GATE 2027 Registration Begins August 14: Check Eligibility, Fee, DigiLocker Requirement, Exam Dates and How to Apply

GATE 2027 registration is set to begin on August 14, 2026, with the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) opening for candidates on the official portal. IIT Madras is the organising institute for GATE 2027.

Candidates will have until September 21, 2026 to submit their applications during the regular registration period without a late fee. Those who miss the regular deadline can apply until September 30, 2026, during the extended window by paying the applicable late fee. 

One of the most important points candidates should know before registration is that GATE 2027 registration through DigiLocker is mandatory for all Indian nationals. IIT Madras has advised candidates to create or update their verified DigiLocker account before starting the application process. 

Official GATE 2027 website: GATE 2027 portal — IIT Madras

GATE 2027 Important Dates

IIT Madras has noted that the dates are liable to change, so candidates should rely on the official GATE 2027 portal for subsequent updates. 

GATE 2027 Eligibility Criteria

The GATE 2027 eligibility rules are broader than engineering alone.

According to the official GATE 2027 FAQ, an undergraduate student currently studying in the third year or higher of a government-approved programme in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities can appear for GATE 2027. Students who entered an undergraduate engineering programme after completing a diploma and are currently in the third year or above are also eligible. 

There is no age limit for GATE 2027, and there is no restriction on the number of times a candidate can appear for the examination. 

Candidates who have already completed an eligible degree can also apply, subject to the qualification requirements specified by GATE 2027.

Who is eligible for GATE 2027?

Broadly, candidates can apply if they:

• Are currently in the third year or above of an eligible undergraduate programme; or

• Have completed an eligible degree;

• Meet the qualification requirements specified by GATE 2027; and

• Select an appropriate test paper based on their qualifying degree and admission plans.

Candidates should remember that GATE eligibility and eligibility for a particular postgraduate programme are not necessarily the same. Individual institutes may impose additional admission requirements. 

GATE 2027 Application Fee

The GATE 2027 application fee is charged per test paper.

The extended-period amount includes the additional late fee. Candidates applying for two permitted test papers have to pay the applicable fee for each paper. 

Candidates should therefore avoid waiting until the final days of registration unless necessary. Applying during the regular window can save ₹500 per paper compared with the extended period.

The official FAQ also clarifies that EWS candidates pay the same application fee as General candidates. 

DigiLocker Mandatory for GATE 2027 Registration

The DigiLocker requirement is one of the biggest registration-related changes candidates need to prepare for.

IIT Madras states that DigiLocker registration is mandatory for all Indian nationals. Information that can be fetched from DigiLocker includes the candidate's:

• Name

• Date of birth

• Mobile number

• Email ID

• Profile picture

• Address

• Verified ID card number

Candidates should check their verified DigiLocker information before beginning the GATE application. Incorrect personal information could create complications during registration. 

This makes DigiLocker preparation an important pre-registration step, rather than something candidates should leave until the application form opens.

GATE 2027 Application Form: How to Apply

Once the GOAPS application portal becomes active, candidates will be able to complete the GATE 2027 application online.

The application process broadly involves:

1. Visit the official GATE 2027 website.

2. Open the GOAPS application portal once registration begins.

3. Create the required application account.

4. Complete the personal and academic details.

5. Select the GATE test paper or permitted two-paper combination.

6. Upload the required photograph, signature and identity-document information.

7. Complete the required verification steps.

8. Upload category or disability-related documents wherever applicable.

9. Pay the application fee online.

10. Submit the application.

11. Download and preserve the submitted application/confirmation details.

Candidates should not create multiple applications. IIT Madras says that if multiple applications are submitted, only one will be accepted and the others will be rejected without a refund of the paid fee. 

GATE 2027 Documents Required

Candidates should keep the necessary documents and information ready before opening the application form.

These include:

• Recent colour photograph

• Signature

• Valid photo identity document

• Category certificate, where applicable

• PwD/UDID-related documentation, where applicable

• Other supporting documents required for the candidate's specific category or circumstances

• Academic and qualifying-degree information

For Indian candidates, the GATE 2027 FAQ lists Aadhaar-UID, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID and Driving Licence among accepted photo-identification documents. 

