Know About GATE

Entrance Exams

GATE: Complete Guide for Engineering and Science Students

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) checks how well you understand your undergraduate engineering and science subjects. It is one of the most competitive exams in India.

What is GATE?

GATE is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the IITs. Every year one of these institutes acts as the Organizing Institute. It is held on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Why is GATE important?

  • Your GATE score is used for admission to M.E., M.Tech and Ph.D. programs in IITs, NITs, IIITs and other institutes, often with financial assistance from the Government of India.
  • Many public sector companies (PSUs) use GATE scores to hire graduate engineers for entry-level jobs.
  • Your score shows how you performed compared to other candidates.
  • Your score is valid for 3 years from the result date.

GATE at a glance

  • The exam is a computer-based test (CBT) for all papers.
  • Question types: Multiple Choice (MCQ), Multiple Select (MSQ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT), where you type the answer using a virtual keypad.
  • The exam is held on weekends in February, spread over multiple weekends.
  • The whole application process is online through the official GATE application portal. No hard copy needs to be sent anywhere.
  • The fee can be paid online (net banking, cards, UPI, wallets).
  • The admit card must be downloaded from the official GATE website.
  • Indian candidates use DigiLocker for document verification during the application.

Important dates

Event Usually happens
Application opens August to September
Last date to apply (without late fee) September to early October
Last date to apply (with late fee) A few days to a week after the regular deadline
Application correction window Mid to late October
Exam city allotment Early January
Admit card available Mid to late January
Exam dates February (weekends)
Result announcement March

Dates are decided every year by the Organizing Institute and can change. Always confirm them on the official GATE website.

GATE eligibility criteria

There is no age limit. You can apply if you are in the 3rd year or higher of an eligible undergraduate program, or have already completed it. Eligible programs include:

  • B.E. / B.Tech / B.Pharm
  • B.Arch / Naval Architecture and Planning
  • B.Sc. (Research) / B.S.
  • Pharm.D.
  • M.Sc. / M.A. / M.C.A. (Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Applications)
  • Integrated M.Tech, Dual Degree, Integrated M.Sc., B.S.-M.S.
  • B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com graduates (for papers they are eligible for)
  • Medical, Agriculture, Forestry and allied programs (in higher years or completed)
  • Professional society qualifications recognized as equal to B.E./B.Tech (for example, AMIE)

Candidates pursuing a higher qualification than the minimum are also eligible. Always check the latest brochure for the exact list.

How to apply for GATE

  1. Register on the GATE online application portal (GOAPS).
  2. Fill in your personal, educational and exam details.
  3. Upload your photograph, signature, valid photo ID and category / PwD certificate (if applicable).
  4. Pay the application fee online.
  5. Review all details and submit.

Application fee

The fee is charged per paper. It is lower for Female, SC, ST and PwD candidates and higher for all other candidates. Applying after the regular deadline (with late fee) costs more. If you appear in two papers, you pay the fee for both. The fee is non-refundable. Check the brochure for the current amount.

Please note: A fee concession is only for Female, SC, ST and PwD candidates. OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates do not get a concession.

GATE papers

  • GATE has around 30 test papers. The list is revised from time to time, and new papers are added occasionally.
  • You can apply for one paper, or two papers if the combination is permitted.
  • Choose the paper that matches your degree. Also check the eligibility rules of the college or company you want to join.
  • All question papers are in English.

GATE exam pattern

  • Mode: Online (computer-based)
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Total questions: 65
  • Total marks: 100
Section Marks
General Aptitude (common to all papers) 15
Subject paper (includes Engineering Mathematics in most engineering papers) 85
  • In most engineering papers, Engineering Mathematics carries about 13 marks and the technical subject carries about 72 marks.
  • Some papers (for example XE, XL and a few science papers) have a different structure. Check your paper’s syllabus.
  • Question types: MCQ, MSQ and NAT.
  • Negative marking applies only to MCQs (1/3 mark for a 1-mark question, 2/3 mark for a 2-mark question). There is no negative marking for MSQ and NAT.
  • A virtual scientific calculator is provided on screen.

GATE score card

After the result, you can download your score card for the paper you attempted from the GATE portal. Check the brochure for the qualifying-marks rule for score cards.

GATE exam cities

  • You can choose exam cities in your application. The committee may add or remove cities, or allot a city you did not choose.
  • The city list and zones are published in the brochure each year.
  • Exam city allotment is notified a few weeks before the exam.

What to carry on exam day

  • A print-out of your admit card (a soft copy on a phone or tablet is not accepted).
  • The same original, valid photo ID that you uploaded in the application (no photocopies or expired IDs). Accepted IDs usually include Aadhaar, Passport, PAN card, Voter ID, Driving Licence or any valid government-issued photo ID.
  • Your photo and signature on the admit card must be clear, and the photo should match your appearance on exam day.

Not allowed in the exam hall: mobile phones, physical calculators, wristwatches and any other electronic items. Breaking this rule can lead to disqualification. You also cannot leave the hall before the exam ends.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. Can I appear in any GATE paper?

You should choose the paper that matches your degree. You can also choose another paper, but check the eligibility rules of the college or company you want to join.

2. How many papers can I apply for?

One paper, or two papers if the combination is permitted. Check the list of permitted combinations in the brochure.

3. Can I correct mistakes after submitting the application?

Yes, a short correction window is given after the application closes. Check the official website for the dates and the fields that can be edited.

4. Why should I choose exam cities carefully?

You will most likely get your preferred city, but the committee can allot another city if too many candidates choose the same one.

5. Do I need to send a print-out of my application form?

No. Everything is online.

6. Can I use my own calculator?

No. A virtual scientific calculator is given on the screen.

Official website

For exact dates, fees, paper list, syllabus and the latest rules, always check the official GATE website of the current Organizing Institute and read the Information Brochure.

Disclaimer

This content is for information only. Rules, dates and fees can change every year. Please check the official GATE website before making any decision. We are not responsible for any changes in the exam details.