GATE 2026 Sample Papers and Previous Year Question Papers Released – Here's How to Download

GATE 2026: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 application process will begin on August 25, 2025. The exam is scheduled for February 2026, with results to be announced on March 19, 2026. Ahead of the registration, the organising institute has released sample papers and previous year’s question papers, allowing aspirants to begin their preparation in advance.

The exam will be conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, and candidates can access the papers on the official website — gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The released material includes subject-specific papers as well as the Energy Science (XE-I) section introduced under the Engineering Sciences category.

Registration Dates for GATE 2026

• Application window: August 25, 2025 to September 25, 2025

• Late fee window: September 26, 2025 to October 6, 2025

• Exam dates: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026

• Result date: March 19, 2026

Complete details regarding eligibility criteria, syllabus, application process, and updates will be available exclusively on the official website.

What is GATE?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level examination designed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge and understanding in engineering, technology, architecture, and science subjects at the undergraduate level.

The exam is conducted in rotation by IITs and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). GATE scores are widely accepted for admission to postgraduate programs such as M.Tech, M.E., and Ph.D. in reputed institutions. Additionally, several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) also use GATE scores as a criterion for recruitment.

The exam is conducted in computer-based mode, and the score remains valid for three years from the date of result announcement.

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

• Total subjects: 30

• New addition: Energy Science (XE-I) under Engineering Sciences

• Question format: 100 marks per paper

  • General Aptitude (GA): 15 marks

  • Subject-specific questions: 85 marks

The paper will include a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.

How to Download GATE 2026 Sample Papers & Previous Year Question Papers

Follow these steps to access the preparation material:

Visit the official website — gate2026.iitg.ac.in.

On the homepage, click on the ‘Downloads’ tab.

Select the relevant link:

• Previous Year Question Papers (2007 to 2025)

• Sample Question Paper for Energy Science (XE-I)

The available files will appear on the screen.

Download the desired papers and take a printout for offline reference.

Why These Papers Are Important for Aspirants

Practising previous year question papers helps candidates understand:

• The exam pattern and question format

• The difficulty level of various sections

• Important topics and frequently asked concepts

• Time management strategies during the actual exam

Sample papers, on the other hand, give an idea of the latest paper structure, especially for new subjects like Energy Science. Attempting these under timed conditions can boost speed and accuracy.

With less than six months left for the exam, candidates are advised to start their preparation early, focus on both core subjects and General Aptitude, and make the best use of the resources provided on the official website.

Official Website: https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in