The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, also known as GATE, is one of the most compulsory and important entrance examinations in India for engineering, technology and science graduates. Application is currently going on at the Zonal Institutes. A good GATE score can take you into M.Tech, M.E. and PhD programmes at the IITs, NITs, IISc and other leading institutions. It can also help you apply for jobs at public sector companies.
This article will give you the latest info on GATE 2027, which is organised by IIT Madras. You will find the exam dates, eligibility rules, the full list of papers, the two-paper combination rules, the exam pattern, the marking scheme, how the score works, and a practical study plan for the months ahead.
Important notices: This website is not connected to IIT Madras, IISc or the GATE organising committee. Dates, fees and rules can change, so always confirm details on the official website before you act on them.
What Is GATE?
GATE is a national-level computer-based test that measures your understanding of undergraduate subjects in engineering, technology, architecture and several science and humanities fields. It is mainly used for:
- Admission to M.Tech, M.E. and similar postgraduate programmes
- Admission to PhD and direct PhD programmes at many institutions
- Financial assistance for postgraduate study at institutes supported by India’s Ministry of Education
- Recruitment by several public sector organisations that use GATE scores
Your GATE score does not guarantee a seat or a job. It qualifies you to apply. Each institute or company then applies its own selection process on top of it.
Who Conducts GATE 2027?
GATE is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and seven IITs: Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee. They act on behalf of the National Coordination Board for GATE, which functions under the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education. Each year, one of these institutes takes the lead as the organising institute.
For GATE 2027, the organising institute is IIT Madras. Older articles, including earlier versions of this one, refer to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, which is now the Ministry of Education.
GATE 2027 Important Dates
Dates below follow the schedule published by IIT Madras and reported by several education sources. Some of these dates were revised during the cycle, so check the official important dates page for the latest version.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application portal (GOAPS) opened | 2 September 2026 |
| Regular registration closed | 5 October 2026 |
| Extended registration with late fee | 6 to 12 October 2026 |
| Last date for changes (category, paper, city, personal details) | 21 October 2026 |
| Exam city notified to candidates | 4 January 2027 |
| Admit card | To be announced |
| GATE 2027 exam | 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027 |
| Result | 19 March 2027 |
The exam is held across three weekends. Each day has two sessions, and the paper-wise schedule is released later.
Registration Status: What If You Missed It?
As of 25 October 2026, the application window for GATE 2027, including the late-fee period and the correction window, has closed according to the published schedule. If you did not apply, you cannot sit the February 2027 exam unless IIT Madras announces a reopening, which is unlikely.
Here is what to do:
- If you applied: Log in to GOAPS to check your application status, fix any issues the organisers flagged, and make sure your photo, ID and personal details match your documents.
- If you did not apply: Use the months ahead to prepare for the next cycle. The registration window for the following GATE usually opens around late August or September, and the organising institute changes each year.
- If you are an undergraduate: You may be able to write GATE while still in your third year, so you could start practising for the next cycle now.
Whatever your situation, the preparation advice below applies equally to the next exam.
What Is New in GATE 2027
- A new paper: Robotics and Automation (RA) has been added, bringing the total to 30 papers.
- Syllabus revisions: IIT Madras has revised the syllabi of the papers, so do not rely on old study notes without checking the new syllabus.
- Changes in sectioned papers: Textile Engineering and Fibre Science is now a section (XE9) within Engineering Sciences instead of a separate paper, and section codes in Engineering Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences and Life Sciences have been reorganised.
- DigiLocker for Indian nationals: Indian candidates sign in through DigiLocker, and the form includes a live facial capture step.
A correction: Earlier versions of this article described Geomatics Engineering (GE) and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM) as brand-new for GATE 2025, and listed the two-paper option and the third-year eligibility as new. Those features have been part of GATE for several years. The genuinely new addition for 2027 is Robotics and Automation.
