GATE 2026 Marking Scheme Explained - Negative Marking & Total Marks

GATE 2026 Marking Scheme Explained - Negative Marking & Total Marks

Ongoing Event

GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 26 Sep 2025, 04:15 PM IST

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

  1. GATE 2026 Marking Scheme - Highlights
  2. GATE 2026 Marking Scheme - Question Distribution
  3. GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
GATE 2026 Marking Scheme Explained - Negative Marking & Total Marks
GATE 2026 Marking Scheme Explained - Negative Marking & Total Marks

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.

GATE 2026 Marking Scheme - Highlights

Below is the marking scheme for GATE 2026. Check the number of questions and their mark distribution:

GATE 2026 Marking Scheme

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

  • 15 marks for GA

  • 85 marks for Subject Questions.

  • Including 13 marks for Engineering Mathematics.

In test papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL

  • 15 marks for GA

  • 85 marks for Subject Questions.

  • No mathematics questions.

XE has a common compulsory section

XE-A(Engineering mathematics) carry 15 marks

GATE 2026 Marking Scheme - Question Distribution

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

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

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)

Q: What is the total marks and duration of GATE 2026?
A:

GATE 2026 will be for 100 marks with a duration of 3 hours.

Q: How much is the negative marking in GATE 2026?
A:

For 1-mark MCQs, ⅓ mark is deducted; for 2-mark MCQs, ⅔ mark is deducted. No negative marking for MSQ and NAT questions.

Q: What is the marking scheme in GATE 2026?
A:

Most 1-mark questions carry 1 mark each, and 2-mark questions carry 2 marks each. Wrong attempts will  have negative marking.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

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:

  1. Go to the GATE website.

  2. Click on “GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS)” .

  3. Create a new account with your email and mobile number.

  4. Fill in your personal, educational, and exam details .

  5. Upload your photo, signature, and documents as required.

  6. 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.