The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the most important national-level exams for students who want to pursue higher studies or secure jobs in public sector companies. Every year, lakhs of students from engineering, science, and other fields appear for this exam. For GATE 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati is the organising institute.
The registration process, which was supposed to begin on August 25, 2025, has now been postponed by three days. IIT Guwahati has officially announced that the registration will start on August 28, 2025. This small delay has been introduced to give more time to streamline the process and ensure a smooth application experience for candidates.
According to the revised schedule, candidates will be able to fill their application forms online at the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in, starting from August 28, 2025. The last date to submit applications without a late fee is September 28, 2025. For students who miss this regular deadline, there will be an extended registration window that will remain open until October 9, 2025. However, during this extended period, a late fee will be charged.
The GATE 2026 exam itself will be conducted over two weekends in February — on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. These dates are spread out to accommodate different papers across multiple sessions. The results of the exam will be announced on March 19, 2026.
Here is a quick look at the revised timeline:
August 28, 2025: Registration begins
September 28, 2025: Last date for regular registration without late fee
October 9, 2025: Last date for registration with late fee
February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026: Examination dates
March 19, 2026: Results announcement
This timeline gives candidates more than a month to register and prepare their applications carefully. Students are advised not to wait until the last day to apply, as server slowdowns and technical issues are common closer to deadlines.
The eligibility criteria for GATE 2026 remain the same as in previous years. Candidates can apply if they are currently in the third year or higher of an undergraduate program, or if they have already completed a degree. The accepted degrees include Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities. The programs must be approved by the Ministry of Education (MoE), AICTE, UGC, UPSC, or their international equivalents.
This broad eligibility allows not only engineering students but also candidates from diverse academic backgrounds to apply. GATE has, over the years, become a multi-disciplinary exam that tests a wide range of subjects.
The application fees for GATE 2026 are as follows:
For Female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates:
Rs 1,000 per paper during regular registration
Rs 1,500 per paper during late registration
For all other candidates:
Rs 2,000 per paper during regular registration
Rs 2,500 per paper during late registration
The fees need to be paid online through the portal while filling out the application form. Candidates can choose one or more papers, depending on their qualifications and career goals, but fees will apply for each paper separately.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to keep all their documents ready before starting the registration process. These include academic certificates, identification proof, category certificates (if applicable), and a recent passport-size photograph. Any mistakes in the form can lead to disqualification, so careful attention is necessary.
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GATE is considered one of the toughest and most prestigious exams in India. The score is used for admission into postgraduate programs like M.Tech, M.E., and Ph.D. in IITs, NITs, IISc, and several other universities. Additionally, many public sector undertakings (PSUs) such as ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, and IOCL use GATE scores for recruitment into well-paying jobs.
In recent years, the scope of GATE has expanded globally, with some foreign universities also accepting GATE scores for postgraduate admissions. This has made the exam more attractive for students who wish to study or work abroad.
The exam is conducted in computer-based mode and includes multiple-choice as well as numerical answer-type questions. It mainly tests the candidate’s understanding of core subjects, problem-solving ability, and analytical skills.
With the revised dates now out, students preparing for GATE 2026 should focus on two things — preparing for the exam itself and ensuring that their registration is completed on time. Since the last date without late fee is September 28, candidates have a month’s window to submit applications smoothly.
Those who miss the deadline should not panic, as the late registration window until October 9 gives them a second chance. However, they will have to pay the extra late fee. It is still better to apply early to avoid the rush and ensure error-free submission.
Candidates should also keep checking the official website (gate2026.iitg.ac.in) for updates. All official notifications, corrections, and guidelines will be published there. Fake links and misleading information often circulate on social media, so students must rely only on the official website.
The postponement of GATE 2026 registration by three days does not significantly affect the preparation timeline for candidates. Instead, it gives students and the organising institute more time to ensure everything runs smoothly. With clear deadlines, detailed eligibility, and transparent fee structure, the process remains straightforward.
As the exam dates draw closer, candidates are advised to balance their preparation with timely administrative tasks like filling out the form, arranging documents, and paying fees. With dedication and proper planning, students can aim for success in one of India’s most challenging and rewarding competitive exams.
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