By Krishna Dua 
GATE 2026: Exam Schedule, Registration & Aspirant Updates
With the New Year ushering in heightened anticipation, GATE 2026 remains the focal point for millions of engineering and science graduates aspiring to elevate their careers. Conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and other IITs, this prestigious examination opens pathways to elite postgraduate programs, research opportunities, and coveted positions in public sector undertakings (PSUs). As of early January 2026, over 9 lakh candidates have registered, reflecting a surge in interest driven by expanded eligibility and interdisciplinary focus. Amid final revisions and logistical tweaks—like the recent postponement of admit card release—GATE 2026 embodies a blend of rigorous assessment and transformative potential. This article provides an updated overview of the exam schedule, registration recap, and tailored aspirant updates, including preparation strategies and the latest on the admit card delay, to guide candidates through the countdown to February’s big tests.
Exam Schedule: Confirmed Dates and Logistics
The GATE 2026 exams are firmly set for February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, spanning weekends to minimize disruptions. This four-day window accommodates 30 test papers, ensuring efficient resource allocation across more than 100 cities in India. The computer-based format maintains consistency, with each three-hour session featuring a mix of question types to evaluate conceptual depth.
Detailed timings are as follows:
- February 7 (Saturday):
- Forenoon (9:30 AM–12:30 PM): Agricultural Engineering (AG), Ecology and Evolution (EY), Electrical Engineering (EE), Geomatics Engineering (GE), Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM), and Statistics (ST).
- Afternoon (2:30 PM–5:30 PM): Architecture and Planning (AR), Biomedical Engineering (BM), Biotechnology (BT), Civil Engineering (CE-2), Chemistry (CY), and Mining Engineering (MN).
- February 8 (Sunday):
- Forenoon (9:30 AM–12:30 PM): Chemical Engineering (CH), Computer Science and Information Technology (CS-1), Instrumentation Engineering (IN), and Mechanical Engineering (ME).
- Afternoon (2:30 PM–5:30 PM): Computer Science and Information Technology (CS-2), Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC), Environmental Science and Engineering (ES), and Production and Industrial Engineering (PI).
- February 14 (Saturday):
- Forenoon (9:30 AM–12:30 PM): Life Sciences (XL), Mathematics (MA), Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (MT), Petroleum Engineering (PE), Physics (PH), and Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF).
- Afternoon (2:30 PM–5:30 PM): Aerospace Engineering (AE), Civil Engineering (CE-1), Engineering Sciences (XE), and Humanities and Social Sciences (XH).
- February 15 (Sunday):
- Forenoon (9:30 AM–12:30 PM): Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA).
- Afternoon (2:30 PM–5:30 PM): Geology and Geophysics (GG).
Candidates choosing two papers must select compatible pairs, such as CS with DA or EE with IN, to avoid scheduling conflicts. Results are slated for March 19, 2026, with scorecards valid for three years, enhancing long-term utility for admissions and recruitments. IIT Guwahati’s official notifications confirm no changes to these dates, emphasizing preparedness for the online proctored mode.
Registration Process: Recap and Closure
The registration window for GATE 2026 opened on August 28, 2025, via the GOAPS portal, closing on October 7, 2025, without late fees, and extending to October 9, 2025, with additional charges. This extension accommodated the high volume of applicants, totaling over 9 lakh by the deadline—a 12% rise from GATE 2025.
The step-by-step process was straightforward:
- GOAPS account creation with email and mobile verification.
- Completion of personal, academic, and category details.
- Upload of photo (30-80 KB), signature (10-20 KB), and valid ID.
- Selection of one or two test papers from permitted combinations.
- Online payment: ₹1,000 for SC/ST/PwD/female candidates (₹1,500 late), ₹2,000 for others (₹2,500 late) for single papers; doubled for two.
Edits were permissible until September 28, 2025, post which only limited corrections via email were allowed until November 2025. Refunds were unavailable after payment, underscoring the importance of accuracy. With registration sealed, attention now pivots to admit cards and mocks, though aspirants facing discrepancies can still seek redressal through the helpline.
