GATE 2027 Online Form: Registration Dates, Eligibility and Application Fee

Quick Highlights

• Organizing Institute: IIT Madras
• Application Mode: Online through GOAPS
• Total Test Papers: 30 (including new Robotics and Automation paper)
• Portal Opens: September 2, 2026
• Regular Closing Date: September 27, 2026
• Exam Dates: February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027
• Result Date: March 19, 2027

About GATE 2027

GATE 2027 will be conducted as a Computer Based Test (CBT) for 30 test papers, entirely in English. A new paper on Robotics and Automation (RA) has been introduced this year, and the earlier Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) paper has now been merged into the XE sectional paper as XE9. Candidates should also note that paper codes for the sectional papers XE, XH, and XL have changed for GATE 2027, so it is worth rechecking the codes even if you have appeared for GATE before.

The question paper will include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Candidates can appear for one or two test papers, but a two-paper combination must be chosen only from the approved list of pairings given in the brochure. Some papers may be conducted in multiple sessions, though every candidate is mapped to only one session, as mentioned on the admit card.

GATE 2027 Important Dates

These dates have been revised more than once since the brochure was first released, and some of the earlier announced dates have since been superseded. The table below lists only the latest applicable date for each activity, as per the official GATE 2027 schedule.

All dates mentioned above are liable to change, and candidates should keep checking the official GATE 2027 website for updates.

GATE 2027 Application Fee

The application fee is charged per test paper. If a candidate opts for two papers, the fee payable is twice the single-paper amount. The fee does not include any service or processing charges that banks may levy separately, and it is not transferable or refundable except when a specific two-paper combination is withdrawn by GATE.

Payment can be made online through internet banking, debit card, credit card, wallet, or UPI. There are no international examination centres for GATE 2027, so foreign nationals wishing to appear must travel to India for the test.

Who Can Apply: GATE 2027 Eligibility

A candidate currently in the third year or higher of any undergraduate degree program, or one who has already completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities, is eligible to appear for GATE 2027. Candidates pursuing or holding M.B.B.S., B.D.S., B.V.Sc., or B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) degrees from the fifth semester onward are also eligible. There is no upper age limit to appear for GATE 2027.

Candidates holding qualifications from professional bodies such as the Institution of Engineers (India), the Institution of Civil Engineers, IETE, AeSI, IIChE, IIM, or IIIE are also eligible, provided the examination is recognized by MoE, AICTE, UGC, or UPSC as equivalent to a B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. degree. Candidates studying or graduated outside India must be in the third year or higher, or have completed a Bachelor's degree of at least three years, in a relevant field.

GATE 2027 Test Papers

GATE 2027 will be conducted for 30 test papers, listed below by their subject codes.

A candidate may appear for one or two test papers, but a two-paper combination is allowed only from a fixed list of pairings given in the official brochure, for example CS with DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, RA, ST, or ME. Candidates should check the full combination list on the GATE 2027 website before choosing their papers, since not every subject pair is permitted.

GATE 2027 Exam Pattern

For most papers, marks are split as 15 for General Aptitude, 13 for Engineering Mathematics, and 72 for subject questions. For papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, RA, ST, XH, and XL, the split is 15 marks for General Aptitude and 85 for subject questions. Wrong answers to MCQs carry negative marking of one-third of a mark for a 1-mark question and two-thirds for a 2-mark question, while MSQ and NAT questions carry no negative marking and no partial marks.

Details and Documents Needed for the GATE 2027 Application

Before starting the online form, candidates should keep the following details and files ready:

• Personal details, including name exactly as it appears on a valid photo ID, date of birth, and contact information of the candidate and a parent or guardian
• Communication address with PIN code
• Degree, institute or college name and address with PIN code
• Choice of GATE 2027 test paper or papers
• Choice of examination cities
• A recent passport-size color photograph meeting the specified format
• A scanned signature in black or dark blue ink
• A scanned copy of a valid photo ID such as Aadhaar, Passport, PAN card, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Category certificate (SC/ST), PwD certificate or UDID, and Dyslexic certificate, wherever applicable
• Details for online fee payment

Registering through a verified DigiLocker account is recommended for a smoother registration process, both during application and at the exam centre. Applicants must also provide live facial details during registration. Only one person can register with a given email address, and once payment is completed, no changes can be made to the submitted application.

