Deepti · September 16, 2026 
GATE 2027 registration opened on September 2, 2026. The window closes fast this year. Students planning to appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering need to move quickly and get their documents ready.
This year brings real changes. Registration through verified DigiLocker is mandatory for Indian nationals. A live photo capture happens during registration. A brand-new Robotics and Automation paper joins the list of options. Miss a detail and your application could face rejection.
This guide walks you through the GATE 2027 registration process, every important date, the revised fee structure, and the new rules you cannot skip.
GATE 2027 Important Dates
| Event / Stage | Timeline / Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | September 2, 2026 |
| Regular registration closes (no late fee) | September 27, 2026 |
| Extended registration closes (with late fee) | October 5, 2026 |
| City allotment notification | January 4, 2027 |
| Admit card download | To be announced |
| Exam dates | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027 (across three weekends) |
| Results | March 19, 2027 |
IIT Madras conducts GATE 2027 through the GATE Online Application Processing System, known as GOAPS. All dates come directly from the official portal at gate2027.iitm.ac.in and remain subject to change.
What’s New in GATE 2027 Registration?
A few changes set this cycle apart from previous years.
Registration through verified DigiLocker is mandatory for Indian nationals: The system pulls your name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, photo, and address straight from DigiLocker. This cuts manual entry errors, but it also means your DigiLocker details must be accurate before you begin.
Live photo capture is now part of registration itself: The portal captures your face during the process. Use a laptop with a working webcam or a phone with at least a 5 MP front camera, in a well-lit room.
A new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper is here: This adds to the 29 existing test papers, taking the total count to 30 subjects.
Paper codes shifted for XE, XH, and XL streams: The syllabus for these sectional papers has also been revised, along with changes to the Textile Engineering and Fibre Science paper.
Read the updated syllabus carefully before you choose your paper. A wrong assumption here costs you months of preparation time.
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GATE 2027 Eligibility
Eligibility depends on which degree you’re pursuing or hold, and how far along you are in it. Here’s the breakdown, straight from the official criteria:
| Degree/Program | Eligible When |
|---|---|
| B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Pharm. | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or already completed |
| B.Arch. | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or already completed |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or already completed |
| Pharm.D. (after 10+2) | Currently in 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th year, or already completed |
| MBBS / BDS / BVSc / BSMS / BAMS / BUMS / BHMS / BNYS | Currently in 5th semester or higher, or already completed |
| M.Sc. / M.A. / MCA or equivalent | Currently in 1st year or higher, or already completed |
| Integrated M.E./M.Tech. (post-B.Sc., 4-year program) | Currently in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year, or already completed |
| Integrated M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (after diploma or 10+2, 5-year program) | Currently in 3rd, 4th, or 5th year, or already completed |
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. / BCA (3-year program) | Currently in 3rd year, or already completed |
| Integrated M.Sc. / Integrated B.S.-M.S. (5-year program) | Currently in 3rd year or higher, or already completed |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) (4-year program) | Currently in 3rd or 4th year, or already completed |
| Professional Society exams (equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch., recognised by MoE/UPSC/AICTE) | Completed Section A or equivalent |
Additional GATE Eligibility Rules:
- Candidates with a B.Sc./B.A./B.Com degree can appear for GATE specifically to seek admission into Master’s programs at IITs and IISc.
- Candidates already holding a degree higher than what’s listed in the table above are also eligible.
- For candidates who completed their qualifying degree outside India, the same 3rd-year-or-higher rule applies, and the degree must be at least three years long.
- Certification from a recognised professional society — such as the Institution of Engineers (India), the Institute of Civil Engineers, or the Aeronautical Society of India — counts too, as long as MoE, AICTE, UGC, or UPSC recognises it as equivalent to a B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. degree.
There is no age limit for GATE 2027, and you can attempt it as many times as you like.
Source: GATE 2027 Eligibility Criteria, IIT Madras
Documents Required for GATE 2027 Registration
Keep these ready before you log in to GOAPS.
