GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25
GATE Marking Scheme 2026 - IIT Guwahati has announced the GATE 2026 marking scheme on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can check the marking scheme for GATE exam in the GATE 2026 exam pattern. The marking scheme consists of a total number of questions, section-wise questions and marks distribution. There will be a total of 65 questions in the GATE exam; 10 questions of General Aptitude(GA) and 55 subject-specific questions. Each question will either carry 1 or 2 marks. The GATE 2026 exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026. Candidates must also check the GATE 2026 exam pattern to have an overall idea.
This Story also Contains
Candidates can check the comprehensive marking scheme and GATE marks distribution on this page as well. There will be three types of questions in the GATE 2026; MCQ, MSQ and NAT. Negative marking will be applicable only on MCQs; no negative marking for Multiple Select Questions(MSQ) and Numerical Answer Type(NAT). Read this article carefully to better understand the GATE 2026 marking scheme.
Below is the marking scheme for GATE 2026. Check the number of questions and their mark distribution:
Particulars | Details |
Total Numbers of Questions | 65 |
Exam Sections | General Aptitude: 10 Questions Subject Component: 55 Ques |
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, which will be conducted on February 7,8,14,15 2025.
GATE 2026 Marking Scheme
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 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 |
Exam Sections | General Aptitude : 10 Ques Subject Component : 55 Ques |
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,
Yes, you can change your category from General to OBC in the GATE application form. This can be done during the correction window, which typically opens after the last date for application submission.
You will need to pay a correction fee of Rs. 500. Please ensure you upload a valid OBC certificate as per the prescribed format and date mentioned by GATE.
To make the change, log in to the GOAPS portal, navigate to the "Change personal data" section, and update your category. Submit the changes and pay the required fee.
Remember to complete the correction before the deadline, as no changes will be accepted after the final date.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
You can register for GATE on the official GATE website : gate2025.iitr.ac.in (https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in/)
Steps to register:
Go to the GATE website.
Click on “GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS)” .
Create a new account with your email and mobile number.
Fill in your personal, educational, and exam details .
Upload your photo, signature, and documents as required.
Pay the application fee online using net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI .
After payment, you will get a confirmation and your application will be submitted.
Hope it helps !
Hello Candidate,
The last date for registration of GATE examination is 28 September 2025 without late fee. But there is 9th October 2025 is last date with late fee .
So Don't be late or fill the form.
Thank you
Hello Candidate,
You can get free study material from here and also you can download it :
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-material
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/best-gate-preparation-materials
Here is study material, question papers, preparation tips and much more.
Hey! If you want to make changes in your GATE application after submission, you can do it through the correction window on the official GOAPS website. Log in with your enrollment ID or email and password, click on Application Form Correction, and make the necessary edits like personal details, academic info, exam paper, category, or exam centre. Some changes may require a small fee. After editing, submit the form and download the updated copy for your records.
Remember, the correction window is open for a limited time, so make the changes before the deadline.
Apply for Online MBA from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
Apply for Online MBA from UPES
100+ Industry collaborations | 10+ Years of legacy
Apply for Online MBA from NMIMS
Campuses in Ropar, Agartala, Aizawl, Ajmer, Aurangabad, Calicut, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Gorakhpur, Patna & Srinagar
Avail upto 100% Merit Based Scholarships