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

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

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Team Careers360Updated on 14 Oct 2025, 02:22 PM IST

How Many Attempts for GATE 2026 - IIT Guwahati is responsible for conducting the GATE 2026 exam this year. The exam will be conducted in online mode through a computer-based test(CBT). According to the official notification, there are no restrictions on the number of attempts as per the official notification; candidates appear in as many attempts as they wish. The 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. The authority will conduct the GATE 2026 on February 7,8, 14 & 15, 2026.

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 or a limited number of attempts for GATE 2026. Candidates may write as many 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: What are the GATE 2026 Exam dates?
A:

IIT Guwahati has announced the GATE 2026 exam dates as February 7,8, 14 & 15, 2026.

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,

The GATE 2026 Agricultural Engineering (AG) paper will have a total of 100 marks. Out of this, 15 marks are for General Aptitude and 85 marks are for core Agricultural Engineering subjects.

The marks are generally distributed among major topics like Engineering Mathematics (12–13 marks), Farm Machinery (10–11), Farm Power (14–15), Soil & Water Conservation (12–13), Irrigation & Drainage (10–12), Agricultural Process Engineering (10–12), and Dairy & Food Engineering (9–10 marks).

The official qualifying marks for GATE 2026 are not yet released. However, based on previous years, the cutoff for the Agricultural Engineering paper is expected to be around 25 marks for General, 22.5 for OBC/EWS, and 16.6 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

Hope it helps !

Hello,

No,For Mtech you are not eligible to give GATE examination in 2nd year diploma and after completing your diploma degree

Only bachelor's degree holders can give GATE examination

Thank you

Hello

If you're in 2nd year right now, you can’t register for GATE 2026 just yet.
The exam is only open to students in the 3rd year or beyond in their degree.
It’s mainly because the GATE tests subjects that are usually taught later in your course.
But don’t worry, you are in a great position to start preparing early!
Focus on your basics, practice problem-solving, and build strong concepts now.
By the time you reach 3rd year, you’ll be well ahead of the game.

Hello,

If your GATE 2026 application shows "under scrutiny," continue to monitor your applicant portal and registered email for updates, as this is a routine process where officials verify your details.  An "under scrutiny" status does not mean your application is rejected; you may be notified of discrepancies and given a chance to correct them during the application correction window, which opens later. Keep your application details accurate and prepare for the exam while waiting for the correction window to open.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

In the GATE application form , you should enter your name exactly as it appears in your official ID proof , even if the order is different.

For example:

  • If your ID proof shows Surname + First Name , enter it in the same way in the form.

  • Do not change the order to First Name + Surname.

This is important because your GATE admit card and scorecard will match your ID proof.

Keep it exactly the same to avoid any issues later.

Hope it helps !