GATE Exam Centres 2026 will be strategically located across 176 cities nationwide, organized into eight zones by the administering IITs and IISc. Candidates must select up to three preferred examination cities during the application process, ensuring all choices are from the same designated zone. IIT Guwahati, the organizing institute, has released the official zone-wise list at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Final centre allotment depends on candidate preferences and seat availability.
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GATE 2026 Exam Centres List: Official Zone-Wise Distribution
The official GATE 2026 exam centre list has been released by IIT Guwahati at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The GATE exam is conducted across 8 zones, each managed by a specific coordinating institute. Candidates can select up to three preferred GATE Exam Centres 2026, all of which must be from the same designated zone.
| Zone Number | Organizing Institute |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | IISc Bengaluru |
| Zone 2 | IIT Bombay |
| Zone 3 | IIT Delhi |
| Zone 4 | IIT Guwahati |
| Zone 5 | IIT Kanpur |
| Zone 6 | IIT Kharagpur |
| Zone 7 | IIT Madras |
| Zone 8 | IIT Roorkee |
Download GATE 2026 Exam Centre List PDF: 176 Cities
The GATE 2026 examination will be conducted across 176 cities in India, organized by IIT Guwahati. This section provides key details about the GATE Exam Centres 2026, including important dates, selection rules, and the official website for accessing the zone-wise PDF list.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Exam Cities | 176 cities across India |
| Organizing Institute | IIT Guwahati |
| Number of Zones | 8 zones |
| Zonal Coordinating Institutes | IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee |
| Official Website for Exam Centre List | gate2026.iitg.ac.in |
| PDF Download Availability | A free, formatted, zone-wise PDF list is available for download for easy reference. |
| Application Period for City Selection | August 28–September 28, 2025 (or October 9 with late fees) |
| Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | January 2, 2026 |
| City Selection Rule | Candidates must select up to three preferred cities, all from the same zone. |
| Procedure for Changing Exam City | Possible during a correction window (likely November 2025) by logging into the GOAPS portal, selecting a new city within the same zone, and paying a correction fee (₹500–₹2,000). Changes depend on seat availability. |
| International Exam Centres | None. Foreign nationals must select an Indian city. |
| New Cities Added for 2026 | Puttur, Bhilwara, Dausa, and Hanumangarh |
How to Select GATE 2026 Exam Cities: Choice Rules & Preferences
Candidates for GATE 2026 must select THREE GATE Exam Centres 2026, ensuring all choices are within the same GATE 2026 zone. This section outlines the rules for city selection, including location restrictions and the institute's final allotment rights.
- Number of choices: THREE exam cities.
- City choice rule: All three choices must be from the same GATE 2026 zone.
- Exam centre location: Only within India; no centres outside India.
- Foreign nationals: Must choose examination cities within India.
- Final allotment: Depends on candidate preferences and centre availability.
- Institute's right: GATE 2026 may allot a city not among choices.
While initial choices are crucial, candidates also have a limited window to modify their selected GATE Exam Centres 2026. However, specific rules and potential fees apply to such changes, and zone changes are not permitted.
| Policy Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam City Change Policy | Candidates can modify their GATE exam city only during the official correction window. |
| Exam City Change Fee | An additional correction fee of Rs. 500 may apply. |
| Zone Change During Correction | Candidates cannot change their GATE zone during the correction window. |
| Allotment After Change | The revised exam city will be allotted based on centre availability. |
| Deadline for Changes | Once the correction window closes, the exam city allotted becomes final and no further changes are allowed. |
GATE 2026 Exam Centre Allotment Status & Postponement Updates
New GATE Exam Centres 2026: Additions and Changes from Prior Years
For GATE Exam Centres 2026, four new cities have been added, expanding reach across India. Despite these additions, the total number of exam cities has decreased to 176 from 203 in previous years, and international exam centres are no longer available, requiring candidates abroad to choose an Indian city.
