IIT GATE 2026 Registration, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Fees, Pattern
Organizing Institute: IIT Guwahati • Official Site: gate2026.iitg.ac.in
Key Highlights
- Exam Mode: CBT (Computer Based Test)
- Total Papers: 30 (new sectional paper: XE-I Energy Science)
- Questions Type: MCQ, MSQ & NAT (objective only)
- Eligibility: 3rd year or higher UG OR completed Govt-approved degree; MBBS/BDS/BVSc/Agriculture 5th/6th/7th sem+ also eligible
- No age limit; Score validity: 3 years
Ref: Highlights & Eligibility, IB pages 2–3.
Exam Dates & Sessions
- Exam Days: 7, 8, 14, 15 Feb 2026
- Sessions: Forenoon 9:30–12:30 • Afternoon 2:30–5:30
Ref: Important Dates table.
Important Dates (GATE 2026)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| GOAPS opens (Registration start) | 28 Aug 2025 |
| Last date (Regular) | 28 Sep 2025 |
| Last date with Late Fee (Extended) | 09 Oct 2025 |
| Change window (paper/city/category & personal details) | 06 Nov 2025 |
| Admit Card download | 02 Jan 2026 |
| Exam Date | 7, 8, 14, 15 Feb 2026 (FN & AN) |
| Result (GOAPS) | 19 Mar 2026 |
| Free Scorecard download | 27 Mar – 31 May 2026 |
| Scorecard (₹500 fee) | 01 Jun – 31 Dec 2026 |
Dates liable to change; see brochure.
Application Fee (Per Paper)
| Category | Regular Period | Extended Period |
|---|---|---|
| All Other Candidates | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,000 | ₹1500 |
| Two Papers: Fee is double of a single paper. | ||
Ref: Table 5 – Application Fee.
Eligibility Criteria for IIT GATE 2026 Registration
| Degree/Program | Qualifying Degree/Examination | Description of Eligible Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| B.E./B.Tech./B.Pharm. | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./Diploma in Engineering/Technology) | Currently in the third year or higher or already completed |
| B. Arch. | Bachelor’s degree of Architecture (5-year course)/Naval Architecture (4-year course)/Planning (4-year course) | Currently in the third year or higher or already completed |
| B.Sc. (Research)/B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/4 years after 10+2) | Currently in the third year or higher or already completed |
| Pharm. D. (after 10+2) | A Professional Pharmacy doctoral program of 6 years duration after 10+2 which includes 1 year of internship or residency | Currently in the third/fourth/fifth/sixth year or already completed |
| M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. | Professional Medical degree programs – M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. | Currently in fifth/sixth/seventh or higher semester or already completed |
| M.Sc./M.A./M.C.A. or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Arts/Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in the first year or higher or already completed |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc. Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering/Technology (4-year program) | Currently in the first/second/third/fourth year or already completed |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5-year program) | Currently in the third/fourth/fifth year or already completed |
| B.Sc./B.A./B.Com. | Bachelor’s degree in any branch of Science/Arts/Commerce (3-year program) | Currently in the third year or already completed |
| Int. M.Sc./Int. B.S./M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.–M.S. program | Currently in the third year or higher or already completed |
| Professional Society* Examinations (equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch.) | B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (e.g., AMIE by Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India and so on) | Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-year program | Currently in the third/fourth year or already completed |
See AICTE circular “F. No. 13-56/PC/ODL-Mode/AICTE/2020 (23 Nov 2020)” and “Public Notice issued by AICTE” for clarification.
Test Papers
Total 30 papers. Candidates may appear in one or two papers (allowed combinations only). New sectional paper: XE-I (Energy Science) under XE.
Check brochure Table 3 (paper codes) and Table 4 (two-paper combinations) before choosing papers.
Ref: Contents list/Highlights. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Exam Pattern & Marking
- Duration: 3 hours; Total Questions: 65
- Sections: General Aptitude (10 Qs, 15 marks) + Subject (55 Qs)
- Marks distribution (most papers): GA 15 + Engg. Maths 13 + Subject 72 = 100
- AR/CY/DA/EY/GE/GG/MA/PH/ST/XH/XL: GA 15 + Subject 85 = 100
- Negative Marking: MCQ only → −1/3 (for 1-mark), −2/3 (for 2-mark); MSQ & NAT → No negative. No partial marking.
Ref: Pattern & Marking Scheme. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
How to Apply (GOAPS)
- Visit gate2026.iitg.ac.in → GOAPS, create account/OTP verify.
- Select paper(s) & exam city, fill personal/academic details.
- Upload photo/signature & category/PwD documents as per specs.
- Pay application fee (UPI/NetBanking/Card), submit & save PDF.
Ref: Application process & supporting docs.
Uploads & Documents
- Recent photograph & signature (as per size/background rules).
- Valid photo ID (same ID must be carried for the exam).
- Category/EWS/PwD certificate (if applicable).
- College/University certificate (if currently studying, if asked).
Ref: Photograph/Signature/Sup. Docs sections.
Exam Cities
GATE 2026 will be conducted in 200+ cities/towns in India. City list appears zone-wise in the brochure; availability depends on capacity.
Ref: Zonal institutes & city list (Table 1).
 Useful Important Links | |
| Apply Online Link | Register/Login |
| Check Official Notification | Click Here |
| GATE Official Website | Click Here |
| Join Our Website for Updates | NewRojgarInfo.Com |
| Join Our WhatsApp Channel | Click Here to Join |
IIT GATE 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What are the IIT GATE 2026 exam dates?
Ans: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 (two sessions per day).
Q2. What are the IIT GATE 2026 fees?
Ans: Female/SC/ST/PwD: INR 1,000 (regular) / INR 1,500 (extended); Others: INR 2,000 / INR 2,500. For two papers, the fee is doubled.
Q3. How many papers can I take in IIT GATE 2026?
Ans: You may appear in one or two papers only, and only from the allowed combinations.
Q4. Is there any age limit for IIT GATE 2026?
Ans: No. There is no age limit to appear for GATE 2026.
Q5. What is the IIT GATE 2026 marking scheme?
Ans: MCQ wrong answers: −1/3 for 1-mark questions and −2/3 for 2-mark questions. No negative marking for MSQ or NAT.
Q6. What is the validity of the IIT GATE 2026 score?
Ans: The GATE 2026 score is valid for three years from the date of the result.
