GATE Psychology Examination 2026

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the most significant exams for post-graduation admissions and research-based opportunities in India. With the inclusion of psychology in recent years, the students of the subject now have a unique path into higher education research programs, especially in institutes like IITs, NITs, and premier research-oriented universities.

If you’re planning to appear for the GATE Examination 2026, read through the article to get all the relevant information.

What is GATE?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an annual exam conducted to assess the comprehensive knowledge and understanding of candidates in various undergraduate-level subjects like Engineering, Technology, Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities for admission into various post-graduate & doctoral programs and some public sector undertakings.

This national-level exam is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and seven IITs (Indian Institute of Technology) — Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, and Roorkee, under the aegis of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India.

The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, will be organising the GATE 2026 Exam.

Why is the GATE Score Important for a Psychology Student

Psychology students can benefit from a GATE score in multiple ways:

• Higher Education: Students who are looking to get admission into various graduate and post-graduate programs from IITs
• Fellowships: Qualifying for the GATE exam can also make a candidate eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) program offered by CSIR.

Eligibility Criteria for the GATE Exam

• You’re eligible for GATE 2026 if:
  • You are currently in the 3rd year or higher of your undergraduate program, OR
  • You have already completed your undergraduate degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities from a government-approved institution.
• For international students:
  • You must be in the 3rd year or higher of your Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years), or have already completed it in any of the above fields.

If you meet any of the above conditions, you can appear for GATE 2026.

For more information about GATE eligibility criteria, visit the official website of GATE 2026.

Exam Pattern

1. The Entrance test will be of multiple-choice questions.
2. Total time allotted is 3 hours.
3. The medium and mode of the exam will be English and a Computer-Based Test (CBT), respectively.
4. There will be 3 types of questions asked:
   • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
   • Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
   • Numerical Answer Types (NATs)
5. Every correct answer will give you either 1 or 2 marks, and a wrong answer will result in negative marking.
   • For a 1-mark question, the negative marking is 1/3.
   • For a 2-mark question, the negative marking is 2/3.
   • There will be no negative marking for the wrong answer to the MSQs (Multiple Select Questions) and NATs (Numerical Answer Type).
6. There will be 2 Sections in the Exam:
   • General Aptitude (GA) of 15 Marks.
   • Candidate’s Selected Subject(s). For example, the candidate chose Humanities and Social Science (code, XH). This will include the following:
     • Subject: Compulsory Section (Reasoning and Comprehension, code B1) of 25 Marks.
     • Subject: Optional Section (Psychology, code C5) of 60 Marks.

For more information about the exam pattern, visit the official website of GATE 2026.

Application Fee

Note: Fees are per paper. If you choose two test papers, you’ll need to pay double the amount.

Important Dates & Exam Schedule (tentative)

• Opening Date of GATE Online Applications: Monday, August 25, 2025
• Closing Date of REGULAR online registration/application process (Without Late Fee): Thursday, September 25, 2025
• Closing Date of EXTENDED online registration/application process (With Late Fee): Monday, October 06th, 2025
• GATE 2026 Exam Date:
  • Saturday, February 7th, 2026
    • 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
    • 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
  • Sunday, February 8th, 2026
    • 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
    • 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 14th, 2026
    • 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
    • 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
  • Sunday, February 15, 2026
    • 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
    • 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Additional Details

• GATE 2026 Syllabus:
  • General Aptitude (GA)
  • Reading and Comprehension (XH – B1)
  • Psychology (XH – C5)
• Benefits of Clearing the GATE Psychology entrance Exam—UPS Education

Need more help?

If you’re preparing for GATE Psychology 2026 and need guidance or resources, feel free to reach out to us at UPS Education:

Contact: +91-9990717772

Website: upseducation.in

FAQs

1. What is the GATE Psychology Exam used for?

The GATE Psychology exam score can be used to apply for postgraduate and research programs in institutes like IITs, NITs, and other top universities. It also opens doors for research fellowships and academic career paths.

2. Who is eligible to apply for GATE Psychology 2026?

You’re eligible if you are currently in your 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate degree, or have completed a degree in Psychology or related fields from a government-recognized institution. International students with a similar background are also eligible.

3. How is the GATE Psychology paper structured?

The exam includes two sections:

• General Aptitude (GA) – 15 Marks
• Subject Paper (Psychology) – 60 Marks (Optional Section under XH-C5)
  The compulsory part of the subject section includes Reasoning and Comprehension (XH-B1) – 25 Marks.

4. What is the application fee for GATE Psychology 2026?

• General & Foreign Nationals: ₹2000 (Regular), ₹2500 (Extended)
• Female / SC / ST / PwD: ₹1000 (Regular), ₹1500 (Extended)
  Note: Fees are charged per paper. If you opt for two papers, the fee doubles.

5. When will the GATE 2026 Psychology exam be held?

The exam is tentatively scheduled across February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, in different slots. Exact dates for each paper will be confirmed by IIT Guwahati on the official website.

6. Is there any negative marking in the GATE Psychology paper?

Yes, there is negative marking for MCQs:

• 1-mark MCQ: –⅓ mark for wrong answer
• 2-mark MCQ: –⅔ mark for wrong answer
  There is no negative marking for MSQs or NATs.

7. Can I apply for GATE Psychology if I am from a non-engineering background?

Yes! GATE is now open to various disciplines, including Psychology, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. You don’t need an engineering degree to appear for the Psychology (XH-C5) paper.

8. Where can I prepare for GATE Psychology 2026 with expert guidance?

You can join UPS Education, a trusted institute for psychology entrance preparation. Their programs are updated as per the latest syllabus and exam trends. Visit UPS Education for more info!