GATE 2026 Admit Card: IIT Guwahati Postpones Release Date

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has officially deferred the release of the GATE 2026 admit cards, which were originally scheduled for publication on January 2. This delay has left lakhs of engineering aspirants across the country waiting for the revised download link. While the institute has confirmed the postponement via a notice on the official website, the examination dates remain unchanged. Candidates are now looking toward January 7 as the likely date for the hall tickets to be made available on the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) portal.

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is one of India’s most competitive national-level exams. It serves as a gateway for master’s programs and doctoral degrees at prestigious institutions like the IITs and NITs, while also being a primary selection criterion for recruitment in several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Why the Delay Matters for Aspirants

The admit card is not just a seasonal update; it is the most critical document for the exam day. It contains the specific allotted exam center, which is vital for students to plan their travel, especially those assigned to centers in different cities. The postponement by IIT Guwahati is being monitored closely by students who need to finalize their logistics for the February schedule.

Despite the shift in the admit card timeline, the core exam dates are locked. The test will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The exams are split into two sessions: a forenoon session from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and an afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

How to Download the GATE 2026 Admit Card

Once the link is activated, candidates must visit the official portal at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. You will need to navigate to the GOAPS login section. To access your hall ticket, you must enter your registered enrollment ID or email address along with your password.

After logging in, the admit card will be visible on the dashboard. It is highly recommended to download the PDF and take multiple color printouts. Digital copies on phones are not permitted at the examination centers; only a physical, printed copy accompanied by a valid government photo ID (such as an Aadhaar Card, Passport, or PAN Card) will grant entry.

Key Details to Verify on Your Hall Ticket

Upon downloading the document, candidates should conduct a thorough check of the printed information. Discrepancies in the admit card can lead to disqualification or entry denial at the center. Key areas to inspect include:

• Personal Information: Ensure your name and parent’s names are spelled exactly as they appear on your official ID.
• Photograph and Signature: These must be clear and match the images uploaded during the registration process.
• Paper Code: Verify that the subject paper(s) listed match your application choice.
• Exam Center Address: Map the location in advance to avoid last-minute confusion.

If any error is found, candidates must immediately contact the GATE organizing office at IIT Guwahati. Requests for changing the exam center or session are generally not entertained, but corrections to spelling or photographs are critical to address before February.

What to Expect Next: Result and Scorecard

The journey does not end with the exam. Following the February test dates, the provisional answer keys are expected to be released by late February, allowing students to challenge any responses. The official GATE 2026 results are scheduled to be announced on March 19, 2026. Successful candidates will be able to download their scorecards from March 27 onwards. These scores remain valid for three years from the date of announcement, providing long-term value for both higher education and career opportunities.

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