The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has postponed the release of admit cards for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026. The admit cards were originally scheduled to be available on January 2, 2026 . A new release date will be announced soon on the official GATE 2026 website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in . Students who have applied for GATE 2026 should note that the actual exam dates remain unchanged for now. The GATE 2026 exams are scheduled for February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 .
Candidates must regularly check the official website for updates on the revised admit card release schedule. The admit card is a very important document that students need to carry to the examination hall.
Key GATE 2026 Dates at a Glance
| Event | Details |
| GATE Admit Card Release Date | Postponed (New date to be announced soon) |
| Original Admit Card Date | January 2, 2026 |
| GATE Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026 |
| Official Website | gate2026.iitg.ac.in |
| Portal to Download Admit Card | GOAPS |
Who Can Download the GATE Admit Card?
Only candidates who have successfully registered and whose application forms have been accepted can download the GATE 2026 admit card. You can check your application status by logging into the GOAPS portal. If your status shows “Application Accepted,” you will be able to get your admit card.
How to Download Your GATE 2026 Admit Card
Once the admit card is released, students can download it from the official website. Follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official GATE 2026 website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in .
- Click on the link for the "Application Portal" or "GOAPS".
- Enter your Enrollment ID (this is given to you during registration).
- Enter your password .
- Fill in the security captcha code shown on the screen.
- Click "Submit" or "Login".
- Find and click the "Download Admit Card" option.
- Check all your personal information carefully on the admit card.
- Save and print your admit card. You will need a printed copy for the exam.
Details on Your GATE Admit Card
Your GATE 2026 admit card is a crucial document. It will have the following important information:
- Your name and date of birth
- Your recent photo and signature
- Your Enrollment ID
- Your Roll Number
- The paper code for the exam you will take
- The address and code of your exam center
- The specific date and time of your exam
- Important instructions that you must follow on the exam day
What to Do If There's an Error on Your Admit Card
Check your admit card very carefully after you download it. If you find any mistakes, such as a blurry photo, incorrect personal details, or a wrong Enrollment ID, you must contact the GATE helpline immediately. You need to make sure all errors are corrected before the exam day.
Please note that you cannot change your exam city once the admit card has been released. The exam center address printed on your GATE hall ticket will be final.
Understanding the GATE Exam
GATE stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering . It is a national-level entrance exam conducted every year. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) take turns organizing it. For 2026, IIT Guwahati is the organizing body.
Students take GATE to get admission into higher education courses like M.Tech, M.Arch, M.E, and Ph.D. programs in top institutions like IITs, NITs, and IIITs. GATE scores are also very useful for securing jobs in many Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India, such as BHEL, IOCL, and NTPC. A GATE score is valid for three years . There is no limit on how many times a student can take the exam.
Key Details of GATE 2026 Exam Structure
| Particular | Details |
| Organizing Body | IIT Guwahati |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based Test (Online) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Number of Subject Papers | 30 |
| Number of Questions | 65 (10 General Aptitude + 55 Subject-specific) |
| Question Types | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
| General Aptitude Marks | 15 marks (common for all papers) |
| Exam Shifts | Forenoon (9:30 AM - 12:30 PM), Afternoon (2:30 PM - 5:30 PM) |
What to Bring and What Not to Bring on Exam Day
On the day of the GATE 2026 exam, you must carry the following items:
- Your printed GATE admit card
- A valid photo ID proof (like Aadhaar card, PAN card, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, or a valid College ID)
- A transparent water bottle
- A simple pen or pencil for doing rough work
The following items are strictly not allowed inside the exam center:
- Electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, calculators, pagers, Bluetooth devices, tablets, or laptops.
- Study materials like books, notebooks, or geometry boxes.
- Bags or backpacks.
- Any eatables or packaged food items.
- Earphones, microphones, headphones, or recorders.
If you registered for two papers, you will download only one GATE admit card. This single admit card will show the exam dates and times for both your primary and secondary papers. Make sure to check the exam venue carefully, as it might be different for each paper.
Changes in GATE 2026
IIT Guwahati has introduced some changes for GATE 2026:
- The application fees have been revised .
- A new subject paper called "Energy Science" (Paper Code: XE-I) has been added under the Engineering Sciences category.
