GATE 2026 Exam Dress Code for Male and Female Students: What to wear and avoid, Candidate's experience, and more
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
Admit Card - 2 Jan '26
The GATE 2026 exam is around the corner, and now students must start organising their documents, and know what to wear during the exam day. IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 admit card on the scheduled date, January 2, at the GOAPS portal. Read below about GATE 2026 exam dress code, what to carry, and know students experience at GATE examination centre.
Students appearing for the GATE 2026 exam must follow all the instructions mentioned by the authorities in the information brochure. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering will be 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).
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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.
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. |
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.
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.
Banned Items at GATE 2026 Exam Centre
Items that are prohibited inside the GATE examination 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 s earphones, microphone, headphone, or recorder, etc.
Candidates must also go through the exam gudelines that is mentioned on GATE 2026 admit card.
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 -
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- Checking of admit card and ID proof was done thoroughly
- Valid ID proof and photo in 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.
- No candidate is allowed to leave centre before the end time.
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.
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 2026 admit card trouble shooting tips and hacks.
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
The GATE scorecard 2026 is valid for three years, which means the scorecard can be used till 2029. Candidates can download the scorecard using their enrollment ID and password. Candidates can use the scorecard for M.Tech or PhD admissions, or PSU recruitment.
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 2 |
| 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) |
Also read:
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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
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
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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.
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Contributor-Level 7
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The COAP counselling is done online only. For registrations, students need to keep the following details ready-
- GATE application details
- Scores secured in GATE exam
- Mobile number and email address
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Contributor-Level 7
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Candidates who have qualified GATE exam will be eligible for GATE COAP counselling. The counselling offer admission to IITs. The admission counselling registration is online and is done in multiple rounds depending on seat availability.
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GATE CCMT counselling is expected to start in June/July. Students who have qualified in GATE exam 2026 and want to take admission in NITs and other engineering colleges must register and participate in CCMT. The dates will be updated here for each round.
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GATE 2026 COAP counselling dates will be released in June/July after the announcement of results. Students who want to take admission in IITs must register through COAP for counselling.
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GATE 2026 Electronics and Communication paper will be conducted on February 15 in the first shift. Students who have regsitered for EC paper must download their admit card on January 2.
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IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE CSE exam on February 8, 2026 in two shifts. The CS1 will be held in first shift and CS2 in second shift. The exam timings can be checked below-
- CS1 paper - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
- CS2 paper- 2:30 am to 5:30 pm
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Students can check GATE exam dates on IIT GATE Guwahati website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The dates have been released for GATE admit card, branch-papers, and results. Dates for answer key and counselling will be made available soon.
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Contributor-Level 10
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.