GATE Two Paper Combination 2026 OUT: Check List of Paper, Branch-Wise Exam Dates OUT
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
GATE 2026 Scorecard (free download)
27 Mar '26 - 31 May '26
GATE Two Paper Combination 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has released GATE 2026 two-paper combination list on website. The combination list for GATE 2026 examination is available on the official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The GATE 2026 official notification is OUT, and GATE registration 2026 started on August 28. GATE Branch-exam dates 2026 are now available. Candidates can check the complete details on how to register for the secondary paper in GATE, along with instructions and guidelines below.
GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combination: The authorities have released GATE 2026 two-paper combination list on the official website. Candidates can check the primary and secondary list here. The IIT Guwahati had activated GATE 2026 application form window on August 28. During the registration process, candidates were able to add paper of their choice (as per prescribed combinations by the authorities). Candidates can choose a GATE primary paper out of 30 subject options. On the other hand, the secondary paper is available for 30 subject papers.
NOTE: Check the codes carefully before selecting the primary and secondary papers.
Latest Updates: GATE 2026 Branch-wise exam dates released
GATE 2026 Exam Schedule Released
- Is there any change in the GATE 2026 paper combination?
- What are the primary and secondary papers in GATE?
- How to apply for the GATE 2026 second paper?
- Benefits of taking the GATE Two-Paper Combination 2026 option
- GATE 2026 Application Form and Exam Dates
- What are some of the popular GATE Two Paper Combination 2026 lists?
Is there any change in the GATE 2026 paper combination?
No, there is no change in the paper combinations this year. However, a new sectional paper has been introduced under Engineering Sciences (XE). The paper name is Energy Science (XE-I). Candidates can check the GATE two paper combination 2026 list below -
IIT Guwahati GATE Two Paper Combination 2026 List
| Code of the First Paper | Code of the Second Paper | Code of the First Paper | Code of the Second Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| AE | CE, ME, XE | GG | GE |
| AG | CE | IN | BM, EC, EE, ME |
| AR | CE, GE | MA | CS, DA, PH, ST |
| BM | BT, IN | ME | AE, DA, IN, NM, PI, XE |
| BT | BM, XL | MN | - |
| CE | AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE | MT | XE |
| CH | ES, PE, XE | NM | CE, ME |
| CS | DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, ST | PE | CH |
| CY | XE, XL | PH | CS, DA, EC, EE, MA, XE |
| DA | CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, ST, XE | PI | ME, XE |
| EC | CS, DA, EE, IN, PH | ST | CS, DA, MA, XH |
| EE | DA, EC, IN, PH | TF | - |
| ES | CE, CH, GE | XE | AE, CE, CH, CY, DA, ME, MT, PH, PI |
| EY | XL | XH | ST |
| GE | AR, CE, CS, ES, GG | XL | BT, CY, EY |
Commonly asked questions
Candidates who have applied for GATE 2026 must check event datesheet so they don't miss out on any dates. IIT Guwahati has released GATE 2026 exam dates along with branch-wise schedule at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
GATE scorecard 2026 is valid for three years, which means the scorecard can be used till March 31, 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.
What are the primary and secondary papers in GATE?
In the GATE two-paper concept, the primary paper is related to the candidate's undergraduate discipline. On the other hand, the GATE secondary paper allows candidates to use their knowledge in the related field. For example, for a candidate appearing in the GATE computer science and information technology, the allowed paper combinations are XE/BT/EE/ME/DA/EC/GE/MA/PH/ST. Candidates must note that there is no need to fill out another application form. Candidates must go through the GATE 2026 official notification carefully before applying.
How to apply for the GATE 2026 second paper?
Candidates can apply for the secondary paper while filling out the GATE 2026 application form. The secondary paper can be added after registration, but you have to extra amount. Instructions to apply for the secondary paper are mentioned below:
- Go to GATE official website - gate2026.iitg.ac.in
- Click on the "GATE application form" link.
- Complete the registration and fill the form
- Add the desired paper combination, upload the documents, and pay the fees.
- Submit the form and take printouts of the form.
The GATE 2026 application fee has been revised by IIT Guwahati. Candidates can check the fees below -
| Category | Regular Period | During the Extended Period |
|---|---|---|
| Female/SC/ST/PwD candidates (per test paper) | 1000 | 1500 |
| All other candidates, including foreign nationals (per test paper) | 2000 | 2500 |
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Benefits of taking the GATE Two-Paper Combination 2026 option
Here are some benefits of opting for two papers in GATE 2026 -
- It offers candidates a broader scope to show how proficient they are in the two branches..
- Chances of scoring better in the GATE exam increase.
- Chances of jobs in PSUs and private sector increase.