Photograph and Signature Specifications

The photograph must be a recent, color, passport-size image (3.5 cm by 4.5 cm) with a plain white background, showing the full frontal face without caps, sunglasses, or glare on spectacles. The file should be in JPEG format, between 200x260 and 530x690 pixels, with a maximum size of 600 KB. The signature must be in black or dark blue ink, in JPEG format, between 250x80 and 580x180 pixels, with a maximum size of 300 KB. Images that do not meet these specifications can lead to rejection of the application without a fee refund, so it is worth checking the file dimensions before uploading.

How to Apply for GATE 2027

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Go to the GATE 2027 official website and open the link to the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS).

Step 2: Register as a New Candidate

Register by providing your name as per your valid photo ID, a personal email address, mobile number, and a password of 8 to 15 characters. Consider creating a verified DigiLocker account for a smoother process. On successful registration, you will receive a unique Enrolment ID by email.

Step 3: Fill in the Application Form

Log in with your Enrolment ID and password, then fill in your personal details, address, educational qualification, choice of test paper, and choice of examination cities.

Step 4: Upload Photograph, Signature and Documents

Upload your photograph, signature, photo ID, and category or PwD or Dyslexic certificates, wherever applicable, according to the specified format.

Step 5: Check the Application Before Payment

Use the "Save and View Application" option to review all entered details for errors, since no changes can be made once you proceed to payment.

Step 6: Pay the Application Fee

Click "Submit and Proceed to Payment" and pay the applicable fee through internet banking, debit card, credit card, wallet, or UPI.

Step 7: Download the Confirmation

Once the payment is successful, download the PDF copy of your submitted application form from the GATE 2027 application portal for your records.

After Submitting the Application

Candidates can log in to GOAPS to check the status of their application, which may show as received, under scrutiny, accepted, or rejected with reasons. A rectification window opens on October 14, 2026, and closes on October 21, 2026, during which candidates can request a change of category, test paper, or examination city choices, along with a change in personal details; an additional fee may apply for such changes. Exam city information will be notified to candidates by January 4, 2027, followed by admit card downloads closer to the exam dates. GATE 2027 will be conducted on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027, in forenoon and afternoon sessions, with results declared on March 19, 2027. A GATE 2027 score remains valid for three years from the date the results are announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When will the GATE 2027 online form be available?

The GATE 2027 application portal opens on September 2, 2026, and the regular registration period closes on September 27, 2026, according to the latest revised GATE 2027 schedule.

Q2. Who is eligible to apply for GATE 2027?

Candidates currently in the third year or higher of an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities, or those who have already completed such a degree, are eligible. Candidates in relevant medical or agricultural programs from a specified semester onward are also eligible, and there is no upper age limit.

Q3. How many test papers is GATE 2027 being conducted for?

GATE 2027 will be conducted for 30 test papers, including a new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper introduced this year, with the earlier Textile Engineering and Fibre Science paper now merged into the XE sectional paper as XE9.

Q4. Can a candidate appear for more than one GATE 2027 paper?

Yes, a candidate can appear for one or two test papers, but the two-paper combination must be chosen only from the approved list of pairings given in the official brochure.

Q5. What is the GATE 2027 application fee?

The regular period fee is Rs 1,000 per paper for Female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates and Rs 2,000 per paper for all other candidates. In the extended period, the fee rises to Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,500 respectively, and the fee doubles for a two-paper combination.

Q6. What is the exam pattern for GATE 2027?

GATE 2027 is a 3-hour Computer Based Test with 65 questions worth 100 marks, made up of Multiple Choice Questions, Multiple Select Questions, and Numerical Answer Type questions covering General Aptitude and the chosen subject.

Q7. When will the GATE 2027 exam be held and results declared?

The GATE 2027 examination will be held on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027, in forenoon and afternoon sessions, and results will be announced on March 19, 2027.

Q8. How long is a GATE score valid?

A GATE 2027 score remains valid for three years from the date the results are officially announced.

Source

This article is based on the official GATE 2027 information brochure published by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the organizing institute for GATE 2027. Candidates should refer to the official GATE 2027 website for the complete brochure and the most current updates, since dates and details mentioned here are subject to revision.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is compiled from the official GATE 2027 brochure for the convenience of readers. Dates, fees, and other details are liable to change at the discretion of the organizing institute. Readers are advised to verify all information from the official GATE 2027 website before taking any action.