GATE 2026 eligibility criteria includes specific educational qualifications like Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology and Masters degree in relevant science. GATE is a national level engineering postgraduate entrance exam for engineering postgraduate programs. As per the basic GATE eligibility, the candidates must have passed their bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks from a recognised university.
On this page, students can check the detailed eligibility criteria for the GATE exam. Only those who are eligible for the GATE exam will be considered for the further process including the GATE admission process.
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GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026
The GATE Eligibility 2026 contains information regarding the GATE examination age limit, qualifications and nationality. Candidates must meet the GATE 2026 eligibility criteria to qualify for the examination.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 → Nationality
- Candidates of Indian nationality will be eligible.
- Other candidates besides Indians from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Singapore, UAW, and Ethiopia are also eligible to apply.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 → Age Limit
- There is no minimum and maximum age limit
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 → Academic Qualification
- The candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Architecture or a master’s degree in any relevant science field.
- Candidates in the final or pre-final year of their qualifying degree can also appear for GATE 2026.
- Candidates in the final or pre-final year of their qualifying degree can also appear for GATE 2026.
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GATE 2026 Course-wise Eligibility Criteria
The Paper-wise Eligibility Criteria for GATE 2026 is given in the table below -
Degree/Program | Qualifying Degree/Examination | Eligible Candidates |
B.E. / B.Tech. / B. Pharm. | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc. / Diploma in Engineering / Technology) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
B. Arch. | Bachelor’s degree of Architecture (5- year course) / Naval Architecture (4- year course) / Planning (4- year course) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/4 years after 10+2) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
Pharm. D. (after 10+2) | 6 years degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, during third year onwards | Currently in the 3rd/4th/5th/6th year or already completed |
M.B.B.S./B.D.S. | Degree holders of M.B.B.S./B.D.S. and those who are in the 5th/6th/7th semester or higher semester of such programme. | 5th, 6th, 7th or higher semester or already completed |
M. Sc. / M.A. / MCA or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Arts/Science/Mathematics/Statistics/ Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in the first year or higher or already Completed |
Int. M.E./ M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering/ Technology (4-year program) | Currently in any year |
Int. M.E./ M.Tech./M.Pharm or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5-year program) | Currently in the 3rd /4th/5th year or already completed |
B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. | Bachelor degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Commerce (3-year program) | Currently in the 3rd year or already completed |
Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S. / M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.-M.S. program | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch.) | B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (e.g. AMIE by Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India and so on) | Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses |
B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-years program | Currently in the 3rd/4th year or already completed |
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 For International Students
International students can also apply for the GATE 2026 exam. Students from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Singapore, UAE, and Ethiopia are eligible to apply. In order to qualify for the GATE exam, candidates must fulfill the following criteria -
- Candidates should be in at least 3rd year of their Bachelor’s degree or completed their Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Arts, Technology or Commerce.
- Students should have completed post graduation in relevant science subjects, in their final year of study or in the process of completing their studies.
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GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 For non-Indian university candidates
Candidates who have obtained or pursuing their qualifying degree from a university other than India must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible for GATE exam -
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology: Candidate should have completed or in the final year of Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology. The course should be of at least 4 years duration.
- Postgraduate Degree in Relevant Science Subjects: Candidate should have completed or in the final year of postgraduate degree in any relevant science subjects. The course should be of at least 2 years duration.
Read in detail → GATE 2026 registration and application form process
Documents Required for GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must upload the documents to be eligible for GATE 2026. Below are mentioned documents required for the GATE 2026.
- Candidates must submit their degree certificate/provisional certificate as issued by a recognized institution.
- Candidates appearing for the university examination are required to upload a Provisional Certificate Letter issued by the Head of the Institute/Dean/Registrar/Head of Department, or a copy of the marks card for Section A of AMIE
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
