Is Calculator Allowed in GATE 2026 - Exam Rules and Virtual Calculator Guide

Is Calculator Allowed in GATE 2026 - Exam Rules and Virtual Calculator Guide

Ongoing Event

GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 06 Oct' 25

K Guna SahitiUpdated on 27 Sep 2025, 09:06 PM IST

Is Calculator Allowed in GATE 2026 - No, candidates are not allowed to bring a physical calculator into the GATE 2026 exam hall. IIT Guwahati will not allow applicants to carry a calculator within the exam hall. However, GATE exam aspirants need not worry. They will have the option to use the virtual GATE calculator. The authority will use a GATE 2026 exam interface that has an in-built calculator. Read the article below completely to know more about Is Calculator allowed in GATE 2026 examination or not.

This Story also Contains

  1. Are Virtual Calculators allowed in GATE?
  2. Items Prohibited in the GATE 2026 Exam
  3. GATE Exam Day Guidelines
Is Calculator Allowed in GATE 2026 - Exam Rules and Virtual Calculator Guide
Are Virtual Calculators allowed in GATE?

Is Calculator Allowed in GATE 2026?

The aspirants will not be allowed to carry any instruments, like a calculator, inside the exam hall. All the calculations must be done using the virtual calculator. Moreover, a scramble pad will be provided to the candidates for rough work. Candidates must focus on their problem-solving skills and remember the formulas.

Why are calculators not allowed in the GATE exam?

  • To maintain the authenticity of the exam.

  • Checking the problem-solving skills of the candidates

  • Candidates will focus on the concepts and formulas. Also, they will find the best possible way to answer the questions.

Are Virtual Calculators allowed in GATE?

Yes, virtual calculators are allowed in the exam. GATE virtual calculator will display on the monitor screen. Candidates can use the calculator whenever required. It is important to be familiar with the virtual calculator for GATE for quick calculation to save time. At the same time, candidates must memorize the formulas for solving the mathematical problems.

Items Prohibited in the GATE 2026 Exam

Candidates appearing for the exam must be aware of prohibited items. Carrying the prohibited items may lead to disqualification. Below is the list of items prohibited in the GATE exam 2026.

  • Calculators

  • Electronic Devices

  • Books, study materials, paper (written or blank)

  • Smart watch

  • Geometry box

  • Metal object

  • Jewellery

Symbiosis Online Programs

Online PG programs from Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning

Pursue M.E/M.Tech in UK

Want to study abroad? Plan your Journey

GATE Exam Day Guidelines

Candidates who are appearing for the exam must follow the GATE exam day guidelines. The guidelines are mentioned in the GATE admit card 2026. Below are a few of the important guidelines.

  • Report to the test centre 90 minutes before the exam commencement.

  • Candidates will be allowed to occupy their seats before the commencement of the exam. Candidates can log in and start reading the instructions 20 minutes early before the exam begins.

  • Personal calculators, mobile phones, watches (any kind), charts, tables, papers, books, sheets, and heavy ornaments are prohibited.

  • A Scribble pad will be provided for rough work.

  • Carry a pen and pencil. A transparent water bottle is allowed.

  • Carry a hard copy of the GATE admit card and a valid photo id.

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is calculator allowed in GATE 2026?
A:

No, calculators are not allowed in the GATE 2026 exam. 

Q: Which calculator is best for GATE exam?
A:

Virtual calculators will be provided for the GATE 2026 exam.

Q: How to use a virtual calculator in GATE exam?
A:

The virtual calculator will be displayed on the monitor screen as per the requirement. 

Articles
|
Certifications By Top Providers
Basic Programming using Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Fundamental Concepts of Electricity
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Artificial Intelligence
Via Columbia University, New York
Computer Fundamentals
Via Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
B.Sc in Programming and Data Science
Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Udemy
 1525 courses
Swayam
 817 courses
NPTEL
 773 courses
Coursera
 697 courses
Edx
 608 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello,

Yes, you as a Bachelor of Science graduate in home science can appear for the GATE 2026 exam, as the eligibility criteria include graduates from "Science" and other fields, as well as those in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate program.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hey! The GATE exam (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is very important for long-term career growth. It opens opportunities for postgraduate studies (M.Tech, MS, PhD) in top institutes like IITs and NITs and is also used by many public sector companies (PSUs) for recruitment, often with higher salary packages. In the long run, qualifying GATE can enhance your technical knowledge, career prospects, and credibility in the engineering field.

If your GATE application shows failed status even after a successful payment, don’t worry, this usually happens due to server or transaction update delays. First, wait for 24–48 hours as sometimes the status gets updated automatically. If it still shows failed, you should raise a query through the GATE application portal by providing your enrollment ID and payment receipt or transaction details. You can also contact the GATE zonal office via email or helpline with proof of payment. Keeping a screenshot of the payment success message will also help in resolving the issue quickly.

Hi dear candidate,

You can refer to the online E Books for GATE examination available on our official website that you can download anytime.

Kindly refer to the link attached below to access them for practice.

Link: GATE E-books and Sample Papers

BEST REGARDS

Hey! The qualifying cutoff for GATE CSE in 2025 was around 29.2 marks for General, 26.2 for OBC/EWS, and 19.4 for SC/ST/PwD. For GATE 2026, the official cutoff is not declared yet, but if we look at the past trends, it usually stays around 30–32 marks for General category. So, if you are preparing, it’s better to target a score well above this range to be on the safer side.