GATE 2026 Exam Feb 7: IN, XE, XL, XH Question Paper Analysis, Answer Key Today Live Updates

Candidates can check GATE CY syllabus details (section-wise) below -

• Section 1 (Physical Chemsitry) - structure, group theory, spectroscopy, equilibrium, kinetics, surfaces and interfaces
• Section 2 (Inorganic chemistry) - main group elements, transition elements, lanthanides and actinides, organometallics, radioactivity, bioinorganic chemistry, solids, instrumental methods of analysis
• Section 3 (Organic Chemistry) - stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, organic synthesis, pericyclic reactions and photochemistry, heterocyclic compounds, biomolecules, experimental techniques in organic chemistry

GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is conducted online. The time duration of the exam is three hours. The total marks of GATE question paper is 100. Candidates can check the GATE paper pattern below -

Yes, there is negative marking for GATE 2026 exam. Negative marking implies for MCQs only. 

• For one mark MCQ- 1/3rd mark will be deducted and for 2 mark MCQ - 2/3rd mark will be deducted.
• There is no negative marking for MSQs and NATs.
• Also, no partial marking is offered to MSQs.

GATE XH stands for Humanities and Social Sciences. The XH paper will be conducted in the afternoon session (2:30 pm to 5:30 pm). The sub-paper codes can be checked below -

• XHC1 - Economics
• XHC2 - English
• XHC3 - Linguistics
• XHC4- Philosophy
• XHC5 - Psychology
• XHC6 - Sociology

As per official notification, the conducting body do not issue any dress code guidelines for students. However, it is important to wear light and comfortable clothing to avoid unnecessary situations in scrutiny process. Here's what one can avoid -

• Avoid wearing metal like belts or shirts with large buttons
• Hats or any type of headgear
• Jewellery
• Hairbands or clips
• Gloves or thick sole shoes
• Mehendi, etc.

Candidates can check GATE 2026 exam hall instructions and guidelines below -

• Candidates will be permitted to occupy their seats before the start of the exam.
• Candidates will not be allowed to login 30 minutes after the start of the exam. 
• However, candidates can login and start reading instructions 20 minutes before the start of the exam. 
• GATE online calculator will be available on the candidate’s computer.
• A scribble pad will be provided for doing rough work. Students have to fill their registration number and name before using it. 
• Candidates can take only one scribble pad at any point of time. 
• If the GATE scribble pad is finished, then it has to be retuned and ask for another one after returning the previous one to the invigilator. 
• Scribble pad once returned cannot be returned to candidate. Once the exam is completed, applicant has to return the scribble pad to the invigilator. 
• No applicant is allowed to leave GATE 2026 exam hall before the completion of the exam. 

Candidates can download GATE admit card at GOAPS using their enrollment ID and password.

It is mandatory to carry a valid ID proof to the exam centre. The ID proof must be original and updated with correct information. Students must note that the valid ID proof must be the same as the one you provided during GATE 2026 registration. 

The minimum qualifying mark of GATE IN paper (last year) category-wise can be checked below -

• General category - 25.6
• (OBC-NCL/EWS) - 23
• SC/ST and PwD - 17

The minimum qualifying mark of IN in GATE 2024 was -

• General category - 32.7
• OBC-NCL/EWS - 29.4
• SC/ST and PwD - 21.8

As per the experts analysis and past year's cutoff trends, the expected GATE 2026 IN qualifying cutoff might range from 25.6 - 35.6

The authorities have not mentioned regarding the requirement of GATE passport- size photograph. However, if your photo in the valid ID is unclear or too old, then it is better to carry a recent/updated photograph to the exam centre. 

This year, IIT Madras took a new initiative of implementing facial recognition registration for candidate’s authentication and verification purposes. This was only implemented for the applicants who registered under GATE 2026 Madras zone. However, it is expected that this initiative might be implemented from next year onwards.

GATE 2026 appearing candidates can check dresscode for male and female candidates below-

The timings for the GATE 2026 February 7 exam are as follows -

• The exam timing for shift 1 is 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
• The exam timing for shift 2 is 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. 

Candidates are not allowed to carry the following items to GATE exam 2026 -

• Personal calculators
• Mobile phones
• Watches
• Pagers, Bluetooth devices or any electronic devices 

Besides, candidates must not carry other items, such as charts, notes, books, papers, sheets, etc. Candidates must not wear metal embellishment accessories, jewellery, caps, hats, etc. 

IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts. The exam timings can be checked below -

• Forenoon - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
• Afternoon - 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Candidates appearing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering must carry the required documents to the exam centre, which are as follows -

• GATE hall ticket
• Valid ID proof
• Transperant water bottle
• Pen or pencil (for rough work)

Candidates can carry the following items inside the GATE 2026 exam hall -

• GATE hall ticket 2026
• Valid ID proof
• Pen and pencil 
• Transparent water bottle

GATE papers - AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH and XH will be conducted on Feb 7 second shift. The GATE exam timings are 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

GATE 2026 Feb 7 (first shift) 9:30 am to 12:30 pm exam will be conducted for the mentioned papers/subjects -

• AG
• ES
• GG
• IN
• MA
• MN
• TF
• XE
• XL

Candidates can carry any of the following documents to the centre -

• Passport
• PAN card
• Voter ID
• Ration card
• Aadhar card
• Driving license

The document ID proof must be the same as uploaded during GATE 2026 registration.

The steps to download GATE hall ticket 2026 can be checked below -

• Visit the GATE’s official website
• Click on GOAPS
• Enter your GATE enrollment ID and password
• The admit card will be displayed on the screen
• Check all the details and download the admit card

IIT Guwahati will begin GATE 2026 exam from Feb 7 onwards. The MTech entrance test will resume on Feb 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts- forenoon and afternoon.