounds, scheduled between May and June 2026. In the first five rounds, candidates will be given three options to respond to the seat offers: Accept & Freeze, Retain & Wait, and Reject & Wait. In the additional rounds (6 to 10), only Accept & Freeze and Reject options will be available. Candidates can only respond to one offer in each round. The options of COAP 2026 are as given below-

• Accept & Freeze: The candidate agrees to take the current offer and will not be considered for any further upgrades.
• Retain & Wait: The candidate accepts the current offer but also wishes to be considered for higher preferences in upcoming rounds.
• Reject & Wait: The candidate declines the current offer but wishes to be considered for better options in future rounds.
• Accept & Freeze (Rounds 6-10): In later rounds, this is the only option to accept an offer without any scope for upgrading.
• Reject (Rounds 6-10): The candidate rejects the current offer and is willing to take a chance in the remaining rounds.

GATE CCMT Counselling 2026

The Centralized Counselling for M.Tech./M.Arch./M.Plan. (CCMT) is conducted for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. CCMT 2026 will be held in three regular rounds, followed by two special rounds and a national spot round. The entire process will take place between June and July 2026. Candidates must register online, choose programs, pay fees, and participate in seat allotment rounds. Once a seat is allotted, candidates have four options to respond such as Float, Slide, Freeze, or Surrender. The options of CCMT 2026 are as given below-

• Float: The candidate accepts the current seat but wishes to be considered for better choices in future rounds at any institute.
• Slide: The candidate accepts the seat at the same institute but wants a better course preference within that institute in upcoming rounds.
• Freeze: The candidate accepts the allotted seat and is not interested in further upgradation, except for category-based upgrades.
• Surrender (Participate in Next Round): The candidate gives up the allotted seat to participate in the next round and has no claim on the surrendered seat.

GATE 2026 Helpline Numbers

For any queries related to GATE 2026, including hall ticket issues, login problems, or application correction, candidates can contact the respective GATE zone-wise helpdesk. Each zone has its own contact number and email ID. Candidates should contact the institute under whose zone they selected exam centres. Check the following table for GATE 2026 Zone-Wise Helpline Numbers.

GATE 2026 FAQs