The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 offers a Two‑Paper Option to you, which allows you to appear for two papers in a single exam session. This feature helps you expand your scope for higher education, PSU recruitment, and other opportunities. Choosing the right combination can significantly impact your GATE score.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 offers a Two‑Paper Option to you, which allows you to appear for two papers in a single exam session. This feature helps you expand your scope for higher education, PSU recruitment, and other opportunities. Choosing the right combination can significantly impact your GATE score.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, or GATE, is a national-level entrance examination for admission to Master's in Technology (MTech) and direct PhD programs at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other institutes/universities across India.
List of GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combination
The list of two paper combinations has been released by the authorities on Aug 21, 2025. The List is as follows:
| Code of the First Paper | Code of the Second Paper | Code of the First Paper | Code of the Second Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| AE | CE, ME, XE | GG | GE |
| AG | CE | IN | BM, EC, EE, ME |
| AR | CE, GE | MA | CS, DA, PH, ST |
| BM | BT, IN | ME | AE, DA, IN, NM, PI, XE |
| BT | BM, XL | MN | - |
| CE | AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE | MT | XE |
| CH | ES, PE, XE | NM | CE, ME |
| CS | DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, ST | PE | CH |
| CY | XE, XL | PH | CS, DA, EC, EE, MA, XE |
| DA | CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, ST, XE | PI | ME, XE |
| EC | CS, DA, EE, IN, PH | ST | CS, DA, MA, XH |
| EE | DA, EC, IN, PH | TF | - |
| ES | CE, CH, GE | XE | AE, CE, CH, CY, DA, ME, MT, PH, PI |
| EY | XL | XH | ST |
| GE | AR, CE, CS, ES, GG | XL | BT, CY, EY |
Importance of Two-Paper Option in GATE 2026
From 2021, the GATE exam authorities introduced a helpful feature for students — the option to appear for two papers instead of just one. The two-paper option is also available in GATE 2026 and can be very beneficial for you.
The two paper combination is important because
1. Wider Subject Coverage
By choosing two papers, you can study and attempt two different but related subjects. This means you get to show your skills in more than one area, giving you a wider academic and professional scope.
- Higher Chances of Qualification
If you're not very confident about scoring well in one paper, having a second paper gives you a backup option. Even if you miss out in one paper, you might qualify through the second one. This increases your overall chances of getting a good rank, admission, or PSU selection.
- More Career and Study Options
Some papers are better for M.Tech admissions in top IITs or NITs. and some are preferred by PSUs for job recruitment. Some combinations are great for research and interdisciplinary courses.By choosing the right combination, you can apply for more courses, more jobs, and more opportunities.
4. Exploring Interdisciplinary Fields
Many industries and research fields combine two or more streams.
For example:
- Data Science = Computer Science + Mathematics/Statistics
- Environmental Engineering = Civil + Environmental Science
So, if you choose two papers from related areas, it shows that you have the skills to work in multiple streams, teams, and projects.
Understanding Two-Paper Combinations in GATE
To understand the two paper combinations, you must know the rules and eligibility of the two paper combinations. You must also know how the combinations are approved by IITs. you can check the details below.
-
Rules and Eligibility
Not all subject combinations are allowed. You must be eligible to take the two-paper combination. The rules and eligibility the two-paper combination are as follows
- The combination should be approved by IITs first.
- Follow the official list of permitted two-paper combinations published on the GATE website.
- The subjects should be chosen to allow you to attempt both (papers are on different sessions/days).
-
How Combinations are Approved by IITs
The two paper combinations are mainly approved by the IITs. These combinations are approved on the basis of
- Overlap in syllabus
- Academic agreement (e.g., CS + MA is allowed, but CS + CE is not)
- Feasibility of conducting exams on different slots
Best Scoring Two-Paper Combinations in GATE 2026
Opting for the GATE two paper combination helps you score well in the exam. Scoring well in two papers is crucial as it helps you in your future career and options. It also helps to manage the difficulty level of the exam.
The best-scoring two paper combinations are selected based on factors like overlapping syllabus, career opportunities, and the difficulty level of the exam. The best-scoring two paper combinations are as follows.
Based on the Overlapping Syllabus
The best way to ace the two-paper combination thing is by selecting 2 subjects with a good amount of the same syllabus. This will help you reduce preparation time and will also increase your chances of scoring well in both papers.
Some of the best two-paper combos with overlapping syllabi are
|
Combination |
Common Subjects |
|
ECE + IN (Electronics + Instrumentation) |
Signals & Systems, Control Systems, Networks |
|
ME + XE (Mechanical + Engineering Sciences) |
Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics |
|
CS + MA (Computer Science + Mathematics) |
Discrete Math, Linear Algebra |
|
CE + ES (Civil + Environmental Science) |
Hydrology, Water Resources, Environmental Engineering |
Based on Career Opportunities
Some combinations are particularly helpful in terms of job prospects in the future. This combination helps you with further studies as well as jobs in PSU, etc. Based on career opportunities, the two paper combinations are as follows:
|
Combination |
Career Pathways |
|
CS + EC (Computer Science + Electronics) |
Embedded Systems, VLSI Design, AI Hardware |
|
CE + GE (Civil + Geomatics Engineering) |
Smart Cities, Surveying, GIS |
|
ME + PI (Mechanical + Production) |
Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering |
|
BT + XL (Biotechnology + Life Sciences) |
Research, Pharma, Biotech Firms |
Based on Difficulty Level
While choosing the two paper combination, you should look for subjects in which one is an easier one and the other one is difficult. To secure a good rank, this option is the best option. The combinations falling under this factors are:
|
Combination |
Easier Paper |
|
CS + MA (Computer Science + Mathematics) |
MA (if you're good at math) |
|
XE + CH (Engineering Sciences + Chemistry) |
XE |
|
CE + ES (Civil + Environmental) |
ES |
|
EE + PH (Electrical + Physics) |
PH |
Factors to Consider While Choosing Combinations
Before selecting and finalizing your GATE 2026 paper combination, it is very important to make a smart choice. Consider your interests and the time that you have for preparation. Here are the key factors that will help you make the decision:
- Your Academic Background: Select the combination of exams in which you have already studied the subjects. This will help you reduce the preparation time and alleviate the pressure.
- Target PSU or Higher Studies: Different PSUs and postgraduate programs prefer some specific paper codes. Check for the eligibility and the paper requirements of the institutes you want to apply to.
- Time Required for Preparation: Taking time out of your schedule to manage the preparation of two papers is very difficult. Prefer picking up overlapping topics first to cover the most out of both subjects to score more in the exam.
Selecting the correct two paper combinations will help you score high in the GATE 2026 exam. Scoring well in the GATE exam will help you open doors to higher studies or PSU recruitment. Your academic strengths, career goals, and available prep time are the factors that need to be taken care of before selecting the combination to beat the exam. Stay focused, choose overlapping syllabus subjects, prepare strategically, and you will be able to ace the GATE 2026 exam.
