In a relief to thousands of engineering aspirants across India, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has officially extended the registration deadline for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026. Students now have until 6 October 2025 to apply without paying a late fee, and until 9 October 2025 with a late fee.
This extension gives candidates a few extra days to complete their applications and avoid last-minute technical issues. With the deadline extended, candidates should not wait until the last moment. The registration process is entirely online and must be completed through the official website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Important Dates for GATE 2026
Event
Date
Opening of Application Portal
25 August 2025
Regular Registration Deadline (No Late Fee)
6 October 2025
Extended Registration Deadline (With Late Fee)
9 October 2025
GATE 2026 Exam Dates
7, 8, 14, 15 February 2026
Result Announcement
19 March 2026
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria for GATE 2026
To be eligible for GATE 2026, candidates must fulfill certain criteria. These include:
Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities from a recognized institution.
Be in the third year or higher of their undergraduate program.
Ensure their degree is recognized by MoE, AICTE, UGC, or UPSC as equivalent to professional programs like BE, BTech, BArch, or BPlanning.
GATE 2026: Application Fees
Category
Regular Fee (per paper)
Late Fee (per paper)
SC/ST/PwD/Female
INR 1,000
INR 1,500
Others (including foreign nationals)
INR 2,000
INR 2,500
Note:- That if a candidate opts for two papers, the fee will be double the amount listed above.
How to Register for GATE 2026
To apply for GATE 2026, candidates need to follow these simple steps to apply:
Step 1: Visit the official website: gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The direct link to the website is given here.
Step 2: On the above, find the application portal link highlighted in mustard colour. Click it to get to the next step.
Step 3: There, you will find the login options. But remember, first you need to register and then log in to complete the application process correctly. For this, scroll down to find the register option.
Step 4: Scroll down, and you will see this register here option. Click on it.
Step 5: Register using your personal details and create an Enrollment ID.
Step 6: Now, log in and fill out the application form.
Step 7: Upload required documents such as Passport-size photo, Signature, Valid photo ID, Category certificate (if applicable), and PwD/UDID certificate (if applicable)
Step 8: Finally, pay the application fee online.
Step 9: Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference, and you are done.
What’s New in GATE 2026?
A new paper titled Energy Science (XE-I) has been added under the Engineering Sciences (XE) category.
Candidates can appear for one or two papers, but only need to fill out one application form.
All test papers will be in English and will be of an objective type.
Final Note for Candidates: For more details, visit the official GATE 2026 website.