GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 (Out) - Who can Apply, Age Limit, Qualification

GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026

IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 eligibility criteria along with the information brochure. Interested candidates must go through the eligibility conditions before starting the GATE application process. It’s important to note that the eligibility criteria for GATE 2026 are different for the type of graduation degree. The eligibility criteria include academic qualifications like a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology or a Master’s degree in a relevant science field.

GATE is a national-level engineering postgraduate entrance exam for engineering postgraduate programs. Below is the detailed eligibility criteria for GATE 2026. The GATE 2026 eligibility criteria pdf download link is provided online.

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria (General)

Note:

• Candidates pursuing any higher degree or in possession of a degree higher than that mentioned in the table below will be allowed to appear for GATE 2026.

• Candidates with B.Sc./B.A./B.Com. degrees (3-year program) desirous of seeking admission to Masters programs in IITs and IISc.

Related links:

• GATE Virtual Calculator - How to Use it?

• GATE Login

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria (Degree Wise)

Candidates should be aware of the GATE 2026 exam eligibility criteria before filling out the forms. Check the degree-wise eligibility criteria of GATE from the table given below.

GATE 2026 Degree Wise Eligibility Criteria

Professional Societies Conducting Examination Equivalent to B.E./B.Tech

Some of these Professional Societies/Institutions, which conduct examinations in various fields of engineering, are as follows:

• The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)

• The Institution of Engineers (India) (IE)

• The Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI)

• The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE)

• The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, including the Polymer and Environmental Group (IIChemE)

• The Indian Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE)

• The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM)

What if a candidate is pursuing a qualifying degree from another country?

GATE Exam eligibility criteria 2026 for international candidates is not that different. There may be cases where candidates have obtained or are pursuing their qualifying degree from countries other than India. The GATE eligibility criteria 2026 for non-Indian university candidates is given below:

• Candidates must be currently in the 3rd or higher years or must have completed their Bachelor’s degree (of at least three years duration) in Engineering/ Technology/ Science/ Architecture/ Humanities.

Note: If a candidate is pursuing any higher degree or has already obtained a degree higher than that mentioned in Table 1, the candidate should select the minimum required qualifying degree while filling out the application form of GATE 2026.

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Documents Required

Candidates applying for the GATE entrance exam have to upload certain documents to support the GATE exam eligibility criteria 2026. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria for GATE 2026 certificates have to be uploaded while filling out the application form. Mentioned below are some important points related to eligibility documents to be uploaded by candidates:

• Candidates who will complete the mentioned qualifying examinations in 2026 or earlier, will be required to submit the degree certificate/provisional degree certificate/course completion certificate/membership certificate as issued by the designated authorities.

• If a candidate is expected to meet the GATE eligibility criteria in 2026 or later, then he/she has to upload their Provisional Certificate Letter (as issued by the Head of the Institute/Dean/Registrar/Head of Department) or a copy of the marks card for Section A of AMIE, etc.

• PwD (Persons with Disabilities) category candidates will be required to upload a PwD certificate issued by a recognized authority. Candidates who have at least 40% impairment irrespective of the kind of disability will only be provided a concession in the application fee. Candidates will also be required to submit the certificate at the allotted institute at the time of admission.

• Candidates with backlogs (failed subjects) in any of the subjects in their qualifying examination will have to upload a copy of any of the mark sheets of the final year issued from the institute where he/she will pursue their qualifying examination. It has to be noted that the internet-downloaded mark sheet will not be accepted under any circumstances.

• SC/ST category candidates have to upload a valid document proof to avail of a concession in the application fee. Certificates issued by authorized officials will only be considered for concession.

• Dyslexic candidates are required to submit a certificate stating the same issued by authorities to get the services of a scribe.

Note: The GATE 2026 eligibility certificate, as applicable, will need to be uploaded only while filling out the online application form and not to be sent by post.

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• What are the best GATE Preparation Materials?

• Top 5 Benefits of PSU Hiring Through GATE

GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Documents Required for International Candidates

For international candidates, only a valid passport, a government-issued ID or a driving license will be accepted as the recognised ID.

GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 for M.Tech courses

GATE qualified candidates will be offered admission in M.Tech courses at different IITs, NITs, IIITs, and some CFTIs. There will be no counselling process conducted by IIT Roorkee along with GATE. Instead, candidates have to apply separately for different counselling processes. For admission to M.Tech courses in IITs, candidates must complete GATE 2026 registration through COAP which is carried out separately. Candidates seeking admissions in NITs, IIITs, and some CFTIs, will have to apply through Centralized Counselling for M.Tech 2026 (CCMT).