Home Articles GATE 2026 Exam Schedule: Dates, Branch-Wise Timetable & Application

GATE 2026 Exam Schedule: Dates, Branch-Wise Timetable & Application

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GATE 2026 Exam Schedule: Dates, Branch-Wise Timetable & Application

The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati has provided candidates with the GATE 2026 exam schedule on its official website. The GATE 2026 branch wise exam calendar for 2026 academic year will be out soon on the same website and students are advised to check the same frequently by visiting the gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The GATE 2026 will be conducted across four days including February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 in two sessions each day: forenoon and afternoon. The GATE application form is all set to be released on August 25, 2025, with regular registration closing on September 25, 2025, and the extended window with late fees remaining open till October 6, 2025.

Candidates can find a tentative schedule of the GATE exam branch wise calendar on this page. For instance, CS1, AG, and MA papers will be held on February 7 in the forenoon session, while CS2, NM, MT, TF, and IN will be scheduled the same day in the afternoon (tentatively). Students will be able to find the official GATE branch wise schedule here once released by the authorities. Students may refer to the following to learn more about the GATE 2025 exam calendar.

GATE 2026 Branch Wise Exam Dates (Tentative)

Students may check out the tentative GATE branch wise time table below. The following table will help students learn more about each branch’s schedule so that they can plan their preparation and next steps accordingly.

Paper Codes

GATE Exam Date 2026 (Expected)

Shift Timing

CS1, AG, MA

February 7, 2026

Forenoon Session

CS2, NM, MT, TF, IN

February 7, 2026

Afternoon Session

ME, PE, AR

February 8, 2026

Forenoon Session

EE

February 8, 2026

Afternoon Session

CY, AE, DA, ES, PI

February 14, 2026

Forenoon Session

EC, GE, XH, BM, EY

February 14, 2026

Afternoon Session

CE1, GG, CH, PH, BT

February 15, 2026

Forenoon Session

CE2, ST, XE, XL, MN

February 15, 2026

Afternoon Session

GATE Exam Dates 2026 (Official)

The following table contains all the dates and events related to GATE examination 2026. Students can analyze the same to plan their next step accordingly.

Activity

Day

Date

Opening Date of GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS)

Monday

August 25, 2025

Closing Date of REGULAR online registration/application (Without Late Fee)

Thursday

September 25, 2025

Closing Date of EXTENDED online registration/application (With Late Fee)

Monday

October 06, 2025

GATE 2026 Examination Date Day 1

Saturday

February 07, 2026

GATE 2026 Examination Date Day 2

Sunday

February 08, 2026

GATE 2026 Examination Date Day 3

Saturday

February 14, 2026

GATE 2026 Examination Date Day 4

Sunday

February 15, 2026

GATE 2026 Exam Calendar | New Paper Codes

Candidates are required to opt for the accurate GATE paper code while filling out the application form. The following table contains each paper name and their new codes for the 2026 academic year. Those who want to participate in 2 papers of GATE 2026 exam, they must choose the preferred paper primarily and then move to secondary choice.

