GATE 2026 Application Started: Early Vs Late Application Submission, Which is better for aspirants?
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )
Admit Card - 2 Jan '26
GATE 2026 registrations have started. Students can check below the differences and benefits of GATE 2026 early vs late registrations below.
GATE registration 2026 started: Preparing for the GATE 2026 is not just about revising formulas or solving mock tests; it also begins with one of the most important stages: GATE 2026 registration. Every year, thousands of students find themselves torn between registering early and waiting until the late registration window, paying a late fee. But does the timing of your registration affect your GATE journey? Let’s get into it.
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Latest Updates:
- GATE 2026 application form released at gate2026.iitg.ac.in: Apply now at GOAPS portal
- GATE 2026 information brochure released: check what's new in GATE, steps, fees, and more
GATE 2026 Registration Timeline: Early vs Late
Before we discuss the pros and cons, here’s a quick look at the GATE 2026 application form schedule:
| GATE 2026 Events | Scheduled Dates |
|---|---|
| Starting date of the GATE application form (with no late fees) | August 28 to September 28 |
| Closing date of the GATE application form (with late fees) | September 29 to October 9 |
| GATE 2026 examination dates | February 7, 8, 14, and 15 |
| GATE 2026 result announcement dates | March 19 |
Benefits of Registering for GATE Early
IIT Guwahati has activated the GATE application window on August 28, 2025 on the official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Applying early for GATE 2026 helps you secure a seat (exam centre) for the GATE exam. Also, it reduces stress and tension of getting the form accepted. Other benefits of applying GATE early are -
This year, IIT Guwahati is conducting the GATE 2026 exam. IIT Guwahati conducted the GATE exam in 2018. Based on the GATE 2018 and past year paper format, the GATE 2026 is expected to be moderately difficult. The question paper is expected to have higher weightage on concept-based questions, blending numerical and practical analysis. Candidates are advised to practice the previous year's question paper as many times as possible to understand the difficulty level of the question paper.
The GATE marks is the actual marks obtained by the candidate. It is calculated out of 100. On the other hand, the GATE scores is calculated out of 1000 using a formula of GATE normalisation process. The GATE result will be released on March 19.
- You can relax and prepare for the exam worrying about the GATE 2026 application form last date.
- No tension of experiencing technical glitches
- During GATE 2026 registration, you need to select your preferred GATE exam cities. Applying early, the chances of securing your desired city are higher. In contrast, late registrants may be pushed to far-off centres.
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GATE 2026 early registration allows you to apply at the standard fee. In the late registration phase, you’ll need to pay an additional late fee. Students can check the GATE 2026 application fee below -
| Category |
Application fees during the regular period (August 28 to September 28) |
Application fees during the extended period (September 29 to October 9) |
|---|---|---|
| Female/SC/ST/PwD candidates (per test paper) |
INR 1000 |
INR 1500 |
| All other candidates, including foreign nationals (per paper) |
INR 2000 |
INR 2500 |
Also read:
IIT Delhi has been ranked better than IIT Kanpur. Candidates can also look at the ROI calculated based on fee and average package offered to take a decision. The following table presents a comparison between the two institutes:
MTech Institutes | NIRF Ranking 2023 | Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
IIT Delhi | 2 | INR 3 Lacs - INR 8.7 lakh |
4 | INR 20,000 - INR 8 lakh |
NOTE: The fee mentioned above is taken from an unofficial source. Hence, is indicative.
IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee are all premier colleges of India offering BSc courses. Admissions to all these colleges are made based on scores in JEE Mains followed by JEE Advanced. These college can be comapred on the basis of fees, median package and top recruiters. Tabulated below is a comparison on these basis:
College | Fees | Median Package | Top Recruiters |
|---|---|---|---|
IIT Kharagpur | INR 8 lakhs- 10 lakhs | INR 22 LPA | Cisco, BSNL, Amazon |
IIT Bombay | INR 8 lakhs | INR 18.8 LPA | Google, Microsoft, Colgate-Palmolive |
IIT Roorkee | INR 10 lakhs | INR 19.6 LPA - 22.5 LPA | Qualcomm, Samsung, Goldman Sachs |
The official data for IIT Roorkee placements 2024 has not been released. However, as per the data fetched from media reports, the average package offered to IIT Roorkee MBA batch 2024 was INR 20 LPA. On the other hand, IIM Amritsar average package for the top 25% offers of MBA batch 2022-24 stood at INR 19.73 LPA. The table below compares IIM Amritsar and IIT Roorkee for MBA placements 2024:
| Institute Name | Average Package (2024) | Highest Package (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Amritsar | INR 19.73 LPA (Top quartile) | - INR 58.52 LPA (International) - INR 28 LPA (Domestic) |
| IIT Roorkee | INR 20 LPA | INR 2.05 crore per annum |
NOTE: The IIT Roorkee placement stats are gathered from multiple media reports.
GATE Late Registration
Waiting for the GATE 2026 extended timeline can cost extra expenses (with late fees)-
- Candidates have to pay late fee charges
- Limited exam city choices (chances to get desired exam centre is less)
- Stress and tension can cause a break in the GATE preparation.
GATE 2026 Early Vs Late Registration: Pros and Cons
| Factor |
Early Registration |
Late Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee |
Regular fee charges |
Late fee charges |
| Stress Level |
Low stress and tension | High stress and anxiety |
| Technical Glitches |
No technical glitches and issues of payment |
Can expect high technical glitches while uploading documents or making payment |
What is the Ideal Time to Apply for GATE?
Candidates must fill out their application form as early as possible (within first two weeks). Keep all their documents ready as per the specifications. Keep checking the GATE 2026 application status to track your registration form. The last date to submit the GATE 2026 form is September 28 (by paying regular fee) and October 9 (by paying late fees).
News & Updates
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 weeks ago
The GATE exam is conducted once a year. The entrance test takes place on multiple dates and shifts for 30 test papers. For 2026, IIT Guwahati is conducting the exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month 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 a month 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 2 months ago
The GATE cutoff changes every year depending on seat intake, number of applicants appeared in exam, toughness of question paper, and previous cutoff trends. Candidates who meet cutoff score can participate for counselling.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months ago
Candidates who are appearing for the GATE exam must carry a valid ID proof along with a passport-size photograph, transperant water bottle, and pen (blue or black) along with GATE 2026 hall ticket. We advise to carry atleast two to three copies of admit card to the centre.
A
Contributor-Level 7
For the General AI quota, the IIT Madras CSE cutoff 2025 stood at 171 in the first round. Till the last round, the cutoff remained the same, indicating all seats got filled after the first round of the JEE Advanced cutoff. For IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay, the CSE cutoff ranks were closed at 126 and 66, respectively, for the same category. So, considering the cutoff ranks, the IIT Madras cutoff for CSE was comparatively less competitive for admission among the Engineering aspirants as compared to that of IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay.