GATE Subjects List 2026 with Paper Codes – Check Full List & Details

GATE Subjects List 2026 with Paper Codes – Check Full List & Details

RanjeetaUpdated on 18 Nov 2025, 11:15 AM IST

GATE Subjects List 2026 - IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 subjects list on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates who wish to appear for the national-level GATE exam must check the subject list on this page. It is important to know the subjects and the available combinations before GATE 2026 registration. Aspirants must refer to the list of GATE subjects along with the test paper codes. Candidates can find the detailed list of subjects and information about the latest two paper combinations on this page. The GATE 2026 exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2026. Knowing the right test paper codes will enable the candidates to choose the desired subjects during the GATE 2026 registration. The authority will conduct the GATE exam in online mode.

LiveGATE Admit Card 2026 LIVE: IIT Guwahati will issue MTech exam hall ticket today? Test timings, guidelinesJan 13, 2026 | 11:45 AM IST

GATE 2026 will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, with two sessions each day. The first shift will run from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, and the second shift from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

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GATE Subjects List 2026 with Paper Codes – Check Full List & Details
GATE Subjects List 2026

GATE Subjects List 2026 and Paper Code

Candidates must be aware of the GATE exam subjects list to avoid confusion while filling up the application form. Along with the complete list of subjects, candidates must also be aware of the test paper codes for the GATE 2026 exam. The authority published the GATE syllabus and exam pattern for all 30 papers on the official website. The GATE exam is conducted for admission to postgraduate programs at IITs, IISc, and other premier institutes and to secure jobs at various PSUs. The table below comprises the list of GATE subjects 2026 along with their paper codes.

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GATE Exam Subjects List 2026 with Paper Code

Paper

Code

Paper

Code

Architecture and Planning

AR

Geology and Geophysics

GG

Biotechnology

BT

Mathematics

MA

Aerospace Engineering

AE

Physics

PE

Agricultural Engineering

AG

Engineering Sciences

XE*

Chemical Engineering

CH

Life Sciences

XL**

Civil Engineering

CE

Instrumentation Engineering

IN

Computer Science and Information Technology

CS

Mining Engineering

MN

Electronics and Communication Engineering

EC

Mechanical Engineering

ME

Electrical Engineering

EE

Textile Engineering and Fiber Science

TF

Chemistry

CY

Production and Industrial Engineering

PI

Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

DA

Biomedical Engineering

BE

Ecology and Evolution

EY

Petroleum Engineering

PE

Statistics

ST

Metallurgical Engineering

MT

Environmental Science and Engineering

ES

Humanities and Social Sciences

XH

Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering

NM

Geomatics Engineering

GE

GATE 2026 Paper Codes for XH

XH Paper Sections

Code

Reasoning and Comprehension (Compulsory) 25 marks

B1

Any of the following Optional Subjects (60 marks)

Economics

C1

English

C2

Linguistics

C3

Philosophy

C4

Psychology

C5

Sociology

C6

GATE 2026 Paper Codes for XE and XL

XE Paper Sections

Code

XL Paper Sections

Code

Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory)

A

Chemistry (Compulsory)

P

Fluid Mechanics

B

Biochemistry

Q

Materials Science

C

Botany

R

Solid Mechanics

D

Microbiology

S

Thermodynamics

E

Zoology

T

Polymer Science and Engineering

F

Food Technology

U

Food Technology

G



Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

H



Related links:

GATE Previous Year Question Paper's
Download GATE previous year question papers to understand exam pattern and difficulty level. Practice with these papers to boost your preparation and improve your score.
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GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combinations

The authority allows candidates to appear in either one or two GATE test papers. However, candidates who want to attempt the GATE 2026 exam for 2 papers can only choose from the predetermined combinations available. The two-paper combination allows candidates to choose a primary paper and a secondary paper, with some restrictions to allow flexibility and greater opportunity for candidates. The authority carefully prepares the GATE two-paper combination to make it academically meaningful. Candidates appearing for two papers have to make their choices of the two papers out of the given combinations only. Students can check the table below to know the GATE 2026 paper combinations. The second paper codes available based on the candidate’s choice of the first paper are updated below.

GATE Two-Paper Combinations 2026

Code of the first paper

Code of the second paper

AE

GE

AG

XE

AR

GG, XE

BM

DA, EE, XE

BT

ES, EY, CS, DA

CE

DA, TF, EE

CH

CY, XL, DA

CS

XE, BT, EE, ME

CY

CH, XH

DA

BM, CE, IN, CH, MT, BT, XH, GE

EC

XL

EE

BM, XL, CS, CE

ES

BT, EY

EY

BT, MA, ES

GE

MN, XE, AE, DA

GG

AR, MN, XE

IN

DA

MA

EY

ME

CS

MN

GE, GG

MT

PI, DA

NM

XE

PE

XE

PH

XL

PI

MT

TF

XE, CE

XE

AG, AR, BM, CS, GE, GG, NM, PE, TF

XH

DA, CY

XL

CH, EE, PH, EC

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many subjects are there in GATE?
A:

There are a total of 30 GATE exam papers. The newest addition to the GATE exam papers is the Energy Science optional paper under the Engineering Sciences. 

Q: Is GATE paper 2 compulsory?
A:

No, candidates who wish to appear for 2 GATE papers can do so by selecting their choice of papers from the two-paper combination list however, candidates do not need to appear for two GATE exam subjects compulsorily.

Q: Are there any common subject for all GATE 2026 sections?
A:

The GATE 2026 general aptitude paper is common for all the GATE exam papers.

Q: Which GATE subject is easy?
A:

There is no such easy subject for the GATE exam. With a proper preparation strategy, conceptual clarity and rigorous practice, candidates can crack the GATE 2026 exam for any subject.

Q: Can I write GATE in 2 subjects?
A:

Yes, Candidates can appear for two GATE papers. The authority provides the GATE two-paper combination for candidates to choose their primary and secondary papers.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

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 aspirant,

If you missed the correction window for GATE 2026, the portal will not allow changes right now. Usually, IIT opens a correction period only once. Since you need to change your surname, the best option is to contact the GATE organizing institute through their official support email or

Hi Aanchal,

Balancing Engineering semester exams with competitive exam preparation can feel confusing but with right and realistic routine makes it very achievable.

Start by dividing your day into two parts: use college hours and afternoons for semester prep and keep early mornings or late evenings for GATE prep.

Make