GATE 2026 registration opens on August 25? Here's how to apply for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

GATE 2026

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) will begin the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 on August 28, 2025, instead of August 25 as mentioned in the original schedule. Interested and eligible candidates must submit their forms through the official portal, gate2026.iitg.ac.in, on or before the deadline of September 28, 2025. An extended window with a late fee will be available until October 9, 2025.

The GATE 2026 examination itself is scheduled to be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode over two weekends on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The prestigious exam is jointly administered by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and the IITs under the aegis of the Ministry of Education.

Application Fee Structure

The application fee for GATE 2026 is tiered based on the candidate's category and the date of application:

For Female/SC/ST/PwD Candidates:

Regular Fee (Aug 25 - Sep 25, 2025): Rs. 1,000 per test paper

Late Fee (Sep 26 - Oct 6, 2025): Rs. 1,500 per test paper

For All Other Candidates (Including Foreign Nationals):

Regular Fee (Aug 25 - Sep 25, 2025): Rs. 2,000 per test paper

Late Fee (Sep 26 - Oct 6, 2025): Rs. 2,500 per test paper

Steps to apply for GATE 2026 Registration

Candidates can follow these steps to complete their application successfully:

Step 1. Visit the official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Step 2. Click on the 'New Registration' or 'GATE 2026 Registration' link on the homepage.
Step 3. Use the generated credentials to access the application portal.
Step 4. Carefully enter all required personal, academic, and communication details.
Step 5. Scan and upload all necessary documents (photograph, signature, qualifying degree certificate, etc.) as per the specified format and size.
Step 6. Proceed to pay the requisite fee through the available online payment gateways.
Step 7. Review all details, finalize your submission, and download the confirmation page for your records. A printout should be retained for future reference.

Understanding the GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

The GATE 2026 exam will adhere to a standardized pattern:

• Duration: The exam will be 3 hours long.

• General Aptitude: Carrying 15 marks.
• Subject-Specific Questions: Carrying 85 marks.
• Total Marks: Each paper is worth 100 marks.

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
• Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
• Negative Marking: Negative marking is applicable only for MCQs.
• 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer to a 1-mark MCQ.
• 2/3 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer to a 2-mark MCQ.
• There is no negative marking for MSQ and NAT questions.
• Language: The examination will be conducted exclusively in English.