GATE 2026 Registration: Dates, Application Form, Form Fill Up Process & Application Fee Details

GATE 2026 registration date has been announced! The GATE exam registration date 2026 starts on August 25, 2025, through the official portal. Candidates can now fill the GATE application form 2026 online to appear for the exam scheduled on February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2026. In this blog, we guide you on how to apply online, important dates, and eligibility, along with the official notification PDF for reference.

GATE Exam Registration 2026 Highlights

GATE 2026 Registration Date Announced: Apply Online Now

The GATE 2026 registration process opens on August 25, 2025, and candidates can submit their applications online via the official IIT Guwahati portal. The GATE 2026 registration last date for the regular period is September 25, 2025, while the extended period with a late fee ends on October 6, 2025.

All applicants must complete the process through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS), ensuring that personal, academic, and payment details are correctly submitted to avoid any issues.

GATE 2026 Registration Last Date

The GATE 2026 registration last date for the regular period is September 25, 2025, while the extended period with a late fee ends on October 6, 2025.

GATE 2026 Official Notification Released

For complete details on GATE 2026, including eligibility, exam pattern, important dates, and application guidelines, you can refer to the official notification PDF. We have attached the PDF here for your convenience so that you can access all the official information directly from IIT Guwahati.

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

• Open to students in the 3rd year or higher of any undergraduate program.
• Graduates in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities from approved institutions are eligible.
• Candidates with certifications from professional societies like IE, ICE, IETE, AeSI, IIChE, IIM, IIIE can apply if recognized by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC.
• Applicants with foreign degrees must have completed at least a 3-year bachelor’s program in relevant fields.
• Those holding or pursuing higher degrees beyond the qualifying degree are also eligible.

GATE 2026 Eligibility: Qualifying Degrees

Students with B.Sc., B.A., or B.Com. degrees aiming for Master’s programs at IISc, IITs, NITs, and other CFTIs should check JAM 2026, conducted by IIT Bombay. This exam is the gateway for science and commerce graduates to secure admission to postgraduate courses.

The table below summarizes the qualifying degrees and the criteria for eligible candidates.

GATE 2026 Exam: Age Criteria

There is no age limit for appearing in GATE 2026, making it accessible to candidates of all age groups. Whether you are a fresh graduate, a working professional, or planning to pursue higher studies later in life, you are eligible to take the exam.

GATE 2026 Registration Guidelines

A candidate must first register by providing their full name (as per the valid photo ID, which must be carried in original to the GATE 2026 examination centre), a valid email address, mobile number, and by choosing a password. All communication will be sent to the registered email address and/or mobile number. Only one person can register with one email address.

No changes in email or mobile number will be allowed at a later stage, so candidates are advised to provide their own personal mobile number and email ID, as most communication will be done via SMS/Email. It is also recommended to check the official GATE 2026 website regularly for updates.

GATE 2026 Enrolment ID

After successful registration, every candidate will receive a unique Enrolment ID via email. This ID is essential and must be used for all future communications related to GATE 2026.

GATE 2026 Password

While enrolling, candidates must set a secure password (8–15 characters). This password, along with the Enrolment ID, will be required for login. Candidates are strongly advised not to use easily guessable information such as their name, date of birth, or simple patterns like 12345678 or abcdefgh. The password should be kept confidential, safe, and secure.

How to Apply for GATE 2026: Online Application, Fees & Details

The application process for GATE 2026 will be conducted entirely online through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS), accessible on the official website https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in from the last week of August 2025.

• Register Online: Create a new user ID and complete the enrollment process.
• Fill Application Form: Enter personal, academic, and exam-related details carefully.
• Upload Required Documents: Submit scanned copies of your photograph, signature, photo ID proof, and category certificates (if applicable).
• Pay Application Fee: Make payment through UPI, net banking, debit/credit cards, or other electronic modes.
• Track Application Status: Check whether the application is accepted, under review, or requires corrections. Rejected applications will be shown with valid reasons.
• Download Admit Card: Once released, download your admit card directly from GOAPS.
• Check Exam Results: After the exam, candidates can log in to view answers, marks, and GATE scores.
• Download Scorecard: Finally, download the GATE 2026 scorecard for admissions or job applications.

