Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

GATE 2027, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, is the national computer-based exam for admission to postgraduate and doctoral programmes and for recruitment by several public sector undertakings. This cycle it is organised by IIT Madras, jointly with IISc and the IITs, on behalf of the National Coordination Board of the Ministry of Education. The exam runs over three weekends in February 2027, and the result is due on 19 March 2027.

This page covers key dates, the 30 test papers, eligibility, fees, documents, the exam pattern, the syllabus at a glance, how a GATE score is used and a preparation plan. Several things changed this cycle, including a new Robotics and Automation paper, revised syllabi and mandatory DigiLocker registration, so read the notification overview before you rely on older notes.

GATE 2027 at a Glance

GATE 2027 Notification Overview

IIT Madras released the information brochure in July 2026, and the application portal, GOAPS, opened on 2 September 2026. These are the changes that matter most compared with GATE 2026, which IIT Guwahati organised:

• New paper: Robotics and Automation (RA) is added, with a common Part A and a Part B in either Electrical or Mechanical.

• Revised syllabi: The syllabi have been revised, so use the 2027 syllabus PDF for your paper.

• New sectional codes: XE, XH and XL use new section codes. Textile Engineering and Fibre Science, which was TF, now sits in XE as XE9.

• DigiLocker is mandatory: Indian nationals must apply through a verified DigiLocker account and keep it after applying, because future communication goes only to that account.

• Registration dates revised: GOAPS opened on 2 September 2026, and regular registration was extended to 5 October 2026.

Older pages may still show 27 September 2026 as the regular closing date, so follow the official schedule.

GATE 2027 Important Dates

The organisers state that all dates are liable to change. Track the official GATE 2027 website and your registered email.

GATE 2027 Test Papers

GATE has no vacancies, because it is a qualifying and scoring exam. What you choose instead is a test paper, and the paper code is needed both at application and in the exam.

GATE 2027 Eligibility Criteria

Educational qualification

You can appear if you are in the third year or higher of an undergraduate degree, or have completed a government-approved degree in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, arts or humanities. The table gives the common cases, and the full list is on the official eligibility page.

Age limit and other conditions

• Age and attempts: There is no age limit, so no age relaxation applies, and you can take GATE any number of times.

• Foreign qualifications: You must be in the third year or higher, or have completed a bachelor's degree of at least three years.

• Two papers: You pick a primary paper, and the second must come from its permitted combinations, for example CS with DA, EC, GE, MA, ME, PH, RA or ST. Other combinations are not allowed in the regular and extended windows.

Application Fee and How to Apply

EWS candidates pay the same fee as the general category. To apply:

1. Prepare DigiLocker: Use a verified account. Your name must match your photo ID exactly, and your date of birth cannot be changed later.

2. Register on GOAPS: Enter personal, guardian and academic details and select your paper or papers.

3. Choose cities: Pick up to six cities from one zone. GATE 2027 is held only in India, and the organisers may allot a different city.

4. Upload documents: Capture a live photo, then upload your photograph, signature and any certificates.

5. Pay and correct: Pay online, then fix permitted errors between 14 and 21 October 2026.

Common reasons for trouble are unreadable uploads, a name that differs from the photo ID and multiple applications. Only one application per email address is allowed, and extra applications are rejected without a refund. Carry your original verified ID to the exam centre.

GATE 2027 Exam Pattern

The XE paper has a common Engineering Mathematics section of 15 marks and any two optional sections of 35 marks each. Every question carries 1 or 2 marks. A wrong answer in a 1-mark MCQ costs one-third of a mark and in a 2-mark MCQ two-thirds of a mark. MSQ and NAT have no negative marking, and MSQ has no partial marking.

What this means for you:

• Guess with care in MCQs: A blind guess on a 2-mark MCQ risks 0.67 marks, so eliminate options first.

• Attempt NAT and MSQ you can reason through: Wrong answers cost nothing, but an MSQ needs every correct option.

• Protect the common marks: General Aptitude is 15 marks in every paper, and Engineering Mathematics adds 13 in most engineering papers.

Older pages may show previous section names, so follow the official pattern page, or read our GATE 2027 exam pattern guide.

GATE 2027 Syllabus at a Glance

The organisers publish a separate syllabus PDF for every paper, and the 2027 syllabi are revised. The table lists the main areas of popular papers from those PDFs. Treat it as a summary and use the full PDF as the checklist, along with our GATE 2027 syllabus guide.

Selection Process and Opportunities

1. Exam: Appear in one or two papers on the scheduled dates.

2. Result: Results are announced on 19 March 2027, and scorecards go only to candidates who meet the qualifying marks for their category.

3. Scorecard: It stays valid for three years. Downloads are free until March, then Rs. 500 applies through 31 December 2027.

4. Admission or recruitment: Institutes and employers run their own shortlisting, so qualifying does not guarantee a seat or a job.

A valid score can be used for master's and direct doctoral programmes in institutions supported by the Ministry of Education and other government agencies. Many public sector undertakings also use it, including BHEL, NTPC, ONGC, IOCL, HAL and Power Grid.

How to Prepare for GATE 2027

Start from the official syllabus and previous year papers for your paper, then work in three phases, counting back from the exam date:

• Phase 1, concepts: Cover core subjects and Engineering Mathematics, and build short notes and a formula sheet. Practise General Aptitude for 20 to 30 minutes a day.

• Phase 2, practice: Move to topic-wise, then subject-wise tests, and keep an error log of wrong or slow questions.

• Phase 3, mocks: Take full-length three-hour tests in the CBT format, analyse each one the same day and revise from the error log.

For timed practice in the current pattern, you can attempt GATE 2027 mock tests on Testkart and use the section-wise analysis to plan your revision. Pair them with GATE previous year papers to understand the real difficulty level. Track accuracy, attempts and time per section in every mock.

GATE Qualifying Marks and Cut-off Reference

The qualifying cut-off is the minimum mark needed to be declared GATE qualified, announced for each paper and category with the result. It differs from an admission cut-off, which is usually much higher. The table shows popular papers from GATE 2026, as published by IIT Guwahati.

Cut-offs change every year with difficulty and the number of applicants, so treat these as a benchmark only and aim for a clear margin above them. See our GATE cut-off page for more.