The release of the crucial Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 admit card has been delayed, leaving thousands of aspirants awaiting their hall tickets. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, the organizing institute for GATE 2026, has postponed the initial release date of January 2. While no official reason was provided, media reports now indicate that the admit cards are likely to be issued on January 7, 2026.
Revised Release Date and How to Download
Once released, candidates must visit the official GATE 2026 portal at gate2026.iitg.ac.in to download their admit card. The process is straightforward but essential for gaining entry to the examination hall. Candidates will need their enrolment ID and password to log into the application portal. After entering the required credentials and security code, the hall ticket will be displayed on the screen.
It is critical to verify all details printed on the admit card carefully. Candidates should save a digital copy and take a printout to carry to the exam center. The official website currently states, “The release date of the GATE 2026 admit card has been postponed. The revised release date will be announced soon.”
GATE 2026 Examination Schedule and Key Details
The GATE 2026 examination will be conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and all IITs on behalf of the National Coordination Board. The test is scheduled to be held over several days, from February 7 to February 15, 2026, across 200 cities in India. The exam will be administered in two shifts daily: a forenoon session from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and an afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
The detailed subject-wise schedule is as follows:
- 16 subjects will be tested on February 7.
- 6 subjects will be tested on February 8.
- 7 subjects will be tested on February 14.
- 3 subjects will be tested on February 15.
This national-level exam is a gateway for admissions into MTech, MS, and PhD programs, and a GATE scorecard remains valid for three years from the date of declaration of results.
Essential Information on the Admit Card
Candidates must meticulously check the following details on their GATE 2026 hall ticket once downloaded:
- Candidate’s full name
- Photograph and signature
- Roll number and enrolment ID
- Assigned paper code
- Exam date and shift timing
- Full exam centre address
- Important instructions for the exam day
Any discrepancy in these details should be reported to the authorities immediately for correction.
Post-Examination Scorecard Access
After the exams, candidates can download their scorecards from the official portal in two phases. The scorecard will be available for free download from March 27 to May 31, 2026. However, candidates who need to download it later, between June 1 and December 31, 2026, will be required to pay a fee of ₹500.
With the exam dates fast approaching, all eyes are now on the official website for the final announcement regarding the admit card release. Aspirants are advised to keep their login credentials handy and regularly check the IIT Guwahati GATE 2026 website for updates.
