IIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 two paper combination list along with the official notification. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the GATE 2026 application form, subjects list, syllabus, fees and the process to download the GATE two paper combination 2026 pdf.
What is GATE Two Paper Combination 2026?
In the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) students are given the option to select one or two papers.
- Primary Paper (Paper 1) → Candidate’s subject (related to the discipline).
- Secondary Paper (Paper 2) → An additional subject in which the candidate can expand his knowledge.
This option is beneficial for aspirants who target interdisciplinary careers or matech admissions in dual specialisations.
GATE 2026 Important Dates
| Events | Dates |
| GATE 2026 application form (Regular) | 28 August – 28 September 2025 |
| Extended Application Dates | 29 September – 9 October 2025 |
| GATE 2026 Exam Dates | 7, 8, 14, 15 February 2026 |
| GATE 2026 Result Date | 19 March 2026 |
The official registration will be done only on the GATE GOAPS portal 2026.
GATE Subjects List 2026
A total of 30 subjects are available for the GATE exam. Candidates can choose one subject for the primary and one for the secondary paper.
| Subject Name | 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 |
Official PDF – GATE Subjects List 2026 PDF Download will be available on the portal of GATE IIT Guwahati.
GATE 2026 Two Paper Combination List
The GATE Two Paper Combination 2026 list PDF has been officially released. Candidates must take their secondary paper only from the approved combinations.
Popular Combinations:
- GATE CS two paper combination: DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, ST
- Electronics (EC): CS, DA, EE, IN, PH
- Electrical (EE): DA, EC, IN, PH
- Mechanical (ME): AE, DA, IN, NM, PI, XE
- Civil (CE): AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE
- DA (Data Science & AI): CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, ST, XE
Detailed GATE 2026 Two Paper Combination List PDF download is also available on the official portal of GATE.
GATE 2026 Two Paper Combination Fees
You will need to pay an additional fee to add a second paper. The updated fee structure is shown in the table below:
| Category | Regular Period | Extended Period |
| Female/SC/ST/PwD (per paper) | ₹1000 | ₹1500 |
| All others (per paper) | ₹2000 | ₹2500 |
Meaning, if a student calculates the two paper combination in GATE 2026 fee, then he/she will have to pay extra charges along with the per paper fee.
How to Apply for GATE Secondary Paper?
Step by step process:
- Visit official site – gate2026.iitg.ac.in
- Login via GOAPS portal
- Fill GATE 2026 application form
- Select primary paper
- Add secondary paper from the approved list
- Upload documents & pay the GATE two paper combination fees
- Download confirmation page
GATE 2026 Syllabus Pdf Download
GATE 2026 syllabus pdf download for each subject is available on the GATE website.
In special demand
- GATE 2026 syllabus CSE pdf download: Algorithms, TOC, DBMS, OS, CN, Programming, Aptitude
- Order of subjects for GATE CSE: Programming → Algorithms & DS → DBMS → OS → TOC → Aptitude
Aspirants should also solve GATE 2026 previous year question papers for preparation.
Gate Paper 1 and Paper 2 Difference
- Paper 1 (Primary): It is closest to the UG subjects of the candidate.
- Paper 2 (Secondary): It is a related or complementary subject which increases the scope for job and higher studies.
Benefits of GATE Two Paper Combination 2026
- Extra chances in MTech admissions & Ph.D. fields
- Broader job opportunities in PSUs & research institutes
- More chances of score improvement
- Advanced career in interdisciplinary areas
FAQs
1. What are the dates of GATE 2026?
February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026.
2. What is the fee for combining two papers in GATE 2026?
₹2000 per paper for the general category ₹1000 per paper for the reserved or disabled category.
3. How many subjects are there in the GATE exam?
A total of 30 papers. The complete list of GATE subjects is available on the IIT portal.
4. Can I take both CS and DA in GATE 2026?
Yes, combining two GATE CS papers with DA is allowed.
5. Is the syllabus available for download?
Yes, the list of GATE subjects 2026 pdf for free download and the GATE 2026 syllabus pdf download have been released by IIT.
