GATE 2026 syllabus out; exam pattern for newly introduced energy science paper

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has published the GATE 2026 syllabus for the entrance test, scheduled to be conducted from February 7, 2025. The institute will begin the registrations from August 25 on its official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level examination conducted to assess the candidates’ comprehensive understanding of different undergraduate (UG)-level subjects in engineering, technology, science, commerce, arts, architecture, and humanities.

The engineering entrance test will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026.

The engineering institute will conduct the GATE 2026 entrance examination for admission to MTech, MS, and PhD programmes at IITs, National Institute of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT).

The GATE 2026 score will also be used for recruitment to Pubic Section Undertakings (PSUs).

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GATE 2026: Exam pattern, syllabus

The question paper for the aptitude test will contain 30 papers with full and sectional papers. A new energy science section has been introduced in an engineering science paper.

As per the official notification, a candidate can appear for one or two test papers. “Only selected two-paper combinations are allowed for candidates appearing in two papers,” the notification reads.

Notably, GATE 2026 scores will remain valid for a period of three years from the date of declaration of results.

The language of the test paper will be in English, and will contain a total of 100 marks. General Aptitude (GA) topic will be common for all papers, containing 15 marks, while the rest of the papers will cover other test syllabus with 85 marks.

As per the marking scheme, candidates will be awarded one or two marks depending on the paper for each correct response. While, 1/3 marks will be deducted for 1 mark question each and 2/3 marks will be taken away for each wrong answer for 2 mark question.

Candidates can check the GATE 2026 exam pattern from the table given below.