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Yes, you can take two GATE Papers in a year, but it is important to refer to the official GATE 2026 two-paper combination list to select a secondary paper preference.
What is the GATE two paper combination?
The GATE two paper combination allows candidates to take two papers in the same examination cycle to explore a wide range of career opportunities in core and multidisciplinary fields.
What will be the GATE 2026 second paper fee for general applicants?
For general applicants, the fee is INR 1,800 per paper, which means the total GATE 2026 fee for two papers would be around INR 3,600.
Is appearing for the second GATE 2026 paper compulsory?
No, it is not. Aspirants who wish to appear for the second paper in addition to their primary one can select the secondary paper from the GATE 2026 two paper combination list.
Can I change my GATE Paper Combination?
Yes, the correction window allows candidates to modify their combination of two papers.
Is qualifying for both papers necessary for GATE?
No, candidates must qualify at least one paper from the selected combination to avail the benefits of getting admission to postgraduate programs and jobs in PSUs.
GATE 2026 Paper Combination, List of Primary and Secondary Papers
GATE Paper Combination provides an opportunity for applicants to appear for two papers simultaneously. Check the branch-wise list of Two-Paper Combinations for GATE 2026.
Riya Sharma2 Jun, 2025
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GATE 2026 Paper Combination: The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, will conduct theGATE 2026 examination across 30 different branches to facilitate postgraduate admissions and job opportunities in PSUs. The two-paper combination in Graduate Aptitude in Engineering is a unique feature that allows candidates to attempt two different subjects within the same examination cycle.
Candidates select a primary paper, which is typically aligned with their undergraduate discipline, and a secondary paper from a list of allowed combinations as specified by the GATE conducting body. Candidates need to select the two-paper combination while submitting the GATE Application Form through the GOAPS Portal.
GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combination (Revised)
Aspirants can choose the two papers for GATE 2026. It is worth remembering, if the official removes any GATE paper, the applicants will be reimbursed for the second paper fee. Furthermore, the GATE 2026 examination center for the second paper may vary within the same city.
Attempting two papers presents a wide range of opportunities to aspirants in core and interdisciplinary specializations. Candidates are required to pay a separate fee for both GATE papers, and the exam is conducted on different dates following the official schedule of the conducting authorities.
For the ease of applicants, we have mentioned the revised list of two paper combinations for GATE published by IIT Roorkee:
GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combinations (Revised)
Code of the First Paper
Code of the Second Paper
Code of the First Paper
Code of the Second Paper
AE
GE
GG
AR , MN , XE
AG
XE
IN
DA
AR
GG , XE
MA
EY
BM
DA , EE , XE
ME
CS
BT
ES , EY , CS , DA
MN
GE , GG
CE
DA , TF , EE
MT
PI , DA
CH
CY , XL , DA
NM
XE
CS
XE , BT , EE , ME
PE
XE
CY
CH , XH
PH
XL
DA
BM , CE , IN , CH , MT , BT , XH , GE
PI
MT
EC
XL
TF
XE , CE
EE
BM , XL , CS , CE
XE
AG , AR , BM , CS , GE , GG , NM , PE , TF
ES
BT , EY
XH
DA , CY
EY
BT , MA , ES
XL
CH , EE , PH , EC
GE
MN , XE , AE , DA
GATE 2026 Two Paper Combination Original List
The GATE exam is primarily conducted for 30 different subjects; however, if any new paper is introduced in GATE 2026, the conducting institute will inform on their official website. Out of the 30 subjects, candidates need to select the primary and secondary papers if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Below is the original list of GATE Two Paper Combination released by the IIT Roorkee:
GATE 2026 Two Paper Combination List
First Paper Code
Second Paper Code
AE
CE, ME, XE
AG
CE
BM
BT, IN
BT
BM, XL
CE
AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE
CH
ES, PE, XE
CS
DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, ST
CY
XE, XL
DA
CS, EC, EE, MA, PH, ST, XE
EC
CS, DA, EE, IN, PH
EE
DA, EC, IN, PH
ES
CE, CH, GE
EY
XL
GE
AR, CE, CS, ES, GG
GG
GE
IN
BM, EC, EE, ME
MA
CS, DA, PH, ST
ME
AE, DA, IN, NM, PI, XE
MT
XE
NM
CE, ME
PE
CH
PH
CS, DA, EC, EE, MA, XE
PI
ME, XE
ST
CS, DA, MA, XH
XE
AE, CE, CH, CY, DA, ME, MT, PH, and PI
XH
ST
XL
BT, CY, EY
GATE 2026 XE, XH, and XL Paper & Other Optional Subjects
Each GATE 2026 paper will have a total weight of 100 marks. All papers encompass a common section, General Aptitude (GA), worth 15 marks, with the remaining 85 marks dedicated to covering the core subjects as selected by aspirants.
