What Is GATE Exam? All About GATE Exam
Summary: The GATE stands for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. It’s a national-level examination by 7 IITs and IIS.
The GATE exam evaluates participants’ comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering, science, technology, architecture, and humanities.
Update: GATE 2026 will be a computer-based test (CBT) organized by the Indian Institutes of Technology, Guwahati. Keep reading the blog to get a thorough understanding of the GATE exam.
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What are the Important Dates for the GATE 2026 Exam
| Particulars | Dates |
| Opening Date of GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) | August 2025 |
| Closing Date of REGULAR online registration/ application process (Without Late Fee) | September 2025 |
| Closing Date of EXTENDED online registration/ application process (With Late Fee) | October 2025 |
| GATE 2026 Examinations | February 2026 |
Why Choose the GATE Exam
A valid GATE score is your access point to renowned universities and institutions for Master’s and Phd programs in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities.
- Aspirants can pursue M.Tech/M.S/ M.E/Ph.D from IISc Bangalore, IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other reputed institutes.
- Post Graduate Diploma programs are also available in Industrial Engineering (PGDIE), Post Graduate Diploma in Manufacturing Management (PGDMM), and Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management (PGDPM) from NITIE Mumbai.
- Candidates can also get a job with several PSUs. Many Maharatna and Navratna PSUs and research organizations like IOCL, NTPC, BHEL, PGCIL, BARC, CSIR, etc., recruit on the basis of the GATE Score.
Read More: GATE 2026 Important Dates: Eligibility Criteria, Registration process, official website
GATE Full Form: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
What are the Eligibility Criteria for the GATE Exam?
Those candidates who are pursuing their 3rd year or higher of any undergraduate degree program or those who have completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities are eligible to appear for the GATE 2026 exam.
| Degree / Program | Qualifying Degree / Examination | Who is Eligible Candidate |
| B.E. / B.Tech. / B. Pharm. | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc. / Diploma in Engineering / Technology) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B. Arch. | Bachelor’s degree of Architecture (5-year course) / Naval Architecture (4-year course) / Planning (4-year course) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma / 4 years after 10+2) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Pharm. D.(after 10+2) | 6 years degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, from third year onwards | Currently in the 3rd/ 4th/ 5th/ 6th year or already completed |
| M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc. | Degree holders of M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc and those who are in the 5th/ 6th/ 7th semester or higher semester of such programme. | 5th/ 6th/ 7th or higher semester or already completed |
| M. Sc. / M.A. / MCA or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Arts / Science / Mathematics / Statistics / Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in the first year or higher or already Completed |
| Int. M.E. / M.Tech.(Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering / Technology (4-year program) | Currently in the 1st/ 2nd/ 3rd/ 4th year or already completed |
| Int. M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Pharm or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering / Technology (5-year program) | Currently in the 3rd/ 4th/ 5th year or already completed |
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. | Bachelor degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Commerce (3 year program) | Currently in the 3rd year or already completed |
| Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S. / M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.- M.S. program | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Professional Society Examinations
(equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch.) |
B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies recognized by MoE / UPSC / AICTE (e.g. AMIE by the Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India and so on) | Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-years program | Currently in the 3rd/ 4th year or already completed |
Students who are enrolled with professional bodies and institutions as per MHRD OM (No. 11-15/2011-AR (TS.II)) with permanent recognition until May 31, 2013, are also recognized. For more details, please review circular No. 13/56/PC/ODL-Mode/AICTE/2020, dated November 23, 2020.
How Much is the Fee for GATE Exam 2026?
For GATE Exam 2026, It is important for candidates to be aware that once the application fee is paid, it is neither refundable nor transferrable. The fee can be paid through various payment gateways, including UPI, net banking, debit cards, credit cards, and E-wallets.
| Category | Regular Period | During the Extended Period |
Female/SC/ST/PwD candidates  (Per test paper) |
₹ 900 | ₹ 1400 |
| All other candidates, including foreign nationals (Per test paper) | ₹ 1800 | ₹ 2300 |
What is the Syllabus for the GATE Exam?
The GATE Syllabus 2026 for all 30 subjects has been released on the official website. Aspiring candidates can review the important topics and chapters covered in the GATE syllabus 2026. It is crucial for candidates to thoroughly study the complete GATE exam syllabus 2026 to achieve good marks in the GATE examination.
Read More: GATE Marking Scheme 2026: Subject Wise Paper Pattern | GATE Syllabus For Civil Engineering | GATE Mock Test
What is the Marking Scheme for the GATE Exam?
| Paper Code | General Aptitude (GA) Marks | Compulsory Section | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Total Time (Minutes) |
| AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF.
The subjects and topics cover Engineering Mathematics, allocating 13 marks to paper-specific questions. |
15 | – | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST | 15 | – | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| AR
Section A is mandatory for everyone. Applicants must choose between Section B1 or Section B2 when taking the exam. Option B1 is for Architecture, and option B2 is for Planning. |
15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 |
| GE
Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B1 or B2 can be selected during the Exam. B1 – Surveying and Mapping or B2 -Image Processing and Analysis. |
15 | 55 | 30 | 100 | 180 |
| GG
Part A is Common and Compulsory for all. Part B can either be Geology (B1) or Geophysics (B2) — which must be chosen at the time of Application. |
15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XE
Section A (Engineering Mathematics) is Common and Compulsory for all. Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam |
15 | 15 | 2 x 35 | 100 | 180 |
| XH
Section B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) is Common and Compulsory for all. Applicants must select any 1 additional Section at the time of Application |
15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XL
Section P (Chemistry) is Common and Compulsory for all. Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam. |
15 | 25 | 2 x 30 | 100 | 180 |
PwD candidates with a disability benchmark greater than 40% are eligible for one hour of extra time. Candidates with a disability below 40% who have difficulty writing can also get extra time if they provide a required certificate: Appendix-I of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
| Read More: | |
| How to Crack GATE Exam in First Attempt | GATE Admit Card 2026: Hall Ticket Release Date, Steps to Download |
| GATE Mathematics Syllabus | GATE Calculator, How to Download and Use It? |
What are the Recruitment Prospect after GATE Exam?
Several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have been using the GATE score to recruit the right candidates. Here are a few of such PSUs listed down below:
– Airports Authority of India (AAI)
– Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
– Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
– Coal India Limited (CIL)
– Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS)
– Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL)
– Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
– Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)
– Engineers India Limited (EIL)
– Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)
– Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
– Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
– Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL)
– National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO)
– National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
– NLC India Limited (NLCIL)
– National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)
– Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
– National Thermal Power Corporation(NTPC), Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGC), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID), Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), etc.
Read More: Recruitment in PSU through GATE | List of PSUs in India | What is the Cutoff for PSU Recruitment?
