GATE 2026 registrations from August 25 for MTech admissions; who is eligible?

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) will begin the registration process for the GATE 2026 from August 25. The institute will host the link to register for admission to the post graduate engineering courses at IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other universities across the country at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) is also a gateway for several recruitments in public sector undertakings (PSUs) such as BHEL, IOCL, HPCL, among others. Such firms recruit candidates on the basis of GATE scores.

As per the official notification, the national-level examination for admission to MTech, other PG engineering and science programmes will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14 and 15.

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To complete the registration process, candidates need to submit required documents such as Aadhar or any other identity card, caste and Persons with Disability (PwD) certificate if applicable, passport size photograph and signature image. These documents should be submitted in a prescribed format and size by the IIT Guwahati.

As per the charges for the application forms, female, Schedule Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and PwD candidates should have to remit Rs 1,000 to complete their registration. The fee charges for unreserved applicants is Rs 2,000.

In 2023, a total of 6,80,000 candidates appeared for the GATE exam for admission to post graduate programmes in engineering and science at various top institutes.

In the year 2022, more than 7 lakh engineering graduates took part in the entrance test, out of which only 1,26,813 were able to clear the exam. The overall pass percentage for the exam remained the same as the previous year at 17.82%.

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GATE 2026: Who is eligible?

The national-level examination for MTech admissions and recruitment to public sector undertakings in India is conducted only once in a year. There is no limit in the number of attempts done by the candidates.

However, to be eligible to apply for the GATE exam, candidates must have a bachelors degree in engineering or technology from a recognised institution. Those appearing for the BTech final year exam can also sit for the MTech exam.

Moreover, there is no minimum percentage requirement for being eligible, but a good academic record is desirable. Notably, all age group candidates, who fulfil the above requirements can appear for the entrance test.

Recently, IIT Guwahati introduced a two-paper combination list for the GATE 2026. Candidates, who will appear for the college entrance test, will have to choose second paper as per preference through the given list.

The exam will be conducted for around 30 papers including CS, EC, ME, EE, CE, among others. Candidates can choose one or two papers depending on the eligibility and paper combination list.