For GATE XE, a common paper, Engineering Mathematics, is mandatory, and aspirants must select two additional optional subjects from a list of seven available options.
In the case of GATE XH, the common paper is reasoning and comprehension, and aspirants are required to select their remaining optional subjects from a list of six.
Finally, GATE XL has a shared paper on chemistry, and aspirants need to select two more optional subjects from a list of five. All possible combinations of optional papers available for GATE 2026 are highlighted in the table below for aspirants' convenience.
GATE 2026 XE, XH, and XL Optional Paper List
XE Paper Sections
Code
XH Paper Sections
Code
XL Paper Sections
Code
Engineering Mathematics
A
Reasoning and Comprehension
B1
Chemistry
P
(Compulsory)
(Compulsory)
(Compulsory)
Any TWO optional Sections
Any ONE optional Section
Any TWO optional Sections
Fluid Mechanics
B
Economics
C1
Biochemistry
Q
Materials Science
C
English
C2
Botany
R
Solid Mechanics
D
Linguistics
C3
Microbiology
S
Thermodynamics
E
Philosophy
C4
Zoology
T
Polymer Science and Engineering
F
Psychology
C5
Food Technology
U
Food Technology
G
Sociology
C6
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
H
GATE Two Paper Combination Fees
The GATE two-paper combination fee is calculated by adding the applicable fee for each paper. For GATE 2026, the fee structure is as follows:
GATE 2026 Two Paper Combination Fee
Category
Fee (Regular Period)
Fee (Extended Period)
Fee for Two Papers (Regular)
Fee for Two Papers (Extended)
Female/SC/ST/PwD
INR 900 per paper
INR 1400 per paper
INR 1800
INR 2800
All Others (including foreign nationals)
INR 1800 per paper
INR 2300 per paper
INR 3600
INR 4600
Advantages of the GATE Two Paper Combination
GATE conducting authority permits applicants to choose two papers instead of one, which provides various benefits to individuals who want to enhance their knowledge and explore new disciplines to advance their careers. Here are some of the benefits of selecting a GATE 2026 two-paper combination:
Diversified Knowledge: By taking two GATE papers, applicants can expand their knowledge and skill set. A civil engineering graduate, for example, can choose secondary papers for AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, and XE in addition to the core CE paper. This can help in gaining expertise in multiple areas.
Increased Career Opportunities: The GATE two-paper combination can significantly enhance career opportunities. By choosing secondary papers, applicants can make themselves more appealing to potential employers. For instance, an applicant with a combination of Computer Science (CS) and Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC) papers can access emerging fields like embedded systems or robotics, where expertise in both domains is needed.
Improved Scoring and Ranking: Choosing two GATE papers might also be a smart scoring method. Some applicants may thrive on one paper while struggling on another. Choosing two papers allows students to aspire for a better combined score, enhancing their overall GATE scores and opening doors to more renowned colleges and scholarships.
GATE 2026 Two Paper Combination - Key Points to Remember
Applicants should keep in mind that while opting for the second paper, it is mandatory to follow the GATE 2026 two-paper combination list as provided above.
Aspirants who can modify their two paper combinations for GATE 2026 through the correction window.
If authorities announce new paper combinations in the future, details will be announced at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Moreover, if any combination of papers gets canceled by the exam-conducting authorities, applicants will be eligible to get a refund of the second paper fee.
The examination center may be different for the second paper. After downloading the GATE Admit Card, aspirants must check their respective examination centers carefully.
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