GATE 2026 Admit Card Remains Available for Ongoing Examination Schedule

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 is currently underway, with the final phase of examinations scheduled for February 14 and 15.Organized by IIT Guwahati, the admit cards remain available for download on the official GOAPS portal for candidates appearing in the upcoming shifts. Aspirants must carry a clear color printout of their hall ticket along with a valid original photo ID to the examination center. The current administrative phase emphasizes strictly following the reported shift timings and verifying center details to ensure a smooth transition into the 2026-27 postgraduate admission cycle.

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 enters its final leg this week, with the organizing institute, IIT Guwahati, ensuring that the digital admit card facility remains fully operational. Following the successful completion of the first weekend of testing on February 7 and 8, the focus has now shifted toward the upcoming sessions scheduled for February 14 and 15. The GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) continues to host the hall tickets, which are mandatory for entry into the computer-based testing centers across more than 200 cities in India.

Ongoing Examination Schedule and Shift Timings

As of February 12, 2026, the examination machinery is in a high state of readiness for the final set of papers. The GATE 2026 schedule is designed to accommodate 30 different test papers across two shifts daily. Candidates appearing for major branches such as Civil Engineering (CE), Mechanical Engineering (ME), and Electrical Engineering (EE) in the coming days are advised to double-check their specific session timings on their downloaded admit cards to avoid any last-minute scheduling conflicts.

• February 14 Schedule: The forenoon session (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) features CE-1, EE, and PI, while the afternoon session (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM) includes ME, MT, and BM.
• February 15 Schedule: The final day features Electronics & Communication (EC) in the morning, followed by Architecture (AR) and Data Science & AI (DA) in the afternoon.
• Reporting Protocol: Candidates are expected to report to the venue at least 60 to 90 minutes before the commencement of the exam for biometric verification and security screening.

Mandatory Requirements for Center Entry

The GATE 2026 official notification reiterates that no candidate will be allowed entry into the examination hall without a physical copy of the admit card. While a black-and-white printout is acceptable, the authorities recommend a colored laser printout to ensure the photograph and signature are clearly visible. Furthermore, the identification process requires an original and valid photo ID, such as an Aadhaar card, Passport, or PAN card, which must match the details provided during the registration process.

The use of the GOAPS login portal is the only official method for retrieving these documents. The Ministry of Education has highlighted that the 2026 cycle utilizes enhanced digital verification to prevent malpractice, making the presence of the original ID proof non-negotiable for all aspirants.

Post-Exam Timeline and Results

Following the conclusion of the final paper on February 15, the focus of the GATE 2026 Office will shift toward releasing the candidate response sheets and provisional answer keys. This phase, expected to begin by late February, allows test-takers to audit their performance before the final results are processed. The GATE score, which remains valid for three years, is a critical credential for securing Direct Doctoral programs and recruitment in premier Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

• Response Sheet Release: Expected in the third week of February 2026.
• Result Declaration: Firmly scheduled for March 19, 2026, on the official portal.
• Scorecard Download: Successful candidates can download their scorecards for free from March 27 to May 31, 2026.
• Normalization: Since papers like CS, ME, and CE are conducted in multiple sessions, a normalization procedure is used to ensure a fair merit list.

Conclusion

The availability of the GATE 2026 admit card through the final days of the examination schedule ensures that all registered candidates have uninterrupted access to their entry credentials. As the national-level test moves toward its conclusion on February 15, the organized efforts of IIT Guwahati and the zonal IITs have facilitated a transparent testing environment for over 8 lakh candidates. Aspirants are encouraged to utilize the remaining days for final revisions and to ensure their documentation is in order for their respective slots. With the result declaration on March 19 marking the end of the evaluation phase, the GATE 2026 cycle stands as a gateway for the next generation of engineers and scientists to enter the 2026-27 academic session and contribute to India's technological advancement.

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