GATE 2026 Examination Weekend Commences with Admit Card Verification at Centres
The GATE 2026 examination cycle has officially commenced with the first weekend of national-level testing on February 7.IIT Guwahati is overseeing the biometric and admit card verification process across hundreds of designated centres. Candidates must present a printed A4 hall ticket alongside an original photo identity document for entry. The 2026 Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering features 30 papers conducted in a secured computer-based environment.
The national coordination board has finalized all arrangements as the GATE 2026 examination weekend begins across India. Organized by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, this year’s Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is set to evaluate nearly a million aspirants seeking postgraduate admissions and public sector recruitment. With the first session scheduled for tomorrow, February 7, testing centres have activated rigorous security protocols to ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process for all registered candidates.
Mandatory Admit Card and ID Verification Protocols
The entry process for the 2026 cycle remains strictly regulated, requiring a multi-stage verification before a candidate is allowed to access their terminal. Every aspirant must carry a high-quality printout of their GATE 2026 admit card on an A4-sized sheet. Digital copies or soft versions stored on mobile phones are strictly prohibited and will not be accepted as valid credentials at the security gates.
- Identification Requirements: Candidates must present the same original photo identity document that was uploaded during the online registration process.
- Biometric Enrollment: Upon entering the examination centres, students undergo biometric data collection, including thumbprints and iris scans, to maintain the integrity of the results.
- Discrepancy Checks: Invigilators are instructed to cross-verify the photograph on the admit card with the candidate's physical appearance to prevent cases of impersonation.
Weekend Examination Schedule and Shift Timings
The GATE 2026 session is spread across two consecutive weekends in February to accommodate the 30 different subject papers. The testing window follows a standardized two-shift format designed to manage the high volume of traffic at urban testing hubs. For the first weekend of February 7 and 8, the schedule focuses on primary engineering disciplines, including Civil, Mechanical, and Computer Science.
- Forenoon Shift: The morning examination begins at 9:30 AM and concludes at 12:30 PM, with gates closing precisely 30 minutes before the start time.
- Afternoon Shift: The second session runs from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, targeting specialized papers such as Architecture and Life Sciences.
- Reporting Time: Candidates are advised to arrive at their assigned centres at least 90 minutes early to complete the mandatory document verification and security frisking.
| Examination Date | Session Shift | Subject Papers (Examples) |
| February 7, 2026 | Forenoon | CE, ME, CS, EE |
| February 7, 2026 | Afternoon | AR, CY, PH |
| February 8, 2026 | Forenoon | EC, IN, BM |
| February 8, 2026 | Afternoon | GG, MA, ST |
Technical Infrastructure and Hall Regulations
The 2026 examination is being conducted entirely in a Computer Based Test (CBT) environment. To ensure technical stability, IIT Guwahati has deployed specialized IT teams at major centres to handle potential server issues or hardware malfunctions. Inside the hall, candidates are provided with a virtual scientific calculator on their screens, as physical calculators are among the items strictly banned from the premises.
- Restricted Items: Electronic gadgets, smartwatches, and any form of printed material are prohibited; violations result in immediate disqualification.
- Scribble Pads: The testing authority provides individual scribble pads for rough work, which must be returned to the invigilators before exiting the hall.
- Monitoring Systems: Each hall is equipped with CCTV surveillance, and the examination software records every interaction to detect any unauthorized software usage
Conclusion
The commencement of the GATE 2026 examination weekend marks the peak of the academic calendar for engineering graduates. As the first wave of candidates undergoes admit card verification at various centres today, the focus remains on the seamless execution of this national-level assessment. With results anticipated on March 19, 2026, the rigorous protocols established by the organizing institute ensure that the merit of every aspirant is evaluated with the highest level of precision and security.