Eligibility Criteria
You may apply for GATE 2027 if you are in the third year or higher of any undergraduate degree programme, or if you have already completed a government-approved degree in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, arts or humanities. There is no upper age limit, and the brochure sets no minimum percentage for writing the exam.
| Qualification | Who can apply |
|---|---|
| B.E., B.Tech, B.Pharm | Third year or higher, or completed |
| B.Arch (5 years) | Third year or higher, or completed |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Third year or higher, or completed |
| B.Sc., B.A., B.Com. (3 years) | Third year, or completed |
| Pharm.D. (6 years) | Third to sixth year, or completed |
| MBBS, BDS, BVSc and similar | Fifth semester or higher, or completed |
| M.Sc., M.A., MCA or equivalent | First year or higher, or completed |
| Integrated M.E./M.Tech, M.Sc. or dual degree | Third year onwards, or completed |
| Professional society exams (such as AMIE) | After completing Section A or equivalent |
Being eligible to write GATE is different from being eligible for a particular M.Tech programme or a particular job. Each institute and employer sets its own degree and marks requirements, so check them before you rely on your score.
The 30 GATE Papers
| Code | Paper | Code | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| AE | Aerospace Engineering | GG | Geology and Geophysics |
| AG | Agricultural Engineering | IN | Instrumentation Engineering |
| AR | Architecture and Planning | MA | Mathematics |
| BM | Biomedical Engineering | ME | Mechanical Engineering |
| BT | Biotechnology | MN | Mining Engineering |
| CE | Civil Engineering | MT | Metallurgical Engineering |
| CH | Chemical Engineering | NM | Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering |
| CS | Computer Science and Information Technology | PE | Petroleum Engineering |
| CY | Chemistry | PH | Physics |
| DA | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | PI | Production and Industrial Engineering |
| EC | Electronics and Communication Engineering | RA | Robotics and Automation (new) |
| EE | Electrical Engineering | ST | Statistics |
| ES | Environmental Science and Engineering | XE | Engineering Sciences |
| EY | Ecology and Evolution | XH | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| GE | Geomatics Engineering | XL | Life Sciences |
How the Sectioned Papers Work
- XE (Engineering Sciences): You answer a compulsory Engineering Mathematics section, then choose two optional sections from areas such as fluid mechanics, materials science, solid mechanics, thermodynamics, polymer science, food technology, atmospheric and oceanic sciences, energy science, and textile engineering and fibre science.
- XH (Humanities and Social Sciences): You answer a compulsory reasoning and comprehension section, then choose one subject from economics, English, linguistics, philosophy, psychology or sociology.
- XL (Life Sciences): You answer a compulsory chemistry section, then choose two from biochemistry, botany, microbiology, zoology and food technology.
Choose your paper carefully. Pick the one that matches your degree, the programmes you want to apply for, and the papers those institutes or employers accept.
Two-Paper Combinations
You may take one paper or two. If you choose two, the second paper must be on the approved list for your first (primary) paper, and you pay the fee for each paper. IIT Madras describes this list as tentative and says other combinations may be considered, so check the official page before you finalise a choice.
| Primary paper | Allowed second paper |
|---|---|
| AE | CE, ME, XE |
| AG | CE |
| AR | CE, GE |
| BM | BT, IN |
| BT | BM, ES, EY, XL |
| CE | AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE |
| CH | ES, PE, XE |
| CS | DA, EC, GE, MA, ME, PH, RA, ST |
| CY | XE, XL |
| DA | CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, RA, ST, XE |
| EC | CS, DA, EE, IN, PH, RA |
| EE | DA, EC, IN, PH, RA |
| ES | BT, CE, CH, GE |
| EY | BT, XL |
| GE | AR, CE, CS, ES, GG |
| GG | GE |
| IN | BM, EC, EE, ME, RA |
| MA | CS, DA, PH, ST |
| ME | AE, CS, DA, IN, NM, PI, RA, XE |
| MN | None |
| MT | XE |
| NM | CE, ME, XE |
| PE | CH |
| PH | CS, DA, EC, EE, MA, XE |
| PI | ME, XE |
| RA | CS, DA, EC, EE, IN, ME |
| ST | CS, DA, MA, XH |
| XE | AE, CE, CH, CY, DA, ME, MT, NM, PH, PI |
| XH | ST |
| XL | BT, CY, EY |
The older combination table in previous versions of this article was for GATE 2025 and is no longer correct. For example, several pairings have changed and RA now appears alongside many electrical, mechanical and computing papers.
