GATE 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: Reporting Time, What to Carry, and Hall Instructions
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
Exam On - 7 Feb '26
Candidates appearing for GATE 2026 must be aware of GATE exam day guidelines issued by authorities on admit card. Students attempting Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, must know what to carry on day of exam, what to wear, and when to reach GATE test centre. Following these guidelines will help students to reduce stress and perform well in MTech engineering entrance examination. Read below to know more.
IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE 2026 on February 7, 8, 14, and 15. The MTech engineering entrance test will take place in two shifts. Now that GATE admit card 2026 download link is active, students must download their hall ticket and go through the GATE 2026 exam day guidelines carefully.
Following centre guidelines are important, as it reduces stress and helps students to prepare well. Candidates can check detailed guidelines for GATE entrance exam below.
Latest Update: GATE 2026 admit card: students raise concerns over distant exam centres, can we change centre, how to plan travel smartly?
- What to carry on GATE exam day?
- GATE Exam Day Guidelines 2026: Hall Instructions and Reporting Time
- GATE 2026 Shift and Reporting Time
- Items prohibited at the GATE Exam Centre
- GATE Dress Code
- How to plan travel and accommodation on GATE exam day?
What to carry on GATE exam day?
Here is a document checklist of what to carry on MTech engineering exam-
- Valid ID proof (same as that uploaded during registration)
- GATE hall ticket printed on a A4 size paper
- Pen or pencil
- Transparent water bottle
GATE Exam Day Guidelines 2026: Hall Instructions and Reporting Time
- Candidates must carry a physical copy of the GATE admit card printed on a A4 size paper. Candidates can download hall ticket at GATE login.
- Valid ID proof. If quality of the photo in ID proof is unclear, then candidate must bring an additional recent photo ID.
- Students must report to centre at least 90 minutes before to complete verification process.
- Candidates cannot log in 30 minutes after start of exam.
- Students will be offered to take their allocated seat before exam time. 20 minutes will be provided to login and read instructions.
- While attempting the exam, an online GATE calculator will be installed in the system for doing calculations.
- A scribble pad will be provided inside the exam hall. Candidates have to write their name and registration number on the scribble pad before using it. Students can take only one pad at a time. If GATE scribble pad is filled, candidate has to return previous one and then ask for a new one.
- Once exam is over, candidate has to return scribble pad to the invigilator.
- Candidates cannot leave GATE exam centre before end time.
- Applicants appearing must follow code of conduct issued by authorities. No following any of rules, can lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Students will have to end exam in front of invigilator.
GATE 2026 Exam Day Guidelines for PwD Candidates
- PwD candidates are allowed to carry assistive devices (if any) and show them at the centre for personal scrutiny.
- PwD applicants will get one-hour compensatory time to finish exam.
Also Read: What is scribe facility in GATE?
GATE Exam Day Guidelines for Students with any Health Issues
- Candidates suffering from any airborne contagious diseases, such as chicken pox or measels can carry their own medications. Such students must inform their respective zonal centres at least a week before GATE exam.
- Such students must carry their medical fitness certificate to centre, and wear masks and gloves for precaution.
- Candidates with any other health issues must bring required medications. Asking for medications during exam day from outside is strictly prohibited.
GATE 2026 Shift and Reporting Time
As mentioned above, students must report to centre at least 3 hours before exam time. GATE 2026 shift and reporting time can be checked below -
| Shift |
Exam timings |
Reporting time |
|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 (forenoon session) |
9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
At least 90 mins (3 hours) before exam time |
| Shift 2 (afternoon session) |
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
Items prohibited at the GATE Exam Centre
Candidates must not carry any of following items to test centre -
- Personal calculators
- Mobile phones
- Watches of any kind
- Any electronic devices
- Charts, log tables, books or any text materials
- Heavy ornaments
GATE Dress Code
The organising institute does not issue any dress code guidelines. However, we advise students to wear light and comfortable clothing during the exam day. To know what to wear and not, students can check GATE dress code details here.
How to plan travel and accommodation on GATE exam day?
Candidates whose GATE centre is far from their residence, can follow tips mentioned below-
| Tips to plan your travel on GATE exam | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Book your accommodation early | Look for a place that is close to examination centre to avoid last- minute issues |
| Check exam centre address carefully | Double-check your centre address details |
| Plan your travel route | Use a Google map or GPS to locate your centre and find access routes (short-cuts if any) |
| Plan your transport options | Use a public transport, such as cab or personal vehicle with a backup plan. |
| Keep your documents ready night before | Keep your documents and admit card ready. Carry at least two to three copies of admit card. |
| Stay calm and sleep early | Ensure to sleep well before exam day |
Students are advised to recheck GATE 2026 exam date of their respective paper and plan accordingly.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 17 hours ago
GATE Exam 2026 fellowship holders at Chandigarh University are required to take a teaching load of 8 to 10 hours per week. This teaching assistantship is a mandatory condition attached to the fellowship and applies only to students who qualify GATE 2026 and are awarded the fellowship. The duties may
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 hours ago
At Chandigarh University, up to 10% of the total intake seats in each Master of Engineering (M.E.) programme are eligible for the GATE Exam 2026 fellowship. This percentage is fixed across all M.E. specialisations and applies only to fellowship allocation, not admission. These seats are awarded stri
r
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 4 hours ago
No, Chandigarh University does not require a valid GATE exam 2026 score for all M.E. specialisations. GATE is not compulsory admission into any M.E. programme offered by the university, regardless of the specialisation. Admission eligibility is determined primarily by the candidate's academic backgr
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 19 hours ago
Yes, you can apply to Chandigarh University before the GATE Exam 2026 results are declared. The university does not wait for GATE results to begin M.E. admissions. You can apply and secure admission based on your graduation marks. If you are appearing for GATE 2026, you can submit your score later o
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 6 hours ago
GATE Exam 2026 is not mandatory for M.E. admission at Chandigarh University. Students can apply and secure admission purely based on their eligibility criteria, which primarily includes holding a relevant bachelor's degree in engineering with at least 55% marks. The university follows a flexible adm
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 6 hours ago
Yes, students can apply directly for M.E. courses at Chandigarh University without appearing for GATE Exam 2026. The university allows direct admission for candidates who fulfill the course-specific eligibility criteria, such as having a relevant B.E./B.Tech degree with a minimum of 55% marks. GATE
E
Beginner-Level 5
Answered Yesterday
Chandigarh University does accept GATE Exam 2026 scores, but only for the purpose of awarding fellowships, not for admission priority. Admission decisions for M.E programs are primarily based on eligibility criteria such as graduation marks. A valid GATE score does not guarantee or accelerate admiss
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 hours ago
Yes, Chandigarh University will definitely consider your profile if you have strong B.Tech marks, even if you are not appearing for GATE Exam 2026. GATE is not mandatory for M.E. admission, and academic performance plays a crucial role in eligibility assessment. Students with high graduation percent
p
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 6 hours ago
Yes, Chandigarh University has the authority to cancel or discontinue the GATE Exam 2026 fellowship if teaching requirements are not met. Teaching assistantship duties are a mandatory component of the fellowship, not optional. If a student consistently fails to complete the required 8–10 teaching ho
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 6 hours ago
Yes, Chandigarh University can offer admission to top M.E. branches even if a student has a moderate GATE Exam 2026 score. This is because GATE is not the deciding factor for admission. Admission is primarily based on whether the student meets the academic eligibility criteria, such as holding a rel
s
Beginner-Level 4
How many teaching hours per week are required for GATE Exam 2026 fellowship holders at Chandigarh University?