Candidates must have a graduation degree (minimum of 3 years) in respective discipline or equivalent examination to apply for the GATE exam 2026. There is no minimum or maximum age limit prescribed for appearing in the entrance test. Indian students and the Foreign Nationals are eligible to attempt the GATE 2026. The GATE eligibility criteria 2026 including the academic qualification requirements must be satisfied by the students in order to appear in the entrance exam.
Students can go through this article, to get details of the GATE exam eligibility criteria 2026 including the paper-wise educational requirements, age limit, nationality and other aspects.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Overview
The GATE eligibility criteria 2026 is made available by the IIT Guwahati on the exam’s official website i.e., ‘gate2026.iitg.ac.in’. Before commencing the GATE Registration 2026, candidates have to ensure that they have met the below-listed eligibility conditions:
- Academic Qualifications: Students must be appearing or have passed a 3 or higher years of Bachelors Degree or any other government approved degree in the discipline of Engineering / Technology / Architecture / Science / Commerce / Arts / Humanities.
* Above-given educational requirements are the same for candidates pursuing qualifying examinations from India and outside India.
- Age Limit: There is no age restriction to apply for the exam.
- Nationality: Both Indian Nationals and Foreign Citizens are eligible for the entrance test.
Note: Apart from the above-mentioned GATE exam eligibility criteria, students are also required to meet the eligibility conditions of their desired Institutes in which they are seeking admission.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Course-Wise Details
If students have qualified or appearing in any of the following higher degrees, they will be eligible to appear in the GATE 2026 exam, in accordance with the GATE eligibility criteria 2026:
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Course
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Qualifying Degree / Examination
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Description of Eligible Candidates
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B.E / B.Tech
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- Qualified B.E / B.Tech course.
* 4 years of Bachelor degree after Class 12th or 3 years of qualifying degree after B.Sc / Diploma in Engineering or Technology.
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- Currently in the 3rd year or higher / already completed.
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B.Pharma
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B.Arch
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Passed any one of the below-given qualifications:
- 5 years B.Arch degree
- 4 years Naval Architecture course
- 4 years B.Plan degree
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B.Sc (Research) / B.S
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Completed Graduation / Post Diploma of 4 years in Science after Class 12th.
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B.Sc
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- Qualified a 3 years UG degree in Science / Commerce / Humanities.
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B.A
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B.Com
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Integrated M.Sc
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- Passed Integrated M.Sc or 5 year Integrated B.S and M.S program.
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Integrated B.S / M.S
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Integrated M.E / M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc)
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- Qualified a 4 years of Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree in Engineering / Technology.
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- Presently in the 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th year or completed.
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Pharm.D (after 12th Class)
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- Passed 6 years degree course with Internship / residency training, during third year onwards.
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- Currently in the 3rd / 4th / 5th / final year or passed.
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MBBS
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- Qualified MBBS / BDS / B.V.Sc course.
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- Currently in the 5th / 6th / 7th or higher semester of such a program or already passed.
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B.V.Sc
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BDS
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M.Sc
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- Completed Post Graduation in Arts / Science / Mathematics / Statistics / Computer Applications or equivalent.
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- Presently in the first year or higher / already qualified.
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M.A
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M.Com
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Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to B.E / B.Tech / B.Arch)
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- Qualified B.E / B.Tech / B.Arch or equivalent exam of Professional Societies, recognised by MoE / UPSC / AICTE
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- Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses.
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B.Sc (Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry)
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- Completed a 4 year degree.
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- Currently in the 3rd / 4th year or qualified.
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Note: B.Sc / B.A / B.Com qualified candidates who are seeking admission in Masters Degree offered by IITs should refer to the IIT JAM exam conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.
GATE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Professional Societies Conducting Examination Equivalent to B.E / B.Tech
There are some professional societies which conduct examination in multiple disciplines of engineering which are specified-below:
- The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
- The Institution of Engineers (India) (IE)
- The Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI)
- The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE)
- The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, including the Polymer and Environmental Group (IIChE)
- The Indian Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIIE)
- The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM)
Note: Students who are obtaining the certificate from any one of the above-mentioned professional societies are required to ensure that those examinations have been approved by MoE / AICTE / UGC / UPSC as being equivalent to B.E / B.Tech / B.Arch / B.Plan, etc.
* To start the effective Preparation for GATE exam, eligible students are advised to refer to the GATE Syllabus 2026 along with GATE Exam Pattern 2026.
