GATE 2027 Application Registration Begins at gate2027.iitm.ac.in: Check Exam Dates, Fees, How to Apply

IIT Madras has started GATE 2027 online registration from August 27, 2026, through the GOAPS portal at gate2027.iitm.ac.in. The application window closes on September 27 without late fee, and September 30 with late fee. The exam will be held on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027.

GATE 2027: Key Dates at a Glance

GATE 2027 Registration: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, the organising institute for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027, has opened the online registration window today, August 27, 2026, through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) at gate2027.iitm.ac.in. This marks the 45th edition of GATE since it began in 1983.

Candidates can submit their application without a late fee until September 27, 2026, with the window further extended for late submissions. GATE 2027 is being jointly conducted by IISc and the IITs, on behalf of the National Coordination Board – GATE, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

GATE 2027: Exam Schedule and Key Changes

The GATE 2027 examination will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) across six days — February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027 — in both forenoon and afternoon sessions each day. This year's exam introduces several notable changes:

• New paper introduced: Robotics and Automation (RA) has been added, taking the total number of test papers to 30.

• Syllabus revised: The syllabus has been updated after five years to reflect current academic and industry requirements.

• Paper restructuring: Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF), earlier a standalone paper, has now been converted into a sectional paper under Engineering Science (XE).

• DigiLocker mandatory: Registration through DigiLocker is compulsory for all Indian nationals; candidates must create or update a verified DigiLocker account before applying.

• Live facial verification: An enhanced verification process, including live facial recognition, has been introduced for smoother identity checks during registration.

How to Apply for GATE 2027?

1. Visit the official website — gate2027.iitm.ac.in.

2. Click on the "Apply Online" / GOAPS registration link.

3. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number to create your login.

4. Complete your profile with DigiLocker verification (mandatory for Indian nationals).

5. Fill in the application form with personal, academic, and exam-related details.

6. Choose your test paper(s) — candidates may apply for one or two papers, subject to the approved two-paper combinations.

7. Upload a recent passport-size photograph, scanned signature, valid photo ID, and category/PwD certificate (if applicable).

8. Pay the application fee online.

9. Review the form and submit.

10. Download and print the confirmation page for your records.

GATE 2027: Eligibility and Other Key Points

Candidates who have completed, or are in the qualifying year of, a degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities are eligible to apply, as per the detailed criteria in the GATE 2027 Information Brochure released on July 20, 2026. Notably, there is no upper age limit for appearing in the exam.

GATE scores are used for admission to M.Tech, M.E., and PhD programmes at IITs, IISc, NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutes, and are also widely accepted by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) for recruitment purposes. The GATE score remains valid for three years from the date of result declaration.

What's Next After Registration Closes?

Following the close of the application window, IIT Madras will open a correction window for candidates to make permitted edits to their submitted forms. The exam city allotment notification is scheduled for January 4, 2027, followed by the release of admit cards closer to the exam date. Candidates are advised to complete their registration well in advance of the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues, given the mandatory DigiLocker and facial verification requirements this year.