Exam Pattern
Every GATE 2027 paper has 65 questions carrying 100 marks, and the exam lasts three hours. It is a computer-based test in English, with a virtual scientific calculator on screen. You cannot bring your own calculator.
| Paper group | General Aptitude | Engineering Mathematics | Subject | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most engineering papers (such as CE, CS, EC, EE, ME) | 15 | 13 | 72 | 100 |
| Papers such as AR, CY, DA, GE, GG, MA, PH, RA, ST, XH, XL | 15 | Not separate | 85 | 100 |
| XE | 15 | 15 (compulsory section) | 70 (two sections) | 100 |
Questions come in three formats:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): one correct answer out of four
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQ): one or more correct answers
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT): you type a number using the on-screen keypad
Each question carries one or two marks. The exam is held in two sessions per day, and candidates with benchmark disabilities may be entitled to extra time and other support, subject to the documents the brochure requires.
Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
| Question type | Correct answer | Wrong answer | Not attempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-mark MCQ | +1 | −1/3 | 0 |
| 2-mark MCQ | +2 | −2/3 | 0 |
| MSQ | Full marks only if every correct option is chosen | 0 | 0 |
| NAT | Full marks if the value is within the accepted range | 0 | 0 |
Only MCQs carry negative marking. MSQ and NAT questions have no penalty, and there is no partial credit for MSQs. That means you should always attempt MSQ and NAT questions, even when you are not fully sure. For MCQs, guess only when you can eliminate at least one option, because a blind guess on a four-option question has no expected gain.
Application Fee
The fee is charged per paper. Reported amounts for GATE 2027 were:
| Category (per paper) | Regular period | Extended period (late fee) |
|---|---|---|
| Female, SC, ST and PwD candidates | ₹1,000 | ₹1,500 |
| All other candidates | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
| Foreign nationals | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
Bank charges are extra, and the fee is generally non-refundable. If you take two papers, you pay twice. Confirm these amounts on the official fees page, since they can change between cycles.
Information for International Candidates
Many African and other overseas students ask whether they can write GATE. Foreign nationals may apply, and they pay the foreign-national fee shown above. However, reports on the 2027 brochure say there are no GATE exam centres outside India for this cycle, so foreign candidates must travel to India to sit the test. Admission offers are also separate: an institute can set its own rules for international applicants and may use other admission routes, so contact the institution’s international office.
Always read the foreign national section of the official brochure for current rules on documents, identification and centres.
Result, Score and Validity
The GATE 2027 result is scheduled for 19 March 2027. Your response sheet and provisional answer key are made available before the result, and there is a window to challenge answers for a fee.
How the Score Works
Some papers are held in more than one session. To keep things fair, GATE normalises marks across sessions by assuming that the ability of candidates is similar in every session. Your normalised marks are then converted into a GATE score on a scale of up to 1,000. Roughly speaking, scoring the general qualifying mark gives a score of about 350, and matching the average of the top performers gives about 900.
Qualifying Marks
- General: the larger of 25 and the smaller of 40 and the paper’s mean plus standard deviation
- OBC-NCL and EWS: 90 percent of the general qualifying mark
- SC, ST and PwD: two-thirds of the general qualifying mark
Qualifying is only the first hurdle. Admission and job cut-offs are set separately and are usually much higher than the qualifying mark.
Score Validity
A GATE score is valid for three years from the date of the result. Download your scorecard from GOAPS during the permitted period and save a copy. Free and paid download windows are announced by the organisers.
