The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 is one of India’s most prestigious entrance examinations for admission to postgraduate programs in engineering, technology, architecture, and science. Conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and seven IITs, the GATE exam also serves as a gateway for PSU recruitment and international study opportunities.
As per recent updates, the GATE 2026 Exam Centres list will soon be released along with the official notification on the exam website — gate.iisc.ac.in. Candidates appearing for GATE 2026 can check the zone-wise list of exam citiesbelow to select their preferred test locations during the online application process.
Table of Contents
GATE 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | IISc Bangalore |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Expected Exam Dates | February 2026 |
| Official Website | gate.iisc.ac.in |
The GATE 2026 exam will be held in over 200 cities across India, divided into multiple administrative zones, each managed by a specific IIT or IISc. Candidates can choose up to three exam cities during the application process, preferably within the same zone for convenience.
Zone-wise List of GATE 2026 Exam Centres
1. IISc Bangalore Zone
Cities include Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Belagavi, Davanagere, Shimoga, and Tumakuru, among others.
2. IIT Bombay Zone
Covers Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Thane, Surat, and Ahmedabad, making it one of the largest zones for GATE applicants.
3. IIT Delhi Zone
Includes Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Chandigarh, and Jammu.
4. IIT Guwahati Zone
Cities like Guwahati, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Itanagar, Shillong, and Imphal fall under this zone.
5. IIT Kanpur Zone
Covers Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Allahabad (Prayagraj), and nearby regions in Uttar Pradesh.
6. IIT Kharagpur Zone
Includes Kolkata, Durgapur, Asansol, Bhubaneswar, and Ranchi.
7. IIT Madras Zone
Covers southern cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Hyderabad, and Visakhapatnam.
8. IIT Roorkee Zone
Includes Dehradun, Haridwar, Jaipur, Bhopal, Indore, and Lucknow (some overlapping zones).
Important Points for Candidates
Choose exam cities carefully; the first city will be given preference during allotment.
Requests for change of city may not be accepted after the application window closes.
Ensure the selected city has convenient transport and accommodation options during the exam days.
Conclusion
The GATE 2026 Exam Centres will cover a vast network of cities across India to ensure accessibility for all candidates. The detailed list and city codes will be available in the official notification soon.
Aspirants are advised to regularly check gate.iisc.ac.in for updates and begin preparing early for the GATE 2026 exam, expected to take place in February 2026.
