GATE 2026 Exam Pattern OUT: Two-Paper Combination List OUT, Subject-wise Paper Pattern, Marking Scheme and Format

Candidates can check here a comprehensive overview of the GATE 2026 exam pattern in the table below: 

• Will GATE 2026 be tougher than GATE 2025: Here's what experts say

Candidates can check all the subjects & respective paper codes in the GATE 2026 exam in the table below: 

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• Will GATE 2026 be tougher than GATE 2025? Here's what experts say

Candidates who are preparing for the GATE exam must be aware of the GATE marking scheme 2026, as it works as a strategic tool to score higher. The total marks for each IIT Guwahati GATE 2026 question paper are 100. All the test papers have two compulsory sections: General Aptitude (15 marks), and the remaining 85 marks are reserved for subject-specific questions chosen by the candidate. 

GATE 2026 Paper-Wise Marking Scheme

Candidate must know that the GATE 2026 exam scheme of paper codes AR, GE, GG, XH & XL differs from other GATE question papers. Candidates must check the exam pattern & marking scheme of these papers given below: 

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern for AR (Architecture and Planning) 

Architecture and Planning (AR) Test Paper Apart from the General Aptitude (GA) section, the test paper consists of two parts: Part A (60 marks) and Part B (25 marks).  

• Part A is compulsory for all candidates. Part A consists of 39 questions carrying a total of 60 marks: 18 questions carrying one mark each and 21 questions carrying 2 marks each 
• Part B1 or Part B2 can be chosen during the examination. Part B1 (Architecture) and Part B2 (Planning) consist of 16 questions, each worth 25 marks: 7 questions carry 1 mark each and 9 questions carry 2 marks each.  

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern for GE (Geomatics Engineering) 

Geomatics Engineering (GE) Test Paper Apart from the General Aptitude (GA) section, the question paper consists of two parts: Part A (55 marks) and Part B (30 marks). 

• Part A Engineering Mathematics and Basic Geomatics is compulsory for all candidates. It consists of 36 questions, each worth 55 marks: 17 questions carry one mark each, and 19 questions carry two marks each. 
• Part B contains two components: Part B1 (Surveying and Mapping) and Part B2 (Image Processing and Analysis). Part B1 or Part B2 can be chosen during the examination. Part B1 and Part B2 consist of 19 questions each, each worth 30 marks: 8 questions carry 1 mark each and 11 questions carry 2 marks each.  

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern for GG (Geology and Geophysics) 

Geology and Geophysics (GG) Test Paper Apart from the General Aptitude (GA) section, the GG question paper consists of two parts: Part A (25 marks) and Part B (60 marks).  

• Part A is compulsory for all candidates. It consists of 16 questions, each worth 25 marks: 7 questions carry 1 mark each and nine questions carry 2 marks each. 
• Part B contains two components: Part B1 (Geology) and Part B2 (Geophysics). Part B1 or Part B2 must be made when filling in the online application form and cannot be made in the examination hall. Part B1 and Part B2 consist of 39 questions each, each worth 60 marks: 18 questions worth 1 mark each and 21 questions worth 2 marks each.  

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern for XE (Engineering Sciences) 

Engineering Sciences (XE) Test Paper, apart from the General Aptitude (GA) section, the XE question paper consists of three parts: Section A (15 marks) and any two sections from Section B to H (2×35= 70 marks). 

• Section A Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory): This section contains 11 questions, each worth 15 marks: 7 questions carry 1 mark each, and 4 questions carry 2 marks each.  
• Any two of XE Sections B through H: The choice of two sections from B to H can be made during the examination after viewing the questions. Each of the optional sections of the XE paper (Sections B through H) contains 22 questions carrying a total of 35 marks: 9 questions carrying one mark each (sub-total nine marks) and 13 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total 26 marks). 
• Candidates can check the name of sections below 

Important point related to XE paper 

• Candidates must know that only two optional sections can be answered at a time. A candidate wishing to change the optional section during the examination must first deselect one of the previously chosen optional sections (B through H). 
• All the answers will be deleted if a candidate deselects an optional section. 

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern for XH (Humanities and Social Sciences) 

Humanities and Social Sciences (XH) Test Paper, apart from the General Aptitude (GA) section, the XH question paper consists of three parts: Section A (15 marks), Section B1 (25 marks) and anyone section from Section C1 to C6 (2×30= 60 marks). 

• Section B1 – Reasoning and Comprehension (Compulsory): This section contains 16 questions carrying 25 marks: 7 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub–total 7 marks) and 9 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub–total 18 marks). 
• Any one of XH Sections C1 to C6: The choice of section from C1 to C6 must be made when filling out the online application form. Each of the optional sections of the XH paper (Sections C1 through C6) contains 39 questions carrying 60 marks:18 questions carrying 1 mark each and 21 questions carrying 2 marks each. 
• Candidates can check section names for respective codes in the table below: 

Important Point related to XH paper 

• Candidates cannot request a change of section during the examination.  
• A candidate wishing to change the optional section during the examination must first deselect one of the previously chosen optional sections (C1 through C6). 
• All the answers will be deleted if a candidate deselects an optional section. 

