GATE Eligibility Checker 2026
Find out if you qualify for GATE 2026 based on the official eligibility criteria published by IIT Guwahati.
GATE Eligibility Checker
Check if you meet the eligibility criteria for GATE 2026 based on the official GATE brochure.
Qualifying Degrees Accepted by GATE
GATE accepts 10 categories of qualifying degrees. The minimum requirement is a 4-year undergraduate degree or a post-graduate degree from a recognized institution. IIT Guwahati publishes the complete list in the official GATE 2026 brochure.
| Degree | Duration | Eligible From |
|---|---|---|
| B.E. / B.Tech / B.S. | 4 years | 3rd year onward |
| B.Arch | 5 years | 3rd year onward |
| B.Pharm | 4 years | 3rd year onward |
| B.Sc. (4-year / post-diploma) | 4 years | 3rd year onward |
| M.Sc. / M.A. / MCA / M.Com | 2 years | 1st year onward |
| Integrated M.E. / M.Tech | 5 years | 3rd year onward |
| Integrated M.Sc. (5-year) | 5 years | 3rd year onward |
| Ph.D. | Varies | Any stage |
The "3rd year onward" rule means you must be in at least the pre-final year of your degree at the time of GATE registration. Students who are expected to complete their degree by the deadline set in the brochure (usually July of the following year) can provisionally register. Registration happens through the GOAPS portal.
Common Eligibility Mistakes
Diploma holders applying directly. A 3-year diploma after 10th class does not qualify for GATE on its own. If you joined B.E./B.Tech through lateral entry after diploma, you are eligible once you reach the 3rd year of B.Tech. Select "B.E./B.Tech" in the checker above, not "Diploma."
Confusing total candidates with your paper's candidates. GATE 2026 had over 9 lakh registrations total, but each paper has far fewer candidates. CS had around 1.5 lakh, ME around 90,000. This matters when you use the rank predictor or percentile calculator.
Thinking GATE is branch-locked. You can write any GATE paper regardless of your degree branch. An IT graduate can sit for the Data Science (DA) paper. But for M.Tech admissions, most IIT departments require the GATE paper to align with the department's field. Check COAP for IIT M.Tech admission requirements.
International Candidates
Citizens from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, UAE, Singapore, and other countries can apply for GATE. The application process is through the same GOAPS portal. International candidates pay the same fee as Indian General category candidates (Rs 2,000 per paper for GATE 2026). Use our fee calculator to check the exact amount for your situation.
International candidates can choose exam centers in India. Some cycles offer limited exam centers abroad, but this varies year to year. Check the official GATE notification for the specific cycle you are applying to.