GATE 2026 Application Now Open: Last Date to Apply Without Late Fee is September 28

The GATE 2026 application process began on August 28 and is currently in its final week. The last date to apply without incurring a late fee is September 28, 2025. Candidates are strongly advised to complete their registration and payment before this deadline to avoid paying a higher fee. The registration process can be completed on the official GOAPS portal.

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have officially opened the GATE 2026 application window, with a crucial deadline approaching fast. This provides an excellent opportunity for candidates to secure a seat in some of the most sought-after M.Tech programs.

Key Dates and Fees

The GATE 2026 application process began on August 28 and is currently in its final week. The last date to apply without incurring a late fee is September 28, 2025. Candidates are strongly advised to complete their registration and payment before this deadline to avoid paying a higher fee. The registration process can be completed on the official GOAPS portal.

The exam fee for GATE 2026 has been updated. Female, SC, ST, and PwD applicants must pay INR 1000 for the regular timeline. The fee for all other applicants is INR 2000. For those who miss the initial deadline, an extended window is available until October 9, but it comes with a late fee. The revised fees for the extended timeline are INR 1500 for the special category applicants and INR 2500 for all others.

Eligibility and Exam Pattern

The GATE 2026 entrance exam is open to a wide range of students. The eligibility criteria state that candidates in their third or final year of graduation, or those who have already completed their graduation in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, or humanities, can apply.

The GATE exam will be a computer-based test (CBT) spanning three hours. The questions will be a mix of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple-Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. The exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, in two daily shifts: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The test papers will cover a combination of General Aptitude and core subjects specific to the candidate's chosen engineering stream.

This is a key entrance exam for engineering aspirants seeking admission to postgraduate courses at prestigious institutions. For regular updates on this and other engineering news, follow Only Education News.

For more information on various engineering exams and courses, visit our dedicated portals for engineering aspirants: Engineering Exams.