The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 has seen an extension of the facial registration deadline for candidates preparing to sit for the national engineering entrance test. Organised by IIT Guwahati with coordination from IIT Madras and other IITs, the exam is scheduled for 07, 08, 14 and 15 February 2026. This extension ensures that applicants have adequate time to complete the facial registration step — a mandatory biometric process required before admit card download — on the official GATE login portal (GOAPS).
Why Facial Registration Matters for GATE?
Facial registration is an identity verification step integrated into the GATE 2026 application and admit card process. Candidates must complete it using the GATE login so that their biometric photo matches the identification presented on exam day. Failure to complete this step may lead to issues accessing the GATE admit card 2026 or complications at exam centres. Participants are advised to finish this step well before the exam date.
How to Complete Facial Registration & Download GATE Admit Card?
- Visit the official GATE login (GOAPS) portal and log in using your application credentials.
- Navigate to the facial registration section and follow the on-screen steps to upload your photo and complete the biometric process
- After successfully completing facial registration, go to the admit card download section in the GATE login.
- Enter your GATE credentials to access and download the GATE 2026 hall ticket.
- Print multiple copies of the admit card and check that all details (name, exam centre, paper, date and photo) are correct.
GATE 2026 Exam Timeline
The GATE 2026 examination will be held in multiple shifts across four days in February 2026, with sessions typically in the forenoon (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) and afternoon (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM). Candidates must carry their printed admit card, a valid photo ID and any other documents specified on the hall ticket to their assigned exam centre. Entry without a valid admit card and ID will not be permitted.
Tips to Avoid Issues During Facial Registration
- Ensure your camera/photo quality meets portal requirements.
- Perform registration in good lighting for clear capture.
- Retry on a different device or browser if upload fails.
Completing facial registration early will help candidates focus fully on preparation for the upcoming GATE 2026 exams.
