GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Educational Qualification, Age Requirements & Details

The GATE 2026 registration has started, with IIT Guwahati as the organizing institute. The application window opens on August 25, 2025, and closes on September 25, 2025 (extended till October 6, 2025 with late fee). In this blog, we cover complete details about GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria, age limit, educational qualification, document details and registration dates to guide aspirants step by step.

GATE Exam Registration 2026 Highlights

What is GATE 2026? Administration, Organizing Institute & Details

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) is a national-level entrance exam jointly organized by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and the 23 IITs on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India. The Organizing Institute (OI) for GATE 2026 is IIT Guwahati.

The exam is conducted as a Computer Based Test (CBT) to evaluate candidates’ knowledge in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Humanities, Commerce, and Arts. The GATE 2026 score will remain valid for three years and can be used for:

• Admission to Master’s and Doctoral programs (with or without MoE scholarship).
• PSU recruitments and career opportunities.

Qualifying GATE does not guarantee admission, scholarships, or jobs. These depend on institute and employer selection criteria

GATE 2026 Administration

• GATE exam cities are divided into eight zones, managed by zonal offices.
• IIT Guwahati oversees the entire GATE 2026 process.
• Any disputes will fall under the jurisdiction of Gauhati High Court, Assam.

GATE 2026 Registration Dates & Application Details

The GATE 2026 registration process will begin on August 25, 2025 through the official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The last date for submission of the GATE 2026 application form without a late fee is September 25, 2025, while the extended registration period with late fee ends on October 6, 2025. Candidates must complete the GATE 2026 form fill up online, upload required documents, and pay the application fee within the deadline to avoid rejection.

GATE 2026 Application Dates – Important Events

GATE 2026 Detailed Notification – Downlaod Drochure PDF

Candidates planning to appear for GATE 2026 must carefully go through the official notification released by IIT Guwahati. The brochure provides complete information on GATE 2026 eligibility criteria, age limit, educational qualifications, number of attempts, exam pattern, application process, important dates, and application fees. Candidates are strongly advised to read the detailed notification before filling the application form to avoid mistakes and ensure eligibility. Download now!

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria Qualification, Age, Degree Requirements

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 will be organized by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG). Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the official GATE 2026 eligibility criteria, as applications that do not fulfill the requirements will be rejected.

Below is the complete eligibility guide for GATE 2026:

1. Educational Qualification for GATE 2026

Candidates must either be:

• Currently studying in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate degree program, OR
• Already completed a government-approved degree program in any of the following fields:

• • Engineering / Technology

  • Architecture

  • Science

  • Commerce

  • Arts

  • Humanities

GATE 2026 Educational Qualification Requirements – Detailed

Additional eligibility includes:

• Candidates in 5th semester or higher of M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc./B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) are also eligible.

2. GATE 2025 Age Criteria

• There is no age limit for appearing in GATE 2026.

3. Number of Attempts for GATE 2026

• There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the GATE exam.
• Candidates can appear for GATE as many times as they wish, provided they meet the educational eligibility criteria each time.
• Since the GATE scorecard is valid for 3 years, candidates can use their best score from any attempt within that validity period.

4. Eligibility for International Students

Candidates who are pursuing or have completed a Bachelor’s degree (minimum duration 3 years) in Engineering/Technology/Science/Commerce/Arts/Architecture/Humanities from universities outside India are eligible, provided they are in the third year or higher.

5. Professional Society Examinations

Candidates with certifications from certain professional societies can also apply for GATE 2026, provided their examinations are recognized as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch./B.Planning by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC.
Recognized societies include:

• The Institution of Engineers (India) (IE)
• The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE)
• The Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI)
• The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, including Polymer and Environmental Group (IIChE)
• The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM)
• The Indian Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIIE)

Note

Candidates must ensure that their certification is approved by the competent authority. Enrolments recognized up to May 31, 2013 are valid as per MHRD/AICTE notifications.

6. Exam Details Related to Eligibility

• Candidates can appear in one or two test papers (from approved combinations).
• The exam will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode only.
• Test papers will consist of MCQ, MSQ, and NAT type questions.

7. Validity of GATE 2026 Score

• GATE 2026 score will remain valid for three years from the date of announcement of results.
• It can be used for postgraduate admissions (M.Tech, M.E., Ph.D., etc.) and public sector recruitments (PSUs).