Photograph requirements for GATE 2027

The official GATE 2027 photograph instructions specify a good-quality colour passport-size photograph measuring 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, with the candidate's face occupying approximately 60–70% of the photograph. The background should be white and the face should be clearly visible. 

Candidates should follow the official image specifications carefully because incorrect uploads can result in the application being marked defective and requiring rectification. 

GATE 2027 Two-Paper Option

Candidates can appear for one or up to two GATE 2027 test papers, subject to the permitted two-paper combinations.

The official website currently lists 30 GATE 2027 test papers. Candidates choosing two papers should select them through the same application rather than submitting separate applications. 

The official FAQ further says that candidates should consider their qualifying-degree discipline and the eligibility requirements of the institutes where they intend to seek admission when selecting their paper or papers. 

GATE 2027 Exam Dates

GATE 2027 will be conducted over three weekends in February:

• February 6 and 7, 2027

• February 13 and 14, 2027

• February 20 and 21, 2027

The official schedule currently lists January 4, 2027 for the city allotment notification and March 19, 2027 for the declaration of GATE 2027 results. 

Candidates should note that the schedule is marked as subject to change by the organising institute.

GATE 2027: 30 Papers and New Robotics and Automation Paper

GATE 2027 will be conducted for 30 test papers. IIT Madras has also introduced Robotics and Automation (RA) as a new GATE paper for 2027. The official portal also highlights revisions to the syllabi and changes involving areas including Biotechnology, Textile Engineering & Fibre Science and sectional paper codes.

Each GATE 2027 paper carries 100 marks. General Aptitude accounts for 15 marks in the standard paper structure, while the remaining marks are allocated to the relevant test-paper content, with the detailed structure varying for certain sectional papers. 

What Candidates Should Do Before GATE 2027 Registration Opens

With registration scheduled to begin on August 14, candidates can use the remaining time to prepare the information that will be required during application.

1. Verify DigiLocker details

Since DigiLocker-based registration is mandatory for Indian nationals, candidates should make sure their verified information is accurate before beginning the application. 

2. Check the GATE paper

Candidates planning to appear for two papers should check the officially permitted combinations before selecting their papers. 

3. Prepare the photograph and signature

Do not wait until the final day to arrange image files. GATE 2027 has specific photograph requirements, and incorrect uploads can make an application defective.

4. Keep the identity document ready

The identity document used during registration should be valid and should match the details entered in the application. The official FAQ also advises candidates to use an ID carrying a recent photograph so that identity verification at the examination centre is possible.

5. Apply before September 21 if possible

The regular application deadline is September 21. Waiting until the extended window means paying the additional fee.

Why GATE 2027 Matters

GATE scores can be used for admission to master's and doctoral programmes and may also be considered for financial assistance in eligible programmes. Several Public Sector Undertakings use GATE scores as part of their recruitment processes, although qualifying GATE does not itself guarantee admission, a scholarship or a PSU job. 

That distinction is important for candidates researching GATE 2027 career opportunities: individual institutes and employers can have their own eligibility, selection and recruitment rules.

Are there international examination centres for GATE 2027?

No. IIT Madras states that GATE 2027 will be conducted only at examination centres within India. Foreign nationals and Indian candidates living abroad who wish to appear must select an examination city in India and make their own travel arrangements. Key Takeaway for GATE 2027 Aspirants

The immediate priority for candidates is not simply waiting for the GATE 2027 application form to open. The official IIT Madras portal has already highlighted a preparation step that could affect the registration process: Indian nationals must have a verified DigiLocker account.

With GOAPS scheduled to open on August 14, candidates should have their DigiLocker information, photograph, signature, valid ID and applicable certificates ready before registration. Applying by September 21 avoids the additional late fee, while the final extended deadline is September 30, 2026. 

GATE 2027 will be conducted on six dates in February, with 30 test papers, including the newly introduced Robotics and Automation paper. Candidates should check the latest official syllabus and permitted paper combinations before submitting their application.