GATE Exam: The organising committee of the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026, chaired by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, has announced proactive measures to avoid any scheduling conflict with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026. According to the UPSC’s annual calendar, the preliminary round of ESE 2026 is scheduled for February 8, 2026, raising concerns about a potential scheduling clash with the GATE exam.
In response, IIT Guwahati has assured candidates that the main engineering papers, including Civil Engineering (CE), Electronics and Communication (EC), Electrical Engineering (EE), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Geology and Geophysics (GG), Instrumentation (IN), Production and Industrial (PI), and Geomatics Engineering (GE), will not be held on February 8.
Relief for Thousands of Candidates
This decision is a major relief for thousands of engineering graduates who typically appear for both competitive exams. It will help candidates better manage their preparation and schedule without the worry of a direct conflict.
GATE 2026 Exam Dates and Application Deadline
GATE 2026 will be held over four days: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The application process began on August 25, 2025, with the last date to apply without a late fee being September 28, and with a late fee, October 9, 2025.
