GATE 2026: Paper‑Wise Pattern & Syllabus Explained for February Exam
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• Updated on 24 Nov, 2025, 2:41 PM, by Ishita Tanwar
IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE 2026 on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The examination will cover 30 test papers across engineering, science, humanities, and interdisciplinary subjects. All papers will be in English and conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode for 3 hours. Each paper will include a compulsory General Aptitude (GA) section worth 15 marks and a subject-specific section worth 85 marks. Question types will include Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple-Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
Key Updates and Highlights
- Introduction of a new Energy Science section under the Engineering Sciences (XE) paper.
- Option to choose two-paper combinations for eligible candidates in certain cases.
- Subject-wise pattern varies for specific papers (XE, XH, XL), but the base structure remains consistent.
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Students can refer to the table mentioned below for the GATE 2026 Exam Pattern.
For most engineering papers, the marks distribution is GA 15 + Engineering Mathematics 13 + Subject Section 72 = 100.
Importance for Aspirants
GATE 2026 is the gateway for M.Tech/M.E/Ph.D. admissions and PSU recruitment. Awareness of the new Energy Science section, paper-wise distribution, and question types is crucial for effective preparation. Candidates should now focus on:
- Covering the subject-specific syllabus thoroughly.
- Practicing all question types: MCQs, MSQs, and NATs.
- Taking mock tests to simulate real exam conditions.
- Planning preparation strategies according to the updated exam schedule.
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