GATE 2026 Registration Delayed: New Dates and Key Changes Announced
GATE Exam 2026 Update
GATE Exam 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has announced a delay in the registration process for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026). The application window will now open on August 28, shifting from the previously scheduled date of August 25.
As per the revised timeline for GATE 2026, candidates can submit their applications without incurring a late fee until September 28. Applications will be accepted until October 9, but a late fee will apply. The examination is set to take place in February of the following year.
GATE 2026: Revised Schedule
Key Dates for GATE 2026
Application Opens: 28 August
Final Application Date: 28 September (with late fee acceptance until 9 October)
Exam Dates: 7, 8, 14, 15 February 2026
Results Announcement: 19 March 2026
Eligibility Criteria for GATE 2026
Applicants must be in their third year of a degree program or have completed a degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities from an accredited institution.
The degree must be recognized by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC as equivalent to BE/BTech/BArch/BPlanning, etc.
International candidates pursuing these qualifying degrees are also eligible to apply.
Application Fees for GATE 2026
The application fee for GATE 2026 is set at Rs 1000 for female/SC/ST/Divyang candidates during the regular period, and Rs 1500 per paper during the extended period.
For all other applicants, the fee is Rs 2000 without a late fee and Rs 2500 with a late fee.
GATE 2026: Significant Changes
Two major updates have been introduced for GATE 2026. Firstly, the option to combine two papers has been revised, with a new section called Energy Science added to the Engineering Science paper. Secondly, the eligibility criteria for students holding foreign degrees have been clarified. Additional changes include:
1. Introduction of Energy Science (XE-I)
A new section titled Energy Science (XE-I) has been incorporated into the Engineering Sciences (XE) category. The XE paper structure includes:
Engineering Mathematics (mandatory, 15 marks)
Two optional sections to select from (35 marks each), now including Energy Science.
2. Two-Paper Option
Candidates are now permitted to take two papers, provided they are part of the approved combinations. The official website will list these combinations. For instance, the AE paper can only be combined with CE, ME, or XE (Engineering Sciences).
3. Increased Registration Fees
IIT Guwahati has raised the application fees for GATE 2026. In GATE 2025, the fee for the General category was Rs 1800 (Rs 2300 with a late fee). For GATE 2026, the fee has increased to Rs 2000 without a late fee and Rs 2500 with a late fee.