GATE 2026 Preparation: Here's what aspirants are targeting, IIT and NIT admission tops the Shiksha Poll
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
Exam On - 7 Feb '26
What motivates aspirants to crack the GATE exam 2026: A recent Shiksha poll with 993 votes reveals students motivation to crack GATE exam. Read below to know more.
Recently, Shiksha conducted a poll on "What motivates you most to crack GATE 2026" and with 993 votes, majority of aspirants have opted for IITs and NITs. Let's get deeper to understand, what does number say about aspirants goals.
Explore colleges based on GATE
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
Quick update:
- IIT Guwahati is conducting GATE 2026.
- The GATE 2026 application form fees are revised for all categories. For more details, visit the GATE 2026 admission and exam details.
- A new sectional paper, Energy Science (XE-I), is introduced under Engineering Sciences. The
- GATE 2026 examination will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts.
Admission to Top IITs and NITs through GATE 2026
For decades, IITs and NITs have been a top priority for engineering students. With 45% votes, it clearly shows its consistency among GATE aspirants for MTech and research.
⭐Why they shine so bright: An IIT/NIT admission through GATE more than a degree. Students who enter these institutes get high-package placements, research opportunties and more.
Candidates who meet the course-specific eligibility criteria and have a valid GATE score can apply. Aspirants can complete the application form through the IIT Delhi official website. This is for M.Tech full-time programmes. For part-time/sponsored full-time courses, eligible candidates can register directly at the official website. Admission to part-time M.Tech is based on a written exam and interview round conducted by the institute.
The dates for JoSAA counselling 2026 choice filling will be announced once the result of JEE Main 2026 is declared. Candidates can fill choices only during the choice filling period. Also, candidates need to lock their choices before the last date.
A Dream PSU Job with 42% Votes
Explore more Engineering exams with upcoming dates
15 Feb '26 - 19 Feb '26
3 Feb '26 - 3 Mar '26
7 Mar '26
31 Mar '26
15 Feb '26
12 Mar '26
1 Apr '26 - 30 Apr '26
7 Jun '26 - 23 Jun '26
42% of aspirants have said their motivation is securing a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) job through GATE. PSUs like ONGC, SAIL, GAIL, NTPC, and AAI have great job security, salaries, and additional perks and benefits. In addition, they offer better work and personal space with financial stability.
The close percentage difference between IIT/NIT admission and PSU jobs shows how equally popular both career routes have become among GATE aspirants.
Financial Stability
While only 13% of students selected financial stability as their top motivation, this number cannot be overlooked. For many aspirants, cracking GATE is a means to a secure and comfortable life. Both MTech admissions and PSU jobs are in a way offer rewarding career, but some aspirants prefer GATE as a mode of lifting their family's financial condition, making it personal
Also read:
Candidates seeking admission in an IIT Guwahati MSc course must have a valid bachelor’s degree issued by a recognised university. Admission to the MSc course is based on merit in IIT JAM followed by CCMN counselling. The seat allotment is carried out based on document verification, seat intake, and category of the students, during the counselling. Moreover, the IIT JAM application process is carried out in online mode (jam.iitg.ac.in).
IIT Delhi cutoff 2025 for BTech admission has been released for Round 1. The cutoff was released as opening and closing ranks for different categories of students belonging to the AI quota. During Round 1, the BTech admission cutoffs were between 125 and 5608, with CSE being the most competitive specialisation for admission. Tabulated below are the Round 1 closing ranks of all the BTech and Integrated BTech specialisations offered at IIT Delhi for General AI quota students.
| Course | JEE Advanced R1 Closing Ranks 2025 |
|---|---|
| B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | 125 |
| Integrated B.Tech. + M.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | 186 |
| B.Tech. in Mathematics and Computing Engineering | 316 |
| Integrated B.Tech. + M.Tech. in Mathematics and Computing | 353 |
| B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering | 591 |
| B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering (Power and Automation) | 806 |
| B.Tech. in Engineering and Computational Mechanics | 1103 |
| B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering | 1862 |
| B.Tech. in Engineering Physics | 2358 |
| B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering | 2425 |
| B.Tech. in Energy Science and Engineering | 2622 |
| B.Tech. in Production and Industrial Engineering | 3027 |
| Integrated B.Tech. + M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering | 3426 |
| B.Tech. in Materials Engineering | 3470 |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | 4228 |
| B.Tech. in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology | 4830 |
| B.Tech. in Textile Technology | 5608 |
For IIT Delhi M.Tech admission, candidates must have a valid GATE score. Aspirants are also supposed to meet the minimum eligibility criteria set by the institute. Candidates seeking admission to IIT Delhi M.Tech course must visit the official website of GATE to apply online. Registered candidates are then required to appear for the GATE entrance exam. Candidates shortlisted based on exam score are further required to participate in COAP counselling.
