GATE 2026: Registration, Notification, Eligibility, Syllabus

Overview

GATE, which stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, is a national-level entrance examination primarily designed for admissions into postgraduate programs. Additionally, GATE scores are widely recognized and used by both public and private sector organizations.

The examination is conducted by the 7 IITs (i.e. Bombay, Guwahati, Kanpur, Roorkee, Madras, Delhi and Kharagpur) along with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on behalf of the reputed organization of NCB-GATE i.e. National Coordination Board belonging to Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India.

Exam Highlights

Particulars	Details
GATE Full Form	Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
GATE 2026 Conducting Body	Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati
GATE 2026 Official Website	gate2026.iitg.ac.in
Level of GATE Exam	National Level
Mode of exam	Online
Duration of the exam	180 Minutes (3 hours)
Total Number of Subjects (Papers)	30 Test Papers
Total Questions	55 (subject) + 10 (GA) = 65
Question Type	MSQ (Multiple Select Questions) MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) NAT (Numerical Answer Type)
Language of GATE 2026 exam	English
Negative Marking	Yes
Total Exam Centers	218 approx.
Notification Release Date	August 28, 2025
Validity of GATE Score	3 Years

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for GATE varies as per the course taken. Eligibility for some of the most popular courses is as described below:

For B.E./B.TECH./B.Pharm. –

You must hold a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology after 10+2 or you must be a diploma holder in Engineering/Technology
You can apply only if you have either passed the minimum qualifying criteria or you are in the final year of your degree

For B. Arch. –

You must hold a bachelor’s degree in Architecture
You should be either in your final year of degree or have completed the same earlier
Only the current year will be considered for the qualification criteria irrespective of the previous and later years.

For B.Sc. (Research)/B.S. –

You should possess bachelor’s degree in Science or any PG diploma or a 4-year degree course after 10+2
Only the current year will be considered for the qualification criteria

For M.Sc./M.A./MCA or Equivalent-

You should possess a Master’s Degree in any branch belonging to the discipline of Science/Statistics/Computer Applications/Mathematics or any equivalent coursework.

Exam Pattern

The GATE question paper in 2026 will have 2 sections i.e. General Aptitude and subject-based section. For a detailed pattern of the examination of GATE 2026, you are advised to refer to the official website of the particular institute you wish to get into.

Mode of Exam	Online
Maximum Time	3 Hours
Maximum Marks	100
No. of Subjects	30
No./Name of Sections in Each Exam	2/General Aptitude (GA) and Subject Chosen by the Candidate
Question Type	MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) MSQs (Multiple Select Questions) Numerical Answer-Type Questions (NAT)
No. of Questions	65 (10 from GA and 55 from the Subject)
Marking Scheme	For Correct Answers: 1 or 2 Marks For Incorrect Answers: ⅓ Marks for 1-Mark MCQs and ⅔ Marks for 2-Mark MCQs Note: There is no negative marking for MSQs and NAT questions.

Important Dates

The GATE 2026 notification was released on August 28, 2025 on the official website of GATE i.e. gate2026.iitg.ac.in and the exam in 2026 will be conducted by IIT Guwahati.

Event	Dates (Tentative)
Notification	August 28, 2025
Registration Start Date for GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) 2026	August 28, 2025
GATE Registration (Regular) Last Date (Without Late Fee) 2026	October 7, 2025
GATE Registration (Extended) Last Date (With Late Fee) 2026	October 9, 2025
GATE Exam Date 2026	February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026
Result Availability 2026	March 19, 2026

Official Notification

The official notification for GATE 2026 was released on August 28, 2025. The examination is scheduled to be conducted from February 7, 2026, onwards. The notification provides details about registration dates, syllabus, exam pattern, brochure, and other important information.

You can click the link given below to get the official notification.

GATE 2026 Official Notification

Application Procedure

Steps for GATE 2026 Registration

Now, as you are looking to study a well-versed degree in a reputed institute that requires your valid GATE score, here are the important steps to follow to register for the exam.

Step 1: Visit the official website of GATE 2026 i.e. gate2026.iitg.ac.in

Step 2: Click on the Application Portal to be redirected to the application window. If you already have an account, log in with your credentials; otherwise, click ‘Register Here’ to create a new account and fill in the required details.

Step 3: Your Enrollment ID will be generated. Now, create a password. You should save this ID and password for future reference.

Step 4: Enter your Enrollment ID and password to complete the registration process.

Step 5: Upload your recent passport-sized photograph, signature, and other necessary documents.

Step 6: Click on Save and then Submit.

Step 7: Pay the application fee through any of the online payment methods.

Documents Required

The application form of GATE 2026 needs your basic details and certain documents to be uploaded correctly. So, before initiating your registration on the GATE 2026 portal, you should keep the following documents ready with you.

