The exam will be held in two shifts each day — Forenoon (9:30 AM–12:30 PM) and Afternoon (2:30 PM–5:30 PM). The GATE 2026 Admit Card is expected to be released in the second week of January 2026.
GATE 2026: Overview
| Name of the Exam | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati |
| Purpose of the Exam | Admission to PG Courses / Recruitment in PSU’s |
| GATE 2025 Exam Dates | 7,8,14,&15 February 2026 |
| Official Website |
GATE 2026 Exam Schedule
The GATE exam helps candidates secure M.Tech admissions and job opportunities in top Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Understanding the detailed exam schedule is vital for strategic preparation.
| Dates of Examination | 7,8,14 &15 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Shifts | Two. Shift 1 and Shift 2 |
| Timing | 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (FN) 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM (AN) |
GATE 2026 Test Paper-wise Exam Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Test Papers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Feb 2026 | Saturday | 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (Forenoon Session – FN) 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm (Afternoon Session-AN) | AG, ES, GG, IN, MA, MN, TF, XE, XL AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH, XH |
| 08 Feb 2026 | Sunday | 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (Forenoon Session – FN) 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm (Afternoon Session-AN) | CS-1, ST CS02, EY, NM, PE |
| 14 Feb 2026 | Saturday | 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (Forenoon Session – FN) 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm (Afternoon Session-AN) | CE-1, EE, P-1 BM, CE-2, ME, MT |
| 15 Feb 2026 | Sunday | 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (Forenoon Session – FN) 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm (Afternoon Session-AN) | EC AR, DA |
GATE 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online submission of Application Form | 10 Nov 2025 |
| GATE 2026 Admit Card Release Date | Second Week of Jan 2026 (Tentative) |
| Date(s) of Examination | 7, 8, 14 & 15 Feb 2026 |
| Declaration of Result on NTA Website | 19 Mar 2026 |
| Score Cards available for free download | 28 Mar to 31 May 2026 |
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
Candidates must understand the GATE exam pattern thoroughly to score well. The exam includes 65 questions from General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and the chosen subject paper.
| GATE Pattern | Exam |
|---|---|
| Sections | General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Core Engineering |
| Total Nos of Questions | 65 |
| Time Allotted | 3 Hours |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 for 1-mark MCQs 2/3 for 2-mark MCQs No negative marking for MSQ & NAT |