Eligibility Criteria: Broadened Access
GATE 2026’s inclusive eligibility continues to democratize access, now extending to candidates in third-year or higher undergraduate programs (3+ years duration) in engineering, technology, science, architecture, commerce, arts, or humanities. Postgraduate students in their first year or beyond for M.Sc., M.A., or MCA are also eligible, alongside integrated degree holders.
Specific relaxations cover:
- Medical aspirants: Fifth to seventh semester or completed MBBS/BDS/BVSc.
- Professionals with society exams equivalent to B.E./B.Tech., as per MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC.
- International candidates: Bachelor’s degrees (3+ years) from accredited foreign institutions.
No age cap or minimum marks apply, allowing final-year students provisional entry with degree proof at admission. This framework, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, promotes diversity, with a notable uptick in humanities and data science enrollments.
Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Core Essentials
The syllabus adheres to undergraduate standards, with 15 marks dedicated to General Aptitude (verbal, quantitative, analytical) across all papers, and 85 marks on discipline-specific topics. For instance, Mechanical Engineering covers thermodynamics, machine design, and manufacturing, while Data Science emphasizes AI, machine learning, and probability.
Sectional papers offer flexibility:
- Engineering Sciences (XE): 15 marks compulsory mathematics + two from seven sections, including the new Energy Systems.
- Humanities and Social Sciences (XH): 25 marks reasoning/comprehension + one optional like Economics or Psychology.
- Life Sciences (XL): 25 marks chemistry + two from five sections.
The pattern: 65 questions in 180 minutes, including MCQs (negative marking: -1/3 for 1-mark, -2/3 for 2-mark), MSQs, and NATs (no negatives). Syllabi, finalized in September 2025, incorporate contemporary elements like sustainable engineering in Civil and cybersecurity in CS. Mock tests, activated since November, simulate the interface for optimal readiness.
Aspirant Updates: Admit Card Delay and Beyond
January 2026 kicked off with a curveball: the GATE 2026 admit card release, initially scheduled for January 2, has been postponed by IIT Guwahati due to technical enhancements in the portal. A fresh date will be announced imminently via official channels, with candidates urged to monitor gate2026.iitg.ac.in. This delay, affecting over 9 lakh registrants, stems from server upgrades to handle peak downloads, ensuring smoother access. In the interim, aspirants should verify login credentials and practice with extended mocks.
Community forums like Reddit’s r/GATEtard buzz with queries on troubleshooting—common issues include password resets (via forgot option) and photo mismatches (resolvable pre-exam). PSU recruiters, including ONGC and BHEL, have reaffirmed GATE scores’ primacy, with applications opening post-results. For PwD candidates, enhanced accommodations like extra time and assistive tech are confirmed.
Preparation Strategies: Tailored for Success
With exams five weeks away, aspirants must prioritize high-yield tactics. Top tips from experts:
- Syllabus Mastery: Allocate 50% time to core subjects, 30% to aptitude/maths, 20% to revisions. Use official PDFs to avoid deviations.
- Resource Selection: Stick to concise materials—NPTEL videos for concepts, standard texts like “Higher Engineering Mathematics” by B.S. Grewal. Limit to 2-3 per subject.
- Mock Drills: Attempt 20+ full-length tests from ACE Academy or Made Easy, analyzing errors to target weaknesses. Time management is key for NATs.
- Revision Framework: Daily formula sheets, weekly topic recaps. Focus on previous 10 years’ papers for patterns.
- Wellness Balance: 7-8 hours sleep, short breaks via Pomodoro. Join study groups for motivation, but avoid burnout.
For working professionals, evening slots and apps like Unacademy yield flexibility. Aim for 60+ scores for top IITs, where general cutoffs range 25-35. Online webinars from IIT Guwahati, scheduled weekly till February, offer doubt-clearing.
Conclusion
GATE 2026, despite minor hiccups like the admit card delay, stands poised to propel aspirants toward excellence. From the structured February schedule to inclusive registration, every element underscores opportunity. As you fine-tune strategies amid these updates, channel focus into consistent effort—success awaits the prepared. Embrace the journey; your GATE score could redefine tomorrow.