- A verified DigiLocker account
- Consent to share DigiLocker data with GATE 2027
- A separate photograph and signature file, each meeting the official specifications, in addition to the live photo captured during registration
- The original ID verified through DigiLocker, which must be produced at the exam centre
- Category certificate (SC/ST), uploaded as a PDF to a “GATE2027” folder in DigiLocker, if applicable
- PwD or UDID certificate, uploaded the same way, if applicable
- Details of your qualifying degree and institute, with PIN code
- Your choice of test paper(s) and up to six exam city preferences
- A payment method: net banking, debit or credit card, UPI, or a digital wallet
Blurry or unreadable uploads can delay your application, or worse, get it rejected. Double-check every file before you submit.
How to Register for GATE 2027 (Step-by-Step)
Follow this sequence on the GOAPS portal.
- Create or update your DigiLocker account: Verify your ID and confirm the details match your records exactly.
- Visit gate2027.iitm.ac.in and click “Apply Now”: This takes you to GOAPS.
- Grant consent to fetch your DigiLocker data: The system auto-fills your name, date of birth, contact details, and address.
- Add your parent or guardian’s name and mobile number: This field is separate from your DigiLocker data.
- Enter your academic details.: Include your degree, institute name, and PIN code.
- Complete the live photo capture: Sit in good lighting and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Upload your photograph, signature, and any category or PwD certificates, each following the official specifications.
- Choose your test paper or two-paper combination, based on the official paper combination list.
- Select six exam cities from the same zone, in your order of preference.
- Pay the application fee and download your confirmation page for your records.
Save every screenshot along the way. GOAPS can be slow during peak hours near the deadline.
GATE 2027 Application Fee
The fee depends on your category and whether you apply for one paper or two.
| Category | Regular – 1 Paper | Regular – 2 Papers | Extended – 1 Paper | Extended – 2 Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 |
| All other candidates, including foreign nationals | ₹2,000 | ₹4,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹4,500 |
The application fee is non-refundable, so confirm your paper choice before you pay.
GATE 2027 Exam Pattern & Paper Options
GATE 2027 now offers 30 test papers, including the new Robotics and Automation paper. You can apply for one paper, or two papers from a set of approved combinations. Check the official two-paper combination list before you register, since not every subject pairs with every other subject. The exam spans three weekends in February 2027, with results due in March.
How Career Plan B Helps
Choosing the right GATE paper or deciding between GATE and other postgraduate routes is not always simple.
Career Plan B offers personalised career counselling, PsycheIntel and career assessment tests, and admission and academic profile guidance to help you weigh your options.
Our career roadmapping sessions help you plan the years after GATE with clarity, not guesswork.
Get In Touch With Us
FAQs
Q1. When does GATE 2027 registration close?
Regular registration closes on September 27, 2026. You can still apply until October 5, 2026, with a late fee.
Q2. Is DigiLocker compulsory for GATE 2027?
Yes, registration through verified DigiLocker is mandatory for Indian nationals.
Q3. Can I apply for two papers in GATE 2027?
Yes, but only from the approved two-paper combinations listed on the official site.
Q4. What is the GATE 2027 application fee?
It ranges from ₹1,000 to ₹4,500, depending on your category and the number of papers you choose, with an extra charge during the extended window.
Q5. Is there an age limit for GATE 2027?
No, GATE has no upper age limit, and you can attempt it multiple times.
Q6. What is new in GATE 2027?
Mandatory verified DigiLocker registration, live photo capture, a new Robotics and Automation paper, and revised XE/XH/XL paper codes.
Conclusion
GATE 2027 registration rewards candidates who plan ahead. Verify your DigiLocker account today. Gather your documents. Pick your paper combination with care and submit well before September 27 to skip the late fee.
Still unsure which path fits your goals after GATE? Talk to a Career Plan B counsellor and turn your next big decision into a clear plan.
