GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Who can apply, age criteria, qualifications, nationality, and attempts
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )
Registration - 8 Oct '25 - 13 Oct '25
Planning to appear for GATE 2026 exam? 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.
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)
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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:
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- 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:
| Programme/Course |
Qualifying Degree/Examination |
Description of Eligible Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| BE/BTech/BPharm |
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technology |
Currently in 3rd year or in final year or already completed |
| BArch |
Bachelor’s degree in architecture/ naval architecture/planning |
Currently in 3rd year or in final year, or have already passed |
| BSc (research)/B.S |
Bachelor’s degree in science |
Currently in 3rd year or in final year or have already passed |
| MSc/M.A/MCA or equivalent |
Master’s degree in any branch or equivalent |
Currently in the first year or higher or have already completed |
| Int M.E/M.Tech (Post BSc) |
Post BSc Integrated master’s degree programme in engineering/technology |
Currently in 1st/2nd/3rd/4th year or have already completed |
| Int. M.E/MTech/MPharm or Dual Degree (after diploma or 10+2) |
Integrated master’s degree programme or dual degree programme |
Currently in 3rd/4th/5th year or have already completed |
| BSc/B.Com/B.A |
Bachelor’s degree in any branch |
Currently in 3rd year or higher or have already completed |
| Int MSc/Int B.S/ M.S |
Integrated MSc or five-year integrated BS or MS |
Currently in 3rd year or higher or have completed |
| Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to B.E/B.Tech/B.Arch) |
B.E/BTech/B.Arch or equivalent examinations of professional societies recognised by MoE/UPSC/AICTE |
Completed Section “A” or equivalent of such professional courses |
| BSc (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) |
Must have done four-year programme |
Currently in 3rd or 4th year or have completed |
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
Yes, candidates having qualifying degree in B.Com can apply for GATE exam to get admission to the master's programmes in IITs and IISc. Candidates must go through the GATE information brochure carefully before applying. Also, students in 3rd year or final year in commerce are also eligible for GATE.
The GATE eligibility for architecture students are -
- Must have a bachelor's degree in architecture (5 years course)
- Naval architecture (4-years course) or
- Must have pursued B.Planning (4-year course)
Candidates must ensure that they go through the GATE eligibility criteria carefully before applying.
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
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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.
No, applicants cannot opt for any paper from the combination list. Candidates can only select from the options provided by the GATE authorities in the GATE 2026 paper combination list. For example, a CS student has the free will to choose from the following set of exam papers: DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, and ST.
The eligible GATE paper codes (for two paper combinations) in GATE computer Science and engineering are -
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA)
- Electronics and Communication (EC)
- Geomatics Engineering (GE)
- Mathematics (MA)
- Physics (PH) and
- Statistics (ST)
Candidates must be careful with the GATE paper codes while filling out the application form.
You can apply for two GATE papers (maximum). While filling out the GATE application form, you need to select the primary and secondary paper. The GATE secondary paper must be from the subject list prescribed by the GATE authorities. Before adding the paper, go through the subject combination list and GATE paper codes.
Candidates opting for two GATE papers will have to pay double the fees mentioned -
For example,
- If a general category candidate is applying for two GATE papers, then he/she has to pay a fee of INR 4000 (during the regular timeline) and INR 5000 (during the extended period).
- The same applies to the female, SC, ST, and PwD category candidates, INR 2000 (during the regular time period) and INR 3000 (during the extended period).
- 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.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
Yes, IIT Guwahati has extended the GATE 2026 registration date with late fees. The new GATE 2026 registration date is October 13.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
If you notice an error or discrepancy after submitting your GATE form, don't panic. Once the application correction window opens, log in via GOAPS using your credentials and make the corrections. Details like category, gender, exam city, paper choice, date of birth, etc., can often be edited — usual
D
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 weeks ago
The factors that determine the GATE cutoff are -
- Availability of seats (the total seat intake varies every year for NITs, IIITs, and IIT admission)
- Number of registered applicants
- The difficulty level of the examination - (GATE is conducted on multiple days, however, the paper difficulty varies for eve
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
Based on the previous year's trends, the GATE 2026 expected cutoff for computer Science and engineering can be checked below-
- For General category it might go around 30 to 31.0
However, the GATE cutoff varies every year, depending on the difficulty level, number of applicants appearing for the exam,
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
No, a duplicate GATE 2026 admit card will not be provided at the test center. Candidates must carry their own admit card along with the mentioned documents and items to the GATE exam center. IIT Guwahati will release the GATE admit card on January 2.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
Candidates will get only one scribble pad at a time. They must write their name and registration number before using it. If the rough sheet gets filled, then they can ask for another one scribble pad after returning the previous one to the invigilator. After the exam concludes, candidates must retur
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
Yes, candidates will get a scribble pad in the GATE exam 2026 to do the rough work. Candidates have to write their name and registration number on the scribble pad before using it. However, the rough sheet must be returned after the completion of the exam.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
The barcode present in the GATE admit card 2026 carries the candidate's information. It is required for a faster verification process and fraud prevention. So, make sure it does not get tampered. Carry multiple copies in case your GATE 2026 hall ticket is torn or tampered.
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
Applicants must carry the following documents and items to the center along with the GATE 2026 admit card -
- Photo ID proof (as uploaded in the application form)
- Passport-size photograph
- Transparent water bottle
- Pen (blue or black)
It is advised to carry two to three copies of the GATE admit card to avoid
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
Candidates must provide their enrollment ID and password (created at the time of registration) to download their GATE admit card. The admit card will be made available on the GOAPS portal at the GATE candidate login. The GATE 2026 hall ticket release date is January 2 as mentioned in the information
H
Contributor-Level 7
The GATE conducting authorities offer strict guidelines for the applicants who want to apply and appear for the GATE. So, if you want to attempt GATE exam this year, you need to go through the criteria first, as the acceptance of the application form entirely depends on it.
Here is a generic information about the GATE eligibility. However, regarding the educational qualifications, the criteria is different for each stream.