Important Notes

• There is no restriction on the number of attempts for GATE.
• Students with B.Sc./B.A./B.Com. degrees aiming for Master’s programs in IISc/IITs/NITs/CFTIs should refer to JAM 2026, not GATE.

How to Apply for GATE 2026 if You Are Eligible

If you meet the GATE 2026 eligibility criteria, you can apply online by following these steps:

1. Check Your Eligibility

   • Ensure you meet the educational requirements, such as being in the third or higher year of your undergraduate degree or having already completed a qualifying degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities.

   • Verify other eligibility conditions, including professional society certifications if applicable.

2. Register Online

   • Visit the official GATE 2026 website: https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in

   • Provide your full name (as per valid photo ID), a valid email address, mobile number, and set a secure password.

   • You will receive a unique Enrolment ID via email, which is needed for all future logins.

3. Fill the Application Form

   • Log in with your Enrolment ID and password.

   • Enter personal details, qualifying degree information, institute details, and select your preferred GATE test paper(s) and exam city.

   • Upload scanned documents: photograph, signature, ID proof, category certificate (if applicable), PwD certificate (if applicable), and dyslexia certificate (if applicable).

4. Pay the Application Fee

   • Pay online via net banking, debit/credit card, UPI, or wallet.

   • The fee differs based on category and number of papers selected.

5. Submit and Confirm

   • Review the application carefully. Once submitted, no changes are allowed.

   • Download a PDF copy of your submitted application for reference.

6. Monitor Application Status

   • Check the GATE portal for any defects or required corrections in your application after scrutiny. Rectify them within the stipulated time frame.

Keep all documents ready and follow the specifications strictly to avoid rejection. Only candidates who meet the GATE 2026 eligibility criteria can proceed with the application.

GATE 2026 Registration Fee

Paying the GATE 2026 application fee is the final step of online registration. Payment is digital only (net banking, debit/credit cards, wallets, UPI) and charged per paper. Candidates opting for two papers must pay double.

The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable except if a two-paper combination is removed. International centres are not available; all candidates must appear in India. Fee concession is for candidates with benchmark disabilities (40%, RPwD Act 2016).

GATE 2026 Application Fee (Category-wise)

GATE 2026 Documents Required to Prove Eligibility

To successfully complete the GATE 2026 application form, candidates must upload valid supporting documents that prove their eligibility. The documents ensure your application is accepted and help prevent any discrepancies during admission or recruitment processes. Below are the key documents required:

1. Identity Proof / Photo ID

Candidates must submit any one of the following valid photo identification documents during online application:

• Aadhaar UID (preferable)
• Aadhaar Virtual ID
• Passport
• PAN Card
• Voter ID
• Driving License
• Government-issued photo ID

The same ID must be carried in original on the examination day along with the GATE 2026 Admit Card. The ID should clearly display the candidate’s name, photograph, ID number, and date of birth. International candidates appearing in India must carry Passport, Government ID, or Driving License only.

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

• Candidates belonging to SC/ST must upload valid certificates issued by authorized authorities to avail application fee concessions.
• OBC-NCL and EWS candidates are not required to submit/upload certificates during application.
• These certificates may also be required during admission to institutes. The GATE committee is not responsible for verifying the authenticity of these certificates during admission.

3. Person with Disability (PwD) Certificate

Candidates claiming a fee concession under PwD category must attach a valid certificate issued by a competent authority.

• For UDID holders, uploading the UDID certificate or enrollment number is preferred.
• The certificate may also be required at the time of admission.

4. Dyslexia Certificate

Candidates requiring a scribe due to dyslexia must attach a valid Dyslexia Certificate issued by an authorized Dyslexia Association. This ensures proper support during the examination.

5. Photograph and Signature

• Photograph: Passport-size (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm), color, frontal view, white background. Must cover 60–70% of the image. Acceptable formats: JPEG/JPG, file size 5 kB – 1 MB.
• Signature: Black or dark blue ink, uploaded in JPEG/JPG format. Aspect ratio height:width = 1:R (R = 2.75–3.75), covering 70–80% of the image, file size 3 kB – 1 MB.

Non-compliance with document specifications can lead to rejection of application. Ensure clarity, correct format, and proper naming of all uploads.

These documents collectively verify your eligibility for GATE 2026 and are mandatory for admit card issuance and result validation. Always check your qualifying degree and refer to the official GATE 2026 website for updates before applying. Good luck!