In this article you will find GATE 2026 syllabus, eligibility, exam pattern, registration process, branch-wise tips, latest updates, cutoffs and PSU jobs.
GATE Exam 2026 Overview
- Full Form: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
- Conducting Body: IIT Guwahati
- Purpose: M.Tech/Ph.D admissions in IITs, NITs, IIITs, top universities + PSU recruitment
- Exam Level: National
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Papers: 30 subjects (including new interdisciplinary options)
- Official Website: iitg.ac.in
GATE 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
| Event | Tentative Date (2025-26) |
| Notification Release | July 2025 |
| Registration Start | August 2025 |
| Admit Card Download | January 2026 |
| Exam Dates | February 2026 |
| Result Declaration | March 2026 |
Note: Official dates will be updated on iitg.ac.in.
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- Qualification: Final year or completed Bachelor’s degree (Engineering/Technology/Architecture/Science)
- Age Limit: no age limit
- Attempts: Unlimited
- Nationality: Indian citizens + select international candidates
GATE 2026 Registration Process (Stepwise Guide)
- Visit Official Website: iitg.ac.in
- New User Registration: Set email id, mobile number, password
- Application Form Fill: Personal, academic, paper choice, exam city
- Upload Documents: Photo, signature, eligibility proof
- Fee Payment: Online (Net banking/UPI/Credit/Debit card)
- Final Submission & Printout: take a print out of the application
| Category | Application Fee (Expected) |
| General/OBC | ₹1800-₹2000 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Female | ₹900-₹1000 |
GATE 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
- Mode: Online CBT
- Duration: 3 hours
- Total Questions: 65 (10 General Aptitude + 55 Subject)
- Total Marks: 100
- Question Types: MCQ, MSQ, NAT
- Sections:
- General Aptitude (GA): 15 marks
- Engineering Mathematics: 13-15 marks (most papers)
- Subject-specific: 70-72 marks
| Paper Type | GA | Engg. Maths | Subject | Total |
| Most Papers | 15 | 13 | 72 | 100 |
| AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, XL | 15 | – | 85 | 100 |
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd for 1-mark MCQ, 2/3rd for 2-mark MCQ (No negative for MSQ/NAT)
GATE 2026 Syllabus (Branch-wise)
GATE 2026 Syllabus Structure
- General Aptitude: Verbal ability, quantitative aptitude, analytical & spatial aptitude (common in all papers)
- Engineering Mathematics: Most engineering papers include
- Core Subjects: Branch-specific topics
GATE Syllabus CSE (Computer Science)
- Engineering Mathematics
- Digital Logic
- Computer Organization & Architecture
- Programming & Data Structures
- Algorithms
- Theory of Computation
- Compiler Design
- Operating Systems
- Databases
- Computer Networks
GATE Syllabus Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Mathematics
- Applied Mechanics & Design
- Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences
- Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering
GATE Syllabus Civil Engineering
- Engineering Mathematics
- Structural Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
GATE Syllabus Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Mathematics
- Electric Circuits
- Electromagnetic Fields
- Signals & Systems
- Electrical Machines
- Power Systems
- Control Systems
- Electrical & Electronic Measurements
- Power Electronics
Note: Detailed, branch-wise PDF download will be available at: iitg.ac.in. The syllabus comes with minor updates every year, but the core structure mostly remains the same.
GATE Score Card & Validity
- Validity: 3 years (M.Tech/Ph.D admissions, PSU jobs)
- Contains: Candidate details, marks, All India Rank, qualifying marks, score out of 1000
- Use: IITs/NITs/IIITs admissions, PSU recruitment, fellowship programs
GATE 2026 Cutoffs (Branch-wise & College-wise)
| Branch | 2025 Cutoff (Gen) | Top IIT M.Tech Cutoff (Est.) |
| CSE | 32-36 | 700+ (Score) |
| ME | 28-33 | 650+ |
| EE | 29-33 | 650+ |
| CE | 26-30 | 600+ |
Note: The cutoff every year depends on the difficulty of the paper, seats, and applicants. To know the college-wise cutoff, check: Top Government B.Tech Colleges in India 2025, Top IIT Colleges in India 2025: Complete List, Admission Process & NIRF Ranking.
