Engineering Entrance Season Remains Active with JEE and GATE Milestones

As of February 7, the engineering entrance season is at its peak with the commencement of GATE 2026 and the ongoing JEE Main Session 2 registrations. IIT Guwahati has launched the first day of the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering across multiple shifts. Simultaneously, the National Testing Agency is accepting applications for the April cycle of JEE Main until February 25.

This update covers critical deadlines, exam day protocols for GATE, and the status of JEE Session 1 results expected shortly.The national engineering landscape is witnessing a flurry of activity today as two of India's most significant examinations reach critical milestones. While thousands of postgraduate aspirants are appearing for the first day of the GATE 2026 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering), undergraduate hopefuls are intensifying their preparations for the second session of the Joint Entrance Examination (Main). The synchronicity of these events marks the busiest period in the academic calendar for the science and technology stream, requiring candidates to be hyper-aware of various institutional deadlines and portal updates.

GATE 2026 Commences Under IIT Guwahati

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, the organizing institute for this year, has officially kicked off the GATE 2026 examination today, February 7. The test is being conducted in a multi-session Computer Based Test (CBT) format, which will continue on February 8, 14, and 15. The first day of the exam features papers such as Metallurgy, Mathematics, and Humanities, spread across forenoon and afternoon shifts.

Candidates are reminded of the strict biometric verification protocols in place at all centers. According to the official GATE 2026 guidelines, entry is permitted only upon presentation of a high-quality printout of the admit card on A4 paper and an original photo identity proof. The schedule for the current and upcoming sessions is summarized below:

JEE Main Session 2 and Session 1 Updates

Simultaneously, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is managing a dual-phase workload for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main). While the results for Session 1 (conducted in January) are anticipated to be released by February 12, the Session 2 registration portal is currently active. Aspirants who wish to improve their scores or those who missed the first cycle have until February 25, 2026, to complete their applications.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has emphasized that the Session 2 registration is the final opportunity for students to qualify for JEE Advanced. Candidates must ensure that their Computer Based Test (CBT) preferences are accurately updated in the portal, as the correction window for this session will be brief and highly restricted.

Critical Deadlines and Result Timelines

For those appearing in GATE 2026, the response sheets are expected to be available in mid-February, followed by the official results on March 19. For JEE aspirants, the upcoming week is pivotal with the scorecard release. The following table highlights the essential dates for both exams:

Conclusion

The overlapping timelines of GATE 2026 and the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) underscore a decisive month for engineering aspirants in India. With IIT Guwahati managing the postgraduate gatekeeping and the National Testing Agency (NTA) finalizing the undergraduate April cycle, students must maintain a disciplined approach toward their respective portals. The successful commencement of the Computer Based Test (CBT) today for GATE sets the stage for a month of high-stakes academic evaluations that will eventually shape the technical workforce of the country.

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