GATE 2027 Registration: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 will be conducted by IIT Madras on behalf of the National Coordination Board, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The online registration process has been rescheduled and will begin on 27 August 2026. Candidates can submit the regular application without a late fee up to 27 September 2026, while the extended registration window with a late fee will remain open until 5 October 2026. The examination will be conducted on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027.
GATE 2027 is open to candidates from a wider range of academic backgrounds than engineering alone. Students currently studying in the third year or higher of an eligible undergraduate programme, as well as candidates who have already completed an eligible government-approved degree, can appear. Importantly, there is no age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts.
GATE 2027 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 |
| Organizing Institute | Indian Institute of Technology Madras |
| Conducting Authority | IISc & IITs on behalf of NCB, MoE |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Total Test Papers | 30 |
| New Paper | Robotics and Automation (RA) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Start Date | 27 August 2026 |
| Regular Registration Last Date | 27 September 2026 |
| Extended Last Date | 5 October 2026 |
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Exam Dates | 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 February 2027 |
| Result Date | 19 March 2027 |
| Score Validity | 3 Years |
| Official Website | gate2027.iitm.ac.in |
The registration date was officially revised from the earlier schedule. IIT Madras announced on 13 August 2026 that registration would instead begin on 27 August and that the closing dates would also change.
GATE 2027 Registration Date Revised
Candidates should take note of the latest revised schedule rather than relying on older articles or screenshots showing the original dates.
| Event | Revised Date |
|---|---|
| GATE 2027 Registration Begins | 27 August 2026 |
| Regular Registration Closes | 27 September 2026 |
| Extended Registration with Late Fee Closes | 5 October 2026 |
| Application Rectification Begins | 14 October 2026 |
| Application Rectification Ends | 21 October 2026 |
| City Allotment Notification | 4 January 2027 |
| Admit Card | To Be Announced |
| GATE 2027 Examination | 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 February 2027 |
| GATE 2027 Result | 19 March 2027 |
Important Update Before GATE Registration
IIT Madras has made verified DigiLocker registration mandatory for Indian nationals. Candidates are advised to create or update their verified DigiLocker account before starting the GATE application process. The registration system will fetch information such as the candidate’s name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, profile picture, address and verified ID details from DigiLocker.
Who Can Apply for GATE 2027?
One important change in how candidates should view GATE eligibility is that the examination is not restricted only to engineering students.
Candidates who are currently studying in the third year or higher of an eligible undergraduate programme or who have already completed an eligible government-approved degree can appear for GATE 2027. Eligible academic backgrounds include Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts and Humanities, subject to the specific qualifying-degree requirements.
GATE 2027 Eligibility
| Degree / Programme | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| B.E./B.Tech./B.Pharm. | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or completed |
| B.Arch. | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or completed |
| B.Sc. (Research)/B.S. | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or completed |
| Pharm.D. | Currently in 3rd/4th/5th/6th year or completed |
| MBBS/BDS/B.V.Sc. | 5th/6th/7th or higher semester or completed |
| M.Sc./M.A./MCA or equivalent | Currently in 1st year or higher, or completed |
| Integrated M.E./M.Tech. after B.Sc. | Currently in 1st year or higher, or completed |
| Integrated M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm./Dual Degree | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or completed |
The official eligibility page also confirms that candidates with higher degrees than those listed can appear, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
GATE 2027 Age Limit
There is no age limit for appearing in GATE 2027. Candidates can also appear for the examination any number of times.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | No minimum age specified |
| Maximum Age | No age limit |
| Number of Attempts | No restriction |
This makes GATE different from many government recruitment examinations where an upper age limit applies.
GATE 2027 Test Papers
GATE 2027 will be conducted for 30 test papers. Candidates can choose one paper or up to two papers, but the second paper must be selected from the permitted two-paper combinations.
A notable update this year is the introduction of the Robotics and Automation (RA) paper. IIT Madras has also revised the syllabi and made changes to some sectional paper codes and two-paper combinations.
GATE 2027 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Total Questions | 65 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Question Types | MCQ, MSQ and NAT |
| Sections | General Aptitude + Selected Subject |
| Number of Test Papers | 30 |
The standard paper contains 10 General Aptitude questions and 55 subject questions, making 65 questions in total. The detailed marks distribution varies for certain papers and sectional papers such as AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, RA, ST, XH and XL.
