GATE 2026 Exam Hall Instructions: Last Minute Guidelines, Dresscode, and Reporting Time

GATE 2026 hall instructions: GATE exam starts tomorrow (Feb 7), and students appearing for the exam must go through the hall instructions carefully so that they can attempt questions smartly without wasting time. Read below to check more about guidelines, dresscode, and GATE hall ticket 2026, and reporting time. 

GATE 2026 exam hall instructions: IIT Guwahati has issued a list of hall instructions and guidelines that must be followed during the entry and exit of GATE exam 2026. Aspirants can check complete details below along with last minute tips for motivation and strategy to attempt questions smoothly. 

GATE 2026 Last Minute Guidelines, Reporting Time, and Dresscode

Students must reach the centre 90 minutes before the start of the exam. On the day of the exam, candidates are advised to keep all their documents ready. Wear light and comfortable clothes with no metallic embellishments. Ensure that your palms and hands are clean with no pen marks, mehendi, etc. Avoid wearing shoes with thick soles or heavy ornaments. Doing this will ease the scrutiny process in GATE 2026. 

GATE 2026 Instructions to be followed at the entry

When reaching at the GATE 2026 exam centre, students will have to undergo the following -

• Report to the centre at least 90 minutes before the commencement of the exam.
• Carry your GATE hall ticket along with a valid ID proof (original)
• Students must also carry a transparent water bottle along with pen or pencil for rough work. 
• Avoid carrying any personal items or electronic gadgets to the centre.
• After reaching exam centre, students will have to undergo Biometric and document verification. 
• Once all verification is done, candidates will be allowed to enter inside the exam hall. 
• Late entry will not be allowed at any cost. The exam will start sharp at 9:30 am and conclude at 12:30 pm for the first shift, and 2:30 to 5:30 for the second shift. 

GATE 2026 Instructions to be followed inside the exam hall

After getting entry inside GATE 2026 exam hall, students will have to follow the guidelines -

• Candidates will be permitted to occupy their seats before the start of the GATE MTech 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. 

GATE Exam Dates 2026 and Shift Timings

IIT Guwahati will conduct Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering on Feb 7, 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts. The GATE exam timings are -

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

Also read:

• GATE 2026: what to carry, prohibited items, guidelines, and last-minute tips
• GATE admit card 2026 revised for students with centre code 2082, download new hall ticket now