On August 21, 2025 that is today, IIT Guwahati Releases GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combinations. The GATE two paper combination 2026 link has been activated by the authorities on gate2026.iitg.ac.in, the official portal. This page allows candidates to view the GATE 2026 two-paper combination.
Also learn: GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
A new GATE paper combination was launched by the exam-conducting authorities in 2026. According to this modification, when applying for the GATE exam, candidates can select the primary paper from a choice of 30 possibilities. However, only 29 subjects are eligible for the secondary paper combination. The 30 papers in the GATE 2026 test will be administered on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.
IIT Guwahati Releases GATE 2026 Two-Paper Combinations: Check list of papers, important instructions
English will be used for the test questions. Candidates must choose a preferred choice of exam paper if they choose to take TWO test papers. The second test paper must be chosen from the allowed combinations shown in the table below. During the first (Regular and Extended) periods of registration, combinations other than those on the list are not permitted. An additional two-paper combinations might become available later; the GATE 2026 website will be updated to reflect this. Infrastructure availability and schedule viability are prerequisites for this.
Due to scheduling and infrastructural limitations, a candidate’s examination location for the second test may differ from that for the first, but still be in the same city. GATE 2026 will not be responsible for any legal duties resulting from this matter.
Certain combinations might eventually be taken off the list in the above table due to unanticipated events. In these situations, candidates will receive a refund for the cost of the second test paper.
GATE 2 Paper Combinations 2026
Candidates can select their primary and secondary exams from the GATE 2026 two-paper combination list, which was provided by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. This year, out of 30 alternatives, the new Energy Science paper makes its debut.
The codes of test papers permitted as the second paper for the candidate’s selection of the first paper are listed in the table below.
| Code of the First Paper | Code of the Second Paper | Code of the First Paper | Code of the Second Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| AE | CE, ME, XE | GG | GE |
| AG | CE | IN | BM, EC, EE, ME |
| AR | CE, GE | MA | CS, DA, PH, ST |
| BM | BT, IN | ME | AE, DA, IN, NM, PI, XE |
| BT | BM, XL | MN | – |
| CE | AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE | MT | XE |
| CH | ES, PE, XE | NM | CE, ME |
| CS | DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, ST | PE | CH |
| CY | XE, XL | PH | CS, DA, EC, EE, MA, XE |
| DA | CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, ST, XE | PI | ME, XE |
| EC | CS, DA, EE, IN, PH | ST | CS, DA, MA, XH |
| EE | DA, EC, IN, PH | TF | – |
| ES | CE, CH, GE | XE | AE, CE, CH, CY, DA, ME, MT, PH, PI |
| EY | XL | XH | ST |
| GE | AR, CE, CS, ES, GG | XL | BT, CY, EY |
Key elements for the 2026 GATE two-paper combo
The following crucial details regarding the GATE 2026 two-paper combinations should be known by candidates.
- From the permitted combinations listed in the above table, the second test paper must be selected.
- Although they may be in the same city, the exam locations for papers 1 and 2 may differ.
Subject Wise Codes in GATE 2026
The GATE 2026 exam will consist of 30 papers. To choose the right secondary GATE paper, candidates must be aware of the GATE 2026 subject list and paper codes. The table below contains the paper codes for the GATE 2026 exam.
| GATE Test Paper | Code |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | AE |
| Agricultural Engineering | AG |
| Architecture and Planning | AR |
| Biomedical Engineering | BM |
| Biotechnology | BT |
| Civil Engineering | CE |
| Chemical Engineering | CH |
| Computer Science & Information Technology | CS |
| Chemistry | CY |
| Data Science & Artificial Intelligence | DA |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering | EC |
| Electrical Engineering | EE |
| Environmental Science & Engineering | ES |
| Ecology and Evolution | EY |
| Geomatics Engineering | GE |
| Geology & Geophysics | GG |
| Instrumentation Engineering | IN |
| Mathematics | MA |
| Mechanical Engineering | ME |
| Mining Engineering | MN |
| Metallurgical Engineering | MT |
| Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering | NM |
| Petroleum Engineering | PE |
| Physics | PH |
| Production & Industrial Engineering | PI |
| Statistics | ST |
| Textile Engineering & Fibre Science | TF |
| Engineering Sciences | XE |
| Humanities & Social Sciences | XH |
| Life Sciences | XL |
How can I apply for the Second Paper of GATE 2026?
- Candidates must first choose their primary paper when completing the application form. • From the list of permitted combinations, the second paper can then be chosen.
- Although it will be in the same city, the exam location for the second paper can be different from the one for the first.
Benefits of Presenting Two Papers in GATE 2026
Below mentioned are some of the major benefits that students get by giving two papers in GATE 2026.
- Candidates have the chance to demonstrate their mastery of two distinct subjects.
- The likelihood of receiving higher exam scores rises.
- There are more work prospects and a wider range of career options.
- There are more choices in the fields of industry, higher education, and research.
FAQs on the GATE 2 Paper Combinations 2026
When is the GATE 2026 exam scheduled to take place?
The GATE 2026 test will be administered by IIT Guwahati on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.
How much does it cost to write two papers using GATE?
In order to apply for two papers in the GATE exam, candidates must spend Rs 4000, since the registration price for a single paper for male candidates is Rs 2000. However, candidates must pay Rs 2000 for two papers because the application fee for female and reserved categories is Rs 1000.
What are the two paper combinations for the 2026 GATE exam?
Candidates may attempt two distinct subjects from the list of permitted combinations in the GATE 2026 test by using the GATE two paper combination.
Which IIT is producing the GATE paper for 2026?
The GATE 2026 is being held at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati.
What benefit does the GATE secondary paper offer?
By passing two of the GATE 2026 exam’s exams, candidates will have the option of applying for jobs with different specialisations or enrolling in an MTech program.
Are two papers required for the GATE exam?
No, it is not required. In the GATE 2026 test, candidates may also attempt a single paper.
