The GATE Paper Combination 2025-26 lets you appear for two papers in the same exam. The GATE 2026 exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. There are 30 different papers in total. The registration for GATE 2026 ended on October 13, 2025. The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG) will conduct this exam. The GATE Paper Combination 2026 helps you choose two subjects together, which gives you more chances for higher studies and jobs in PSUs. You need to choose one main paper related to your graduation subject. Then, you can choose a second paper from the list of allowed combinations made by IIT Guwahati.
You must select both papers while filling the GATE Application Form on the GOAPS portal. The complete list of two-paper combinations is available on the official website @gate2026.iitg.ac.in. You also have to pay a separate fee for both papers. If you choose two papers instead of one, it will give you a better chance to get admission to top colleges and opens more career opportunities.
GATE Paper Combination 2025-26 Overview
The GATE Paper Combination 2026 gives you a chance to appear for two subjects in one exam. The exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, and it will be conducted by IIT Guwahati. You can choose one main paper and one additional paper from the list given by IITG. This helps you explore more subjects and get better chances for higher studies and PSU jobs. You must choose both papers while filling the form on the GOAPS portal. You also need to pay a separate fee for each paper. You can check the full list of paper combinations on the official website @gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Here’s the complete list of GATE Paper Combination 2026 to help candidates make good decisions:
| First Paper Code | Second Paper Code | First Paper Code | Second Paper Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| AE | GE | GG | AR, MN, XE |
| AG | XE | IN | DA |
| AR | GG, XE | MA | EY |
| BM | DA, EE, XE | ME | CS |
| BT | ES, EY, CS, DA | MN | GE, GG |
| CE | DA, TF, EE | MT | PI, DA |
| CH | CY, XL, DA | NM | XE |
| CS | XE, BT, EE, ME | PE | XE |
| CY | CH, XH | PH | XL |
| DA | BM, CE, IN, CH, MT, BT, XH, GE | PI | MT |
| EC | XL | TF | XE, CE |
| EE | BM, XL, CS, CE | XE | AG, AR, BM, CS, GE, GG, NM, PE, TF |
| ES | BT, EY | XH | DA, CY |
| EY | BT, MA, ES | XL | CH, EE, PH, EC |
| GE | MN, XE, AE, DA | – | – |
GATE Paper Combination 2025-26: Two Paper Combination List
| Primary Paper (Code) | Secondary Paper (Code) |
|---|---|
| AE (Aerospace Engineering) | CE (Civil Engineering), ME (Mechanical Engineering), XE (Engineering Sciences) |
| AG (Agricultural Engineering) | CE (Civil Engineering) |
| BM (Biomedical Engineering) | BT (Biotechnology), IN (Instrumentation Engineering) |
| BT (Biotechnology) | BM (Biomedical Engineering), XL (Life Sciences) |
| CE (Civil Engineering) | AE (Aerospace Engineering), AG (Agricultural Engineering), AR (Architecture), ES (Environmental Science), GE (Geology), NM (Naval Architecture), XE (Engineering Sciences) |
| CH (Chemical Engineering) | ES (Environmental Science), PE (Petroleum Engineering), XE (Engineering Sciences) |
| CS (Computer Science) | DA (Data Science), EC (Electronics), GE (Geology), MA (Mathematics), PH (Physics), ST (Statistics) |
| CY (Chemistry) | XE (Engineering Sciences), XL (Life Sciences) |
| DA (Data Science) | CS (Computer Science), EC (Electronics), EE (Electrical Engineering), MA (Mathematics), PH (Physics), ST (Statistics), XE (Engineering Sciences) |
| EC (Electronics) | CS (Computer Science), DA (Data Science), EE (Electrical Engineering), IN (Instrumentation Engineering), PH (Physics) |
| EE (Electrical Engineering) | DA (Data Science), EC (Electronics), IN (Instrumentation Engineering), PH (Physics) |
| ES (Environmental Science) | CE (Civil Engineering), CH (Chemical Engineering), GE (Geology) |
| EY (Ecology and Evolution) | XL (Life Sciences) |
| GE (Geology) | AR (Architecture), CE (Civil Engineering), CS (Computer Science), ES (Environmental Science), GG (Geophysics) |
| GG (Geophysics) | GE (Geology) |
| IN (Instrumentation Engineering) | BM (Biomedical Engineering), EC (Electronics), EE (Electrical Engineering), ME (Mechanical Engineering) |
| MA (Mathematics) | CS (Computer Science), DA (Data Science), PH (Physics), ST (Statistics) |
| ME (Mechanical Engineering) | AE (Aerospace Engineering), DA (Data Science), IN (Instrumentation Engineering), NM (Naval Architecture), PI (Production and Industrial Engineering), XE (Engineering Sciences) |
| MT (Metallurgical Engineering) | XE (Engineering Sciences) |
| NM (Naval Architecture) | CE (Civil Engineering), ME (Mechanical Engineering) |
| PE (Petroleum Engineering) | CH (Chemical Engineering) |
| PH (Physics) | CS (Computer Science), DA (Data Science), EC (Electronics), EE (Electrical Engineering), MA (Mathematics), XE (Engineering Sciences) |
| PI (Production and Industrial Engineering) | ME (Mechanical Engineering), XE (Engineering Sciences) |
| ST (Statistics) | CS (Computer Science), DA (Data Science), MA (Mathematics), XH (Humanities) |
| XE (Engineering Sciences) | AE (Aerospace Engineering), CE (Civil Engineering), CH (Chemical Engineering), CY (Chemistry), DA (Data Science), ME (Mechanical Engineering), MT (Metallurgical Engineering), PH (Physics), PI (Production and Industrial Engineering) |
| XH (Humanities) | ST (Statistics) |
| XL (Life Sciences) | BT (Biotechnology), CY (Chemistry), EY (Ecology and Evolution) |
GATE 2025-26 XE, XH, and XL Paper & Optional Subjects
The GATE 2025-26 Exam provides flexibility for candidates to tailor their paper based on their interests and academic background. Each paper carries 100 marks, divided into 15 marks for General Aptitude (GA) and 85 marks for the chosen core and optional subjects. The sections for GATE XE, GATE XH, and GATE XL have specific structures with mandatory subjects and optional sections, which are explained in detail below.
Key Features of GATE 2025-26 XE, XH, and XL Papers:
- GATE XE: Engineering Mathematics is compulsory, and candidates must select two optional subjects from the list.
- GATE XH: Reasoning and Comprehension is mandatory, and candidates pick one optional subject from six available sections.
- GATE XL: Chemistry is required, and candidates choose two optional subjects from the given list.
The table below provides a clear breakdown of all mandatory and optional sections for each paper:
| XE Paper Sections | Code | XH Paper Sections | Code | XL Paper Sections | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | A | Reasoning and Comprehension | B1 | Chemistry | P |
| (Compulsory) | (Compulsory) | (Compulsory) | |||
| Optional Sections (Choose Any 2) | Optional Sections (Choose Any 1) | Optional Sections (Choose Any 2) | |||
| Fluid Mechanics | B | Economics | C1 | Biochemistry | Q |
| Materials Science | C | English | C2 | Botany | R |
| Solid Mechanics | D | Linguistics | C3 | Microbiology | S |
| Thermodynamics | E | Philosophy | C4 | Zoology | T |
| Polymer Science and Engineering | F | Psychology | C5 | Food Technology | U |
| Food Technology | G | Sociology | C6 | – | – |
| Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences | H | – | – | – | – |
Important Details About Optional Subjects
GATE XL: Options like Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Food Technology cater to life sciences enthusiasts.
GATE XE: Candidates can select from sections such as Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics, and more to strengthen technical knowledge.
GATE XH: Sections like Economics, Psychology, or English provide choices in humanities and social sciences.
GATE Paper Combination 2025-26 Application Fees
The GATE Paper Combination 2026 fee depends on your category and when you apply. If you are a female, SC, ST, or PwD candidate, you need to pay ₹1000 per paper during the regular period and ₹1500 per paper during the extended period. This means the total fee for two papers will be ₹2000 in the regular period and ₹3000 in the extended period.
For all other candidates, including foreign nationals, the fee is ₹2000 per paper during the regular period and ₹2500 per paper during the extended period. So, for two papers, you have to pay ₹4000 in the regular period and ₹5000 in the extended period. You should apply early to avoid paying extra fees for your GATE Paper Combination 2026.
| Category | Fee (Regular Period) | Fee (Extended Period) | Fee for Two Papers (Regular) | Fee for Two Papers (Extended) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1000 per paper | ₹1500 per paper | ₹2000 | ₹3000 |
| All Others (including foreign nationals) | ₹2000 per paper | ₹2500 per paper | ₹4000 | ₹5000 |
Important Points to Remember About GATE 2025-26
When you apply for the GATE Paper Combination 2025-26, you must choose your second paper only from the list given by IIT Guwahati. You can change your paper combination later during the correction window if needed. If new paper combinations are added in the future, you can check all updates on the official website @gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
If the exam authority cancels your selected paper combination, you will get a refund for the second paper fee. Sometimes, your second paper might have a different exam center. So, after you download your GATE admit card, you should carefully check both exam centers to avoid any confusion.
Advantages of GATE Paper Combination 2025-26
The GATE Paper Combination 2025-26 gives you a great chance to choose two papers instead of one. This helps you learn more and explore different subjects. For example, if you are a Civil Engineering student, you can choose CE as your main paper and pick another one like AE, AG, ES, GE, NM, or XE. This helps you improve your skills in more areas. By choosing two papers, you can also get better job opportunities because companies like candidates who know more than one subject.
For example, if you choose Computer Science (CS) and Electronics and Communication (EC), you can work in fields like robotics or embedded systems. It can also help you get a better score because if one paper is tough, you can do well in the other one. This increases your chances of getting into top colleges or winning scholarships. So, the GATE Paper Combination 2025-26 helps you learn more, build a better career, and score higher in the exam.
FAQs for GATE Paper Combination 2025-26
Q1. What is GATE Paper Combination 2025-26?
- The GATE Paper Combination 2025-26 allows you to choose two subjects in one exam. You can select one main paper and one additional paper from the allowed list given by IIT Guwahati.
Q2. What are the exam dates for GATE 2026?
- The GATE 2026 exam will be held on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. IIT Guwahati will conduct the exam for 30 different papers.
Q3. What is the fee for GATE Paper Combination 2025-26?
- If you belong to the Female, SC, ST, or PwD category, the fee is ₹1000 per paper in the regular period and ₹1500 in the extended period. For all others, it is ₹2000 per paper in the regular period and ₹2500 in the extended period.
Q4. What are the benefits of choosing two papers in GATE 2025-26?
- Choosing two papers helps you learn more subjects, get better job opportunities, and score higher. It also increases your chances of getting admission to top colleges and earning scholarships.