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern for XL Paper (Life Sciences) 

Life Sciences (XL) Test Paper, apart from the General Aptitude (GA) section, the XL question paper consists of three parts: Section P (25 marks), and any two sections from Section Q to U (2×30= 60 marks). 

• Section P – Chemistry (Compulsory): This section contains 17 questions carrying 25 marks: 9 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub–total 9 marks) and 8 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub–total 16 marks). 
• Any two of XL Sections Q through U: The choice of two sections from Q to U can be made during the examination after viewing the questions. Each of the optional sections of the XL paper (Sections Q through U) contains 19 questions carrying a total of 30 marks: 8 questions carrying 1 mark each and 11 questions carrying 2 marks each. 
• Candidates can check the section name for the respective codes in the table below: 

Important Point related to XL paper 

• Candidates cannot request a change of section during the examination.  
• A candidate wishing to change the optional section during the examination must first deselect one of the previously chosen optional sections (Q through U). 
• All the answers will be deleted if a candidate deselects an optional section. 

GATE exam has 65 questions for 100 marks. Three types of questions are asked in the GATE exam: MCQs, MSQs & NAT. Candidate must check question types with respective marking scheme given below: 

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 

• Questions will have 1 or 2 marks in all the GATE question papers. 
• Each MCQ will have four options. 
• Negative marking of 1/3 of the allotted marks will be applicable for MCQs. 

Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) 

• Questions will have 1 or 2 marks in all the GATE question papers. 
• There will be four options for each MSQ. 
• There will be no negative markings for MSQs. 
• Marks will be given on a proportional correctness basis concerning other options. 

Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions 

• NAT Questions will carry either 1 or 2 marks in all the GATE question papers. 
• There will be no options for each NAT Question. 
• Candidates must write the answer found in terms of real numbers using the virtual keyboard provided during the GATE exam. 
• There will be no negative marking for NAT questions in the GATE exam. 

Category of questions 

Candidates must know that the GATE 2026 exam question paper will be designed to evaluate the capabilities of candidates through a diverse range of assessment criteria. Candidates can check the detailed assessment criteria below: 

• Recall: These questions are based on facts, principles, formulae, or laws of the discipline. The candidate is expected to obtain the answer from the subject's memory or, at most, from a short computation. 
• Comprehension: These questions test the candidate’s understanding of the basic concepts and require the candidate to draw simple conclusions from fundamental ideas. 
• Application: These questions test the candidate’s application of knowledge, either through computation or by logical reasoning 
• Analysis and Synthesis: Analytical questions test the candidate’s applicability to analyse given data with images, diagrams, graphs, etc. to produce the answer.  A Synthesis question might require the candidate to compare two or more pieces of information. Questions in this category could, for example, involve the candidate recognising unstated assumptions or separating useful information from irrelevant information. 

The GATE 2026 two-paper concept allows candidates to select two subjects instead of one. Candidates must choose two subjects from the list of combinations approved by the GATE authorities. The conducting body has introduced a new GATE two-paper combination list for registered candidates. Candidates can check the new list below. Opting for two-paper combinations in GATE enhances students' skills and knowledge, improving their chances of acceptance into engineering.

The primary paper in the GATE 2026 second paper is related to the candidate’s undergraduate discipline. On the other hand, the secondary paper allows the candidate to apply their knowledge in the related field. Candidates must choose both subjects from the allowed subject combination in the GATE 2026 exam admission. 

GATE 2026 New Two-Paper Combination List

Candidates can check the paper combination list all subjects below -

GATE 2026 Original Two-Paper Combination List

Important points to remember while choosing both subjects: 

• Candidates must identify which of the two subjects will be his/her primary subject and choose the second subject accordingly. 
• Suppose a new paper combination is added later. Candidates can also pick any combination, including new and original paper combinations, during the correction window and add a new subject with payment of the requisite fee. 
• If any paper combination is removed later (correction window), the candidate will receive a refund for the fees for the second paper. 

The Engineering Sciences (XE), Humanities and Sciences (XH), and Life Sciences (XL) papers of GATE 2026 are general and will comprise the section mentioned below -

GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences (XE) Sectional Paper Option:

The Engineering Sciences (XE) comprises a compulsory section of Engineering Mathematics (Paper Code - A) of 15 marks, with any two optional sections comprising 35 marks each. 

GATE 2026 Humanities and Social Sciences (XH) Sectional Paper Option:

The Humanities and Social Sciences (XH) comprises a compulsory section of Reasoning and Comprehension (Paper Code - B1) of 25 marks, with any optional section comprising 60 marks each. 

GATE 2026 Life Sciences (XL) Sectional Option:

The Life Sciences (XL) comprises a compulsory section of Chemistry (Paper Code—P) of 25 marks, with any two optional paper sections of 60 marks each. 

Check Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the GATE 2026 exam pattern.