IITs and other top institutes across India revised the GATE 2026 registration schedule for M.Tech and Ph.D. admissions in the 2026-27 academic year. The online application process will now begin on August 28 instead of August 25 and will run until September 28. Candidates can still apply until October 9 by paying a late fee. Women, SC, ST, and PwD candidates must pay ₹1000 per paper, while other categories and foreign students must pay ₹2000. The GATE 2026 exams will take place nationwide on February 7, 8, 14, and 15. IIT Guwahati will release the admit cards on January 2, 2025.
The exam lasts three hours and includes 65 questions worth 100 marks. Authorities will deduct 1/3 mark for each wrong answer in one-mark questions and 2/3 mark for each wrong answer in two-mark questions. They will announce the results on March 19, 2026, and release scorecards between March 27 and May 31. Candidates can choose up to two papers. The score remains valid for three years for PG admissions and two years for PSU jobs. Students can find more details about GATE 2026 registration on the official website.