The GATE counselling process begins after the GATE exam results are released. The GATE counselling process allows you admission into the GATE participating institutes. The GATE Counselling dates 2026 will be released soon by the authorities. The counselling will be conducted in the month of March.
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The GATE counselling process begins after the GATE exam results are released. The GATE counselling process allows you admission into the GATE participating institutes. The GATE Counselling dates 2026 will be released soon by the authorities. The counselling will be conducted in the month of March. The Counselling process includes steps like registration, choice filling and locking, seat allotment, document verification, etc.
If you are willing to apply for M.Tech./ M.Arch./ M.Plan. Programmes, based on your GATE scorecard 2026 in NITs, IIEST Shibpur, and some IIITs and CFTIs, you can register on the official website using your GATE registration ID and password. In this article, we will be discussing the types of GATE counselling, Eligibility to participate, counselling steps and documents required to participate in counselling for the GATE exam.
Types of GATE Counselling
There are two types of GATE counselling:
- Centralised Counselling (CCMT):
- Conducted for 31 NITs, 25 IIITs, and other CFTIs.
- Managed through the Centralised Counselling for M.Tech/M.Arch/M.Plan (CCMT) portal.
- You can fill out choices online, and seat allotment is based on GATE score, rank, and category.
- IITs do not participate in CCMT.
- Each IIT conducts admissions separately through the Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP).
- You must register on the COAP and individual IIT websites to apply for M.Tech programs.
Eligibility Criteria for GATE Counselling 2026
To participate in the GATE counselling 2026 process, you must:
- Have a valid 2026 scorecard.
- Have a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, or science.
- The cut-off marks are set by participating institutes.
- Qualify the category and reservation requirements.
- Qualify Institute-specific eligibility criteria.
Step-by-Step GATE Counselling Process 2026
The step-by-step gate counselling process 2026 is as follows:
|
Step |
Process |
Details |
|
Step 1 |
Online Registration |
- Register on CCMT (for NITs/IIITs) or COAP (for IITs). - Use GATE roll number, score, and personal details. - Pay the registration fee online to complete the process. |
|
Step 2 |
Choice Filling and Locking |
- Fill in the choices of institutes and programs. - Enter multiple preferences to increase chances. - Lock choices before the deadline to avoid changes. |
|
Step 3 |
Seat Allotment Process |
- Conducted in multiple rounds. - Allocation is based on: • GATE score & rank • Reservation policy • Seat availability • Candidate’s preference order. - Candidates can accept, float, or withdraw their seat. |
|
Step 4 |
Document Verification |
- Upload/submit required documents online or offline. - Verification ensures eligibility and authenticity. - Invalid or missing documents can lead to cancellation of admission. |
|
Step 5 |
Reporting at Allotted Institute |
- Report physically or online to the allotted institute. - Confirm admission by paying the institute fee. - Complete all registration and joining formalities. |
Documents Required for GATE Counselling 2026:
The list of documents required for GATE counselling 2026 is as follows:
- GATE 2026 Admit Card and Scorecard
- Class 10th & 12th Mark Sheets
- Graduation Degree/Provisional Certificate
- Mark Sheets of All Semesters
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD) if applicable
- Valid Photo ID Proof (Aadhar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID)
- Recent Passport-size Photographs
GATE Counselling 2026 Fees and Payment Details
The GATE counselling fees and payment vary according to your category. The Counselling fee and payment details are as follows:
|
Category |
Registration Fee Range |
Payment Modes |
Refund Policy |
|
General / OBC / EWS |
INR 3,000 – INR 5,000 |
UPI, Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card |
Non-refundable |
|
SC / ST / PwD |
INR 2,000 – INR 2,500 |
UPI, Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card |
Non-refundable |
Important Tips for GATE Counselling 2026
Below are some of the important tips that you can follow for a smooth GATE counselling process.
- Use the GATE College Predictor to get the college's options in no time.
- Smartly research all the college options available as per your GATE 2026 score.
- Refer to the previous year’s GATE scores to make a smart decision.
- Check all the documents to see if they are verified and up-to-date.
- Keep checking the counselling schedule and updates.
- Fill in the maximum number of choices to get a good number of options.
The GATE counselling 2026 is a very important event in the GATE exam journey, as it will decide your future. Sorting good colleges, applying to them and then getting into them is the most strategic task, which gets sorted if you go through a smooth and smart counselling process. Always stay updated with the important information, checking the previous year cutoffs and keep all the documents ready will lead you to take the best decision of your life by getting into the best GATE participating institutes.
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