New Delhi, August 25, 2025: The wait is finally over for engineering aspirants across the country. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 registration process will officially begin on August 28, 2025, at the official portal gate2026.iitg.ac.in. This year, the exam is being organised by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.
GATE is one of India’s most prestigious entrance examinations, opening doors to postgraduate programs (M.Tech, M.E., M.S., and direct Ph.D.), recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and even higher education opportunities abroad. With lakhs of candidates appearing every year, it remains the benchmark for engineering excellence in India.
GATE 2026: Important Dates to Remember
The organising committee has released the complete schedule. Candidates must strictly adhere to the deadlines:
Start of Online Registration (GOAPS Portal): August 28, 2025
Last Date for Regular Registration (No Late Fee): September 28, 2025
Extended Registration Deadline (With Late Fee): October 9, 2025
GATE 2026 Exam Dates: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026
Result Announcement: March 19, 2026
The examination will be conducted in two shifts per day – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
What’s New in GATE 2026?
Every year, the organising institute introduces certain updates to streamline the process. For GATE 2026, candidates can note the following changes:
Revised Two-Paper Combinations – allowing more flexibility for students opting for dual subjects.
Clarifications in Eligibility – especially for students pursuing or holding degrees from foreign universities.
Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria
GATE is designed to be inclusive and allows participation from a wide range of academic backgrounds.
Students currently in the third year or above of an undergraduate degree are eligible.
Candidates who have completed their graduation in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities can also apply.
Foreign degree holders with a minimum of a three-year bachelor’s program in relevant fields are eligible.
Candidates with professional society certifications must ensure their qualifications are recognised by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC.
Documents Required for GATE 2026 Registration
Applicants must upload the following documents at the time of registration:
Recent passport-size photograph (as per specifications)
Signature in required format
Valid Photo ID (same ID to be carried to the exam centre)
Category certificate (if applicable)
PwD/UDID certificate (if applicable)
Dyslexia certificate (if applicable)
Other relevant annexures (if applicable)
GATE 2026 Exam Cities
The exam will be conducted across hundreds of centres grouped under eight zonal institutes:
IISc Bengaluru Zone
IIT Bombay Zone
IIT Delhi Zone
IIT Guwahati Zone
IIT Kanpur Zone
IIT Kharagpur Zone
IIT Madras Zone
IIT Roorkee Zone
Candidates can select three preferred cities, but all must fall within the same zone. The organising institute, however, reserves the right to allot a different city if needed.
Subject Paper Combinations
Candidates can appear for one or two subject papers (depending on approved combinations). Some examples include:
Aerospace Engineering (AE): Can be combined with CE, ME, XE
Agricultural Engineering (AG): Can be combined with CE
Architecture (AR): Can be combined with CE, GE
Biomedical Engineering (BM): Can be combined with BT, IN
Mechanical Engineering (ME): Can be combined with AE, DA, IN, NM, PI, XE
The complete list of subject combinations is available on the official portal.
Why GATE Matters
For lakhs of engineering students, GATE is more than just an exam – it is a gateway to career-defining opportunities. Top scores open doors to:
IITs, NITs, and IISc for postgraduate studies.
Direct Ph.D. admissions in premier institutions.
High-paying PSU jobs in companies such as ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, IOCL, and more.
Admissions to select foreign universities in Singapore, Germany, and beyond.
Final Word
With registration starting on August 28, 2025, candidates are advised to keep all documents ready, check the eligibility criteria carefully, and submit applications well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
For complete details and registration, visit the official portal: gate2026.iitg.ac.in
