GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Who can apply, age criteria, qualifications, nationality, and attempts

Interested to apply for GATE 2026? Well, to apply for the GATE exam, candidates need to meet the GATE eligibility criteria 2026. The eligibility conditions are prescribed by the conducting IITs to streamline the GATE admission and application process. Meeting the GATE 2026 eligibility is the first and foremost important factor before filling out the GATE application form 2026. Read below to know more about the IIT Guwahati GATE eligibility. 

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria: IIT Guwahati has scheduled the GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8,14, and 15 in two shifts. Registrations for GATE 2026 are ongoing. The last date to apply without late fees has been extended to October 6. However, students can still fill the application form till October 9 (with late fees). Candidates meeting the eligibility must go through the instructions and apply. In this article, we have covered all the important details regarding the GATE MTech/PhD eligibility criteria 2026. 

Latest Updates: GATE 2026 application form last date (with regular fees) extended, last date to apply is October 6

Why is knowing the GATE eligibility important?

Knowing the GATE 2026 eligibility is important because it determines whether a candidate is eligible to appear for the GATE exam or not. Also, not meeting the criteria can lead to rejection of the application form. 

NOTE:

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualification 

Candidates must possess a degree equivalent to or higher than a bachelor’s degree in engineering/ technology/ architecture/ science/ humanities. Candidates can check the list of acceptable degrees below: 

• B.E/ B.Tech 
• B. Arch 
• B. Pharma 
• B.Sc(Research)/ B.S 
• B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) 
• MSc/MA/MCA or equivalent 
• M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. 
• Integrated ME/MTech 
• Integrated MSc/Integrated BS-MS 
• Integrated ME/MTech or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) 
• Pharm. D. 
• Professional Society Examination (equivalent to BE/BTech/BArch) 

Also read:

• Can commerce students apply for the GATE exam: check eligibility, eligible paper, career scope and more
• GATE scholarships 2025 soon: check eligibility, stipend guidelines, validity, steps and more

 GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Authorised Professional Society

Candidates who possess certification from any of the professional societies must ensure that those examinations are approved by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch./B.Plan. Some of the professional Societies or Institutions that conduct examinations in various fields of engineering are given below: 

• 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 the Polymer and Environmental Group (IIChE) 
• The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) 
• The Indian Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIIE) 

 GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualifying Degree

Candidates can check the detailed eligibility criteria for GATE 2026 in the table below: 

NOTE:

• Candidates must upload the required eligibility documents while filling out the GATE application form 2026.
• Suppose a candidate is pursuing a higher degree or has already obtained a degree higher than that mentioned in the table above. In that case, the candidate will be allowed to appear in the GATE 2026 examination.

GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 for International Candidates

Candidates who have obtained or are pursuing their qualifying degree from countries other than India have to meet the following eligibility criteria to appear for GATE 2026:

• Must have completed or in the final year or in pre-final year of their bachelor’s degree in engineering and technology or;
• Must have completed or in the final year or in the pre-final year of their Post Graduate degree in any relevant science subjects

It may be noted that if any candidate has obtained a degree higher than the mentioned degree in the above eligibility table, he/she should select the minimum required degree while filling the GATE registration form.

GATE 2026 Supporting Documents

Candidates must submit the degree certificate/provisional certificate/ course completion certificate/ professional certificate/ membership certificate issued by the institute or society they are enrolled in for the degree programme.

• Bachelor's degree holders in Engineering/Technology/Architecture (4 years or 3 years after 10+2/Post-BSc/Post-Diploma). Final-year candidates can also apply.
• Master's degree holders in any branch of Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent. Final and pre-final year candidates can also apply.

Also read:

• IITs in India: Courses, Seats and Cut Offs
• NITs in India: Courses, Seats and Cut Offs
• IIITs in India: Courses, Seats and Cut Offs