The admit card release for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 has been delayed. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati , which is organizing GATE 2026, has not yet announced a new date for releasing the admit cards. The last official notice, shared on January 1, 2026 , stated that the admit card publication was postponed. It has been over 10 days since this announcement, and students are still waiting for an update, causing worry among test takers.
GATE is a national-level exam for students who want to study further in engineering, technology, or science at the master's or PhD level in Indian universities. It is also used by some public sector companies for recruitment. The admit card is a very important document. It tells students their exam center, date, and time. Getting it early helps students plan their travel and stay, especially if their exam center is in another city.
GATE Admit Card: Past Dates and Expected Timeline
IIT Guwahati has generally released admit cards on time in previous years. However, delays have happened before. For example, in 2022 , the admit card release was delayed due to the COVID-19 situation. It was finally released around January 15, 2022 , instead of early January as planned. This year's delay for GATE 2026 is causing similar concerns.
Here is a look at when GATE admit cards were released in past years and the expected dates for GATE 2026:
| Year | GATE Admit Card Date | GATE Exam Date |
| 2026 | January 13 to 17, 2026 (expected) | February 7 to 15, 2026 |
| 2025 | January 7, 2025 | February 1 to 16, 2025 |
| 2024 | January 4, 2024 | February 3 to 11, 2024 |
| 2023 | January 9, 2023 | February 4 to 12, 2024 |
| 2022 | January 15, 2022 | February 5 to 13, 2022 |
Why is the GATE 2026 Admit Card Delayed? Experts Share Views
Many students are wondering why the GATE 2026 admit card has not been released yet. Experts in the education field have shared some possible reasons for this delay. These reasons are not official but can help understand the situation better.
- Expert 1: Aman Mittal, Academic Counsellor
Aman Mittal, an academic counsellor for engineering students, believes the delay might be due to technical upgrades. He suggests that the GOAPS portal (the online system for GATE applications) could be undergoing changes. These changes would help the system handle a very large number of students trying to download their admit cards at the same time. Upgrading server capacity helps avoid technical problems when many students log in together. - Expert 2: Jeenia Goyal, Tutor at a GATE Coaching Centre
Jeenia Goyal, a tutor, thinks the delay could be because of practical or logistical reasons. It might take more time for the authorities to properly finalize and assign all the exam centers across different cities. This process needs careful planning to make sure every student gets a suitable center. - Expert 3: Atindra Pal, Lecturer
According to Atindra Pal, a lecturer, the delay could be linked to changes in the exam itself. He suggests that new subjects, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) , might be getting added to the GATE exam. If new subjects are being included or updated, it could take more time to finalize all exam details, including admit card information.
What Students Should Do Next
Even with the delay, students can still expect their admit cards to be released soon. Based on past trends and expert opinions, the admit cards for GATE 2026 are likely to be released by January 17, 2026 . Students are strongly advised to keep checking the official GOAPS portal regularly for the latest updates and the exact release date. Official information will only be available on the GOAPS website.
