The GATE 2026 eligibility criteria has been released by IIT Guwahati in the official website. Check GATE 2026 eligibility criteria including age limit, minimum qualification, percentage requirements, and category-wise relaxations. Find out who can apply and how to qualify.
GATE eligibility criteria 2026 is that the candidate must have completed their bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture or science. It is important to meet the GATE eligibility criteria before applying for the exam. The GATE registrations concluded and the last date to apply with a late fee was Oct 09, 2025.
The GATE exam dates 2026 are out in the official website. The GATE exam will b be held on Feb 07. 08, 14 and 15, 2026. In this article we will discuss on the GATE eligibility criteria, age limit, number of attempts and more.
Who Is Eligible for GATE 2026?
GATE 2026 eligibility criteria may vary depending on the paper. You must be aware of the GATE eligibility criteria before proceeding with the GATE registration 2026. Given below is the GATE eligibility criteria 2026:
|
Criteria |
GATE Exam Eligibility |
|
Nationality |
Indian nationality candidates will be eligible Candidates from other than India will also be eligible |
|
GATE Academic Qualification |
Candidates must have passed graduation in engineering/technology or a Master’s degree in any relevant science subject. Candidates in the pre-final or final year of their qualifying degree are also eligible to appear for GATE 2026 Foreign Candidates: Must be in the 3rd or higher years or completed their Bachelor’s degree (duration: at least 3 years) in Engineering / Technology / Science / Arts / Commerce. |
|
GATE 2026 Age Limit |
There is no age limit for GATE 2026 |
Is There an Age Limit for GATE 2026?
No, there is no age limit to appear for the GATE 2026 exam; candidates of any age group who meet the educational qualification requirements are eligible to apply for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering.
This makes GATE a great opportunity even for working professionals looking to switch careers or pursue higher education.
What Is the Minimum Percentage Required in Class 12 for GATE 2026?
There is no minimum percentage required to appear in GATE 2026, however the participating institution such as IITs, NITs, IITs and GFTIs may have requirement in terms of minimum percentage in undergraduate program.
The table below shows the GATE eligibility criteria for each degree:
|
Degree / Program |
Qualifying Degree |
Description of Eligible Candidates |
|
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) |
Present in the 3rd year or higher or completed |
|
B. Arch. |
Bachelor’s degree of Architecture (5-year course) / Naval Architecture (4-year course) / Planning (4-year course) |
Present in the 3rd year or higher or completed |
|
B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. |
Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma / 4 years after 10+2) |
Present in the 3rd year or higher or completed |
|
Pharm. D.(after 10+2) |
6 years degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, during third year onwards |
Present in the 3/ 4 /5/ 6 year or completed |
|
M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc. |
Degree holders of M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc 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 |
|
M. Sc./ M.A. /MCA or equivalent |
Master’s degree in any branch of Arts / Science / Mathematics / Statistics / Computer Applications or equivalent |
Present in the 1st year or higher or completed |
|
Int. M.E. / M.Tech.(Post-B.Sc.) |
Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering / Technology (4-year program) |
Present in the 1 - 4 years or completed |
|
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) |
Present in the 3/ 4 /5 year or completed |
|
B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. |
Bachelor degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Commerce (3 year program) |
Present in the 3rd year or completed |
|
Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S. / M.S. |
Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.-M.S. program |
Present in the 3rd year or higher or completed |
|
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 Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India) |
Completed Section A or equivalent of such Professional courses |
|
B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) |
4-years program |
Present in the 3/4 year or completed |
GATE Criteria 2026 For International Students
The international candidate who is eligible for GATE exam from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can also take the exam. GATE exam eligibility criteria 2026 is graduate in the final year or 3 years of a bachelor's degree in engineering or technology. You must have finished or be in the final year of their PG degree in any relevant science topic.
|
Specification |
Details |
|
Nationality |
Candidates with the Nationality of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates can seek admission through GATE 2026. |
|
Courses |
Through GATE 2026, candidates can opt for MTech and Ph.D. programs IISc and IITs offer. |
|
GATE Qualification |
For admission, candidates must qualify for a Bachelor’s Degree in the stream of Engineering or a Master’s Degree in a similar field. |
|
GATE Age Limit |
From any age, applicants are eligible to apply for GATE 2026. |
|
Duration of the Program |
To meet the criteria of GATE Eligibility 2026, candidates need to complete their courses for 3 years. |
Is the 75% Marks Criterion in Class 12 Mandatory for GATE 2026?
No, GATE 2026 does not require 75% marks in your degree to be eligible. Unlike JEE Main, where 75% in Class 12 may be required for admission to certain institutes, GATE has no such benchmark for appearing in the exam.
Relevant articles related to GATE
| GATE Previous Year Question Papers | GATE 2025 Question Paper |
| GATE Exam Centres 2026 | |
| GATE Exam Day Guidelines 2026 | |
| GATE Exam Dress Code 2026 | GATE Exam Date 2026 |
| GATE Syllabus 2026 | GATE Mock Test |
Conclusion
GATE 2026 remains a golden opportunity for students and professionals aiming to advance their academic or career journey in engineering, technology, and sciences.
With no age limit, no minimum percentage requirement, and flexible eligibility across disciplines, the exam is more accessible than ever. Whether you're a final-year student or a working professional, as long as you meet the basic academic criteria, you're eligible to appear.
