If you are an engineer and want to build a stunning career, the GATE exam is ideal for you. The GATE 2026 Exam Centres will be spread across more than 200 cities in India. These centres are divided into 8 zones. Each zone is managed by an IIT or IISc. The GATE is a well-organised exam. Here comes the statistics. In 2024, about 8.2 lakh students registered for GATE. Only around 1.6 lakh qualified among them. Many students carefully select their GATE exam city list 2026 to save time and improve performance.
The exam is very competitive. So you have to focus on the small factors. Yes, selecting the nearest exam centre can increase your chance. So, you have to select the right exam centre. Don’t worry, I am here to guide you to a detailed zone-wise GATE 2026 Exam Centres list. Even the process of selecting centres. And finally, the rules for making corrections.
Overview of GATE 2026 Exam Centres and Zones
The GATE exam will be conducted under 8 zones. Both IIT and IISc manage the exam zones. Here is a list of zones. Choosing from the official GATE 2026 Exam Centres ensures you get the right city as per your convenience.
- 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
Let’s come to an interesting fact. In GATE 2024, nearly 35% of students selected centres in Zone 2 and Zone 3. Do you know why? It is because these cover big cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Chandigarh. Both the communication is easy and convenient. Many students also prefer these IIT zone exam centres for better accessibility.
Importance of Choosing the Right GATE 2026 Exam Centres
Selecting the right exam centre can save travel time, reduce stress, and improve performance. Even small decisions, like choosing the nearest city or a metro with good connectivity, can impact your exam day experience.
Zone-Wise Coverage of GATE 2026 Exam Centres
GATE 2026 will have more than 200 exam cities across India. Now choose as per your convenience from these GATE 2026 Exam Centres.
Zone 1 – IISc Bengaluru Exam Centres
Covers Karnataka, Kerala, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Main cities: Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kozhikode, Port Blair
Around 36 centres
Zone 2 – IIT Bombay Exam Centres
Covers Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat.
Main cities: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Surat, Panaji
Around 38 centres
Zone 3 – IIT Delhi Exam Centres
Covers Delhi NCR, Haryana, Punjab, and nearby states.
Main cities: Delhi, Noida, Chandigarh, Ambala, Rohtak, Patiala
Around 32 centres
Zone 4 – IIT Guwahati Exam Centres
Covers the Northeast and parts of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Main cities: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Patna, Silchar
Around 22 centres
Zone 5 – IIT Kanpur Exam Centres
Covers Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Uttarakhand.
Main cities: Kanpur, Lucknow, Bhopal, Varanasi, Allahabad
Around 28 centres
Zone 6 – IIT Kharagpur Exam Centres
Covers West Bengal, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
Main cities: Kolkata, Durgapur, Bhubaneswar, Raipur
Around 30 centres
Zone 7 – IIT Madras Exam Centres
Covers Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Main cities: Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Tirupati, Madurai
Around 33 centres
Zone 8 – IIT Roorkee Exam Centres
Covers Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan.
Main cities: Dehradun, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Shimla, Srinagar
Around 26 centres
How to Select Your GATE 2026 Exam Centres
Selecting the right GATE 2026 Exam Centre is important for you to have a smooth exam experience. Here’s how you can do it step by step:
Step 1: Log in to the GATE 2026 Application Portal
Visit the official GATE 2026 website and log in using your registered credentials. Make sure you have your email ID and password ready.
Step 2: Enter Your Personal and Academic Details
Fill in all required personal information, such as name, date of birth, category, and academic qualifications. Double-check every detail to avoid errors.
Step 3: Choose Your Preferred Exam Cities
Select up to three exam cities based on your convenience and travel feasibility. Prioritize your home city or the nearest city first.
Step 4: Submit and Confirm Your Choices
After selecting your preferred cities, review all the details carefully. Submit the form and confirm your choices before the application deadline to secure your preferred exam centre.
Documents Required at GATE 2026 Exam Centres
On the day of the exam, candidates must carry:
- GATE 2026 Admit Card (print copy)
- Valid Photo ID (Aadhar, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Driving License)
- Any additional documents mentioned in the admit card instructions
How Many GATE 2026 Exam Centres Can You Select
This is one of the most important questions.
- You can select up to three exam cities.
- The first and second cities must be from the same zone.
- The third city can be from another zone.
Here is a statistic. In GATE 2024, around 68% students selected their home city. Around 32% selected metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai. The reason is better communication and easy access to GATE 2026 Exam Centres with metro and transport facilities.
Can You Change Exam City Later
Yes, 100%. A correction window will open after registration closes. If you think your entry eas wrong, you can change it. But you only change these:
- Exam city
- Paper choice
- Category and some personal details
Among almost 8 lakhs students, more than 45,000 students used the correction facility in 2024.
What About Foreign Students
If any foreign student appears for GATE 2026. He or she must choose any of the centres from the above choices. Because there are no international centres for GATE 2026. Foreign students must arrange travel and stay on their own.
Quick Summary
| Step | Details |
| Number of Choices | 3 exam cities |
| Zone Rule | First 2 cities must be from the same zone |
| Third City | Can be from another zone |
| Correction Window | Allows changes later |
| Total Centres | 200+ cities in 8 zones |
My Final Thought
You can get many centres across India. There are more than 200 cities under 8 zones. Hope this guide will help you choose the suitable exam centres for your upcoming 2026 GATE. Every little thing is important for this exam because nearly 9 lakh students appear for this exam. Always try to select your nearest city first. Keep backup options ready. Register early. If you make a mistake, rectify using the correction window. Get ready for your stunning career.
FAQs for GATE 2026 Exam Centres
Q1. How many exam centres can I select in GATE 2026?
Ans: You can select three centres. The first two must be in the same zone, and the third can be from a different zone.
Q2. What happens if my first-choice centre is not available?
Ans: You will be allotted your second or third choice. This is why you should select all three carefully.
Q3. Can I change my exam city after submitting the form?
Ans: Yes. You can change during the correction window. There may be a small extra fee.
Q4. How many students apply for GATE every year?
Ans: On average, 7 to 9 lakh students apply every year. In 2024, 8.2 lakh students registered, and only about 1.6 lakh qualified.
Q5. Are there centres outside India?
Ans: No. GATE 2026 will be held only in Indian cities.