GATE 2026 Comprehensive Overview: Exam Dates, Pattern And Marking Scheme Details

GATE 2026 will be held in February by IIT Guwahati with IISc Bengaluru and IITs, conducted as a computer-based test in English.

GATE 2026 Exam Dates: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 will be organised by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) in partnership with IISc Bengaluru and fellow IITs, under the National Coordination Board (NCB) of the Ministry of Education. This prestigious assessment opens pathways to M.Tech admissions, PhD programs, and PSU recruitments for engineering and science graduates.

Important Details About GATE 2026

GATE 2026 is scheduled for February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, featuring 30 test papers in English only. Each paper totals 100 marks and lasts 3 hours, including a mandatory General Aptitude section.

Type of Questions in GATE 2026:

  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
  • Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)
  • Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

Abilities Tested in GATE 2026:

  • Recall
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis & Synthesis

Distribution of Marks in All Papers Except AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL:

  • General Aptitude: 15 marks
  • Engineering Mathematics: 13 marks
  • Subject Questions: 72 marks
  • Total: 100 marks (XE includes Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 marks)
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Distribution of Marks in Papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL:

  • General Aptitude: 15 marks
  • Subject Questions: 85 marks
  • Total: 100 marks

Marking Scheme for GATE 2026:

  • Questions carry 1 or 2 marks
  • Negative Marking: Only for wrong MCQ answers (1/3 mark deduction for 1-mark MCQ, 2/3 for 2-mark MCQ)
  • No negative marking for MSQ or NAT questions
  • No partial marking in MSQ

With GATE 2026 approaching in February, engineering graduates must align prep with the pattern and syllabus today. For GATE 2026 mock tests, subject-wise planners, and eligibility tools, visit press-wire.org immediately. Start now and secure your postgraduate future.

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