The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 will be organised by IIT Guwahati. The organising institute has revised the registration timeline and published the full calendar on the official site. As per the updated schedule, the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) will open on Thursday, August 28, 2025—moved from the earlier plan of August 25. The regular (no late fee) window runs till Sunday, September 28, 2025, and the extended window with late fee is open from September 29 to Thursday, October 9, 2025. Candidates should plan document readiness—photo, signature, valid ID, eligibility proofs—well before these cut-offs to avoid last-minute issues.

IIT Guwahati has also confirmed the examination dates and sessions. GATE 2026 will be held on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026, with two sessions each day: 9:30 am–12:30 pm (FN) and 2:30 pm–5:30 pm (AN). This clarity allows candidates to map out mock tests and revision cycles around exact test slots. The result is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026. 

The official application fee (per test paper) during the regular period is ₹1,000 for Female/SC/ST/PwD candidates and ₹2,000 for all other candidates. In the extended period (late fee window), these become ₹1,500 and ₹2,500 respectively. If you opt for two papers, the fee is twice the above amount. Budget accordingly and aim to submit within the regular window if possible.

The GATE 2026 Information Brochure confirms key academic details: IIT Guwahati is the Organising Institute, the official portal is the gate2026 site maintained by IITG, and the exam will be a CBT across 30 test papers. Notably, there’s an additional sectional test paper “Energy Science (XE-I)” under Engineering Sciences this year. The brochure also reiterates the role of GATE scores for postgraduate admissions (IITs, NITs, IISc), select international programs, and PSU recruitment, subject to the respective organisations’ criteria.

What changed and why it matters: the shift from August 25 to August 28 for GOAPS launch gives you a few extra days to finalise your documents and photographs and to cross-check category certificates. The late-fee window moving to October 9 is also helpful, but don’t rely on it—submitting in the regular window reduces both cost and risk.

Action plan for aspirants: Create your GOAPS account as soon as the window opens, keep scanned files in the prescribed format (dimensions and file sizes are listed on the official site), and lock your paper choices early—especially if you’re considering two-paper combinations released by the organising institute. After applying, align your timetable to the four exam dates and practice in 2 × 3-hour blocks to simulate FN/AN sessions.

Also Read: GATE 2026 Registration Begins August 25 | IIT Guwahati Official Dates & Pattern

Appearing for GATE 2026? Apply as soon as GOAPS opens on August 28 and share this update with your peers. For a step-by-step form-fill guide, paper-wise prep plans, and previous-year question analysis, follow StudentPatrika.com — we’ll keep you ahead of every deadline.