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How Many Times GATE Exam is Conducted In a Year, GATE Exam Cycle

Are you looking for How Many Times GATE Exam is Conducted In a Year? Discover an in-depth answer covering the number of attempts, month of GATE exam and exam format.
authorImageKrati Saraswat9 May, 2025
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How Many Times GATE Exam is Conducted In a Year

How Many Times GATE Exam Conducted in a Year:  The GATE examination serves as a pivotal gateway for aspirants who wish to pursue postgraduate education courses or seek employment in various public sector undertakings (PSUs) across diverse branches of engineering. One of the common questions that GATE aspirants often have is, "How Many Times GATE Exam is Conducted in a Year? Simply, the answer is once a year typically in February every year.

For 2026, the GATE exam is going to be held in February 2026 (tentative), as expected, for a total of 30 subjects. Most importantly, aspirants who wish to appear for the forthcoming GATE 2026 examination must strategize their preparation to improve their overall performance.

GATE Exam Overview

GATE is a national-level examination held for aspirants from diverse backgrounds such as engineering, science, commerce, arts, etc. in 8 regions across India. Only aspirants who are in their 3rd year of graduation or who have graduated are eligible to apply for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. The GATE scores are valid for a period of 3 years. Aspirants who qualify the GATE examination can apply for higher studies, government jobs, or various PSU jobs.

GATE 2026 Exam Overview
Particulars Highlights
Name of Exam GATE 2026
GATE Full Form Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering
GATE is Conducted by Jointly by 7 IITs and IISc, Bengaluru
GATE Official Website 2026 https://www.iitg.ac.in/gate-jam/
GATE 2026 Conducting Body IIT Guwahati
GATE 2026 Registration Dates (for regular period) Fourth week of August 2025
Last date of GATE 2026 Registration (with late fees) Fourth Week of September 2025-First week of October 2025
GATE Exam Date 2026 In February 2026 (tentative)
Purpose of the GATE Exam Qualifying Examination for M.E., M.Tech., or Ph.D admissions and Government or PSU Recruitment
Mode of Examination Computer-Based-Test (CBT)
Exam Duration 180 Minutes (3 Hours)
Total Number of Questions 65
How Many Times GATE Conducted in a Year? Once a Year
Total GATE Papers 30 (Data Science & Artificial Intelligence added)
Total Number of GATE Attempts No Restriction
GATE Scorecard Validity 3 Years

How Many Times GATE Exam is Conducted in a Year?

The GATE exam, which is a computer-based test, includes 65 questions and takes place just once a year. Aspirants have the flexibility to either choose one subject or two subjects, following the GATE two subject combination provided by GATE officials. Therefore, the answer to the question of how many times the GATE exam is held in a year is only once.

While the GATE exam itself is an annual event, your GATE score remains valid for a longer duration. It can be used for up to three years for admission to postgraduate education programs and up to two years in the recruitment process of certain PSUs. This means a GATE score can open doors to opportunities for several years.

In Which Month Does the GATE Exam Held In?

The GATE exam is an annual event that usually takes place in February. Aspirants can anticipate receiving their GATE scorecards, which provide an in-depth assessment of their performance, in March following the exam.

There is no limitation on the number of attempts for the GATE exam, which is a notable advantage. As long as applicants adhere to the requirements set forth by the organization in charge of conducting the GATE exam, they are free to apply as many times as they deem necessary. This flexibility empowers aspirants to strive for their best possible score and opens up opportunities for continuous improvement.

How Many Attempts Are Allowed for the GATE Exam in a Year?

The GATE exam offers aspirants the opportunity to appear for the examination once a year, as it is conducted on an annual basis. This annual schedule ensures a fair and standardized evaluation process.  This lack of restrictions proves the commitment to providing aspirants with ample chances to showcase their knowledge and skills.

In a nutshell, while the GATE exam occurs once annually, aspirants can choose to attempt it multiple times within the framework of their educational and career goals, thereby striving for continuous improvement and success.

GATE Exam - A Comprehensive Look

GATE is an annual examination that thoroughly evaluates the comprehensive grasp of a range of undergraduate subjects in engineering and technology. Here are the key highlights of the GATE examination:

  • Purpose : GATE evaluates knowledge in engineering and technology for postgraduate studies and PSU jobs.
  • Frequency : It's an annual exam, conducted often in February every year.
  • Subjects : Covers 30 disciplines from which aspirants can choose one or two as per their preference.
  • Flexibility : Unlimited attempts with no age limit
  • Score Validity : GATE scores are valid for 3 years for postgraduate admissions and 2 years for PSU job applications.
  • Financial Assistance : GATE scores can secure scholarships for Master's and Ph.D. programs.
Elevate your GATE 2026 readiness with Physics Wallah’s GATE Online Courses . PW GATE Online Coaching offers comprehensive live sessions tailored to the syllabus, invaluable study materials, practice tests, and much more.

 

How Many Times GATE Exam is Conducted in a Year FAQs

Q. Is the GATE exam conducted twice a year?

Ans. No. the frequency of the GATE exam is once a year typically in the month of February.

Q. How many times can I appear for the GATE exam?

Ans. You can appear for the GATE exam as many times as you want if you fulfill its eligibility criteria.

Q. When will the GATE exam 2026 be conducted?

Ans. The GATE 2026 examination is being conducted by IIT Guwahati on 1, 2, 15 & 16 February 2026.

Is there any attempt limit for the GATE exam?

No, there is no attempt limit for the GATE exam. Aspirants can take the GATE exam as many times as they wish, year after year, without any restrictions on the number of attempts.

Q. How can I appear for two papers in GATE exam?

Ans. Yes, candidates can take two papers for GATE exam. They are required to choose the preference of papers while filling the application form based on their branch and specialization.
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