If you're aiming for higher studies or PSU recruitment in 2026, it’s time to mark your calendars. GATE 2026 registration, conducted by IIT Guwahati, officially opens on August 25, 2025. Don’t delay—this could be your gateway to a stellar academic or career path.

Key Dates:

Registration for GATE 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026) begins on August 25, 2025 via the official portal. The last date to apply without a late fee is September 25, and late submissions are accepted up to October 6.
The exam itself is scheduled for the first two weekends of February 2026 — February 7, 8, 14 & 15. Result will be announced on March 19, 2026.

Who’s Eligible to Apply?

Recent updates clarify that there’s no age restriction—anyone with a bachelor’s degree (or in the final or pre-final year) in engineering, technology, architecture, science, or humanities can apply or they hold equivalent certifications that are officially recognised by MoE, AICTE, UGC, or UPSC as equivalent to BE/BTech/BArch/BPlanning.

There’s also a welcome eligibility expansion this year: third-year undergraduates can now register, offering early access to ambitious students.

Nationality criteria remain standard, with options open to Indian citizens, Nepal/Bhutan citizens, and specific refugees.

Application Fee Structure:

• General / OBC / EWS / International: ₹2000

• Female / SC / ST / PwD: ₹1000

Late fee adds ₹500 to all categories.

Exam Pattern & Syllabus:

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

• Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)

• Total Questions: 65, worth 100 marks

• Sections:

  1. General Aptitude (GA) – 15 marks

  2. Engineering Mathematics & Core Subject – 85 marks (subject-specific)

• Question Types: Multiple-Choice (MCQ), Multiple-Select (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

• Negative Marking: -1/3 for 1-mark MCQs; -2/3 for 2-mark MCQs; no penalty for MSQ or NAT.

Why GATE 2026 Matters?

GATE is a prestigious national-level exam designed to evaluate a candidate's grasp of various undergraduate-level subjects in Engineering and related fields.

• Postgraduate Admissions: Qualifying opens doors to M.Tech, M.E., and Ph.D. programs in IITs, NITs, IIITs, IISc, DU, and more.

• PSU Recruitment: Top public sector companies like ONGC, BHEL, NTPC, and IOCL accept GATE scores.

• Score Validity: Valid for three years, giving you flexibility in planning.

• Financial Support: Eligibility for financial assistance provided by institutions supported by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and other government bodies.

• New Opportunities: Introduction of new interdisciplinary papers like GE (Geomatics Engineering) and NM (Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering) present more options.

How to Prepare & Apply Smartly?

1. Early Setup: Keep scanned documents (photo, signature, degree certificate) ready.

2. Complete Application ASAP: Avoid last-minute server crashes—apply by late September.

3. Take Mock Tests: Familiarize yourself with digital calculators, MSQ/NAT formats.

4. Subject Selection: Select your paper(s) carefully. Some combinations are allowed with additional fees.

5. Revision: Focus on General Aptitude and Engineering Maths—these are universal marks magnets.

What’s Different This Time?

• Registration link and official website have already gone live at gate2026.iitg.ac.in 

• Online application window is officially set, removing guesswork and confirming timings.

• Eligibility for third-year students opens doors early, especially in Kerala, Maharashtra, and other states.

• Naturally structured schedule gives ample time for form filling, application corrections, and final preparation.

Snapshot: GATE 2026 At a Glance:

GATE 2026 is your runway to higher education and PSU careers. With dates confirmed and the registration link already active, there's no time to procrastinate. Bookmark the official site, prepare systematically, and peak well before the exam day.

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