| Zonal GATE offices | List of Exam Cities |
|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | Akola (MH), Dhule (MH), Himatnagar (GJ), Ichalkaranji (MH), Latur (MH), Palghar (MH), Sangamner- Loni- Shirdi (MH) |
| IIT Kharagpur | Dhenkanal, Kakatpur (Puri), Howrah, Suri (Birbhum) |
| IIT Roorkee | Kurukshetra, Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla-Solan, Pathankot, Saharanpur, Ludhiana |
This table details the new GATE Exam Centres 2026, showing how the additional cities are distributed across the IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Roorkee zonal offices.
| Zones | GATE Previous Zonal Cities | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore | 30 | 26 |
| IIT Bombay | 30 | 30 |
| IIT Delhi | 19 | 17 |
| IIT Guwahati | 21 | 18 |
| IIT Kanpur | 14 | 12 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 26 | 24 |
| IIT Madras | 40 | 34 |
| IIT Roorkee | 21 | 15 |
| Total | 203 | 176 |
| International GATE Exam Centres | GATE Exam Cities |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Dhaka (Withdrawn) |
| UAE | Dubai |
| Nepal | Kathmandu (Withdrawn) |
| Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur (Withdrawn) |
| Maldives | Male (Withdrawn) |
| Mauritius | Port Louis (Withdrawn) |
| Singapore | Singapore (Withdrawn) |
| Bhutan | Thimphu (Withdrawn) |
This table lists the international GATE exam centres that are no longer available for 2026, impacting candidates residing abroad.
- New city in IISc Bengaluru Zone: Puttur
- New cities in IIT Delhi Zone: Bhilwara, Dausa, Hanumangarh
- Prayagraj exam centre change: Centres moved to Lucknow for Feb 15, 2026 due to Mahakumbh Mela.
- Other date-specific changes: Exam centres for Feb 07 & Feb 08, 2026 were also changed.
- International centre impact: Candidates abroad must choose an Indian city for the exam.
GATE 2026 Zonal Offices: Administrative Bodies for Exam Cities
GATE 2026 features eight Zonal Offices, managed by IISc Bengaluru and seven IITs, providing crucial administrative support for various aspects of the examination. These offices handle applications, candidate queries, coordination, and all examination-related communications, including those pertaining to GATE Exam Centres 2026.
| Zones | Contact Address | Phone Number | E-mail ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone-1 | Chairperson, GATE Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Bengaluru 560 012 | 080-22932644 080-22932392 080-22933333 | helpdesk.gate@iisc.ac.in |
| Zone-2 | Chairperson, GATE Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai, Mumbai 400 076 | 022-25767068 022-25767022 | gateoffice@iitb.ac.in |
| Zone-3 | Chairperson, GATE Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016 | 011-26591749 | gate@admin.iitd.ac.in |
This table details contact information for the initial GATE 2026 Zonal Offices, offering addresses, phone numbers, and email IDs for inquiries related to their administrative functions and GATE Exam Centres 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I select my GATE 2026 exam cities?
You select three GATE 2026 exam cities, ensuring all choices are from the same zone. GATE 2026 reserves the right to allot a different city.
What are the rules for choosing GATE 2026 exam centres?
For GATE 2026, candidates must select three exam city preferences. All three cities must belong to the same GATE zone; choosing from different zones is not allowed.
Can I choose exam cities from different GATE zones?
GATE exam centers are organized zone-wise across eight zones. Candidates typically select cities from within a chosen zone, not from different GATE zones.
What is GATE Exam Centres 2026?
GATE Exam Centres 2026 are the officially released, tentative list of examination cities/towns organized across eight zones. IIT Guwahati released this list, with each zone managed by an IIT or IISc.
What are the eligibility requirements for GATE Exam Centres 2026?
To appear for GATE 2026, candidates must be in their 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate degree, or have completed any government-approved degree in Engineering, Science, Arts, or other specified fields.
How do I apply for GATE Exam Centres 2026?
You select your GATE 2026 exam centre options while filling the application form. Choose three cities from the same zone; IIT Guwahati released the list for eight zones.