GATE 2026 Application Form Submission

Once registered, candidates are required to fill and submit the GATE 2026 application online. Applicants are strongly advised to avoid depending on third parties for form-filling. If someone else fills in the details on their behalf, the candidate remains fully accountable for any mistakes.

Data Required for GATE 2026 Application Form Fill-Up

The online application system is user-friendly, but candidates are discouraged from filling the form through a third person (like a friend or cyber café). The responsibility for correct information lies entirely with the applicant.

• Personal details – name (exactly as in valid photo ID), date of birth, mobile number, email ID, and parent/guardian details.
• Address – full postal address with PIN code.
• Educational details – eligibility degree, college/institute name, and address with PIN code.
• Exam details – choice of GATE paper(s) and exam cities.
• Uploads – Good-quality photograph (as per guidelines)

  • Signature (as per specifications)

  • Valid photo ID (same must be shown at the exam centre)

  • SC/ST category certificate (PDF), if applicable

  • PwD certificate or UDID (PDF), if applicable

  • Dyslexic certificate (PDF), if applicable

• Payment method – net banking, debit card, credit card, UPI, or wallet.
• The GATE scorecard will be issued as per the name entered in the application. Prefixes like Mr./Dr./Prof. must not be used.
• Candidates can review their form by clicking “Save and View Application”.
• Once “Submit and Proceed to Payment” is clicked, no further changes are allowed.
• Before final submission, candidates must accept a declaration confirming all details are true. Any falsification will attract strict consequences.

GATE 2026 Registration Fee

Paying the GATE 2026 application fee is the final and most important step of the online registration process. The payment can only be made through digital modes such as net banking, debit/credit cards, wallets, or UPI.

• Fee is charged per paper. If you opt for two papers, you need to pay double the single-paper fee.
• Once paid, the fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, except in rare cases where the GATE Committee removes a two-paper combination.
• The fee amount shown does not cover extra charges like service fees or processing fees from banks/payment gateways.
• No international exam centres are available in 2026. All candidates, including foreign nationals, must appear for GATE 2026 in India.
• Fee concession is available for candidates with benchmark disabilities (40% or more) as defined in the RPwD Act 2016.
• Candidates are strongly advised to check their category-wise fee details before making payment, to avoid application rejection.

GATE 2026 Application Fee (Category-wise)

GATE 2026 Registration Fee Payment Process

Paying the GATE 2026 application fee is done only through the online payment gateway. Candidates can choose from multiple payment options, including net banking, debit card, credit card, wallet, and UPI.

• The fee amount and bank charges will be shown before confirmation.
• Once payment is successful, you’ll be redirected to the portal where you can download the PDF copy of your submitted application.

Important Points to Remember

• If internet issues or power failures occur, check your bank account transaction status and re-login to the GATE 2026 portal to verify payment.
• If payment is successful, proceed with submission. If not, make a fresh payment.
• If the fee is debited but no acknowledgement is received, the amount will be refunded within 15 working days.
• In case of multiple payments, extra amounts will also be refunded within 15 working days.
• Do not wait for a refund before retrying payment—complete the process on time to avoid missing the deadline.

Supporting Documents Required for GATE 2026 Application

When applying for GATE 2026, candidates must upload specific documents to verify their identity and eligibility. Here’s the complete list of required supporting documents:

1. Identity Proof / Photo ID

• Candidates must provide any one valid photo ID during the application and mention its document number.
• Acceptable IDs: Aadhaar-UID (preferable), Aadhaar Virtual ID, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Driving License, Government-issued ID.
• The same original ID must be carried to the exam hall along with the GATE 2026 Admit Card.
• The ID should clearly show: Name, Photo, ID number, and Date of Birth.
• For international candidates appearing in India, only Passport, Government-issued ID, or Driving License will be accepted.

2. Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)

• SC/ST candidates must upload a valid category certificate to avail fee concession.
• Certificates must be issued only by authorized officials (see Appendix A).
• Misrepresentation will invite legal action.
• The same certificate may also be required during admission at the institute.
• OBC-NCL and EWS candidates do not need to upload category certificates while filling the application.

3. Person with Disability (PwD) Certificate

• PwD candidates must upload a valid and recent PwD certificate issued by a competent authority to avail fee concessions.
• UDID or UDID enrollment number is encouraged.
• The same certificate may be verified again at the time of admission.

4. Certificate of Dyslexia

• Candidates with dyslexia who wish to avail scribe support must upload a valid certificate issued by an authorized Dyslexia Association.

Make sure all uploaded documents are clear, valid, and issued by competent authorities, as they may also be required again during the admission process.

GATE 2026 Photograph & Signature Guidelines

While filling the GATE 2026 application form, candidates must upload their photograph and signature as per the official specifications. Incorrect uploads may lead to rejection of the application, and the fee will not be refunded.

Photograph Requirements

• Must be a passport-size, color photo (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm).
• Candidate’s face should cover 60–70% of the photo.
• White background only, with no objects or other persons visible.
• Frontal face view: forehead, eyes, nose, and chin must be clearly visible.
• No caps, hats, sunglasses, or tinted glasses. Normal spectacles allowed if glare-free.
• File format: JPEG/JPG.
• Aspect ratio: 0.66 – 0.89.
• Resolution: 200×260 (min) to 530×690 (max) pixels.
• File size: 5 kB – 1 MB.
• Head coverings allowed only for religious reasons, but full face (chin to forehead and edges) must be visible.
• Poor quality or invalid photos can cause application rejection.

Signature Requirements

• Must be uploaded in JPEG/JPG format.
• Aspect ratio: height:width = 1: (2.75 to 3.75).
• Signature area must cover 70–80% of the image.
• Ink: Black or dark blue only.
• File size: 3 kB – 1 MB.
• Resolution: 250×80 (min) to 580×180 (max) pixels.
• Signature must be self-signed by the candidate only.
• If the uploaded signature does not match the one at the exam centre, the candidate may be disqualified.

GATE 2026 Application Form – Direct Link

Candidates who meet the GATE 2026 eligibility criteria can apply online through the official portal. The GATE 2026 application form is available on the official website of IIT Guwahati. Applicants are advised to fill the form carefully, upload all required documents, and pay the application fee within the specified dates.

You can access the GATE 2026 application form directly here to start your registration and application process.

Forgot GATE 2026 User ID or Password? Here’s What to Do

Losing your GATE 2026 login credentials is common, but easy to fix. Candidates who forget their user ID or password can retrieve them directly through the GATE 2026 portal. Simply enter your registered mobile number or email ID, follow the prompts, and you’ll receive recovery details. Always make sure to note down your new credentials safely for future use.

GATE 2026 Application Scrutiny and Rectification

After submission, every GATE 2026 application undergoes detailed scrutiny. The data is verified against the uploaded documents, and the clarity of the photograph and signature is checked.

• If all details are correct, the application is accepted.
• If errors or defects are found, candidates are notified via email or SMS and must rectify them within the given time frame.
• Application status is regularly updated by the respective zonal GATE offices.

Candidates can log in to their GATE 2026 account anytime to track the current status. It is strongly advised to check the portal frequently and make corrections promptly to avoid rejection.

At the time of application, candidates are allotted a GATE 2026 zone based on their first exam city preference. All queries related to the application, exam centre, admit card, and results are handled by the respective zonal GATE coordinating institute, in consultation with the Organizing Institute. Candidates should first check the FAQs on the GATE 2026 website, and if their issue remains unresolved, they can directly contact their zonal GATE office. Good luck!