Date of Post: 6 August 2025

GATE 2026: Apply Online, Exam Schedule & Eligibility Details

Important Dates

● Dates For Start Of Online Application: August 25, 2025

● Dates For Submission Of Online Application : September 25, 2025

● Last Date For Making Fee Payment : October 6, 2025

● Correction Date : October 2025

● Exam date : February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2026

● Admit Card : October 6, 2025

● Answer Key : October 6, 2025

● Result : March 19, 2026

Admission Details

GATE 2026 is a national-level eligibility test for admission into various postgraduate programs. The admission process happens after the GATE result, through centralized or institute-level counselling.
GATE Score Validity: Valid for 3 years from the result declaration date.

Eligibility Criteria

Postgraduate Courses:
- M.Tech / ME / M.Arch / M.Plan / M.Sc (via GATE score)
- Ph.D. and Research Programs in IITs/NITs/IIITs and universities
PSU Recruitment Posts:
- Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET)
- Management Trainee (MT)
- Executive Engineer
- Scientific Officer
- Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
  (Depends on individual PSU notification using GATE score)
Eligibility Criteria (as per GATE 2026 Notification):
Qualification: Bachelor's degree (minimum 3rd year) in Engineering / Technology / Architecture / Science / Commerce / Arts / Humanities.
Final-year students and those who already completed their degree are eligible.
No age limit.
International candidates from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, UAE also eligible (specific conditions apply).

Application Fee

Female / SC / ST / PwD : ₹1,000 (regular), ₹1,500 (September 26 to October 06, 2025 late)
Other categories : ₹2,000 (regular), ₹2,500 (September 26 to October 06, 2025 late)

Selection Process

Computer Based Test (CBT):
Duration: 3 hours
Total Marks: 100 marks
Question Types:
- MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)
- MSQ (Multiple Select Questions)
- NAT (Numerical Answer Type)
Sections:
- General Aptitude (GA): 15 marks
- Subject Paper: 85 marks
2. Result & Scorecard:
GATE scores are calculated with normalization (for multi-session papers).
Validity: 3 years from the date of result.
3. Admission or Recruitment (After GATE):
Use GATE score to apply in IITs/NITs/IIITs via COAP / CCMT counselling for PG courses.
Apply in PSUs (like BHEL, ONGC, NTPC, etc.) that shortlist based on GATE score.
GATE itself doesn’t conduct any interview or counselling. Admission or job selection depends on respective institutes or PSUs.

Important facts to know before applying online form

New Paper Introduced: A new subject paper “Energy Science and Engineering (XE-I)” has been introduced in GATE 2026.
Dual Paper Option: Candidates can appear in up to two papers, if the chosen combination is allowed.
Score Validity: GATE 2026 score will be valid for 3 years from the date of result declaration.
No Age Limit: There is no upper age limit to apply for GATE.
International Eligibility: Candidates from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, and UAE are also eligible to apply.
1000+ Exam Centers: GATE 2026 will be conducted across multiple cities in India and select international locations.
Used for PSU Recruitment & Higher Education: GATE score is accepted by top PSUs and for M.Tech/Ph.D. admissions.

How to Apply online form

Visit Official Website:
Go to https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in
Click on “Application Portal” (GOAPS link will open).
Register Yourself:
Enter your name, email ID, mobile number, and set a password.
Fill Application Form:
- Personal details
- Academic qualifications
- Choice of paper(s) and exam cities
- Valid photo ID details
Upload Documents:
- Passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Degree certificate / eligibility certificate
- Category/PwD certificate (if applicable)
Pay Application Fee Online:
Use debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking.
Submit the Form:
After payment and document upload, submit the form. Take a printout or save a PDF copy.
Correction Window:
In October 2025, you can correct limited details if needed.