Find out everything you need to know about the GATE Exam 2025. Learn about the new subjects, changes in the exam pattern, who can apply, and how to prepare. Get clear information on eligibility, paper combinations, and tips for doing well in this important exam for higher studies and job opportunities in engineering and technology.
What is the GATE Exam?
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an important exam in India for students who want to study further in engineering and technology. It helps students get into Master’s programs like ME (Master of Engineering) and MTech (Master of Technology), as well as PhD programs, at top schools like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other universities across India.
Job Opportunities with GATE
GATE scores are not just for getting into universities. Many public sector companies and research organizations also use GATE scores to hire new employees. Some of these companies include ONGC, NTPC, GAIL, HPCL, PGCIL, BHEL, BSNL, NHPC, BARC, and DRDO. This means that doing well on the GATE exam can open doors to great job opportunities.
Who Conducts the GATE Exam?
The GATE exam is a national-level test taken by students all over India. It is organized by a committee of professors from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and seven other IITs. They run the exam on behalf of the National Coordinating Board under the Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development.
GATE Exam: What’s New
New Subjects Added
The GATE Exam now includes two new subjects: Geomatics Engineering (GE) and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM). This brings the total number of subjects you can choose from to 30.
Choice of Two Papers
For GATE Exam 2025, students can now choose to take two different papers from a set of allowed combinations. This change allows more flexibility in selecting subjects that align with your interests and career goals.
Relaxed Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for GATE 2025 have been relaxed. Now, students who are in the third year of their undergraduate studies (10+2+3 ongoing) can also take the exam. This provides an extra chance for students to improve their scores and explore better career opportunities earlier.
New Exam Format
All test papers for GATE Exam 2025 will be objective type. The questions will include the following formats:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions
These changes aim to make the exam more accessible and flexible for students.
GATE 2025 Eligibility
To be eligible for GATE 2025, candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
- Successfully completed 10+2+2 or 10+3+1 and are currently in the 3rd year or higher of any undergraduate degree program, or
- Have already graduated with a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities.
| Qualifying Degree/Examination | Description of Eligible Candidates |
|---|
| BE/BTech/BPharm | Bachelor’s degree holders in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./Diploma in Engineering/Technology) Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B.Arch | Bachelor’s degree holders of Architecture (5 years course) Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| B.Sc (Research)/BS | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/4 years after 10+2) Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Pharm. D. (after 10+2) | 6 years degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, from the third year onwards Currently in the 3rd/4th/5th/6th year or already completed |
| M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc. | Degree holders of M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc and those who are in the 5th/6th/7th semester or higher semester of such programs 5th/6th/7th or higher semester or already completed |
| MSc/MA/MCA or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Science/Arts/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent Currently in the first year or higher or already completed |
| Int ME/M.Tech (Post-B.Sc) | Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering/Technology (4 year program) Currently in the 1st/2nd/3rd/4th year or already completed |
| Int ME/M.Tech or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5 year program) Currently in the 3rd/4th/5th year or already completed |
| B.Sc./B.A./B.Com. | Bachelor degree in any branch of Science/Arts/Commerce (3-year program) Currently in the 3rd year or already completed |
| Int M.Sc/Int BS-MS | Integrated M.Sc. or 5 years integrated B.S.-M.S. program Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to BE/BTech/BArch) | B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (e.g., AMIE by Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India and so on) Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-years program Currently in the 3rd/4th year or already completed |
Combination of Two Papers Allowed
Subject to the availability of infrastructure and schedule, students can choose a primary paper and a secondary paper from specific combinations. Here are the combinations allowed:
| Primary Paper Code | Secondary Paper Codes Allowed |
|---|
| AE | CE, ME, XE |
| AG | CE |
| AR | CE, GE |
| BM | BT, IN |
| BT | BM, XL |
| CE | AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE |
| CH | ES, PE, XE |
| CS | DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, ST |
| CY | XE, XL |
| EC | CS, DA, IN, PH, EE |
| EE | DA, EC, IN, PH |
| ES | CE, CH, GE |
| EY | XL |
| GE | AR, CE, GG, ES, CS |
| GG | GE |
| IN | BM, EC, EE, ME |
| MA | CS, DA, PH, ST |
| ME | AE, DA, IN, NM, PI, XE |
| NM | CE, ME |
| MT | XE |
| PE | CH |
| PH | CS, DA, MA, XH |
| PI | ME, XE |
| ST | CS, DA, MA, XH |
| DA | CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, ST, XE |
| XE | AE, CE, CH, CY, DA, ME, MT, PH, PI |
| XH | ST |
| XL | BT, CY, EY |
List of IITs
Here are some of the top Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) where GATE scores are used for admissions:
| IIT Name | Location |
|---|
| IIT Bombay | Mumbai |
| IIT Delhi | New Delhi |
| IIT Kanpur | Kanpur |
| IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur |
| IIT Madras | Chennai |
| IIT Roorkee | Roorkee |
| IIT Guwahati | Guwahati |
| IIT Hyderabad | Hyderabad |
List of NITs
Here are some of the top National Institutes of Technology (NITs) that accept GATE scores:
| NIT Name | Location |
|---|
| NIT Trichy | Tiruchirappalli |
| NIT Warangal | Warangal |
| NIT Surathkal | Surathkal |
| NIT Rourkela | Rourkela |
| NIT Calicut | Calicut |
| NIT Kurukshetra | Kurukshetra |
| NIT Allahabad | Allahabad |
| NIT Jaipur | Jaipur |
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