GATE 2027 Registration: DigiLocker, Live Photo and Signature Rules You Must Know

Updated August 13, 2026, 11:25 AM IST: GATE 2027 registration is scheduled to begin on August 14, 2026, and IIT Madras has introduced important changes to the application process. Registration through a verified DigiLocker account is mandatory for all Indian nationals, according to the current GATE 2027 official website. Candidates will also have to provide live facial details during registration.

Along with these new identity-verification requirements, candidates must upload a recent photograph and signature in the prescribed format. The GATE 2027 Information Brochure specifies that the photograph should be not older than three months, while the live photograph will also be captured during registration.

The regular GATE 2027 application window will remain open until September 21, 2026. Candidates can submit applications with the applicable late fee until September 30, 2026.

GATE 2027 Registration: What Has Changed?

The biggest application-process changes for GATE 2027 relate to candidate identity verification.

The official GATE 2027 website specifically asks Indian nationals to create or update a verified DigiLocker account before registration. It also lists information that can be fetched from DigiLocker, including the candidate's name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, profile picture, address and verified ID card number.

Is DigiLocker Mandatory for GATE 2027?

Yes. The current official GATE 2027 website states that registration through DigiLocker is mandatory for all Indian nationals. Candidates have been advised to create or update their verified DigiLocker account before the application process begins. 

The Information Brochure contains some sections that describe verified DigiLocker registration as recommended for a smoother process. However, the current GATE 2027 homepage explicitly labels DigiLocker registration as mandatory for Indian nationals. Candidates should therefore prepare their verified DigiLocker account before attempting registration.

Foreign nationals have a separate registration process and are required to provide their details using the prescribed identity information.

GATE 2027 Live Photo and Facial Details: What Candidates Need to Know

IIT Madras has introduced live facial details during the GATE 2027 registration process.

The Information Brochure states that the candidate's live photo will be captured during registration. Candidates are therefore advised to use a computer with a webcam or a phone with a 5 MP camera while completing this part of the application.

This is separate from the photograph file that candidates must upload with the application.

In other words, candidates should be prepared for two image-related requirements:

1. Upload the prescribed recent photograph.

2. Provide the live facial details required during registration.

The official material confirms the live facial-details requirement. It does not, in the cited sections, describe it specifically as an Aadhaar facial-match process. Candidates should therefore avoid treating “Aadhaar facial matching” as the official terminology unless IIT Madras provides further instructions.

GATE 2027 Photo Specifications

The photograph uploaded with the application must meet IIT Madras' specifications. The official Information Brochure states that the photograph should be a good-quality colour passport-size image and not older than three months.

The candidate must face the camera directly, with the forehead, eyes, nose and chin clearly visible. Caps, hats, sunglasses and coloured glasses are not allowed, although normal spectacles used for vision correction are permitted subject to the glare rule. 

The photograph submitted during registration will also appear on the GATE 2027 admit card and scorecard.

GATE 2027 Signature Specifications

The signature must also meet the prescribed technical requirements.

The signature must be the candidate's own and must be uploaded clearly. IIT Madras warns that a mismatch between the signature submitted during application and the signature at the examination could lead to disqualification. 

Digital signatures and signatures in colours other than black or dark blue are not acceptable.

GATE 2027 Documents Required

Candidates should keep the following information and documents ready before starting the application:

• Verified DigiLocker account for Indian nationals

• Recent colour photograph

• Candidate's signature

• Valid photo ID

• SC/ST certificate, if applicable

• PwD/UDID or relevant PwD certificate, if applicable

• Dyslexia certificate, if applicable

• Educational and personal details

• Details required for application-fee payment

For the photo ID, IIT Madras lists Aadhaar-UID, Aadhaar Virtual ID, government-issued ID, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID and Driving Licence for Indian candidates. The same original ID specified during the application must be produced at the examination centre.

Do OBC-NCL and EWS Candidates Need to Upload Certificates?

No.

The GATE 2027 Information Brochure specifically states that OBC-NCL and EWS candidates are not required to submit or upload a category certificate while filling the online application form.

SC/ST candidates need to upload valid documentary proof to claim the applicable application-fee concession. PwD candidates claiming the fee concession must provide the prescribed PwD documentation.

GATE 2027 Registration Dates

IIT Madras notes that the dates are liable to change.

GATE 2027 Registration: How to Prepare Before August 14

Candidates can complete these steps before GOAPS opens:

1. Create or update the verified DigiLocker account.

2. Keep the DigiLocker-linked details accurate.

3. Keep a recent photograph ready that meets the official specifications.

4. Prepare the signature in JPG/JPEG format.

5. Keep the original photo ID and a scanned copy ready.

6. Keep SC/ST, PwD or Dyslexia certificates ready, if applicable.

7. Ensure access to a webcam-enabled computer or a phone with a 5 MP camera for live facial capture.

8. Keep the payment method ready.

Candidates should also ensure that their name and date of birth entered in the application match the details on the identity document. IIT Madras states that the candidate must produce the same original photo ID at the examination centre.