GATE Economics 2026 Registration: Category and Reservation Guidelines Explained

ArthaPoint
Oct 8
3 min read

Every year, as soon as the GATE form goes live, students start messaging, “Sir, how do I fill this?” or “Has the process changed?”The truth is, yes — the registration process for 2026 looks familiar, but a few steps are arranged differently.So let’s take it slowly and see what actually needs to be done.

Step 1 — Create Your Account on GOAPS

Open the official GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) website.Click New Candidate Registration. A small form appears asking for your name, date of birth, email ID and mobile number.

As soon as you submit, two OTPs arrive — one on your phone, one by email.Enter both and the portal gives you an Enrollment ID.Keep it safe; it’s like your personal key to the entire process.

Step 2 — Fill in Your Details

Start with your personal information — name, category, nationality.Then add your address and academic qualifications: degree, subject, CGPA or percentage, year of completion.

After that, choose Economics as your paper.You’ll also list three preferred exam cities.Pick places that you can genuinely reach; convenience matters more than glamour.

Before you click Save, read everything again.Tiny mistakes here often become big corrections later.

Step 3 — Upload Documents

This is where most students get stuck.The site accepts only certain sizes and file types, and it’s strict about clarity.

You’ll need to upload:

A recent passport-size photo with a plain background.
Your signature, scanned on white paper.
A valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport or Voter ID).
A category or PwD certificate if it applies to you.

Once uploaded, preview them.If the photo looks too dark or cropped, re-upload immediately.Whatever you see here will appear on your admit card later.

Step 4 — Payment of Fees

After you’ve uploaded everything, the system shows a summary of your form.Take a moment. Read it line by line.

Then pay your fee. You can use debit card, credit card, UPI or net banking.

For 2026 the fees are:

₹ 1,000 for Female, SC/ST and PwD candidates.
₹ 2,000 for everyone else.

Missed the normal deadline? There’s a late window: ₹ 1,500 or ₹ 2,500 respectively.

Once payment goes through, download the confirmation and your filled form PDF.They act as your receipt.

Step 5 — Check Your Application Status

Don’t forget this part.A few days after submitting, log back in and see what it says.

If you read Under Scrutiny, relax — your form’s being reviewed.If you see Defective, that just means something needs fixing.You’ll also get an email explaining what went wrong — maybe a blurry photo or wrong file size.

When the correction window opens, you can fix those details.However, remember this rule: you can’t change your GATE paper after submission.

Step 6 — Download Your Admit Card

By early January 2026 the admit card will be live on the GOAPS portal.Log in, download it, and check everything — your name, photo, exam date and centre address.

Print two copies: one to carry, one to keep safe.Bring it along with a valid photo ID on exam day.

If the photo on the card looks faint, download again before printing.

Step 7 — The Exam Day

The GATE Economics paper usually happens in early February.Your exact date and time will be printed on the admit card.

On the day:

Arrive about 45 minutes early.
Carry only the admit card and ID.
Leave phones, watches and notes outside.
Read the onscreen instructions before you start.

Take a deep breath before the timer begins — it helps steady you.

Quick Recap

Register on GOAPS and get your Enrollment ID.
Fill in personal and academic details.
Upload photo, signature and documents.
Pay the exam fee.
Track application status.
Download your admit card.
Attend the exam confidently.

A Few Helpful Reminders

Start early. Don’t wait for the last week when the portal slows down.
Prepare your documents in advance. Keep clear scans ready.
Use a laptop or PC. Uploads on phones often distort images.
Check email and SMS regularly. Updates arrive there first.
Stay calm. If anything goes wrong, there’s a correction window.

These small habits save a lot of last-minute stress.

After Registration

Once your form is accepted, shift focus to preparation and start exploring the GATE Economics Syllabus early.Don’t wait for the “right time” because there is nothing like that. Break it into small goals you can handle each week and keep at it.

This form may look routine, but it’s your first real step toward your IIT goal. Fill it with care, submit it confidently, and then turn your focus to what matters most ,i.e. preparing for the exam and giving it your best.