Scanned copy of your passport-sized photograph (5-600 kb in jpeg/jpg; 3.5 cm width × 4.5 cm height)
Scanned copy of your signature (size 3-30 kb in jpeg/jpg)
Scanned copy of Category/PwD Certificate (if applicable)
ID Proof: Passport/PAN Card/Voter ID/Aadhaar UID/Driving License/College

Syllabus

The topics for the GATE 2024 discussed below will help you succeed in the examination in the first go. Check out the subject-wise topics, expected to come in the GATE 2024 examination and ace your exam preparation:

Subject	Topics
GATE 2024 Syllabus for General Aptitude	Verbal Ability Numerical Ability
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Aerospace Engineering	Fourier Series Laplace Transforms Numerical methods for linear and nonlinear algebraic equations Numerical integration and differentiation Dynamic stability Euler angle Equations of motion Aerodynamic forces and moments, stability & control derivatives Decoupling of longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics Longitudinal modes; lateral-directional modes Orbit transfer In-plane and out-of-plane Elementary ideas of viscous flows including boundary layers Wind Tunnel Testing Measurement and visualization techniques Vibration of beams Theory of elasticity Equilibrium and compatibility equations Airy’s stress function
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Biomedical Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Electrical Circuits Analog and Digital Electronics Signals and Systems Measurement and Digital Electronics Sensors and Instrumentations Medical Imaging System Biomaterials Human Anatomy and Physiology Biomechanics
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Agricultural Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Farm Machinery Farm Power Soil and Water Conservation Engineering Irrigation and Drainage Engineering Agricultural Processing Engineering Dairy and Food Engineering
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Architecture and Planning	Architecture and Design Building Materials, Construction, and Management Building and Structures Environmental Planning and Design Urban Design Urban Planning and Housing Planning Techniques and Management Services, Infrastructure, and Transportation
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Biotechnology	Engineering Mathematics General Biotechnology Recombinant DNA Technology Plant and Animal Biotechnology Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Civil Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Structural Engineering Geotechnical Engineering Water Resources Engineering Environmental Engineering Transportation Engineering Geomatics Engineering
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Chemical Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Process Calculations and Thermodynamics Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations Heat Transfer Mass Transfer Chemical Reaction Engineering Instrumentation and Process Control Plant Design and Economics Chemical Technology
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Computer Science and Information Technology	Engineering Mathematics Digital Logic Computer Organization and Architecture Programming and Data Structures Algorithms Theory of Computation Compiler Design Operating System Databases Computer Networks
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Chemistry	Physical Chemistry Organic Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Electronics and Communication Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Networks, Signals, and Systems Electronic Devices Analog Circuits Digital Circuits Control System Communication Electromagnetics
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Electrical Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Electrical Circuits Electromagnetic Fields Signals and Systems Electrical Machines Power Systems Control Systems Electrical and Electronic Measurements Analog and Digital Electronics Power Electronics
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Environmental Science and Engineering	Environmental Management and Sustainable Development Environmental Chemistry Environmental Microbiology Water Resources and Environmental Hydraulics Water & Wastewater Treatment and Management Air and Noise Pollution Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Global and Regional Environmental Issues
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Ecology and Evolution	Ecology Evolution Mathematics and Quantitative Ecology Behavioral Ecology
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Geology and Geophysics	Geology Geophysics
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Control Systems Electrical Circuits Analog and Digital Electronics Signals and Systems Measurements Sensors and Industrial Instrumentation Communication and Optical Instrumentation
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Mathematics	Calculus Linear Algebra Rear Analysis Complex Analysis Ordinary Differential Equations Algebra Functional Analysis Numerical Analysis Partial Differential Equations Topology Linear Programming
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Mechanical Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Applied Mechanics and Design Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Science Material, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Mining Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Mine Development Surveying Geomechanics and Ground Control Mining Methods and Machinery Surface Environment, Mine Ventilation, and Underground Hazards Mine Economics, Mine Planning, System Engineering
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Metallurgical Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Thermodynamics and Rate Process Extractive Metallurgy Physical Metallurgy Mechanical Metallurgy Manufacturing Process
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Physics	Mathematical Physics Classical Mechanics Electromagnetic Theory Quantum Mechanics Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics Atomic and Molecular Physics Solid State Physics and Electronics Nuclear and Particle Physics
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Production and Industrial Engineering	Engineering Mathematics General Engineering Manufacturing Processes Quality and Reliability Industrial Engineering Operation Research an Operational Management
GATE 2024 Syllabus for Textile Engineering	Engineering Mathematics Textile Engineering and Fibre Science
GATE 2024 Syllabus for XE-A (Engineering Mathematics)	Linear Algebra Calculus Vector Calculus Ordinary Differential Equations Partial Differential Equations Complex variables Probability and Statistics Numerical Methods
GATE 2024 Syllabus for XE-B (Fluid Mechanics)	Flow and Fluid Properties Kinematics Integral analysis Differential Analysis Inviscid flows Dimensional analysis Internal flows Prandtl boundary layer equations
GATE 2024 Syllabus for XE-C (Material Science)	Processing of Materials Characterization Techniques Structure and Imperfections Thermodynamics and Kinetics Properties of Materials Material types Environmental Degradation Elements of Quantum Mechanics and Mathematics
GATE 2024 Syllabus for XE-E (Thermodynamics)	Basic Concepts Law of Thermodynamics Thermodynamics Cycle Thermodynamics Relations Ideal Gas Mixtures
GATE 2024 Syllabus for XE-F (Polymer Science and Engineering)	Chemistry of high polymers Polymer Characterization Synthesis and properties Polymer blends and composites Polymer Technology Polymer rheology Polymer processing Polymer testing
GATE 2024 Syllabus for XE-G (Food Technology)	Food Chemistry and Nutrition Food Microbiology Food Products Technology Food Engineering
GATE 2024 Syllabus for XL-P (Chemistry) Note: The Syllabus of Life Sciences (XL) includes 6 segments namely P (Compulsory), Q, R, S, T, U (any 2 must be chosen)	Atomic Structure and Periodicity Structure and Bonding s, p and d Block Elements Chemical Equilibria Electrochemistry Reaction Kinetics Thermodynamics Structure-Reactivity Correlations and Organic Reaction Mechanisms
GATE 2024 Syllabus for XL-Q (Biochemistry)	Organization of Life Importance of Water Structure and Function of Biomolecules Protein Structure, Folding and Function Enzyme Kinetics Metabolism and Bioenergetics Generation and Utilization of ATP Metabolic Pathways and Their Regulation Metabolism of Nitrogen Photosynthesis Biochemical Separation Techniques Cell Structure and Organelles Biological Membranes Transport Across Membranes Signal Transduction Hormones and Neurotransmitters DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation Biochemical Regulation of Gene Expression RecombinantDNA Technology and Applications Immune System Cells of the Immune System Immunological Techniques
GATE 2024 Syllabus for XL-R (Botany)	Plant Systematics Plant Anatomy Morphogenesis & Development Physiology and Biochemistry

