About GATE 2027: Exam Dates, Application Form, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Admit Card & Result
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a premier national-level examination administered jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee) on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB)-GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India.
The organizing institute for GATE 2027 is IIT Madras. GATE tests the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities. Qualifying in GATE is a mandatory requirement for seeking admission to Master's programs and direct Doctoral programs in Engineering/Technology/Architecture and Doctoral programs in relevant branches of Science, in institutions supported by the MoE and other government agencies. Furthermore, GATE scores are extensively utilized by top Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as IOCL, ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, BARC, and HPCL for executive trainee recruitments.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2027) |
| Organizing Institute | Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) |
| Exam Level | National Level (Pan-India and select International centres) |
| Official Website | gate2027.iitm.ac.in |
| Application Portal | GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) |
| Frequency | Once a year (Annual - February session) |
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 180 Minutes (3 Hours) |
| Total Number of Papers | 30 Test Papers (including Robotics & Automation and Data Science & AI) |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks (65 Questions) |
| Question Types | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
| Score Validity | 3 Years from the date of result announcement |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates aspiring to take GATE 2027 must satisfy the following academic prerequisites:
- Qualifying Degree: A candidate who is currently studying in the 3rd year or higher of any undergraduate degree program OR has already completed any government-approved degree program in Engineering / Technology / Architecture / Science / Commerce / Arts / Humanities is eligible to appear for GATE 2027.
- Professional Society Examinations: Candidates who possess certification from any professional societies (such as AMIE by Institution of Engineers India, AMICE by Institute of Civil Engineers India, etc.) recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech/B.Arch. are eligible.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for the GATE examination.
- Nationality: Indian nationals as well as candidates from other countries are eligible to apply.
- Pass Percentage: There is no minimum percentage requirement in the qualifying degree to appear for GATE.
Application Fee Structure (Per Paper)
The application fee must be remitted completely online via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI on the GOAPS portal. For candidates choosing two test papers, twice the individual paper fee is payable:
| Candidate Category | Regular Period Fee | Extended Period (With Late Fee) |
|---|---|---|
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | ₹ 1,000/- | ₹ 1,500/- |
| SC / ST / PwD Candidates | ₹ 1,000/- | ₹ 1,500/- |
| All Other Candidates (including General, OBC-NCL, EWS, & Foreign) | ₹ 2,000/- | ₹ 2,500/- |
Exam Pattern & Question Distribution
GATE 2027 comprises 65 questions totaling 100 marks, divided into General Aptitude (GA) and Subject-specific engineering/science sections:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Online Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 65 questions (10 GA + 55 Subject) |
| General Aptitude (GA) Weightage | 15 Marks (Mandatory across all 30 papers) |
| Subject Section Weightage | 85 Marks (Engineering Mathematics + Core Subject, or Core Subject alone) |
| Question Formats |
• MCQ: Multiple Choice Questions (Only one option correct out of 4) • MSQ: Multiple Select Questions (One or more options correct) • NAT: Numerical Answer Type (Data entered via on-screen virtual keypad) |
| Negative Marking (MCQs only) |
• 1-mark MCQ: 1/3 mark deducted for incorrect answer • 2-mark MCQ: 2/3 mark deducted for incorrect answer • No negative marking for MSQ or NAT questions |
| Calculator Support | Virtual Scientific Calculator embedded on computer screen (physical calculators not permitted) |
Two-Paper Combination Option
A candidate may choose to appear in either one or two test papers from the permissible combinations established by NCB-GATE. While choosing two papers, candidates must ensure their primary and secondary disciplines align with the official permissible matrix published on the GOAPS website. Both papers are conducted in distinct examination shifts across the scheduled dates.