GATE Marking Scheme 2026 - IIT Guwahati has published the GATE 2026 marking scheme on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can check the GATE marking scheme 2026 on this page. The marking scheme includes details such as the total number of questions, section-wise questions, and mark distribution. In MCQs, incorrect answers will incur a penalty: 1/3 mark for 1-mark questions and 2/3 mark for 2-mark questions, with no negative marking for MSQs or NATs. The GATE exam will consist of a total of 65 questions: 10 questions from General Aptitude (GA) and 55 subject-specific questions. Each question will carry either 1 or 2 marks. The GATE 2026 exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.
This Story also Contains
Students can also attempt the GATE 2026 mock test to understand the marking scheme. The exam will be conducted for 30 test papers. Read this article carefully to understand the GATE 2026 better marking scheme.
Below is the marking scheme for GATE 2026. Check the number of questions and their mark distribution:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Total Number of Questions | 65 |
Exam Sections | General Aptitude: 10 Questions Subject Component: 55 Questions |
Marks Carry | 1 or 2 |
Type of Questions | MCQ: Multiple Select Questions MSQ: Multiple Choice Questions NAT: Numerical Answer Type |
Negative Marking | 1 Mark MCQ: 1 for correct attempt and -⅓ for wrong attempt. 2 Mark MCQ : 2 for correct attempt and -⅔ for wrong attempt. |
In test papers AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, and TF |
|
In test papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL |
|
XE has a common compulsory section | XE-A(Engineering mathematics) carry 15 marks |
Below is the section-wise question distribution for all GATE 2026 papers. There will be a total of 30 papers.
| GATE Paper Code | General Aptitude (GA) | Subject Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, and TF | 15 | 85 | 100 |
AR [Part A + Part B (B1: Architecture or B2: Planning)] | 15 | 60 + 25 | 100 |
GE [Part A + Part B (Section I or Section II) | 15 | 55 + 30 | 100 |
GG [Part A + Part B (Section 1: Geology or Section 2: Geophysics)] | 15 | 25 + 60 | 100 |
XE (Section A + Any TWO Sections) | 15 | 15 + (2 x 35) | 100 |
XH (Section B1 + Any ONE Section) | 15 | 25 + 60 | 100 |
XL (Section P + Any TWO Sections) | 15 | 25 + (2 x 30) | 100 |
CY, DA, EY, MA, PH | 15 | 85 | 100 |
Candidates must understand the GATE exam pattern and the GATE 2026 syllabus before starting the GATE exam preparation. Check the latest exam pattern as well.
GATE Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Examination Mode | Computer based Exam(CBT) |
Language | English |
Exam Duration | 3 Hours (180 minutes) |
Numbers of Questions | 65 |
Marks Carry | 1 or 2 |
Type of Questions | MCQ : Multiple Select Questions MSQ : Multiple Choice Questions NAT : Numerical Answer Type |
Negative Marking | 1 Mark MCQ : 1 for correct attempt and -⅓ for wrong attempt. 2 Mark MCQ : 2 for correct attempt and -⅔ for wrong attempt. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
GATE 2026 will be for 100 marks with a duration of 3 hours.
For 1-mark MCQs, ⅓ mark is deducted; for 2-mark MCQs, ⅔ mark is deducted. No negative marking for MSQ and NAT questions.
Most 1-mark questions carry 1 mark each, and 2-mark questions carry 2 marks each. Wrong attempts will have negative marking.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
The link to the question paper is attached here. You can also find the answer key that will help you analyse your in-depth performance. Careers360 provides students with preparation tips that will help them utilise their time effectively in preparartion.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-metallurgical-question-papers
Thank you
Hello,
Yes, you can get admission in M.Tech CSE without GATE .
Through university entrance exams
Many universities conduct their own M.Tech entrance exams. You have to qualify the test and sometimes attend an interview.
Through JET for M.Tech
JET (JAIN Entrance Test) is conducted by Jain University.
It is
Hii
No you cannot get admission to IIT for M Tech if your B Tech is not completed at the time of admission, even if you clear the GATE cutoff but Yes, you can appear for GATE 2028 in your 3rd year of B Tech even if your degree is
Hello,
The link to the question paper is attached here. You can access the question papers along with the answer key on the careers360 website. Careers360 also provides students with preparation tips that will help them in preparing and the mock test and analyse their in-depth performance.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/last-15-years-gate-papers-solutions
Thank you.
Hello,
Here is a link for the sample papers for GATE Exam with DA subjects. Tap on the link given below to open it:
Thankyou.
Among top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026
Ranked #45 Among Universities in India by NIRF | 1950+ Students Placed 91% Placement, 800+ Recruiters
NAAC A+ Accredited | Among top 2% Universities Globally (QS World University Rankings 2026)
Asia’s only university to be awarded the highest accreditation by WASC, USA and by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), UK
Online PG programs from Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning
NAAC A++ Grade | All professional programmes approved by respective Statutory Council