GATE Age Limit 2026 Category Wise for Exam, PSU - Latest Updates

GATE Age Limit 2026 Category Wise for Exam, PSU - Latest Updates

Ongoing Event

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

Team Careers360Updated on 28 Aug 2025, 03:02 PM IST

GATE Age Limit 2026 - Candidates interested in attempting the GATE exam will likely be curious about the GATE 2026 age limit. There is no age limit to appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). Candidates need only to fulfil the GATE eligibility criteria to apply. However, various PSUs like ONGC, NTPC, and others many have a maximum age limit for applying through the GATE exam. Students of any age who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology or a Master’s degree in a relevant science field can apply for GATE 2026 exam.

This Story also Contains

  1. GATE 2026 Age Limit
  2. GATE 2026 Age Limit for PSUs
  3. GATE Age Limit for PhD
GATE Age Limit 2026 Category Wise for Exam, PSU - Latest Updates
GATE Age Limit for Exam, PSU

The official GATE authority has not specified any age limitation for its candidates. However, the GATE 2026 participating institutes might have an age limit for admission to various courses. Hence, candidates are advised to check the desired institute’s page before applying. The GATE age limit for PSU is also unique for various categories. Read the complete article to know more about the age limit for GATE 2026 for different categories and subjects. Generally, candidates under the reservation category get more age relaxation than those in the General category.

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GATE 2026 Age Limit

The GATE age limit 2026 for various categories is specified here. Read the article to know more about the age limit for GATE 2026 for different categories and subjects.

GATE 2026 Age Limit for Various Categories

The GATE 2026 age limit for different reservation categories is the same. IIT Guwahati has not specified any maximum age to apply for the GATE 2026 exam. The basic qualification that candidates need to fulfil is that they have a qualifying degree.

GATE 2026 Age Limit for PSUs

While there is no age limit for the GATE exam, candidates applying for PSUs have an age limit. Typically, the GATE age limit for PSU is set according to the caste categories of the students. For instance, the GATE PSU age limit for OBC and other reserved categories is lower than the General category students. The age limit for PSUs differs according to the reservation category and the PSU. The common age limit for the PSUs for General category is 21 to 27 years. The GATE 2026 age limit for OBC is usually 3 years lower than that of the general category upper limit. The GATE maximum age for students is around 28-30 years, whereas, relaxations are available for OBC, SC/ST, and PwD categories. However, different educational institutions and organisations also may have age relaxation policies for OBC candidates.

GATE Age Limit for PhD

Candidates seeking admission into PhD programs through GATE should know that there is no GATE age limit for PhD. However, the eligibility for PhD admission can vary depending on the specific institution. Many institutions also offer age relaxations for OBC and SC/ST candidates. Hence, candidates are advised to check the official website of the desired institute for the GATE 2026 age limit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I take the GATE exam at the age of 25?
A:

Yes, aspirants can take the GATE exam at the age of 25. As per the official notification, applicants from any age group can apply for the GATE 2026. 

Q: Is there any reservation for OBC in GATE?
A:

Yes, there is an OBC reservation in GATE 2026. Candidates who successfully provide an OBC certificate will get 10% relaxation on the General Qualifying Score at each stage of the selection process. 

Q: Can I join PSU after 30 years?
A:

The maximum age requirement varies depending on the organisation. The average GATE age limit 2026 for students is around 28-30 years. However, some PSUs have different age limits. For instance, the GATE age limit for General category is 33 years. Hence, candidates must refer to the official website for detailed age limit information.

Q: Is there any age limit for applying for GATE 2026?
A:

No, there is no age limit to appear for the GATE exam 2026.

Q: What is the age limit for ONGC GATE?
A:

According to the official ONGC Recruitment 2024, the GATE upper age limit for ONGC is between 28 years to 30 years. GATE age limit for OBC is between 30-33 years and approximately 35 years for SC/ST candidates. 

Q: What is the age limit for OBC through GATE in NTPC?
A:

The age limit for OBC through GATE in NTPC is 30 years. The average age limit for General students is 27 years. However, a relaxation of 3 years is allowed for OBC candidates. 

Q: Is GATE valid for lifetime?
A:

No, GATE is not valid for a lifetime. GATE exam scores are only valid for three years. Students can use their GATE scorecard for up to three years to get admission to top engineering colleges. 

Q: How many attempts for GATE?
A:

GATE has no restrictions on the number of attempts. Candidates can apply for as many attempts as they wish. 

Q: Can I write GATE after 30 years?
A:

Yes, candidates can apply for GATE after 30 years. GATE has no maximum age limit. Therefore, students can write the exam at any age.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello! If you are preparing for GATE, there are plenty of free resources available online that can boost your preparation. You can easily access e-books, handwritten notes, subject wise PYQs, and test series shared by toppers on different platforms. Along with that, free PDFs and study material are available through various websites and Telegram channels. To make it easier, I will be attaching the link where you can find preparation tips, a study timetable, free study materials, and previous year question papers all in one place.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-timetable
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-gate
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-material
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-mock-test
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-question-papers

Hello, with an AIR of 25070 and a score of 499 in NEET PG 2025 under the General category, getting a government seat in West Bengal for highly demanded branches like General Surgery or Orthopedics may be difficult, as these usually close at much higher ranks. However, you still stand a chance for other clinical or para-clinical branches through the state quota counselling. I suggest using the NEET PG college predictor link I’m sharing here, which will give you a clearer idea of the colleges and branches you may get based on your rank and category.

NEET PG College Predictor- https://medicine.careers360.com/neet-pg-college-predictor


Hello,

You can download GATE Previous Year Question Papers either from the official website of GATE 2026, or from Careers360. Here are the links for both :

Official Website : Download GATE Previous Papers (https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in/download.html)

Careers360 : GATE Question Papers with Solutions

Hope it helps !

To take GATE mock tests, first choose a reliable source like GATE official portal, NPTEL, Made Easy, or ACE Engineering. Sign up or register online to access the full-length tests. Simulate the actual 3-hour exam with proper timing and no distractions. Attempt complete tests to practice time management and exam strategy. After each test, analyze your performance to identify weak areas and revise. Regularly taking 1–2 mocks per week helps improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.



For GATE Life Sciences question banks, you can go for GATE past year's papers to understand the exam style, and you can buy online test series from a coaching site for lots of new practice questions.

you can get question book one from publishers like IFAS or GKP. Also use free online resources like NPTEL and EasyBiologyClass for extra practice and study materials. Good luck!