- Post-GATE career tips: How to build a strong profile on LinkedIn to boost networking opportunities, research work and more
- What is the salary of a GATE topper in a month?
What the Shiksha Poll Reveals About GATE 2026 Aspirants
Thus, the poll highlights that -
- IIT and PSU remains neck to neck competition
- Apsirants are more career and tech focused now.
The GATE exam continues to be a gateway to multiple opportunities, whether it is pursuing advanced education at IITs and NITs, landing a dream PSU job, or achieving financial stability.
The Shiksha poll for GATE 2026 reveals a clear picture: most aspirants are motivated by academic and career goals, with financial security as a strong underlying factor.
Upasana Pradhan is an Mtech graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU who specialises in curating postgraduate and undergraduate engineering entrance exam content, such as GATE, TS PGECET, KCET,
Read Full BioNews & Updates
Explore Other Exams
7 Jan '26 - 8 Jan '26 | JEE Main 2026 photo verificati... |
Jan '26 | JEE Main 2026 City Intimation ... |
Apr '26 | TS EAMCET Application Form 202... |
May '26 | TS EAMCET Admit Card 2026 |
17 Jan '26 | KCET Application Form 2026 |
22 Apr '26 | KCET Exam 2026 (Kannada Langua... |
Sep '26 | DTU LEET 2026 Application Form... |
Oct '26 | DTU LEET 2026 Exam Date |
Jan '26 | OJEE 2026 registrations |
Mar '26 | OJEE 2026: Last date of fee pa... |
May '26 | AISECT Joint Entrance Exam 202... |
May '26 | AISECT Joint Entrance Exam 202... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 days ago
GATE 2026 hall ticket can be downloaded anytime till the scorecard availability. The admit card will be required at the time of counselling process. Candidates can download their scorecard of GATE exam in two timeline, which can be checked below -
| Scorecard (free download) | March 27 to May 31, 2026 |
| Scorecard (by paying a fee of INR 500) | June 1 to December 31, 2026 |
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
IIT Guwahati will release GATE entrance admit card for MTech, M.Pharma, ME, PhD, and other programmes soon. To download, candidates have to login at GOAPS using their enrollment ID and password. Students appearing for GATE exam must download their hall ticket in advance and keep it safe till counsel
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
To download GATE admit card, students have to enter their enrollment ID and password along with arithmetic expression at GOAPS portal
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
No, GATE authorities do not release any notification regarding dress code. However, it is advised to wear simple and comfortable clothing, as it will ease the checking process.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
No, passport size is not mandatory to carry. Along with GATE hall ticket, students must carry their valid ID proof, pen or pencil and water bottle. Scribe applicants can carry their assistive devices.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
GATE CSE exam will take place on February 8 in two sessions. CS 1 and 2 shift timings are-
- Forenoon - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Afternoon - 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
Official website for GATE admit card download is gate2026.iitg.ac.in. GOAPS portal link is goaps.iitg.ac.in. Students must provide their enrollment ID and password to download their hall ticket.
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
GATE admit card release date has been postponed. The revised date for hall ticket will be announced soon.
H
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes, the TS PGECET and GATE syllabus remains the same for M.Tech admission. However, GATE questions are trickier and conceptual compared to TS PGECET. Students who want to appear both TS PGECET and GATE must prepare accordingly-
- Go through pattern of both exams and syllabus
- Solve mock test and questio
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates can check their offer status using their login ID and password obtained during COAP registration. GATE COAP offers will be displayed on given date and time only, where students have to confirm their choices.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Admission to the BTech courses offered by IIT Madras are entrance-based and done on the basis of scores obtained in JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. Seats are allocated through JoSAA counselling after the results of the entrance exams are out. Students who clear the IIT Madras BTech cutoff are then required to go through document verification and pay the required fees to complete the process.