GATE 2026 exam began on 7 February 2026 with several test papers scheduled across two shifts. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is being conducted in computer-based mode by IIT Guwahati at examination centres across the country. Candidates appearing for the exam can expect detailed question paper analysis and unofficial answer key solutions after the conclusion of each shift.
GATE 2026 Feb 7 Shift Timings and Papers Scheduled
IIT Guwahati has scheduled multiple GATE papers on the first day of the examination. The exam is being conducted in two sessions on 7 February 2026. The following papers were held in Shift 1 (9:30 AM to 12:30 PM):
- AG, ES, GG, IN, MA, MN, TF, XE and XL
The following papers are scheduled in Shift 2 (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM):
- AE, BT, CH, CY, GE, PH and XH
Each paper carries a total of 100 marks and includes General Aptitude along with subject-specific sections.
Documents Required at GATE 2026 Exam Centre
Candidates were required to carry mandatory documents for verification at the exam centre. These documents are essential for entry and scrutiny. The documents include:
- GATE 2026 hall ticket
- Valid government-issued photo ID proof
- Recent passport-size photograph (if the photo on the ID is unclear or old)
Failure to present the required documents may lead to disqualification from appearing in the exam.
GATE 2026 Exam Day Guidelines and Instructions
Candidates were advised to strictly follow the exam day instructions issued by the authorities to ensure a smooth examination process. Important guidelines include:
- Reach the exam centre at least 90 minutes before the scheduled time
- Avoid carrying electronic devices, study material, or personal belongings
- Use only the online GATE calculator available on the system
- A scribble pad is provided for rough work inside the exam hall
- Click the “Submit” button only in the presence of the invigilator
The exam duration is 3 hours, and candidates are not allowed to leave the hall before the exam concludes.
GATE 2026 Feb 7 Question Paper Analysis and Answer Key
After the completion of each shift, coaching institutes and subject experts are expected to release memory-based GATE 2026 question papers along with unofficial answer key solutions. These will help candidates assess the difficulty level and estimate probable scores. The paper analysis will cover:
- Overall difficulty level
- Section-wise weightage
- Student reactions and feedback
Once the official answer key is released later, candidates will be able to calculate their expected scores and analyse their chances for GATE 2026 result, cut-off, and counselling stages.
