GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is one of the very important test for get admission into college in India. Every year, many of the engineering graduates who want to go to graduate school or get jobs at public sector units (PSUs) give this test. There has been a big update for GATE 2026. The new start date for applications on gate2026.iitg.ac.in is August 28, 2025. This is because the registration plan has been changed. The newspaper also talks about the two-paper combinations feature, which gives candidates more options.
This blog article will tell you about the new registration dates, the importance of two-paper combinations, the test, and how to study.
Changes to the GATE 2026 registration schedule
IIT Guwahati, which is in charge of organizing GATE 2026, has pushed back the start date of registration.
- Sign-ups start on August 28, 2025.
- The due date without of a late fee is September 28, 2025.
- The new date is October 9, 2025, with a late fee.
Applications can only be sent through the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Those who want to apply should always check the IIT Guwahati website for changes and make sure not to open any fake links.
Because of this delay, there is more time to gather the necessary documents, such as school records, scanned signatures, and photos. Making the change to registering go smoothly will help keep mistakes from happening at the last minute.
Why it’s important to wait
At first, a short wait might not seem important. But for students who are juggling projects, jobs, and schools, even three extra days of prep can make a big difference.
It gives you more time to
- Look over topic choices
- Choose two-paper pairings
- Fill out all the necessary paperwork and
- Avoid late fee penalties.
Because of these, this wait should be seen as a small but useful chance.
Understanding the GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combinations
One of the best things about GATE 2026 is that you can take two papers together. With this choice, candidates can choose both a main paper and a secondary paper, as long as both are on the authorized combination chart.
As an example:
- People who want to major in Computer Science (CS) can also pick Electronics (EC), Statistics (ST), Data Science (DA), or Mathematics (MA).
- This is also true for people who want to study mechanical engineering (ME) and engineering sciences (XE), aerospace engineering (AE), or production and industrial engineering (PI).
The exact list of approved pairings can be found on the IIT Guwahati portal. Here is the full list of all the possible combinations: Different sets of two papers for GATE 2026.
Why choosing two papers is a better idea
Aspirants can get a lot out of picking between two papers:
- More job options: This makes it more likely that you will be accepted into other college programs.
- Flexibility in hiring by PSUs: Some PSUs look at results from more than one test.
- Exploration in the classroom: Students can look into a wide range of academic areas.
- Plan B: Even if you do poorly on the first paper, you can still get opportunities by doing well on the second paper.
But people who want to get in must make sure they have enough time to study for both subjects. If you try to do two projects at once without a plan, your stress level may go up.
Important Tips for Combining Two Papers
While the flexibility is nice, candidates should know that:
- Only approved pairs will be able to sign up.
- It’s possible that the two papers will be held on different days or at different times.
- The second test will add to the cost of the exam.
- The two papers may have different centers in the same city.
This requires careful planning of what to bring, where to stay, and how to get there. To find out everything, candidates should read the official IIT Guwahati GATE 2026 materials.
When the tests are held and the GATE 2026 paper list
The test will happen over two weekends in February 2026. The times and shifts will be made public as the exam window gets closer.
This year’s papers cover a wide range of topics, including the new Energy Science (XE-1) course. This growth gives students more choices if they are interested in fields related to sustainable and renewable energy.
The full list of papers and news can be found at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
How to Sign Up for GATE 2026
What people who want to register should do are the following:
- Visit the main page by no later than August 28, 2025.
- Give your phone number and email address when you sign up.
- Fill out the application form with details about your school.
- Send scanned copies of your picture, signature, and ID.
- Choose where and how you want to take the test, including two-paper combinations if they are available.
- To pay the registration fee, use the safe payment service.
- Save the page that says “Yes” to your computer so you can use it again later.
Tips on How to Get Ready for Combinations of Two Papers
Keeping two things in order takes self-control. Here are some helpful hints:
- Make a plan that makes sense: Give an equal number of hours to each paper.
- Read classic literature: Do not use tools that are spread out; instead, only use the texts that are given.
- Use practice tests to get better: Try to do work in real time to get better results.
- Keep up with the course outline: Carefully look over any changes that have been made to the GATE 2026 course.
- Focus on what you do well: Pick combos that go well with what you’ve learned. With regular preparation, it’s possible to handle two things at once.
Final thought
Registration for GATE 2026 has been moved to August 28, 2025, so that candidates have more time to properly prepare. Also, the addition of flexible two-paper combos is very helpful for students who want to improve their chances of getting into PSUs and continuing their education.
Candidates will do better if they are well-prepared, know the rules, and get there early. The key is to have confidence, understanding, and a well-thought-out plan for how to study for the test.
For the latest information, always check the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
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