GATE 2026 Exam Begins February 7: Check Schedule, Reporting Time, Documents to Carry

February 7th, 2026, is the date GATE aspirants need to keep in mind. On this day, the GATE 2026 will begin, conducted by the IIT Guwahati. So, this is a national-level entrance exam for engineering students, which is going to happen on the 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th of February in a total of 2 shifts. Moreover, candidates who have registered should definitely download the GATE admit card from the main website. Entry into the examination hall will be permitted only after document verification, and candidates are advised to reach the exam centre well before the reporting time to avoid last-minute inconvenience.

GATE 2026 Exam Schedule and Shift Timings

As per the official notification, GATE 2026 will be conducted in two shifts daily:

• Forenoon Shift: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
• Afternoon Shift: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Candidates must check their exact exam date, shift timing, and centre details on the GATE admit card. It is recommended that students reach the examination centre 60 to 90 minutes before the reporting time. Late entry after the gate closing time is generally not permitted.

Before entering the exam hall, candidates will undergo biometric verification and document checking. A virtual calculator will be provided on the computer screen during the exam, and the use of personal calculators is strictly prohibited.

Documents to Carry for GATE 2026 Exam

Candidates appearing for the GATE 2026 exam must carry the following documents to the examination centre:

• Printed copy of the GATE 2026 admit card 
• Original and valid photo ID proof, which must be the same as used during registration

Accepted photo ID proofs include:

• Aadhaar card
• Passport
• Voter ID
• Driving license
• PAN card

Photocopies or digital copies of ID proofs will not be accepted. Candidates should ensure that the photograph and details on the admit card are clearly visible. It is also advised to carefully read the instructions mentioned on the admit card to check if a passport-size photograph is required.

GATE 2026 Exam Day Instructions: Items Allowed and Prohibited

Certain items are strictly not allowed inside the GATE 2026 exam centre. These include:

• Mobile phones
• Smart watches
• Calculators
• Notes, books, or study material
• Bags and electronic gadgets

Rough sheets will be provided at the exam centre. Candidates must write their name and registration number on the sheets before using them. Students are advised to wear simple, comfortable clothing and strictly follow the instructions given by the invigilators.

Failure to comply with exam-day guidelines or misconduct during the examination may lead to disqualification.