
For many engineering graduates, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is the standard gateway to postgraduate studies. However, failing to secure a high GATE score—or choosing not to take the exam—doesn’t mean your dream of earning an M.Tech degree is over.
Several premier institutions, including select IITs, NITs, and top private universities, offer direct M.Tech admission without a GATE score. This guide explores the best alternative pathways, eligibility criteria, and top colleges for your master’s journey.
Yes, you can. While GATE is mandatory for many government-funded seats and stipends, various universities conduct their own entrance exams or offer admission based on undergraduate academic performance (B.E./B.Tech percentage).
Not everyone takes or performs well in the GATE exam — and that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing MTech. Many institutions consider:
University-level entrance tests
State-level postgraduate exams
Merit in undergraduate performance
Alternate national exams (CUET PG, CEETA-PG, etc.)
This opens doors to MTech programs even if you don’t have a valid GATE score.
Below are notable institutions that accept other entrance scores or direct admissions for M.Tech, along with the exams they use for selection:
| List of MTech Colleges in India Without Mandatory GATE Score | ||
| College / University | NIRF Ranking | Entrance Exam / Admission Route |
| VIT Vellore (VIT) | 11 | VIT Masters Entrance Exam |
| SRM Institute of Science & Technology (Chennai) | 13 | SRMJEEE PG |
| BITS Pilani | 20 | BITS HD |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi | 24 | University test / Merit |
| Siksha 'O' Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar | 26 | University Admission Test |
| Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | 33 | AMU Entrance Test |
| KL University, Guntur | 35 | AP PGECET |
| KIIT University, Bhubaneswar | 37 | KIIT Entrance Exam |
| SSN College of Engineering, Kalavakkam | 46 | CEETA PG |
| IIIT Hyderabad | 47 | IIITH PGEE |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU) | 50 | LPU NEST |
| MIT Manipal | 56 | Manipal Entrance Test |
| MSRIT Bangalore | 75 | Karnataka PGCET |
| Banasthali Vidyapith | 78 | Banasthali Aptitude Test |
| MMMUT Gorakhpur | 84 | CUET-PG / University Exam |
| Vignan’s Foundation for Science & Tech | 91 | AP PGECET |
| CV Raman Global University | 96 | OJEE |
| Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT), Noida | 101-150 | JIIT PGET |
Note: Some of these colleges may also accept GATE scores, but it is not mandatory for admission