The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati will close regular applications for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 today, September 28, 2025 . Candidates must register online atgate2026.iitg.ac.into avoid a late fee. A late fee window extends the application period until October 9, 2025 .
GATE is a national-level examination. It determines eligibility for admission to Master of Technology (M.Tech), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and other postgraduate programs across India. The exam also qualifies candidates for certain public sector undertaking (PSU) recruitments.
GATE 2026 Key Dates
The application window opened on August 28, 2025. Regular registration concludes today. Candidates failing to meet this deadline can still apply with an additional fee until October 9, 2025. The examination will occur in February 2026.
- Regular Registration End: September 28, 2025
- Late Registration End: October 9, 2025
- Exam Dates: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026
- Result Date: March 19, 2026
Examination Structure
GATE 2026 is an annual, nationwide examination. IIT Guwahati organizes the test for the 2026-27 academic year. The exam duration is three hours. Candidates select from 30 different papers, covering various engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, and humanities streams.
The test includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Each correct answer carries 1 or 2 marks. Negative marking applies to MCQs: one-third mark deduction for 1-mark questions, and two-thirds mark deduction for 2-mark questions.
The exam is conducted in English. It features a General Aptitude (GA) section and selected subject-specific sections. Two daily exam slots are available: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Morning) and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon).
Application Fees
Application fees vary based on candidate category and registration period. Regular fees apply until September 28, 2025. Late fees are effective from September 28 to October 9, 2025.
| Category | Regular Fee (Until Sep 28, 2025) | Late Fee (Sep 28 – Oct 09, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Female, SC, ST, PwD | INR 1000 | INR 1500 |
| Other Candidates | INR 2000 | INR 2500 |
How to Register for GATE 2026
Candidates must complete the online registration process through the official GATE 2026 website. The steps are as follows:
- Visit the official website:gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- Click the ‘APPLICATION PORTAL’ button on the homepage.
- The GOAPS portal will generate an enrollment ID and password.
- Fill in all required personal and academic details.
- Choose exam cities and the desired paper combination.
- Upload scanned documents in the specified format.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Review all entered details carefully.
- Click ‘Submit’ to finalize the application.
- Download and print the submitted form for future reference.
The GATE score remains valid for three years from the date of result declaration. It is a crucial criterion for higher education admissions and research opportunities in engineering and science disciplines across India.