What You Can Do with a GATE Score
1. M.Tech, M.E. and MS Admissions
IITs, NITs, IIITs, IISc and many other institutes admit postgraduate students through GATE. Most IITs and IISc use the Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) for M.Tech offers, while NITs, IIITs and other centrally funded institutes use the Centralised Counselling for M.Tech (CCMT). These systems are separate from GATE and have their own registration and dates. Students admitted to eligible programmes at centrally funded institutes may receive monthly financial assistance from the Ministry of Education, which was reported at ₹12,400 per month. Verify the current figure with the institute.
2. PhD and Direct PhD
Many institutes accept GATE scores for PhD and direct PhD admission after a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Fellowship amounts and rules vary by institute and programme.
3. Public Sector Jobs
Several public sector undertakings have used GATE scores to shortlist engineers. Organisations that have done so in recent years include ONGC, NTPC, GAIL, HPCL, Power Grid, BHEL, IOCL, Coal India, SAIL and others. Each organisation publishes its own recruitment notice after GATE results, with its own eligibility, cut-offs and process. Check each notice carefully, because policies change from year to year.
Institutes That Accept GATE
Hundreds of institutes use GATE scores. The tables below list some well-known ones along with their main websites. Each institute posts its own admission notice, minimum GATE score and selection rules, so always check the department page for your programme.
Indian Institute of Science and the IITs
| Institute | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| IISc Bengaluru | Bengaluru | iisc.ac.in |
| IIT Bombay | Mumbai | iitb.ac.in |
| IIT Delhi | New Delhi | iitd.ac.in |
| IIT Kanpur | Kanpur | iitk.ac.in |
| IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur | iitkgp.ac.in |
| IIT Madras | Chennai | iitm.ac.in |
| IIT Roorkee | Roorkee | iitr.ac.in |
| IIT Guwahati | Guwahati | iitg.ac.in |
| IIT Hyderabad | Hyderabad | iith.ac.in |
National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
Several NITs are known by older or alternative names. The table uses the commonly recognised names.
| Institute | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| NIT Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli | nitt.edu |
| NIT Warangal | Warangal | nitw.ac.in |
| NIT Karnataka (Surathkal) | Surathkal | nitk.ac.in |
| NIT Rourkela | Rourkela | nitrkl.ac.in |
| NIT Calicut | Kozhikode | nitc.ac.in |
| NIT Kurukshetra | Kurukshetra | nitkkr.ac.in |
| MNNIT Allahabad | Prayagraj | mnnit.ac.in |
| MNIT Jaipur | Jaipur | mnit.ac.in |
| MANIT Bhopal | Bhopal | manit.ac.in |
| VNIT Nagpur | Nagpur | vnit.ac.in |
| SVNIT Surat | Surat | svnit.ac.in |
| NIT Durgapur | Durgapur | nitdgp.ac.in |
| NIT Hamirpur | Hamirpur | nith.ac.in |
| NIT Jalandhar | Jalandhar | nitj.ac.in |
| NIT Jamshedpur | Jamshedpur | nitjsr.ac.in |
| NIT Silchar | Silchar | nits.ac.in |
| NIT Srinagar | Srinagar | nitsri.ac.in |
| NIT Patna | Patna | nitp.ac.in |
| NIT Raipur | Raipur | nitrr.ac.in |
| NIT Agartala | Agartala | nita.ac.in |
Websites occasionally move or change structure. If a link does not open, search for the institute’s name and use its official domain.
How to Prepare: A 100-Day Plan
The first exam day is in early February 2027, roughly 100 days from now. If you are writing in 2027, this plan fits. If you are preparing for a later cycle, stretch each phase.
Days 1 to 30: Foundation and Syllabus
- Download the official syllabus for your paper from the GATE website and tick off each topic.
- Identify your strong and weak subjects.
- Review core concepts from standard undergraduate textbooks.
- Start with Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude, because they appear in nearly every paper and carry up to 28 marks together in many papers.
- Make short notes and formula sheets for each subject.
