GATE 2026 Question Paper PDF OUT: Download with Master Question Paper and Solutions, Previous Year Papers

No, the GATE 2026 question paper has not been released. The expected release date is last week of February 2026.

The difficulty level of GATE question paper changes every year, as different IITs and IISc Bangalore conduct the competitive exam on rotational basis. However, based on the last past 5 to 10 years of GATE paper review, the difficulty level usually remains moderate to tough mostly.

There is no one IIT that is consistent with GATE question paper difficulty level. However, based on students and subject experts, it is observed that IIT Bombay and IISc Bangalore has a record of setting the toughest GATE question paper so far. Apart from that, IIT Kanpur is also known for setting difficult GATE question paper, especially for EE (electrical engineering) branch. 

Therefore, it is advised to make concepts strong while preparing for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. 

40 marks in GATE will approximately give a rank between 2000 to 5000 depending on the paper difficulty level and the number of registered candidates in that particular branch.  Obtaining 40 marks is mainly considered average, opening chances to a few new IITs (less popular branches) and NITs.

However, rank for 40 marks in the Graduate Aptitude in Engineering can give a different rank value for different branches and disciplines. For example, 40 marks in GATE CSE can correspond to 2000 to 5000 rank. On the other hand, 40 marks in GATE ME, can correspond to 2700 - 7100 rank. 

Advice to students who secured 40 marks in GATE exam: Better to apply in some state-level colleges or new NITs. 

Candidates can check GATE 2026 exam pattern below -

Introduced in 2021, the two paper combination in GATE is a new approach by the conducting authorities that allows candidates to atleast two papers in the examination. The main objective of the GATE 2026 two paper combination facility is to broaden the skill set and techniques of the aspirants in the relevant field they are applying for. 

IIT Guwahati has released the GATE two paper combination list for 2026 exam. Aspirants can choose two papers from the given combination while filling the application form. The first paper is termed the primary paper, and the second paper is termed as the secondary paper. However, it must be noted it is not mandatory to opt for two papers. 

The GATE 2026 question paper difficulty level of all subjects will be available after the completion of exam. In addition, students will also get an idea about chapter-wise weightage and important topics asked in major papers like GATE CSE, ME, EC, EE, DA, XE, etc. 

Yes, candidates having qualifying degree in B.Com can apply for GATE exam to get admission to the master's programmes in IITs and IISc. Candidates must go through the GATE information brochure carefully before applying. Also, students in 3rd year or final year in commerce are also eligible for GATE. 

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.

The MCQ, MSQ, and NAT are the types of questions asked in the GATE examination. 

• MCQs are the multiple-choice questions
• MSQs are the multiple select questions
• and NAT are numerical answer type questions 

Each question type has a different marking scheme, which the candidates must go through the information brochure carefully. 

Yes, the GATE General Aptitude syllabus is common for all branch papers in GATE. Candidates must check the GATE syllabus PDF carefully before starting their preparation. The GATE GA syllabus includes the following -

• Verbal aptitude (basic English grammar and vocabulary)
• Quantitative Aptitude - Data interpretation and numerical computation and estimation
• Analytical Aptitude and Spatial Aptitude

Qualifying mark of GATE exam usually varies every year depending on certain factors. Candidates can refer to expected cutoff based on last year's trends 

• General - 25 to 32
• OBC - 22 to 28
• SC/ST/PwD - 17 to 25

Candidates can find the GATE 2026 mock test papers on the official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The mock test link will be activated a few months before the exam. Aspirants can attempt the GATE mock tests for free using a dummy email ID. The mock test links are available for all 30 branch papers. With the help of the GATE mock test papers, candidates can get an idea of the exam pattern, difficulty level, and high-weightage topics. 

The GATE mock tests are dummy test papers that give the experience of attempting the real exam. The mock tests are like sample papers that reflect the difficulty level and pattern of the exam. GATE aspirants must keep up the habit of solving mock tests as they come with several benefits, such as -

• Since they mimic the real exam. You get to understand the GATE paper structure and format.
• You get an idea of what kind of questions are asked in the exam. 
• Check your performance analysis and see the improvement in how you score in the test. 

All in all, mock tests improve your time management and accuracy skills. So, give as many GATE mock tests you can. 

If you have registered for GATE CS paper and looking for GATE computer science and engineering mock test paper, then you can get it from the official website - gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can also find GATE CS previous year's question paper in PDF format. For mock test, you can attempt it for free. 

In GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) official answer key, MTA stands for Marks to All.

"Marks to All"  states that the marks allotted to that question will be given to all candidates who attempted that particular test paper. 

Candidates can find the GATE 2026 mock test papers on the official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The mock test link will be activated a few months before the exam. Aspirants can attempt the GATE mock tests for free using a dummy email ID. The mock test links are available for all 30 branch papers. With the help of the GATE mock test papers, candidates can get an idea of the exam pattern, difficulty level, and high-weightage topics. 

The GATE previous years question paper are available on the official website - gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates who are appearing for GATE exam must attempt the question paper to understand what sort of questions are asked in the exam. Candidates can download them for free. However, they must check the paper code carefully before downloading PDF.

The GATE general aptitude (GA) section is common for all branch papers. The section carries 15 marks in the question paper.

The GATE GA syllabus include: verbal aptitude, quantitative aptitude, analytical aptitude, and spatial aptitude. 

Bonus tip - If you prepare and attempt the general aptitude section, it can help you fetch good marks in the GATE exam. 

This year, IIT Guwahati conducted the GATE 2026 exam. IIT Guwahati conducted the GATE exam in 2018. Based on the GATE 2018 and past year paper format, the GATE 2026 is expected to be moderately difficult. The question paper is expected to have higher weightage on concept-based questions, blending numerical and practical analysis. Candidates are advised to practice the previous year's question paper as many times as possible to understand the difficulty level of the question paper. 

No, it is not compulsory to attempt all questions asked in GATE question paper. Since there is negative marking for incorrect answers, students are advised to answer those questions which they are confident of.

No, GATE official question paper is not released yet. The question paper for respective subjects will be made available along with answer key and GATE 2026 response sheet. The expected release date is last week of February.

Considering the past year's trends and experts analysis, GATE CSE, ECE, and EE papers are considered as the toughest papers in GATE exam. Here's why -

• Complex technical concepts and fundamentals

• Heavy mathematics

• Branch popularity and number of registered candidates are more.

No, fee for raising objection is non-refundable. Candidates will have to pay a non-refundable amount of INR 500 per question. 

The GATE marks is the actual marks obtained by the candidate. It is calculated out of 100. On the other hand, the GATE scores is calculated out of 1000 using a formula of GATE normalisation process. The GATE result will be released on March 19.