GATE 2026 Exam Schedule Out: Check Exam Dates & Syllabus
GATE 2026 Exam: IIT Guwahati has announced the GATE 2026 exam schedule. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on February 07, 08, 14, 15, and 26, 2026. It will be conducted in two shifts: forenoon from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and Afternoon from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted for 30 papers.
GATE 2026 Exam Schedule
| Day & Date | Time (IST) | Session | Test Papers |
Saturday February 07, 2026 | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm | Forenoon (FN) | AG, ES, GG, IN, MA, MN, TF, XE, XL |
| 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Afternoon (AN) | AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH, XH | |
Sunday February 08, 2026 | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm | Forenoon (FN) | CS-1, ST |
| 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Afternoon (AN) | CS-2, EY, NM, PE | |
Saturday February 14, 2026 | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm | Forenoon (FN) | CE-1, EE, PI |
| 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Afternoon (AN) | BM, CE-2, ME, MT | |
Sunday February 15, 2026 | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm | Forenoon (FN) | EC |
| 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Afternoon (AN) | AR, DA |
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Language of Examination | English |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Number of Papers (Subjects) | 30 Test Papers |
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate's Selected Subject(s) |
| Type of Questions |
|
| Testing of Abilities |
|
| Marks Distribution (for all papers EXCEPT AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, XL) |
|
| Marks Distribution (for papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, XL) |
|
| Marking Scheme | Questions carry either 1 or 2 marks |
| Negative Marking | Only for MCQs:
|
GATE 2026 Exam – Paper-wise Marks Distribution & Structure
| Paper Code | GA Marks | Subject: Compulsory Section | Subject: Optional Section | Total Marks | Time |
| AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF | 15 | 85 (includes Engineering Mathematics – 13 marks) | -- | 100 | 180 |
| CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST | 15 | 85 | -- | 100 | 180 |
| AR (Part A compulsory; choose B1/B2 in exam): B1 – Architecture B2 – Planning | 15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 |
| GE (Part A compulsory; choose B1/B2 in exam): B1 – Surveying & Mapping B2 – Image Processing & Analysis | 15 | 55 | 30 | 100 | 180 |
| GG (Part A compulsory; choose B1/B2 at application time): B1 – Geology B2 – Geophysics | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XE (Section A – Engineering Mathematics compulsory; select any TWO other sections) | 15 | 15 | 2 × 35 | 100 | 180 |
| XH (Section B1 compulsory; select ONE optional section at application time.) | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XL (Section P – Chemistry compulsory; select any TWO optional sections) | 15 | 25 | 2 × 30 | 100 | 180 |
GATE 2026 Exam Papers & Syllabus
| GATE Test Paper | Code | GATE Test Paper | Code |
| Aerospace Engineering | AE | Geology & Geophysics | GG |
| Agricultural Engineering | AG | Instrumentation Engineering | IN |
| Architecture and Planning | AR | Mathematics | MA |
| Biomedical Engineering | BM | Mechanical Engineering | ME |
| Biotechnology | BT | Mining Engineering | MN |
| Civil Engineering | CE | Metallurgical Engineering | MT |
| Chemical Engineering | CH | Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering | NM |
| Computer Science & Information Technology | CS | Petroleum Engineering | PE |
| Chemistry | CY | Physics | PH |
| Data Science & Artificial Intelligence | DA | Production & Industrial Engineering | PI |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering | EC | Statistics | ST |
| Electrical Engineering | EE | Textile Engineering & Fibre Science | TF |
| Environmental Science & Engineering | ES | Engineering Sciences | XE |
| Ecology and Evolution | EY | Humanities & Social Sciences | XH |
| Geomatics Engineering | GE | Life Sciences | XL |
GATE 2026 Exam Eligibility Criteria
| Degree / Program | Qualifying Degree / Examination | 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) | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| B.Arch. | Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (5-year course) / Naval Architecture (4-year course) / Planning (4-year course) | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-diploma/4 years after 10+2) | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| Pharm. D. (after 10+2) | 6-year Professional Pharmacy Doctoral Program (includes 1-year internship/residency) | Currently in 3rd / 4th / 5th / 6th year OR completed |
| M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc. | Professional Medical Degrees | 5th / 6th / 7th semester or higher OR completed |
| M.Sc. / M.A. / MCA or equivalent | Master’s degree in Arts/Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in 1st year or higher OR completed |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc. Integrated Master’s degree in Engineering/Technology (4-year program) | Currently in 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th year OR completed |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5-year program) | Currently in 3rd / 4th / 5th year OR completed |
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. | Bachelor’s degree in Science/Arts/Commerce (3-year program) | Currently in 3rd year OR completed |
| Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S.-M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year Integrated B.S.–M.S. program | Currently in 3rd year or higher OR completed |
| Professional Society Examinations* | B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent exams recognised by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (e.g., AMIE, AMICE) | Completed Section A or equivalent |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture / Horticulture / Forestry) | 4-year program | Currently in 3rd / 4th year OR completed |
TMU – A Gateway to Aspiring Engineers
Teerthankar Mahaveer University is considered a dream destination for every engineering aspirant. Even if you don’t qualify for the national-level entrance exams, like GATE, TMU provides you with an excellent opportunity to pursue an engineering programme through its own admission process. TMU believes that talent can never be restricted by a single exam result. It helps students develop real-world skills and confidence.
Conclusion
The GATE exam is a Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, a prestigious national-level examination. The purpose of this exam is to assess the student’s conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability in different undergraduate-level subjects like engineering, technology, science, commerce, arts, architecture, and the humanities.
The exam is conducted by the IISc and all IITs, on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India. IIT Guwahati is the Organising Institute for GATE 2026.
FAQ
Q1. When to apply for the GATE 2026 exam?
Ans. The application period for the GATE 2026 exam has passed, with registration closing in early October 2025
Q2. What is the GATE cut-off for 2026?
Ans. The GATE 2026 cutoff varies by branch and category, but expected qualifying marks are approximately in the 25-32 range for General category candidates, depending on the paper.
Q3. Will GATE 2026 be postponed?
Ans. No, the GATE 2026 exam will not be postponed.
Q4. Who is going to conduct the GATE 2026 exam?
Ans. The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati joins the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and six other IITs—Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, and Roorkee—in administering the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).
Q5. Can I use a physical calculator during the examination?
Ans NO, Candidates are not allowed to bring a physical calculator during the examination.
