GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026, Check Age Limit, Educational Qualification & Attempts
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria outlines the minimum requirements candidates must meet to apply for GATE 2026 Exam. Students in their third year or higher of an approved undergraduate degree program are eligible to apply. GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria allows graduates from fields like Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities to apply for GATE 2026 Exam. Professional society certifications approved by MoE/ AICTE/ UGC/ UPSC are accepted as equivalent qualifications. There is no age limit or restriction on attempts, making GATE 2026 exam accessible to all eligible aspirants.
GATE 2026 Educational Qualification Criteria
To appear for GATE 2026, candidates must meet specific academic requirements set by the conducting authority. These qualifications ensure that only students with the necessary academic background are eligible for the exam.
- Candidates must either-
- Be in the third year or above of their undergraduate degree, OR
- Have already completed a degree program approved by MoE/ AICTE/ UGC/ UPSC.
- Some acceptable degrees include:
- B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch./B.Planning
- B.Sc./B.Com./B.A./BCA
- Integrated M.Sc./Integrated B.S.-M.S.
- Professional society examinations recognised by the Government of India
The minimum duration of the qualifying program must be 3 years.
GATE 2026 Eligibility for Candidates from Professional Societies
The notification specifically includes candidates who have certifications from professional societies or institutions, provided these are recognised as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Some Professional Societies/ Institutions, which conduct examinations in various fields of engineering, are given below-
- The Institution of Engineers (India) – IE
- The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
- The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE)
- The Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI)
- The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE)
- The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM)
- The Indian Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIIE)
Such certifications must be approved by MoE/ AICTE/ UGC/ UPSC to qualify for GATE 2026.
GATE Eligibility 2026 for International Students
GATE 2026 also allows candidates from countries other than India to apply, provided they meet certain conditions-
- They must currently be in the third year or higher of their degree, OR
- They must have completed a Bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years duration in Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture/ Science/ Commerce/ Arts/ Humanities.
This widens the scope of the exam and makes it more inclusive for global aspirants.
GATE 2026 Age Limit
One of the advantages of GATE 2026 is that there is no upper age limit. Candidates of any age who meet the educational requirements are eligible to apply for GATE 2026. This allows working professionals, graduates, or even senior learners to take the exam without restrictions.
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria (Course-wise)
Below is the table for course-wise GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria-
| Degree / Program | Qualifying Degree / Examination | Description of Eligible Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| B.E. / B.Tech. / B. Pharm. | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc. / Diploma in Engineering / Technology) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B. Arch. | Bachelor’s degree of Architecture (5-year course) / Naval Architecture (4-year course) / Planning (4-year course) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma / 4 years after 10+2) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Pharm. D.(after 10+2) | 6-year degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, from the third year onwards | Currently in the 3rd/ 4th/ 5th/ 6th year or already completed |
| M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc. | Degree holders of M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc and those who are in the 5th/ 6th/ 7th semester or higher semester of such a programme. | 5th/ 6th/ 7th or higher semester or already completed |
| M. Sc. / M.A. / MCA or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Arts / Science / Mathematics / Statistics / Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in the first year or higher or already completed |
| Int. M.E. / M.Tech.(Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering / Technology (4-year program) | Currently in the 1st/ 2nd/ 3rd/ 4th year or already completed |
| Int. M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Pharm or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering / Technology (5-year program) | Currently in the 3rd/ 4th/ 5th year or already completed |
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. | Bachelor's degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Commerce (3-year program) | Currently in the 3rd year or have already completed |
| Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S. / M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.- M.S. program | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Professional Society Examinations* (equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch.) | B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognised by MoE / UPSC / AICTE (e.g. AMIE by the Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India and so on) | Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-years program | Currently in the 3rd/ 4th year or have already completed |
GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria allows students in the third year or higher of their undergraduate degree and graduates from recognised programs to apply for GATE 2026 Exam. Candidates with professional society certifications approved by MoE/ AICTE/ UGC/ UPSC are also eligible. There is no age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts. International students with a minimum 3-year bachelor’s degree or those in the third year and above are equally eligible.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
Ques: How many attempts are allowed in GATE 2026?
Ans: There is no restriction on the number of attempts in GATE. Candidates can appear multiple times to improve their scores, provided they meet the educational eligibility criteria each time.
Ques: Is there a limit on the number of papers one can appear in GATE 2026?
Ans: Yes, candidates can appear in up to two papers in GATE 2026, provided the chosen papers are from the approved combination list given by the organizing authority.
Ques: What documents are required to prove eligibility for GATE 2026?
Ans: Candidates need to provide their degree certificate, provisional certificate, or certificate from their Head of Institution confirming enrollment in the third year or higher.
Ques: Do candidates need a minimum percentage to apply for GATE 2026?
Ans: No minimum percentage or CGPA is required to appear for GATE 2026. Eligibility is based only on degree completion or current enrollment in the third year or above.
Ques: Can a second-year student apply for GATE 2026?
Ans: No, only students in their third year or higher of an undergraduate program are eligible to apply for GATE 2026.
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