GATE 2026 Exam and Shift Timing: Check Branch-wise Reporting Time, Dates, Schedule
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
Exam On - 7 Feb '26
GATE exam aspirants must be aware of the GATE exam and shift timings. IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE in multiple shifts across different days, starting today, Feb 7. Knowledge of the reporting time, exam start time and duration of each shift is important to ensure a smooth exam experience.
GATE 2026 Exam Timings: Know Shift-wise Reporting Time and More Details
GATE Exam and Shift Timings 2026: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the most important national-level exams for engineering and science graduates in India. Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for the exam for admission to postgraduate courses or to apply for PSU recruitment. This year, the GATE exam dates are February 7, 8, 14 and 15. GATE 2026 will be held for 30 subjects, divided into these 4 exam dates. The GATE exam timing is an important detail that every aspirant should carefully check before appearing for the exam.
The exam will be held in two shifts, forenoon and afternoon. Each shift will be held for 3 hours. The forenoon shift will be held from 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM, while the afternoon shift is scheduled from 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM, and candidates are advised to reach the exam centre well before the reporting time. The GATE reporting and exam timings are given on the individual's admit card for GATE 2026. The GATE 2026 reporting and shift timings ensure candidates reach the exam centre on time and take the test easily. Check the following article for more details on the GATE exam and shift timings 2026.
LIVE Now: GATE 2026 Exam Live for Feb 7: IN, XE, XL, XH Reporting, Exam Day Guidelines
- GATE 2026 Exam Timings
- Importance of Checking GATE Shift Timing
- Instructions for Candidates on Exam Day
- GATE Exam Dress Code 2026 for Male and Female Candidates
- How to Check GATE Exam Timing?
- GATE 2026 Exam Date Branchwise
GATE 2026 Exam Timings
The GATE exam is conducted in two shifts per day- forenoon and afternoon shifts. Candidates are advised to reach the exam centre well before the reporting time to complete security checks and identity verification smoothly.
| Morning Shift Timing |
Afternoon Shift Timing |
|---|---|
| Reporting Time: 8 AM |
Reporting Time: 1 PM |
| Exam Start Time: 9:30 AM |
Exam Start Time: 2:30 PM |
| Last Entry Allowed: 10 AM |
Last Entry Allowed: 3 PM |
| Exam End Time: 12:30 PM |
Exam End Time: 5:30 PM |
Importance of Checking GATE Shift Timing
Knowing the correct shift timing is extremely important for candidates. Reaching the exam centre late may lead to disqualification, as entry is not allowed after the gate closing time. Shift timing details are mentioned on the GATE admit card, which candidates must download from the official website. Candidates should check:
- Exam date
- Shift (morning or afternoon)
- Reporting time
- Exam centre address
Must Check:
Instructions for Candidates on Exam Day
No, physical calculators are not allowed inside GATE exam hall. Candidates will be provided with a virtual calculator to solve their questions. It is advised to practice using GATE calculator to improve accuracy.
The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, has released the GATE 2026 exam dates on the official website. Candidates can check the GATE 2026 dates below -
| Events | Dates |
| GATE 2026 application form release date | August 28 |
| GATE 2026 application form last date (without late fees) | October 7 (REVISED) |
| GATE 2026 application form last date (with late fees) | October 13 |
| GATE 2026 form correction submission last date | November 10 |
| GATE 2026 admit card release date | January 13 |
| GATE 2026 exam date | February 7, 8, 14, and 15 |
| GATE 2026 result date | March 19 |
| GATE scorecard download date | March 27 to May 31 (free download) till December 31 (by paying a fee of INR 500) |
On the day of the GATE exam, candidates must follow certain guidelines related to timing:
- Reach the exam centre at least 30-45 minutes before the reporting time
- Carry a printed copy of the admit card
- Bring a valid photo ID proof
- Do not carry prohibited items such as mobile phones, smart watches, or notes
GATE Exam Dress Code 2026 for Male and Female Candidates
Male and female candidates must be aware of what they should wear at the GATE 2026 exam centre in order to avoid any issues in the scrutiny process. The GATE 2026 exam dress code is important because wearing the right kind of clothing during the GATE paper can save a lot of time and stress.
How to Check GATE Exam Timing?
Candidates can check their exact GATE exam timing by following these steps:
The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, will be conducting the GATE 2026 exam. The dates are OUT now. IIT Guwahati last conducted the GATE exam in 2018. Candidates who want to apply for M.Tech or any research programmes can apply for GATE. The application window is available till October 7 without late fees (revised), till October 13 (with late fee) and the exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15.
There are two shift timings for the GATE exam. Candidates can find the details of the shift timing on the official website. The GATE shift timings are as follows -
- Forenoon - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Afternoon - 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Candidates can also find the exam timing details mentioned in the GATE admit card. Candidates are advised to appear for the GATE 2026 exam on the date prescribed in the hall ticket.
IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts. The exam timings are Forenoon - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and afternoon - 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Branch-wise dates have been announced at gate2026.iitg.ac.in
- Visit the official GATE website
- Log in using enrollment ID and password
- Download the GATE admit card
- Check the exam date, shift, and reporting time mentioned on the admit card
GATE 2026 Exam Date Branchwise
IIT Guwahati released the GATE 2026 exam dates on the official website. Candidates can check GATE branch-wise exam dates below.
| GATE Exam Date |
Test Papers |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| February 07, 2026 (Saturday) |
AG, ES, GG, IN, MA, MN, TF, XE, XL |
9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
| AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH, XH |
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
|
| February 08, 2026 (Sunday) |
CS-1, ST |
9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
| CS-2, EY, NM, PE |
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
|
| February 14, 2026 (Saturday) |
CE-1, EE, PI |
9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
| BM, CE-2, ME, MT |
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
|
| February 15, 2026 (Sunday) |
EC |
9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
| AR, DA |
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Yes, there is negative marking for GATE Engineering Mathematics section. Candidates must go through exam pattern and marking scheme carefully before attempting any question.
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Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
No, GATE questions are not exactly repeated. However, the concept, core, and question format may remain the same. Therefore, candidates must focus on concept-building and practice GATE PYQs as many times as possible. In addition, solve mock test paper to improve accuracy and time management.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Yes, GATE has negative marking for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) only. In GATE question paper, MCQs will be of one and two marks. Hence, the marking scheme for such questions can be checked below -
- For one mark MCQ - 1/3rd mark will be deducted
- For two mark MCQ - 2/3rd mark will be deducted
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NHCE Bangalore accepts GATE score for admission to M.Tech programme. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also get into M.Tech course based on their Karnataka PGCET scores. Selected candidates have to confirm their seat by paying the course fees.
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Guide-Level 15
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Contributor-Level 10
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No, the GATE 2026 has already been concluded for IIT Dhanbad M.Tech admissions. The GATE 2026 registrations are closed in the month of October. Candidates who have appeared for GATE will need to wait for all merit-lists to be revealed.
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The GATE paper will be divided into sections like engineering mathematics, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, environmental engineering, etc.
Here's the GATE 2026 Syllabus for Civil Engineering
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The GATE 2026 paper code of XE stands for Engineering Sciences, XH stands for Humanities and Social Science, and XL stands for Life Sciences.
For GATE Paper "XE"
For GATE Paper "XH"
For GATE Paper "XL"