GATE 2026 Data Science & AI Exam: Eligibility, Latest Syllabus, and Registration Details

TL;DR

• The GATE Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DA) 2026 exam is designed for students aiming to pursue higher studies or careers in AI, machine learning, and data analytics.

• Students who are in their final year of an undergraduate program or have already completed their degree in any stream are eligible to apply.

• The exam will be conducted by IIT Guwahati, the exam dates are scheduled for February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, and the results will be announced on March 19, 2026.

• The last date to register, including the late fee period, was October 13, 2025.

• The exam will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and will last for three hours.

• It will consist of 65 questions carrying a total of 100 marks.

• The question types include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.

• The registration window for GATE 2026 is now closed.

• Students who missed this cycle can apply for GATE 2027, with registration expected to begin in August 2026.

Introduction

The GATE, short for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, is an entrance test for engineering and computer science students. The GATE 2026 exam will be organised by IIT Guwahati. A total of 30 papers, including Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, and Computer Science & Information Technology, have been announced for this year. 

Among these, the GATE 2026 Data Science & AI exam is intended for students planning to pursue higher education in advanced computing, data analytics, machine learning, and other relevant fields. 

This blog covers the details of the GATE exam 2026, including the syllabus, eligibility criteria, registration details, application form, and more.

What is GATE Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DA)?

The GATE has been conducted since 1980. Traditionally, the exam focused on core engineering disciplines such as Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering.

However, recognising the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, introduced a new paper titled ‘GATE Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DA)' in 2024.

This initiative highlights the increasing role of machine learning, deep learning, data analytics, and other emerging technologies in academia and industry. The purpose of this paper is to assess a candidate’s understanding of key AI and data science concepts, including statistical techniques, machine learning algorithms, and computational methods.

GATE Data Science and AI Eligibility 2026

To appear for the GATE DA 2026 exam, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Candidates who are in the third year or higher of their undergraduate degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities are eligible to apply.

• Candidates who have already completed their bachelor’s degree are also eligible.

• Students from any academic background, including those without a Computer Science or related major, can appear for the GATE 2026 Data Science & AI exam.

• Candidates from outside India are eligible if they have completed, or are in the final year of a three-year or longer undergraduate program in any discipline.

For more details on eligibility requirements, students are advised to go over the eligibility criteria on the GATE 2026 IIT Guwahati official website and apply only if they meet the requirements.

Also Read:- GATE for Postgraduate Learning: Routes to M.Tech and Above

GATE DA 2026 Registration Date

The registration and other dates may change. Students must visit the official website to stay up to date with the latest information about the GATE 2026 exams.

GATE 2026 Data Science and AI notifications are sent to students for any update, such as a correction window update that allows students to fix errors in their application form, a notification through SMS or email address for the admit card (after release), and a notification to check results on the GOAPS portal.

GATE 2026 Data Science and AI Application Form

The registration window for the GATE 2026 exam is closed. The last date for application was October 13. 

Students who couldn’t apply this year can follow these steps to fill out an application form for the next year's GATE DA exam.

Step 1: Check the official website gate2026.iitg.ac.in regularly for important updates about registration dates. Registration will likely start in August 2026.

Step 2: Click the ‘Register’ option and fill in the required details, such as name, email ID, mobile number, and password. After registration, an Enrollment ID will be generated.

Step 3: Students can use this enrollment ID and password to log into their accounts. After signing in, students must provide their personal details, qualifications, the paper type they wish to attempt (DA), and a preferred exam centre.

Step 4: Students are required to upload a passport-size photo, a valid government-issued ID proof (such as Aadhaar or Passport), a signature, and the degree (for students who have completed their undergraduate programme) or year-of-study certificate (for those in the final year). 

Step 5: Students must pay the application fee.

Step 6: After submitting the form, students must download the payment receipt.

GATE DA Exam Pattern 2026

Here are the key details of the GATE DA 2026 exam pattern:

GATE Data Science Syllabus

The GATE DA syllabus for 2026 covers seven key concepts, each with many subcategories. Here’s the list of core concepts in the DA paper:

• Probability and Statistics

• Linear Algebra

• Calculus and Optimisation

• Programming, Data Structures, and Algorithms

• Database Management and Warehousing

• AI and Machine Learning

For a more detailed list of the GATE Data Science syllabus, students can refer to this official syllabus PDF.

GATE DA Application Fees

The GATE DA application fee is Rs. 900 for female candidates and those belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories. For all other candidates, the fee is Rs. 1,800.

An additional late fee of Rs. 500 is applied during the extended registration period, which has now closed for next year’s exam. Payments were accepted through credit/debit cards or net banking.

Students who missed the 2026 registration can apply for GATE 2027, expected to open around August 2026.

Conclusion

GATE 2026 offers a great opportunity for all future engineers and tech experts. It’s often the first step to getting admission to a recognised institute for further studies. The exam is for students interested in analytics, innovation, and machine learning. 

With proper preparation and mock tests, students can secure a good score in India’s highly valued entrance test and step into their dream university for postgraduate programmes.

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