The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has announced the exam dates for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 . The exams will start on February 7, 2026 , and finish on February 15, 2026 . GATE is an important test for students who want to study Master's courses in engineering or get jobs in top public sector companies.
GATE stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. It is a national-level exam in India. Many engineering and science graduates take this test. A good score in GATE helps students get admission into Master of Technology (M.Tech), Master of Engineering (M.E.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and other postgraduate programs at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other government institutes. It is also a gateway for students to build a strong career in engineering and technology. A high score can open doors to postgraduate studies in prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) , National Institutes of Technology (NITs) , and other well-known universities across India. These degrees often lead to advanced research or specialized roles in industries. Apart from academics, GATE scores are also used by several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like ONGC, NTPC, IOCL, and BHEL for recruiting engineers and other technical staff. This makes GATE a crucial exam for many engineering and science graduates. Every year, one of the seven IITs or the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru organizes the GATE exam. For 2026, IIT Guwahati is the organizing institute.
GATE 2026 Exam Schedule
The GATE 2026 exam will be held on specific dates across two weekends in February 2026. Students will take their tests in either a morning (Forenoon Session) or an afternoon (Afternoon Session) slot. Each session lasts three hours.
| Date | Time | Test Papers |
| February 7, 2026 (Saturday) | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Forenoon Session – FN) | AG, ES, GG, IN, MA, MN, TF, XE, XL |
| 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon Session – AN) | AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH, XH | |
| February 8, 2026 (Sunday) | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Forenoon Session – FN) | CS-1, ST |
| 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon Session – AN) | CS-2, EY, NM, PE | |
| February 14, 2026 (Saturday) | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Forenoon Session – FN) | CE-1, EE, PI |
| 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon Session – AN) | BM, CE-2, ME, MT | |
| February 15, 2026 (Sunday) | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Forenoon Session – FN) | EC |
| 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon Session – AN) | AR, DA |
Exam Format and Questions
The GATE 2026 exam is a computer-based test . This means students take the exam on a computer. The total time given for the exam is 3 hours . The question paper has 65 questions in total. These questions add up to a maximum of 100 marks . There are different types of questions in the GATE exam:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): In these questions, you get a question with four options. You must choose only one correct answer out of the given options.
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQs): For these questions, there can be one or more correct answers among the given options. You need to select all the correct options to get full marks.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions: In these questions, you do not get any options. You have to type the numerical answer (a number) directly into the system using a virtual keypad on the screen.
Who Can Take the GATE Exam?
Both Indian citizens and eligible foreign nationals can apply for the GATE 2026 exam. This test is generally for students who have completed or are in their final year of their Bachelor's degree in engineering, technology, architecture, or science.
Admit Card Release Date
Students who register for the exam will get their admit cards on January 2, 2026 . The admit card is a very important document. It contains details like your exam center, exam time, and roll number. Students must download and print their admit cards from the official GATE website. They need to carry this admit card to the exam hall.
Important Advice for Students
Knowing the exam dates well in advance helps students plan their studies. Students should use this schedule to make a strong study plan. They should check the syllabus for their chosen paper, gather study materials, and practice previous year's questions. Students preparing for GATE 2026 should regularly visit the official website of IIT Guwahati (GATE 2026) for any new announcements. All updates, notices, and changes related to the exam schedule, application process, or other rules will be published there. Staying updated will help students prepare better and avoid missing any key information.