Paper Code

GATE 2026 Exam Paper and Their Codes

You should ensure that you fill your GATE application form carefully and for that knowing & filling the paper code correctly is a must. Here are the 29 paper codes of GATE 2026.

#	Paper	Code
1	Aerospace Engineering	AE
2	Agricultural Engineering	AG
3	Architecture and Planning	AR
4	Biotechnology	BT
5	Biomedical Engineering	BM
6	Civil Engineering	CE
7	Chemical Engineering	CH
8	Computer Science & Information Technology	CS
9	Chemistry	CY
10	Electronics and Communication Engineering	EC
11	Electrical Engineering	EE
12	Engineering Sciences	XE
13	Ecology and Evolution	EY
14	Environmental Science and Engineering	ES
15	Humanities and Social Sciences	XH
16	Geomatics Engineering	GE
17	Geology and Geophysics	GG
18	Instrumentation Engineering	IN
19	Life Sciences	XL
20	Mathematics	MA
21	Mechanical Engineering	ME
22	Mining Engineering	MN
23	Metallurgical Engineering	MT
24	Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering	NM
25	Petroleum Engineering	PE
26	Physics	PH
27	Production and Industrial Engineering	PI
28	Statistics	ST
29	Textile Engineering & Fiber Science	TF

GATE 2026 Combinations of Two Papers

As you can apply for two papers in the GATE examination, you are required to know the accepted paper combinations to avoid any hassle while applying for the examination. Listed below are the first and second paper combination codes for GATE 2026.

First Paper	Second Paper
AE	CE, ME, XE
AG	CE
AR	CE, GE
BM	BT, IN
BT	BM, XL
CE	AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE
CH	ES, PE, XE
CS	DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, ST
CY	XE, XL
DA	CS, EC, EE,MA, ME, PH, ST, XE
EC	CS, DA, EE, IN, PH
EE	DA, EC, IN, PH
ES	CE, CH, GE
EY	XL
GE	AR, CE, CS, ES, GG
GG	GE
IN	BM, EC, EE, ME
MA	CS, DA, PH, ST
ME	AE, DA, IN, NM, PI, XE
MN	-
MT	XE
NM	CE, ME
PE	CH
PH	CS, DA, EC, EE, MA, XE
PI	ME, XE
ST	CS, DA, MA, XH
TF	-
XE	AE, CE, CH, CY, DA, ME, MT, PH, PI
XH	ST
XL	BT, CY, EY

Admit Card

The exam conducting body of GATE 2026 will activate the link to download the admit card a few days before the exam date. So, you can access the admit card from the official website only.

Once the link is active, you must check & verify the information on your admit card, and in case of any discrepancy, you should immediately contact the helpdesk, made available for such discrepancies.

Follow the below-mentioned steps to download your GATE 2026 admit card:

Visit the GATE 2026 official website (gate2026.iitg.ac.in).
Login to the portal by entering your registration ID/number and password.
Click on the ‘link to download the admit card’.
Your admit card will only be downloaded in .PDF format.
Save the file & take out its printout. Do not forget to carry it with you to the exam hall.