GATE Exam 2026 Indian Institute of Technology has released the official notification for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026. GATE 2026 will be conducted for 30 subjects and it would be distributed over February 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th 2026. The examination would be purely a Computer Based Test (CBT).
GATE Exam overview
| Exam Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Technology – IIT |
| Mode of Exam | Online MCQ |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| GATE Score Validity | 3 Years |
| Application Date | 28th Aug – 28th Sep 2025 |
What is GATE Exam
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering – GATE is an examination which is conducted for Master of Engineering (ME), Master of Technology (MTech) and direct PhD admissions to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and other institutes/universities across India. It also opens the gateway to booming Public Sector Undertaking Companies (PSUs) and in the field of research. Some of the PSUs and research organizations which use GATE score for providing jobs include ONGC, NTPC, GAIL, HPCL, PGCIL, BHEL, BSNL, NHPC, BARC, DRDO, etc.
GATE is an All-India examination administered and conducted in eight zones across the country by the GATE Committee comprising faculty members from IISc, Bangalore and other seven IIT’s on behalf of the National Coordinating Board, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development.
Eligibility Criteria for GATE Exam 2026
IIT Roorkee has announced the GATE Eligibility Criteria for the GATE Exam 2026 for aspirants who wish to appear for the upcoming Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering examination. The eligibility criteria encompass academic qualification, nationality, and age limit parameters which are outlined below:
- GATE 2026 Educational Qualifications: Applicants must have completed or be in the final or third year of their bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, architecture, science, or the humanities from a recognized university or institution. The details of academic qualifications for different programs are given below.
- GATE 2026 Nationality: All Indian citizens are eligible. Additionally, applicants who fulfill the GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria from international countries can also apply.
- GATE 2026 Age Limit: There is no specific age requirement, which implies applicants from diverse age groups can sit for the GATE 2026 examination.
GATE Exam Centres
There is a total of 24 examination centres (tentative) for GATE 2026 under IIT Guwahati zone
| State | City/ Town |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur |
| Bihar | Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea |
| Jharkhand | Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Dimapur, Kohima |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| West Bengal | Asansol, Durgapur, Burdwan, Kalyani, Siliguri |
GATE Exam Application Fee
Candidates are required to pay an application fee to successfully complete the online application process for the IIT GATE Exam. The fee may vary based on the candidate’s category. Detailed information regarding the fee structure is provided below.
| Category/ paper | Regular Period | Extended Period |
| Female/SC/ST/PwD | ₹ 1000 | ₹ 1500 |
| Others | ₹ 2000 | ₹ 2500 |
Mode of Payment: Candidates can pay their examination fee using online payment methods such as Credit or Debit Card, NetBanking and UPI. No other modes of payment will be accepted.
Important Dates of Gate Exam
| Online Registration | 28th August 2025 |
| Last Date | 28th September 2025 |
| GATE Admit Card | Update Soon |
| GATE Exam 2025 | 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th February 2026 |
| GATE Result 2025 | 19th March 2026 |
How To Apply for Gate Exam
Interested and eligible candidates may apply online for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) by visiting official GATE Portal. Candidates may follow below mentioned steps to apply for GATE 2026.
- Scroll down, go to Important Web-Links section .
- Click on the “Online Application Form” .
- Fill your all personal and educational details and upload necessary documents.
- Pay the necessary application fee as per your category .
- At the end, submit the application form and take a print out of the application form .
Important Links of GATE Online Form
| Apply Onlline | Click Here |
| Information Brochure | Click Here |
| GATE Exam Schedule | Click Here |
| GATE Syllabus | Click Here |
| GATE Notification | Click Here |
| Join NEToday Channel | WhatsApp | Telegram |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs of GATE Exam 2026
What is the starting date to apply online for GATE 2026 exam?
The starting date to apply online for GATE 2026 exam is 28th August 2025
What is the last date to apply online for GATE 2026 exam?
The last date to apply online for GATE 2026 exam is 28th October 2025.
What do you mean by GATE?
GATE stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering.
