The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), the organizing institute for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026, has announced an unexpected delay in the release of the admit cards. Lakhs of candidates who were anticipating downloading their hall tickets on the previously indicated date of January 2, 2026, will now have to wait further, as the institute has postponed the release without immediately announcing a revised schedule.
Official Announcement and New Release Date
The update regarding the postponement has been formally communicated through the examination's official channels. While the institute confirmed the delay, it has not yet provided a new specific date for when the GATE 2026 admit cards will be made available. Candidates are advised to monitor the official GATE 2026 website and the GOAPS portal (gate2026.iitg.ac.in) closely for the latest announcements. The admit cards were originally slated for release on January 2, but this schedule has now been officially pushed back.
How to Download the Admit Card and Essential Details
Once the admit cards are released, candidates will need to log in to the GOAPS portal using their enrolment ID or registered email address along with their password. Upon successful login, a direct link to download the GATE 2026 hall ticket will be visible on the candidate's dashboard.
The admit card is a critical document that will contain all necessary details for the examination day, including:
- Candidate's name and photograph
- Registration/Roll number
- Exam date and shift timing
- Full address of the assigned exam centre
- Important instructions for conduct inside the examination hall
Exam Schedule and Mandatory Documents for Entry
The GATE 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, across numerous test centres in India in multiple shifts. The admit card is mandatory for entry on all exam days.
On the day of the examination, candidates must carry the following documents without fail:
- A clear printed copy of the GATE 2026 admit card.
- An original, valid government-issued photo ID proof such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or driving licence.
Candidates who fail to present both the admit card and a valid photo ID will be denied entry into the examination hall. With the admit card release delayed, aspirants should use this time to ensure all their login credentials are in order and to keep a watch on official updates for the new release date.
