Goa University has officially opened the application process for its various Post Graduate and B.Ed. programmes for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. This significant announcement details the Goa University Admissions Ranking Test (GU-ART), which serves as the primary gateway for students seeking entry into advanced studies at both the university campus and its affiliated colleges. Prospective students are encouraged to act quickly, as the online application window is relatively brief, closing on February 18, 2026.

Understanding the GU-ART Framework

The GU-ART is designed specifically to rank prospective candidates rather than acting as a traditional pass/fail examination. Admission to most postgraduate programmes is entirely dependent on this ranking, while graduation marks are primarily utilised to verify basic eligibility. For those currently in their final year of undergraduate studies, the university offers provisional admission, which is later confirmed once final results are declared and eligibility is proven.

It is important to note that certain specialised programmes at the Goa Business School and the School of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology are excluded from the GU-ART requirement. These include various MBA specialisations, the M.Sc. in Integrated Data Science, and the M.Sc. in Marine Biotechnology.

Key Dates and Examination Schedule

The admission timeline is structured to move rapidly following the close of registrations.

• Registration Period: Till February 18, 2026.

• Change of Discipline Test: Scheduled for February 25 and 26, 2026.

• Application Portal: https://unigoaadmission.samarth.edu.in/2026.

• GU-ART Round I Testing: These crucial exams will take place across several dates in March, specifically on the 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, and 22nd.

For candidates who graduated from Goa University, the first round of testing will be conducted strictly in offline mode. In contrast, applicants from other universities will undergo their testing through an online platform.

Application Essentials and Documentation

Candidates must complete their applications through the dedicated Samarth portal. A non-refundable application fee is required, set at INR 750 for unreserved, EWS, and OBC (NCL) candidates for their first subject. A reduced fee of INR 375 applies to SC/ST candidates from Goa, while Persons with Disability are exempt from these charges.

The university requires several digital documents for a successful application, including SSC, HSSC, and UG marksheet PDFs. Additionally, a recent passport-sized colour photograph and a digital signature must be uploaded, adhering to specific file size constraints between 10KB and 500KB.

Examination Structure and Scoring

The standard GU-ART consists of a 90-minute paper featuring 50 multiple-choice questions, totalling 100 marks. The paper is divided into three sections of varying difficulty. Accuracy is vital, as the university employs a negative marking system where 0.5 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.

For those applying to technical fields like MCA or M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence, a common test is administered covering Analytical Ability, Logical Reasoning, Mathematics, and Computer Science. In these technical rankings, ties are broken by looking first at scores in the Computer Science section, followed by Mathematics.

Admission and Seat Allotment

The university has outlined a clear path for seat allotment based on the location of the programme. For courses offered at only one location, seats are assigned based directly on the GU-ART rank and the university's reservation policy. However, for programmes available across multiple institutions, such as M.Com or M.Sc. Chemistry candidates must attend physical counselling at the Goa University campus to be eligible for a seat.

Once a seat is offered, selected candidates must pay a seat confirmation fee of INR 10,000 via the Samarth portal by a notified deadline to secure their spot.