H2: Top IITs/NITs College-wise GATE Cutoff Table
| Institute | Branch | 2025 Closing Score (Gen, Est.) |
| IIT Bombay | CSE | 790 |
| IIT Delhi | ME | 720 |
| IIT Kanpur | EE | 710 |
| NIT Trichy | CE | 650 |
Note: Annual changes possible. Check out Top IIT Colleges in India 2025 for latest information.
GATE for PSU Recruitment: Minimum Rank & Process
- PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings): ONGC, IOCL, NTPC, BHEL, HPCL, etc.
- Selection Process: GATE score + Group Discussion/Interview (Some PSUs recruit only on GATE score)
- Minimum Rank: Top 100-300 (branch/PSU specific)
- Salary Range: ₹8-20 LPA (approx.)
GATE score card is valid for PSU jobs but the final selection also consists of interview. Every PSU has a different cutoff—check details on the official PSU careers page.
| PSU | Branch | 2025 Cutoff (Score/Rank, Est.) |
| ONGC | ME | 850 / AIR 120 |
| IOCL | EE | 820 / AIR 150 |
| NTPC | CSE | 780 / AIR 100 |
Source: PSU official career page. Cutoffs may change every year.
GATE 2026 Normalization Process
- Why? When the exam is held in multiple sessions, normalization takes place to balance the difficulty of the paper.
- How? A statistical formula converts the raw scores into a normalized score to give a fair ranking to all the candidates.
Normalization Formula:
Normalized Score = (Top 0.1%ile score of all sessions / Top 0.1%ile score of this session) × (Marks obtained by candidate – Mean of this session) / (Standard deviation of this session) + Mean of all sessions
Note: If the paper was difficult in your session, your raw marks will be adjusted by normalization, so that students get appropriate rank in all sessions.
Latest Trends & New Papers in GATE
- 2024: Add Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DA) paper.
- 2025: Interdisciplinary paper combinations (CS+DA) introduced.
- 2026: Minor updates are expected, but the core curriculum remains mostly the same. Flexibility in exam city and paper combination.
GATE Preparation Tips
- Syllabus & Pattern: Read official syllabus completely, solve previous year papers.
- Time Management: Make a daily schedule, focus on weak subjects.
- Mock Tests: Regular mock tests improve speed and accuracy.
- Revision: Make short notes, focus on revision in last 2 months.
GATE Preparation Timeline (6, 3, 1 Month Plan)
6 Months Before
- Syllabus mapping, identify strong/weak topics
- Clear concepts from standard books + YouTube lectures
- Start weekly mock tests
3 Months Before
- Solve previous year papers
- Make revision notes
- 1-2 mock tests daily
1 Month Before
- Only revision, formula sheet and short notes
- Full-length mock tests, time management practice
- Take care of health and sleep
FAQs
1. What is the syllabus of GATE exam 2026?
The syllabus of each branch is different, but general aptitude is common in all. Download the official syllabus at iitg.ac.in.
2. What is the GATE 2026 exam pattern?
65 Questions, 100 Marks, 3 Hours, Online CBT, MCQ/MSQ/NAT type questions.
3. What is the eligibility for GATE exam?
You have completed your Bachelor’s degree (Engineering/Science/Architecture) in the final year. No age limit.
4. How is the GATE 2026 registration process?
Apply online at iitg.ac.in, upload documents and along with fee payment.
5. For how many years is the GATE Score Card valid?
Valid for 3 years (for admission, PSU jobs).
6. When will GATE 2026 admit card come?
Can download in January 2026.
7. What is the best preparation strategy for GATE?
Cover the syllabus, do mock tests, revise, and solve previous year papers.
8. How to get jobs in PSU through GATE?
GATE Score + Interview/GD (PSU specific process). Minimum rank is top 100-300.
9. Is there negative marking in GATE exam?
MCQs have (1/3, 2/3), not MSQs/NAT.
10. How many papers are there in GATE 2026?
30 subjects including new interdisciplinary options.
11. What is the cutoff of GATE?
Varies according to branch and year. 32-36 for General CSE, 28-33 for ME (2025 data).
12. When is the result of GATE exam declared?
Expected in March 2026.
Conclusion
GATE exam 2026 is a golden opportunity for engineering aspirants – whether you aim for M.Tech/Ph.D or a PSU job. With proper planning, understanding of the syllabus and consistent preparation, you can achieve your goal. Be sure to check the latest updates on the official website iitg.ac.in, and start your preparation today!
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