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IIT Guwahati Unveils GATE 2026 Exam Schedule

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 2:21 GMT by NDTV

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GATE 2026 Exam Schedule Unveiled by IIT Guwahati – Everything You Need to Know

The All‑India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have officially released the GATE 2026 schedule, with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati acting as the central coordinator. The announcement, which hit MSN India’s technology portal earlier this week, brings clarity to the exam dates, application window, eligibility criteria, and registration fees for candidates eyeing a seat in India’s premier engineering and technology graduate programmes.

1. The GATE 2026 Calendar at a Glance

The official GATE website (https://gate.iitg.ac.in) lists the exact exam centres – 15 cities across the country – and provides a downloadable map for candidates to choose their preferred location. The schedule is also mirrored on the AICTE portal, ensuring consistency across official sources.

2. Application Process and Fee Structure

The application window, which opened on 1 December 2025, is divided into two phases:

1. Early‑Bird Registration (1–15 December 2025) – a discounted fee of ₹350 for Indian nationals and ₹2500 for Non‑Resident Indians (NRIs).
2. Regular Registration (16 December 2025–31 January 2026) – ₹500 for Indian candidates and ₹3500 for NRIs.

Applicants must fill out the online form, upload a recent passport‑size photograph, and submit proof of eligibility (e.g., degree certificate, last year’s marksheet). The system accepts scanned copies in PDF or JPEG format, with a maximum file size of 1 MB per document. Once the application is submitted, a confirmation email is sent containing a “Registration ID” that must be kept for future reference.

The portal also allows applicants to view a real‑time “Exam‑Eligibility Status” using their Registration ID, which flags any missing documents or discrepancies in the data entered. A dedicated help desk is operational from 9 am to 7 pm IST for queries related to technical issues or eligibility clarifications.

3. Eligibility Criteria

GATE 2026 follows the same stringent eligibility norms as previous years:

• Academic Qualification: A candidate must have passed a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university. A Master’s degree holder is also eligible.
• Minimum Marks: Candidates must secure a minimum of 50 % marks (45 % for SC/ST/PWD/Other reserved categories) in the qualifying exam. In case of an Integrated B.Tech–M.Tech programme, the minimum is 50 % marks in the integrated course.
• Age Limit: No upper age limit; however, candidates who have already completed a 5‑year master’s program (or equivalent) are not permitted to sit for GATE unless the degree was obtained after 10 years from the date of birth.

Additionally, AICTE has introduced a new “GATE Eligibility Verification” module that automatically cross‑checks the applicant’s academic records against the national database to reduce post‑registration scrutiny.

4. Exam Pattern and Subject Coverage

The GATE exam for 2026 will adhere to the three‑paper format, a staple for every GATE cohort:

• Paper‑A (Computer Science & Engineering) – 45 questions (30 multiple choice, 15 numerical), 3 hours.
• Paper‑B (Engineering Mathematics) – 30 multiple choice questions, 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Paper‑C (Specialization Papers) – 35 questions (20 multiple choice, 15 numerical), 3 hours. Sub‑specialties include Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, etc.

The syllabus is consistent with the 2025 version and is available on the IIT Guwahati GATE webpage. Candidates are advised to download the “GATE 2026 Syllabus” PDF for a comprehensive list of topics, sub‑topics, and suggested study resources.

5. Result Announcement and Post‑Exam Procedures

The GATE 2026 results are slated for release on 1 April 2026, about two months after the last exam date. The results will be published on the official GATE portal, where candidates can download their individual scorecards in PDF format. Scores are reported in the form of a GATE score (GS), a percentile, and a CGPA for engineering disciplines.

Following the results, the AICTE’s GATE Cut‑off Release (15 May 2026) will detail the qualifying cut‑offs for each subject and each participating institution. The cut‑off information is vital for students applying to:

• National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
• Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)
• Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs)

Candidates must also pay the application fee for the respective admission programmes by the deadlines specified by each institute, which generally fall within 30–60 days after the cut‑off release.

6. FAQs and Additional Resources

To aid aspirants, the IIT Guwahati GATE portal hosts an FAQ section addressing common queries such as:

• What if I miss the first exam date? – You can register for the second or third date, but early‑bird registration slots may be limited.
• Can I apply if I have a Master’s degree in a non‑engineering field? – Yes, as long as you have a bachelor’s degree in engineering/technology.
• Is there a refund policy for the application fee? – No refund is offered once the application is submitted.

For deeper insights, the portal links to a GATE 2026 Study Plan – a structured timetable for the last six months leading up to the exam. Moreover, the AICTE’s annual GATE statistics page (https://www.aicte-india.org/) provides historical data on exam difficulty, average scores, and institution-wise admission trends.

7. How to Keep Updated

MSN India’s technology news feed will continue to publish real‑time updates on GATE 2026, including changes to the exam dates, any postponements, or additional information about application process modifications. Candidates are encouraged to regularly check the official GATE website and subscribe to the AICTE GATE newsletter for prompt notifications.

Bottom Line

With the GATE 2026 schedule now firmly in place, candidates have a clear roadmap for planning their preparation, registration, and exam strategy. Early registration offers a financial advantage and a broader choice of exam centres, while the comprehensive eligibility checks ensure a smooth application experience. Once the exam results are out, the next step will be to align scores with cut‑offs and apply to the coveted postgraduate programmes across India’s premier institutions.

Good luck to all aspirants – your hard work is now one step closer to achieving your academic and professional goals!