GATE 2027 Application Fee
The application fee depends on the candidate’s category and whether the application is submitted during the regular or extended period.
| Category | Regular Period | Extended Period |
|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,000 | ₹1,500 |
| All Other Candidates | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
| Foreign Nationals | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
The fee shown above is for one test paper. Candidates selecting two papers must pay twice the applicable fee.
Documents Required for GATE 2027 Registration
Candidates should keep the following information and documents ready before starting the application:
- Verified DigiLocker account
- Personal details
- Date of birth
- Mobile number
- Parent/guardian details
- Communication address with PIN code
- Degree details
- Institute/college details
- Choice of GATE paper
- Examination city choices
- Photograph
- Signature
- Valid photo identity document
- SC/ST certificate, if applicable
- UDID/PwD certificate, if applicable
- Dyslexic certificate, if applicable
- Relevant annexures, where applicable
IIT Madras states that Indian nationals must use DigiLocker for registration and that the same original photo ID used during registration must be produced at the examination centre.
How to Apply for GATE 2027?
The GATE 2027 application will be submitted through the official GOAPS portal.
- Visit the official GATE 2027 website.
- Open the GATE Online Application Processing System.
- Complete the registration using the required details.
- Make sure your verified DigiLocker information is correct.
- Enter your academic and personal details.
- Select the GATE test paper.
- Select a second paper only if you want to appear for two papers and the combination is permitted.
- Choose the examination cities as instructed.
- Upload the photograph, signature and required documents.
- Pay the applicable application fee.
- Carefully verify the complete application.
- Submit the application.
- Save the application details and payment confirmation.
The official website states that candidates can select up to two papers in a single application, subject to the permitted combinations.
What Can You Do With a GATE Score?
GATE is not simply an entrance examination for M.Tech programmes. The official GATE 2027 information lists opportunities in postgraduate and doctoral admissions, financial assistance and recruitment by several PSUs.
Higher Education
A valid GATE score can be used for admission to Master’s and direct doctoral programmes in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science and Humanities, as well as relevant doctoral programmes in institutions supported by the Ministry of Education and other government agencies.
Financial Assistance
The official GATE 2027 website states that qualifying GATE scores can be used for financial assistance in eligible programmes. It lists ₹12,400 per month for M.Tech students, generally for 22 months, subject to the applicable rules.
PSU Recruitment
Several Public Sector Undertakings use GATE scores as part of their recruitment process. The official GATE website lists organizations including BHEL, BSNL, Coal India, GAIL, HAL, IOCL, NALCO, NHAI, NLCIL, NMDC, NPCIL, NTPC, ONGC, POWERGRID and SAIL, among others.
However, candidates should understand an important point: qualifying GATE does not guarantee a PSU job. Recruitment depends on the individual PSU’s own notification and selection criteria.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
1. Registration starts on 27 August, not 14 August.
The original registration schedule was revised by IIT Madras.
2. DigiLocker is mandatory for Indian nationals.
Candidates should create or verify their DigiLocker account before registration.
3. There is no age limit.
Candidates can appear irrespective of their age, provided they meet the academic eligibility requirements.
4. Two papers are possible.
Candidates can select up to two test papers, but only permitted combinations are allowed.
5. Robotics and Automation is a new GATE 2027 paper.
Candidates interested in this area should check the new RA syllabus and paper combination rules.
6. GATE qualification does not automatically mean admission or employment.
Each institute and PSU can have its own eligibility and selection requirements.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| GATE 2027 Official Website | Visit Official GATE 2027 Website |
| GATE 2027 Registration | GATE Online Application Portal |
| Eligibility Criteria | Check GATE 2027 Eligibility |
| Application Fee | Check Application Fees |
| Test Papers & Syllabus | GATE 2027 Papers & Syllabus |
| Important Dates | GATE 2027 Important Dates |
The dates above reflect the latest official IIT Madras schedule available as of 23 August 2026. The official website notes that dates are subject to change.
FAQs
Q1. When will GATE 2027 registration start?
Answer: GATE 2027 registration will start on 27 August 2026 through the official GOAPS portal.
Q2. What is the last date for GATE 2027 registration without a late fee?
Answer: The regular registration deadline is 27 September 2026.
Q3. What is the final date to apply for GATE 2027 with a late fee?
Answer: The extended registration deadline is 5 October 2026.
