GATE 2026 registration link active at gate2026.iitg.ac.in; apply for MTech admission by September 28

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has opened the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) portal for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 today, August 28. Eligible engineering aspirants can register for the GATE 2026 through the official portal at gate2026.iitg.ac.in for Master of Technology (MTech) and other master's programmes. GATE 2026 Application Form LIVE

To register for GATE 2026, female candidates and those belonging to SC, ST, or PwD categories are required to pay an application fee of Rs 1,000 per paper if submitted during the regular registration period, and Rs 1,500 per paper if submitted during the extended period.

For all other candidates, including foreign nationals, the fee is Rs 2,000 per paper in the regular period and Rs 2,500 per paper during the extended period.

The last date to complete GATE 2026 registration without paying a late fee is September 28, 2025. Candidates who miss this deadline can still apply during the extended registration period, which closes on October 9, 2025, subject to payment of the applicable late fee. Initially, the registration deadline without a late fee was September 25.

GATE 2026 exam date

The GATE 2026 examinations are scheduled to be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, across two sessions. The GATE 2026 forenoon session (FN) will run from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, while the afternoon session (AN) will be held from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The GATE 2026 results will be announced on March 19, 2026.

For GATE 2026, IIT Guwahati has introduced a new sectional paper under the Engineering Sciences category: Energy Science (XE-1). Candidates who qualify in GATE 2026 will be eligible for admission to MTech and other postgraduate programmes at IITs, NITs, and other participating institutes. Candidates can also be considered for selected employment opportunities in public sector undertakings (PSUs).

GATE 2026: Photograph, signature specification

Candidates applying for the GATE 2026 are required to submit their photograph and signature in the specifications given below.

Photograph specifications

• Upload a recent, color passport-size photograph (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm) with a white background.
• The candidate’s face should cover 60–70% of the photograph.
• Show full frontal view of the face, including the forehead, eyes, nose, and chin. Head coverings are allowed only for religious reasons, but the full face must be visible.
• No caps, hats, sunglasses, or colored glasses. Normal spectacles are allowed, but glare on lenses should be avoided.
• File format: JPEG/JPG; file size: 5 kB to 600 kB.
• Resolution: minimum 200 × 260 pixels, maximum 530 × 690 pixels; aspect ratio: 0.66–0.89.
• Photographs not meeting these specifications may lead to rejection of the application, and the fee will not be refunded.

Signature specifications

• Upload a signature image in JPEG/JPG format.
• Aspect ratio (height: width) should be 1:R, where R is between 2.75 and 3.75.
• Signature should cover 70–80% of the image after cropping.
• Use black or dark blue ink only.
• File size: 3 kB to 300 kB; resolution: 250 × 80 pixels (min) to 580 × 180 pixels (max).
• Signature should be handwritten by the candidate only.
• A mismatch between the uploaded signature and the one provided during the exam may lead to disqualification.