GATE 2026 Registration Date : Your Ultimate Guide
Published on August 28, 2025
The wait is over for all engineering aspirants! The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has officially opened the registration portal for the **Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026**. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from important dates and application fees to eligibility criteria and the step-by-step registration process.
Key Dates You Can't Afford to Miss 🗓️
Mark your calendars! Staying on top of the deadlines is the first step towards a successful application. Here are the official dates for GATE 2026:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens | August 28, 2025 |
| Registration Closes (without late fee) | September 28, 2025 |
| Registration Closes (with late fee) | October 9, 2025 |
| GATE 2026 Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14, & 15, 2026 |
| Announcement of Results | March 19, 2026 |
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide 📝
The application process is entirely online. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your application is submitted correctly:
- Visit the official GATE 2026 website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- Click on the "GATE 2026 Registration" link on the homepage.
- Complete the initial registration to generate your login credentials (Enrollment ID and password).
- Log in using your new credentials and fill out the application form with your personal, academic, and contact details.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable) in the specified format.
- Pay the application fee online via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Review your application thoroughly before the final submission. Download and save the confirmation page for your records.
Application Fees 💰
The application fee has been revised for this cycle. The fee structure is as follows:
| Category | Regular Period Fee | Extended Period Fee (with late fee) |
|---|---|---|
| Female, SC, ST, PwD | ₹ 1,000 per paper | ₹ 1,500 per paper |
| All other candidates | ₹ 2,000 per paper | ₹ 2,500 per paper |
Are You Eligible for GATE 2026? 🎓
To be eligible for GATE 2026, you must be in the third year or higher of any undergraduate degree program or have already completed a government-approved degree program in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, or Arts.
What's New This Year? ✨
New Paper Introduced!
IIT Guwahati has introduced a new sectional paper: Energy Science (XE-I) under the Engineering Sciences (XE) paper. This addition reflects the growing importance of sustainable and renewable energy sectors.
Two-Paper Combinations
Candidates have the option to appear for up to two papers. The list of allowed combinations is available on the official website. This is a great opportunity for students to broaden their interdisciplinary knowledge and career prospects.
Exam Pattern Overview 📊
The GATE 2026 exam will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT) with a duration of 3 hours. The paper will consist of:
- General Aptitude (GA): 15 Marks (common for all papers)
- Core Subject: 85 Marks
- Total: 100 Marks
The questions will be a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Remember, there is negative marking for incorrect MCQs!
