GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 Out, Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality
Riya Sharma22 Aug, 2025
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GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026: IIT Guwahati will administer the GATE 2026 examination for various disciplines. The exam will be held in the first and second week of February 2026 (7, 8, 14, 15).
In order to appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, candidates must meet the specific eligibility criteria which includes academic qualification, age limit and nationality.
Check: GATE Result 2025
Also, check: GATE Scorecard 2025
The conducting authority released the comprehensive eligibility criteria under the detailed notification. Here, we have outlined the GATE Eligibility Criteria for 2026 based on notification.
The eligibility requirements usually remain the same every year. Candidates who wish to take the forthcoming GATE 2026 exam must go through the complete eligibility details in this article.
Also, Read: GATE Syllabus 2026
Check: GATE Toppers List 2025
Also, check: PW GATE Toppers List 2025
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026
The GATE Eligibility Criteria includes important factors such as educational qualifications, nationality, and age limit. All candidates must meet these criteria in order to be eligible to take the exam.
Once candidates confirm that they meet the GATE 2026 eligibility criteria, they can proceed to fill out the application form. More information about the eligibility criteria for GATE 2026 can be found on this webpage.
Also, Read: GATE 2026 Preparation
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the GATE exam, candidates must completed 10+2+2 or 10+3+1 or be currently in the third year of their graduation. There are no specific age limit criteria required for the GATE examination.
It is important to ensure that you meet the educational requirements specified in the GATE exam eligibility criteria. Additionally, please note that the eligibility criteria may vary depending on the specific paper you are appearing for. To help you understand the requirements better, here are the detailed eligibility criteria for GATE 2026.
In addition to the mentioned GATE eligibility criteria 2026, candidates need to provide the necessary documents as proof of their eligibility while filling out the application form.
It is important to remember that the application will be rejected if the required documents are not provided. Let's now explore each of the essential eligibility criteria for the upcoming GATE 2026 exam.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 Highlights
IIT Guwahati is going to organize the GATE 2026 entrance test. The exam aims to determine the eligibility of engineering graduates for M.Tech. and Ph.D. admission as well as job opportunities in PSUs. Candidates are advised to go through the key details about the GATE eligibility criteria:
| GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 Overview | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati |
| Exam Level | National |
| Languages | English |
| Age Limit | There is no minimum or maximum age limit |
| Educational Qualification | Pursuing 3rd year or completed undergraduate degree program |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Application Fee (General) | 1500 |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Mode of Question Papers | MSQ/MCQ/NAT |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| GATE Official Website 2026 | gate2026.iitg.ac.in |
GATE 2026 Educational Qualification
The primary eligibility criterion for the GATE exam is the educational qualification. Candidates who are currently in their third year or higher of an undergraduate degree program or have completed a government-approved degree program in fields such as Engineering, Technology, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Architecture are eligible to take the exam.
GATE Educational Qualification 2026 (Paper-wise)
For a detailed understanding of the eligible degree programs required for appearing in the GATE exam, please refer to paper wise eligibility criteria in given below table:
| GATE 2026 Paper-Wise Essential Qualification | |||
| Degree/Program | Qualifying Degree/Examination | Eligible Candidates | Expected Year of Completion |
| B.E. / B.Tech. / B. Pharm. | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc. / Diploma in Engineering / Technology) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed | 2026 |
| B. Arch. | Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (5-year course) / Naval Architecture (4-year course) / Planning (4-year course) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed | 2027 (for a 5-year program), 2026 (for a 4-year program) |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/4 years after 10+2) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed | 2026 |
| D. Pharm. (after 10+2) | 6 years degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, from third year onwards | Currently in the 3rd/4th/5th/6th year or already completed | 2027 |
| M.B.B.S./B.D.S. | Degree holders of M.B.B.S./B.D.S. and those who are in the 5th/6th/7th semester or higher semester of such program. | 5th, 6th, 7th or higher semester or already completed | 2026 |
| M. Sc. / M.A. / MCA or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Arts/Science/Mathematics/Statistics/ Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in the first year or higher or already Completed | 2026 |
| Int. M.E./ M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering/ Technology (4-year program) | Currently in any year | any year |
| Int. M.E./ M.Tech./M.Pharm or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5-year program) | Currently in the 3rd /4th/5th year or already completed | 2027 |
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. | Bachelor's degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Commerce (3-year program) | Currently in the 3rd year or already completed | 2026 |
| Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S. / M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.-M.S. program | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed | 2027 |
| Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch.) | B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (e.g. AMIE by the Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India, and so on) | Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses | Enrolled Upto 31st May 2013* |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-years program | Currently in the 3rd/4th year or already completed | 2026 |
GATE Age Limit 2026
There is no specific age requirement for appearing in the GATE 2026 examination. This means that candidates of any age can take the exam as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set by the GATE exam. In other words, there are no age limitations for candidates who wish to appear in the GATE exam.