GATE 2026 Application Form and Exam Dates
The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, has released the GATE 2026 registration and exam dates on the official website
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| GATE 2026 application form submission timeline (during the regular period) | August 28 to October 7 |
| GATE 2026 application form submission timeline (during the extended period) | October 8 to 13 |
| GATE exam dates | February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 |
| Announcement of the GATE 2026 result date | March 19 |
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What are some of the popular GATE Two Paper Combination 2026 lists?
Here are some of the popular GATE two paper combinations opted by students so far -
| Primary Paper | Secondary Paper (Combinations) |
|---|---|
| Computer Science (CS) | Data Science & AI (DA), Electronics & Communication (EC), Geomatics (GE), Mathematics (MA), Physics (PH), Statistics (ST) |
| Electronics & Communication (EC) | Computer Science (CS), Data Science & AI (DA), Electrical Engineering (EE), Instrumentation (IN), Physics (PH) |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | Data Science & AI (DA), Electronics & Comms (EC), Instrumentation (IN), Physics (PH) |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | Aerospace Engineering (AE), Data Science & AI (DA), Instrumentation (IN), Naval Architecture (NM), Production & Industrial (PI), Engineering Sciences (XE) |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | Aerospace Engineering (AE), Agricultural Engineering (AG), Architecture & Planning (AR), Environmental Science (ES), Geomatics (GE), Naval Architecture (NM), Engineering Sciences (XE) |
| Data Science & AI (DA) | Computer Science (CS), Electronics & Communication (EC), Electrical Engineering (EE), Mathematics (MA), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Physics (PH), Statistics (ST), Engineering Sciences (XE) |
| Biomedical Engineering (BM) | Biotechnology (BT), Instrumentation (IN) |
| Biotechnology (BT) | Biomedical engineering (BM), Life Sciences (XL) |
| Engineering Sciences (XE) | Aerospace engineering (AE), Civil engineering (CE), Chemical engineering (CH), Chemistry (CY), Data Science & AI (DA), Mechanical (ME), Metallurgical (MT), Physics (PH), Production & Industrial (PI) |
| Life Sciences (XL) | Biotechnology (BT), Chemistry (CY), Ecology & Evolution (EY) |
Here's why -
- GATE Computer Science and Data Science are a good fit for students who want to pursue a career in artificial intelligence and computer science.
- Electronics and Communication with Electrical Engineering are both popular and emerging branches with overlapping topical areas and wide industry needs.
Candidates must note that they can choose paper combinations as mentioned by the GATE authorities only. Interested candidates must go through the GATE eligibility and keep all their documents ready before the application form window opens.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days ago
Yes, GATE qualified candidates will also have to appear for the PGET exam held on the scheduled date. The merit list will combine performance of both WBUT and GATE paper.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, WBUT PGET do accept GATE score for admission. The merit list will be prepared considering 70% weightage to GATE scores and 30% to PGET.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
Candidates with GATE score of 2026, 2025 or 2024 are eligible for BITS HD 2026 entrance examination.
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
No, students can not get direct admission in Cluster Innovation Centre MSc. The college only accepts CUET PG score. Hence, having a GATE scorecard will not come in handy during admissions.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
If you are seeking admission in NIT Surathkal MTech, then GATE is mandatory. Students applying for non-MTech programmes do not need to appear for GATE. For M.Tech however, GATE followed by the centralised counselling is mandatory.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, students can not get admission in IIT Roorkee MSc with GATE scores. The institute accepts IIT JAM score only. No other tests including GATE are accepted. Students also have to appear for the centralised counselling to get a seat.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IISc Bangalore GATE cutoff 2026 for the ECE course for the General AI category was 650 in round 1. For the OBC AI category, the round 1 cutoff for the same course was 600. This difference in the score says that the competiton for the General AI category was higher than the OBC AI quota.
To know the
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IISc Banglore GATE COAP cutoff 2026 was declared for admission to the M.Tech course for various All India categories up to Round 1. For the General AI category, the round 1 cutoff ranged from 480 to 800, wherein M.Tech. in Instrumentation Systems and M.Tech. in Microelectronics and VLSI Design were
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can get a seat at IISc Banglore with a GATE score of 542, if you belong to the General AI category. Students can refer to the table beow to know which courses are available with this score based on the IISc Banglore GATE cutoff 2026 for round 1.
| Course | Round 1 |
|---|---|
| M.Tech. in Instrumentation Systems | 480 |
| M.Des. in Product Design and Manufacturing | 500 |
| M.Tech. in Smart Manufacturing | 500 |
| M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering | 525 |
For the OBC AI category, the courses availble
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IISc Bangalore GATE COAP cutoff 2026 was released for admission to the M.Tech course and its various branches for several All India categories.
For the General AI category, the round 1 cutoff ranged from 480 to 800, wherein MTech in Instrumentation Systems and MTech in Microelectronics and VLSI Desi
N
Contributor-Level 10
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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