How Many Attempts Are Allowed for GATE 2026 Exam? Eligibility Explained

How Many Attempts Are Allowed for GATE 2026 Exam? Eligibility Explained

Ongoing Event

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

Team Careers360Updated on 26 Jul 2025, 02:52 PM IST

How Many Attempts for GATE 2026 - IIT Guwahati will conduct the GATE 2026 this year, the exam will be conducted in online mode through computer based test(CBT). There is no restriction in the number of attempts as per the officials, candidates appear in as many as attempts they wish. General Aptitude Test for Engineering(GATE) is a post graduation entrance exam, which offers admission into M.E./M.Tech/Ph.D programs in top IITs, IISCs and other reputed institutes. IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE 2026 in the first and second week of February 2026. The authority will release the notification about the GATE 2026 in late July 2025.

This Story also Contains

  1. How Many Attempts for GATE 2026 ?
  2. GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
  3. GATE 2026 Scorecard Validity
  4. Is There Any Age Limit in GATE 2026?
  5. Top Engineering Colleges Participating in 2026
How Many Attempts Are Allowed for GATE 2026 Exam? Eligibility Explained
How Many Attempts for GATE

GATE exam is only conducted once in a year, for candidates who want to pursue M.E./M.Tech/Ph.D may appear for this examination. Unlike other competitive exams there are no limited attempts to appear in GATE, candidates may appear in as many as attempts they want. Read this complete article to know more about “How Many Attempts for GATE 2026”

Also Check : GATE 2026 Syllabus, GATE 2025 Cutoff

How Many Attempts for GATE 2026 ?

As per the official information there is no age limit and limited number of attempts for GATE 2026. Candidates may write as many as attempts as per their choice, However, it is advised to use each attempt with sincerity. The authority shared the GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria on their official website.

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GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To appear for GATE 2026, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:

Criteria

Details

Educational

Completed or in final year of UG degree in Engineering/Technology

Age Limit

No age limit

Attempt Limit

Unlimited attempts allowed

Nationality

Indian citizens and certain international candidates are eligible

Note : Students from any age group or academic background (as long as it aligns with approved programs) can register.

GATE 2026 Scorecard Validity

The GATE scorecard is valid for 3 years from the date of the result declaration. This is important if you plan to apply for:

  • M.Tech/ME programs

  • Ph.D. admissions

  • Public Sector Unit (PSU) recruitment

  • Higher studies abroad (some universities accept GATE scores)

  • Example: If you clear GATE 2026, your score remains valid till March 2029.

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.
Check Now

Is There Any Age Limit in GATE 2026?

There is no upper or lower age limit to appear in GATE 2026. Whether you are a recent graduate or a working professional in your 30s or 40s, you are eligible to appear if you meet the academic criteria. This flexibility makes GATE one of the most accessible exams for engineering aspirants and professionals alike.

Top Engineering Colleges Participating in 2026

There are around 985 colleges offering post graduation admission through GATE Examination, including IITs, NITs, IISERs and some reputed private institutions. Here is a list of a few top engineering colleges participating in GATE 2026.

Participating IITs in GATE 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do PSUs reject candidates with multiple GATE attempts?
A:

No. PSUs only consider your GATE score for the current recruitment year, not your number of attempts.

Q: Can I appear in GATE 2026 if I failed in previous attempts?
A:

Yes, failing or not qualifying in earlier attempts does not affect your eligibility for GATE 2026.

Q: Is there any limit to how many times I can appear for GATE?
A:

No, there is no limit. You can attempt GATE as many times as you want, if you meet the eligibility criteria.

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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

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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!