GATE 2026 Nationality
Nationality is a crucial aspect of determining eligibility for the GATE exam. While the exam allows participation from foreign nationals, this privilege is limited to individuals from specific countries. Below is the comprehensive list of countries whose candidates are eligible to apply for the GATE exam.
- India,
- Nepal,
- Bangladesh,
- Sri Lanka,
- Singapore,
- Ethiopia and
- United Arab Emirates (U.A.E)
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 For International Students
If you are a candidate from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Ethiopia, or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you have the opportunity to apply for the GATE 2026 exam. However, to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- Candidates should be at least in the third year of their Bachelor's degree program or have completed their Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Arts, Technology, or Commerce.
- Students must have completed a postgraduate degree in relevant science subjects, be in their final year of study, or be in the process of completing their studies.
GATE Eligibility For M.Tech.
Candidates who qualify in the GATE exam will have the opportunity to secure admission in M.Tech courses offered by various IITs, NITs, IIITs, and select CFTIs. It is important to note that there won't be a separate counselling process specifically for GATE.
To seek admission in M.Tech courses at IITs, candidates must complete GATE 2026 registration through COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal). This process is carried out separately and requires candidates to follow the specified procedure.
On the other hand, candidates aspiring to join NITs, IIITs, and certain CFTIs for M.Tech programs need to apply through the centralized counselling process known as Centralized Counselling for M.Tech 2026 (CCMT).
By understanding and following these respective counselling processes, GATE-qualified candidates can secure admission to their desired M.Tech courses offered by prestigious institutions across India.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Documents Required
When applying for the GATE exam, candidates must upload specific documents to demonstrate their eligibility for GATE 2026. It is important to note that these eligibility documents need to be uploaded while filling out the GATE application form. Here are some important points regarding the documents required for eligibility:
- Qualifying Examinations (Completed or Ongoing): Candidates who have completed the qualifying examinations in 2026 or earlier must submit their degree certificate, provisional degree certificate, course completion certificate, or membership certificate issued by designated authorities.
- Expected Qualifying Examinations: If a candidate is expected to meet the GATE eligibility criteria in 2026 or later, they need to upload a Provisional Certificate Letter issued by the Head of the Institute/Dean/Registrar/Head of Department, or a copy of the marks card for Section A of AMIE (Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers), etc.
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Candidates in the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category should upload a PwD certificate issued by a recognized authority. Only candidates with at least 40% impairment, regardless of the disability type, will receive an application fee concession. The certificate will also be required during admission at the allotted institute.
- Backlogs in Qualifying Examinations: Candidates with backlogs (failed subjects) in their qualifying examination must upload a copy of the final year mark sheet issued by the institute where they will pursue their qualifying examination. Internet-downloaded mark sheets will not be accepted.
- SC/ST Category: SC/ST category candidates need to upload valid document proof to avail of an application fee concession. Certificates issued by authorized officials will be considered for the concession.
- Dyslexic Candidates: Dyslexic candidates should submit a certificate issued by authorities stating their condition in order to access the services of a scribe.
Note: The GATE 2026 eligibility certificate, if applicable, should be uploaded only while filling out the online application form and should not be sent by post.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 For Non-Indian Universities Candidates
In situations where candidates have obtained or are pursuing their qualifying degree from countries other than India, the following GATE exam eligibility criteria will apply:
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/Technology: Candidates should have completed or be in the final year of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology. The duration of the course should be at least 4 years.
- Postgraduate Degree in Relevant Science Subjects: Candidates should have completed or be in the final year of a postgraduate degree in any relevant science subjects. The duration of the course should be at least 2 years.
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GATE Eligibility Criteria FAQs
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