GATE 2026 Exam Dates Out: IIT Guwahati Releases Official Schedule at gate2026.iitg.ac.in
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has officially announced the examination schedule for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026. The prestigious national-level exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, across various test centres in India in computer-based mode.
About GATE 2026
GATE is a highly competitive entrance test conducted jointly by the IITs and IISc for admission to postgraduate engineering, technology, and science programs such as M.Tech, ME, and direct PhD. Many public sector undertakings (PSUs) also use GATE scores for recruitment.
For the 2026 session, IIT Guwahati is the organising institute. Candidates can now check the complete exam schedule on the official portal: https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Key Dates for GATE 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | August 25, 2025 |
| Last Date for Registration (without late fee) | September 25, 2025 |
| Last Date for Registration (with late fee) | October 6, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 7–10 days before exam |
| Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026 |
GATE 2026 Exam Details
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Languages: English only
Total Papers: 30
Allowed Attempts: One or two papers (from pre-approved combinations)
Types of Questions:
MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
MSQs (Multiple Select Questions)
NATs (Numerical Answer Type)
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Questions | 65 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Sections | General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (13 marks in most papers), Subject-specific questions |
| Negative Marking | Applicable for MCQs only: -1/3 for 1-mark questions, -2/3 for 2-mark questions |
| No Negative Marking | For MSQs and NATs |
Distribution of Marks:
Most Papers: Engineering Mathematics – 13 marks, Subject Questions – 72 marks, General Aptitude – 15 marks
Papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XL, XH: Subject Questions – 85 marks, General Aptitude – 15 marks
How to Prepare for GATE 2026
Since the exam is scheduled for early February 2026, aspirants should start their preparation now. Here are a few tips:
Understand the GATE 2026 syllabus and focus on high-weightage topics.
Practice with previous years’ question papers to get familiar with the pattern.
Take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
Revise regularly and track your progress.
With IIT Guwahati at the helm, GATE 2026 promises to be as competitive as ever. Mark the February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 dates on your calendar, complete your registration before the deadline, and gear up for one of India’s most important engineering entrance examinations.
For complete details and updates, visit the official website: https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in.