The release date for the GATE 2026 admit card has been postponed. Originally, students expected to download their admit cards on January 2, 2026. However, IIT Guwahati, the organiser for GATE 2026, has confirmed that the admit card link will be activated on a new date. Candidates preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) must now wait for the updated schedule.
GATE is a national-level examination for engineering and science graduates in India. It is mainly for admission to Master's programs (like M.Tech) in top institutes and for certain public sector jobs. Knowing the exam schedule and having the admit card on time is very important for all candidates.
New Admit Card Dates Expected Soon
IIT Guwahati will announce the new release date for the GATE 2026 admit card on its official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Students should regularly check this website for the latest updates. Based on previous years' trends, the admit card might be released on or before January 7, 2026, but this is an estimation. The official announcement from IIT Guwahati will confirm the exact date.
GATE 2026 Exam Schedule
The GATE 2026 examination will take place on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The exam will be held in two shifts each day: a forenoon session from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and an afternoon session from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. This year, the exam will be conducted across 200 cities in India. International candidates also need to travel to India to appear for the test.
Certain papers, such as GATE Computer Science Engineering (CSE) and Civil Engineering (CE), are multi-session papers and will be held in two shifts. Candidates should check the detailed subject-wise schedule on the official website to know their specific exam timings.
| Year | Conducting Body | Admit Card Release Date | Exam Date |
| 2026 | IIT Guwahati | Postponed - new dates soon | February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026 |
| 2025 | IIT Roorkee | January 7, 2025 | February 1, 2, 15, 16, 2025 |
| 2024 | IISc Bengaluru | January 4, 2024 | February 3, 4, 10, 11, 2024 |
| 2023 | IIT Kanpur | January 9, 2023 | February 4, 5, 11, 12, 2023 |
| 2022 | IIT Kharagpur | January 15, 2022 | February 5, 6, 12, 13, 2022 |
How to Download Your GATE 2026 Admit Card
Once the GATE 2026 admit card link is active, candidates can follow these simple steps to download their hall ticket:
- Visit the official GATE 2026 website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- Look for the link to the GOAPS candidate portal and click on it.
- Enter your enrollment ID and password in the required fields.
- Your GATE 2026 hall ticket will appear on the screen.
- Download and save the admit card. It is advisable to take a printout for the exam day.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and use a compatible web browser to avoid any issues during download.
What to Bring to the Exam Centre
On the day of the GATE 2026 exam, candidates must carry specific items to the test centre. These include:
- Your printed GATE 2026 admit card.
- A valid photo identification (ID) proof. This could be your Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Driving License.
- A simple pen and pencil.
Candidates who have applied for a scribe (someone to write the exam for them) are allowed to bring their approved assistive devices. It is important to arrive at the exam centre well before the start time to complete all necessary checks.