GATE Paper Name

Code of the First Paper

Codes of the Second Paper

Aerospace Engineering

AE

GE

Agricultural Engineering

AG

XE

Architecture and Planning

AR

GG, XE

Biomedical Engineering

BM

DA, EE, XE

Biotechnology

BT

ES, EY, CS, DA

Civil Engineering

CE

DA, TF, EE

Chemical Engineering

CH

CY, XL, DA

Computer Science and Information Technology

CS

XE, BT, EE, ME

Chemistry

CY

CH, XH

Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

DA

BM, CE, IN, CH, MT, BT, XH, GE

Electronics and Communication Engineering

EC

XL

Electrical Engineering

EE

BM, XL, CS, CE

Environmental Science & Engineering

ES

BT, EY

Ecology and Evolution

EY

BT, MA, ES

Geomatics Engineering

GE

MN, XE, AE, DA

Geology and Geophysics

GG

AR, MN, XE

Instrumentation Engineering

IN

DA

Mathematics

MA

EY

Mechanical Engineering

ME

CS

Mining Engineering

MN

GE, GG

Metallurgical Engineering

MT

PI, DA

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

NM

XE

Petroleum Engineering

PE

XE

Physics

PH

XL

Production and Industrial Engineering

PI

MT

Statistics

TF

XE, CE

Textile Engineering and Fibre Science

XE

AG, AR, BM, CS, GE, GG, NM, PE, TF

Engineering Sciences

XH

DA, CY

Humanities & Social Sciences

XL

CH, EE, PH, CE

GATE 2026 Exam Highlights & Tips

Exam Dates: GATE 2026 will take place on four different days including February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. Each day consists of two sessions, a forenoon session from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and an afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Branch-Wise Sessions: Paper codes were allocated on certain dates and sessions for the smooth conduct of the exam. For example, CS1, AG, and MA papers will be run on February 7 (forenoon), and CS2, NM, MT, TF, and IN papers in the afternoon. The same has been arranged for the other papers on the subsequent exam dates.

Reporting Time: Candidates will need to report to their exam centres at least 90 minutes before the exam starts. The candidates will be allowed to enter the exam hall much before the actual exam time allowing them to log on calmly and read the instructions.

Login and Instructions: The Login portal will remain open 20 minutes before the start of the test. This is to enable the candidates to read the General Instructions and specific instructions before starting the paper.

Documents to Carry: Candidates should bring a printed admit card (one-sided on A4 copy paper), an original valid photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/Voter ID), and a recent passport photo for verification.

Answer Saving: Candidates should save each answer before proceeding to the next question. The "View All Questions" panel is useful for going back or jumping between sections.

Preparation Detail: Candidates may wish to visit the exam center the day before to avoid confusion and delays on exam day. The authorities would like candidates to take a transparent water bottle and basic hygiene items (mask/hand sanitizer, etc).

Recommended: GATE 2026 Website Launched: Dates & Details Out Now

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the GATE 2026 exam scheduled?

The GATE 2026 exam will be held across four days in February: the 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th, 2026. Each day will have two sessions, a forenoon session from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and an afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This schedule helps manage the various papers efficiently for all candidates.

How do I apply for GATE 2026 and what are the key dates?

You can apply for GATE 2026 online through the GOAPS portal. The application window opens on August 25, 2025. The last date for regular registration is September 25, 2025. For those who need more time, the extended registration with a late fee closes on October 6, 2025. Mark these dates in your calendar!

Where can I find the official GATE 2026 branch-wise exam schedule?

The official branch-wise exam calendar for GATE 2026 will be released soon on the official IIT Guwahati website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. It is advised to check this website frequently for updates. A tentative schedule is available currently on this page to help you with your initial planning.

What are the exam timings for GATE 2026 sessions?

GATE 2026 will have two sessions daily. The forenoon session runs from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The afternoon session is scheduled from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Candidates should plan to report well in advance to ensure a smooth entry and preparation before the exam begins.

What documents should I carry to the GATE 2026 exam center?

You must bring a printed GATE 2026 admit card, an original valid photo identification proof like Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID, and a recent passport-sized photograph. Make sure your admit card is printed one-sided on an A4 sheet. Carrying these documents is mandatory for entry and verification.

Can I opt for two papers in the GATE 2026 exam?

Yes, it is possible to appear for two papers in GATE 2026, but you need to choose them carefully. When filling the application form, you will first select your preferred primary paper. After that, you can choose a secondary paper from the allowed combinations. Refer to the official paper code table for valid combinations.

What is the reporting time for the GATE 2026 exam?

You need to report to your GATE 2026 exam center at least 90 minutes before the actual start time of your exam session. This early reporting allows ample time for entry procedures and security checks. The login portal will also open 20 minutes before the test for you to read instructions calmly.

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