GATE 2026 Applicants to Witness Hike

The GATE 2026 registration started in Aug 2025, on the official website. The number of registrations in 2026 is to witness a hike of 13% considering the previous year's trends. Last year, the number of applications for GATE for both papers was around 936,019.

The conducting authority is expecting around 10 Lakh registrations for GATE and the exam will be conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati this year. IIT Guwahati will launche the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering website (gate2026.iitr.ac.in). GATE 2026 is conducted for admissions into MTech and direct PhD programs in IITs, NITs, IIITs, etc. 

What is the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS)?

GOAPS or GATE online application processing system, where candidates must fill out the application form after submitting the registration form on the official website. The candidate must register on the GOAPS portal with the required details and will be provided with unique login credentials.

The GOAPS login credentials consist of a unique login ID, registration number and password which can be used to fill out the GATE application form. The GOAPS or GATE login can be used by the registered candidates in the following areas:

• GATE Registration
• Downloading the GATE Admit Card
• Challenging the Answer Key
• Downloading the Result
• Checking the GATE Scorecard

Read More: GATE 2026 Registration, Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates intending to register for GATE 2026 must ensure that they meet the following GATE eligibility criteria as per the notification released by the conducting authority:

• The candidate must have completed any undergraduate degree programs in streams such as Engineering/ Technology/ Science/ Architecture/ Humanities or be pursuing a third year or higher level in any undergraduate program from any recognized institution or university
• Candidate must have certifications from any professional bodies such as the Institution of Engineers, Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, Aeronautical Society of India, etc, approved by MoE/AICTE/UGC/ UPSC 
• Candidates who have completed any undergraduate or in the final year from any recognized university outside India are also eligible for GATE 2026 registration

Read More: GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 Age Limit And Qualification

How to Fill the Application Form through GOAPS? 

The GATE 2026 registration form will be released in Aug 2025. Given below are the step-by-step instructions on how to fill the GATE application form 2026:

• Step 1: Register in the GOAPS portal by entering the name of the candidate, followed by email address, mobile number, and a password to obtain the unique login ID
• Step 2: Log in to the official website using the login credentials received to proceed with filling up the application form
• Step 3: Candidates must fill in the required information in the application form, such as the choice of exam centre, paper details, date of birth, country of residence, qualification details, etc.
• Step 4: Once the candidate clicks on submit, they shall proceed with the document submission process, which includes a scanned photograph and signature, along with other required documents
• Step 5: Application fee of INR 1400 for general/ Male/OBC and INR 900 for SC/ST/ PWD and Women must be paid via Net Banking or Debit/Credit Cards
• Step 6: Upon successful payment of the application fee, candidates can print their GATE application form for future reference. 

Read More: Important Instructions To Fill GATE 2026 Application Form

GATE 2026 Form Filling Documents Checklist

It is advised for candidates to keep the required documents to avoid any technical glitches due to delays in uploading the documents. The following documents must be submitted by the candidate during the GATE 2026 registration process in the prescribed format:

• A valid identity proof (Aadhar Card, Voter ID)
• Category Certificate
• Birth Certificate
• Scanned Copy of the Candidate’s Photograph
• Scanned Copy of the Candidate’s Signature
• PwD certificate (If applicable)
• Dyslexia certificate (If applicable)

Read More: GATE 2026 Documents Upload Format