GATE Exam Dress Code 2026 for Male and Female Candidates: What to wear, avoid, and Instructions
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
Exam On - 14 Feb '26
GATE exam dress code 2026: IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE 2026 exam from Feb 14 onwards. The computer-based test will be held in two shifts. Candidates appearing on GATE 2026 Feb 14 and 15 exam, can check the dress code guidelines for male and female candidates below. The conducting IIT does not issue any guidelines for GATE exam dresscode, however, students must note that the checking process at the GATE centre is strict. Read below to check about what to wear and avoid on GATE 2026 exam date.
GATE 2026 exam dresscode: Candidates appearing for GATE 2026 must be well prepared for the exam day. The authorities have issued strict guidelines and instructions on what to report to the GATE 2026 exam centre, to the hall instructions, to exam day guidelines, and GATE shift timings 2026. Students appearing for the GATE exam must follow all the instructions mentioned by the authorities in the information brochure. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is being conducted from February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 in two shifts (forenoon: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm) and (afternoon: 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm).
- GATE 2026 Exam Dress Code
- GATE 2026 Student's Experience at the Centre
- GATE 2026 Exam Dress Code for Male and Female Candidates- What to avoid
- GATE 2026 Dress Code Guidelines: Changes Implemented in Last 15 Years
- GATE 2026 Answer Key and Cutoff
- What not to carry at GATE Exam Centre 2026
- GATE Exam Centre Student’s Experience
- GATE 2026 Exam Hall Instructions
GATE 2026 Exam Dress Code
The officials, IIT Guwahati have not released any official guidelines regarding GATE 2026 exam dress code. However, the checking process done at the GATE 2026 exam centre is strict. Therefore, students are advised to wear light and comfortable clothes for hassle-free checking at entry.
Also, one must carry their hall ticket without tampering. In case there is any issue while downloading hall ticket, students must check how to download GATE admit card. The authorities have released hall ticket at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
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GATE 2026 Student's Experience at the Centre
Students who attempted GATE 2026 exam on Feb 7 and 8 have shared their experiences regading the checking process at the centre. Many students complained regarding less strictness in the exam hall and centre.
- Candidates have reported that some centre had no metal detector checking or facial verification.
- Few complained about the poor infrastructure
- Systems were facing technical glitches as well.
Having said, candidates are however advised to maintain a strict discipline and follow the right dress code to avoid any issue.
GATE 2026 Exam Dress Code for Male and Female Candidates- What to avoid
| Male Candidates |
Female Candidates |
|---|---|
| Shirts or pants with metallic buttons, Belts with metal straps |
Avoid wearing clothes that require a dupatta, scarf, or any extra clothing |
| Avoid wearing cargos or jeans with too many pockets |
Avoid wearing accessories like heavy earrings, bracelets, rings, etc. |
| Headgear accessories such as mufflers, hats, caps, beanies, etc. |
Avoid clips, headbands, etc. |
| Avoid footwear that covers your feet |
Avoid metallic strap sandals or shoes, open toe flip flops or sandals can do. |
Students can wear winter clothing, such as cardigan or sweater or hoodie. However, there will be a thorough checking at the gate before entry. Candidates can refer to GATE 2026 exam day guidelines and instructions for complete information.
GATE 2026 Dress Code Guidelines: Changes Implemented in Last 15 Years
The GATE exam, which is known to be one of the reputable engineering entrance exams for higher studies have implemented many changes over the last few years. Based on students feedback and experience who appeared GATE in the last 10 to 15 years, here's a detailed explanation on GATE dresscode and exam day guidelines for students -
- This year, IIT Madras introduced GATE 2026 facial registration for students authetication and verification process. It is expected that facial registration might be implemented in the upcoming years of GATE exam.
- Students who appeared for GATE in 2007 - 2013 have shared that there was no major strict rule on dress code. The exam was conducted offline and maintained a basic strict checking process.
- In recent years, after the GATE was held online, students had to undergo biometric process, frisking process, which instructed students to avoid wearing metallic embesslishments.
GATE 2026 Answer Key and Cutoff
IIT Guwahati will release GATE 2026 answer key in last week of Feb (expected). Candidates can download using their enrollment ID and password. After the completion of the exam, the GATE answer key (unofficial) will be released by coaching institutions. Students can refer to GATE 2026 answer key by Made Easy for reference. Check related article links below -
What not to carry at GATE Exam Centre 2026
Items that are prohibited inside the GATE exam centre can be checked below -
- Electronic gadgets, such as mobile phone, calculator, pagers, bluetooth, tablets, laptop, etc.
- Text materials, such as books, notebooks, geometry box, or any other documents
- Bags or backpacks
- Eatables or packaged food items
- Items such as earphones, microphone, headphone, or recorder, etc. Candidates must also go through the exam gudelines that is mentioned on GATE admit card 2026.
GATE Exam Centre Student’s Experience
As per the last year’s exam review, here’s what students say about the experience at GATE examination centre -
- Checking of admit card and ID proof was done thoroughly
- GATE 2026 biometric verification and document checking will be done at the entry.
- Valid ID proof and photo in the admit card are verified properly.
- Students were allowed to carry a transparent water bottle
- Also, students were allowed to carry pen and pen for rough work
- Each applicant were given a system to attempt exam. If there was any technical error, they had to inform the invigilator mentioning the issue. Considering that, a new system was provided and the exam timer resumed from where you’ve left
- Scribble pad were provided inside exam hall. Students have to write their name and once the sheet is completed, it has to be returned to invigilator. Only one scribble pad is provided to applicant one time. Each scribble pad has around 10 pages for calculations.
- No candidate is allowed to leave the centre before the end time.
Also check: GATE college predictor
GATE 2026 Exam Hall Instructions
Overall, strict decorum was maintained inside the GATE exam hall. In addition, we also advise students to carry an extra valid ID proof with recent update in photo or information. Make sure you GATE 2026 hall ticket printout is clear and visible. Also, make sure that the barcode printed in GATE admit card must not be scratched.
Candidates can download their GATE 2026 admit card at the GOAPS portal using their enrollment ID and password. Make sure to go through all details carefully before saving it. If there is any discrepancy immediately, contact the aurhorities regarding the error in GATE admit card 2026. For more details, students can check GATE admit card trouble shooting tips and hacks.
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IIT Guwahati conducted GATE 2026 exam on Feb 7 and 8 in two shifts. Then on Feb 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 exam dates has been released on official website - gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
GATE scorecard 2026 is valid for three years, which means the scorecard can be used till 2029. Candidates can download their scorecard using their enrollment ID and password. It can be used for MTech, PhD, Research work admissions and PSU recruitment.
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The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted in more than 200 cities across eight zones in India. There are no international centres. Candidates who wish to appear for the exam must travel to India. The details regarding the test city and address will be mentioned in the GATE admit card.
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.
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) |
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,
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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 -
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.