Days 31 to 60: Practice by Topic
- Solve previous years’ questions topic by topic. Official past papers with keys are available on the GATE website.
- Practise all three question types, especially NAT and MSQ, which many students neglect.
- Keep an error log with the reason for each mistake: concept gap, calculation slip or misreading.
- Revise weak topics every week.
Days 61 to 85: Full-Length Mock Tests
- Take a full three-hour mock test at least twice a week, at the same time of day as your exam session.
- Use the official virtual calculator in practice so it feels natural.
- Analyse each test for time lost, silly errors and topics to revisit.
- Practise question selection: start with easy questions and return to hard ones later.
Days 86 to 100: Revision and Rest
- Revise formulas, short notes and your error log.
- Take a few more mocks, but do not exhaust yourself.
- Check your admit card, exam city and ID documents as soon as they are released.
- Sleep well, eat properly and avoid last-minute new topics.
Study Tips That Work
- Concepts matter more than memorised formulas, because GATE tests application.
- Aim for accuracy first, then speed.
- Use standard textbooks for theory and previous papers for pattern.
- Join a study group or online forum for doubt discussion, but cross-check any unverified answers.
- Do not ignore General Aptitude. It is the easiest place to secure 15 marks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using outdated information. Pairings, syllabi and section codes change. Always use the current brochure.
- Choosing the wrong paper. Check which paper your target institute or employer accepts before you apply.
- Waiting until the deadline. The portal gets crowded near closing dates, and rejected forms can cost you the cycle.
- Ignoring NAT and MSQ questions. They carry no negative marking and can lift your score.
- Skipping mock tests. Practice in exam conditions reveals time management problems.
- Relying on coaching shortcuts and unverified notes. Check any formula or solution you are not sure about.
- Not saving your scorecard. Download it during the permitted window and keep a backup.
- Trusting fake websites. Use only the official GATE domain and portal.
Read also:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which institute is organising GATE 2027?
IIT Madras is the organising institute for GATE 2027.
When is the GATE 2027 exam?
The exam is scheduled for 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027, with the result due on 19 March 2027.
Is GATE 2027 registration still open?
According to the published schedule, the regular and late-fee windows and the correction window have closed. Check the official site in case anything changes.
What is the official GATE 2027 website?
The official site is gate2027.iitm.ac.in, and applications were handled through GOAPS at goaps.iitm.ac.in. Type the addresses directly instead of following links in messages.
How many papers are there?
There are 30 papers, including the new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper.
Can I write two papers?
Yes, if the second paper is on the approved list for your first paper. You pay a fee for each paper.
Is there negative marking?
Only for MCQs: one-third of a mark is deducted for a wrong 1-mark MCQ and two-thirds for a wrong 2-mark MCQ. MSQs and NATs have no negative marking.
What is the age limit?
The brochure sets no age limit.
Can final-year or third-year students apply?
Yes. Students in the third year or higher of an undergraduate programme are eligible, depending on their degree type.
How long is a GATE score valid?
A GATE score is valid for three years from the date of the result.
Can foreign nationals write GATE?
Yes, but reports say there are no centres outside India for 2027, so candidates need to travel to India. Check the brochure for the latest rules.
Does a GATE score guarantee admission or a job?
No. It qualifies you to apply. Each institute or employer has its own selection process and cut-offs.
Is GATE only for engineers?
No. Several papers, such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Ecology and Evolution, Humanities and Life Sciences, are open to science and humanities graduates.
Conclusion
GATE 2027 gives students in India and abroad a route into top postgraduate programmes and public sector careers. Keep the key points in mind: IIT Madras runs the exam, the dates are 6 to 21 February 2027, the exam has 30 papers including Robotics and Automation, and your score stays valid for three years. Registration for this cycle has closed, so if you missed it, treat the months ahead as preparation time for the next one.
Make sure you verify the dates, fees and rules on the official GATE website, and avoid unofficial links and agents. If you have questions, leave a comment below, share this guide with friends who are preparing, and good luck.