IIT Madras has released the official GATE 2027 notification. Check exam dates, new Robotics paper details, eligibility, fees, and GOAPS registration steps.
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has officially published the information brochure and operational roadmap for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2027). Organized on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB-GATE), Ministry of Education, Government of India, GATE 2027 serves as the primary national gateway for admission into M.E., M.Tech., Direct Ph.D., and Master’s programs across IITs, NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs.
In addition to academic postgraduate admissions, GATE 2027 scores will be utilized directly by major Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)—including IOCL, NTPC, ONGC, BHEL, GAIL, and POWERGRID—for executive engineer recruitment. The online application portal through the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) opens on August 14, 2026, with the nationwide Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled across six days in February 2027.
IIT GATE 2027 Admission: Key Operational Overview
| Recruitment & Admission Element | Official Verified Operational Status |
| Organizing Institute (OI) | Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) |
| Official Web Portal | gate2027.iitm.ac.in |
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) across 300+ Cities |
| Total Test Papers | 30 Subjects (Includes new Robotics & Automation paper) |
| GOAPS Registration Opens | August 14, 2026 |
| Closing Date (Regular Fee) | September 21, 2026 |
| Closing Date (With Extended Late Fee) | September 30, 2026 |
| GATE 2027 Examination Dates | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027 |
| Result Declaration Date | March 19, 2027 |
| GATE Scorecard Validity | 3 Years from the date of result declaration |
What is New in GATE 2027? Major Changes Introduced by IIT Madras
- New Paper Introduced (Robotics & Automation – RA): IIT Madras has added a dedicated Robotics & Automation (RA) test paper, expanding the total paper count to 30.
- Paper Mergers & Code Revisions: The Textile Engineering & Fibre Science (TF) paper is now integrated as section XE9 under Engineering Sciences (XE). Code names for XE, XH, and XL sectional papers have been updated.
- Enhanced GOAPS Portal Security: The registration workflow now incorporates mandatory live facial verification alongside DigiLocker profile integration to prevent identity mismatch.
- Syllabus Modernization: Core engineering streams (such as ME, CS, EC, and EE) have been updated to include contemporary topics like Additive Manufacturing, Generative AI, 5G/6G concepts, and Smart Grid technologies.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the baseline academic standards laid down by the NCB-GATE:
- Qualifying Degree: Candidates who are currently studying in the 3rd year or higher of any undergraduate degree program (B.E. / B.Tech / B.Arch / B.Sc. Research / B.S.) or who have already completed any government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, or Arts are eligible to apply.
- Age Limits: There is no upper age limit cap for appearing in GATE 2027.
- Two-Paper Combinations: Candidates can choose to appear in either one or two test papers strictly from the approved primary-secondary paper combination list published on the portal.
Application Fee Structure
Application charges vary according to social category and submission timing:
• Female Candidates (Per Paper): ₹900 (Regular Period) | ₹1,400 (Extended Period) • SC / ST / PwBD Category Candidates (Per Paper): ₹900 (Regular Period) | ₹1,400 (Extended Period) • All Other Candidates / General / OBC / EWS (Per Paper): ₹1,800 (Regular Period) | ₹2,300 (Extended Period) • International Examination Test Centers: USD 100 to USD 200 depending on center location.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online for GATE 2027
Complete your registration using the GOAPS portal by following this step sequence:
1.Portal Account Setup:Create GOAPS Credentials.
Visit the official portal at gate2027.iitm.ac.in. Select “Apply Online” to access the GOAPS terminal. Register using your full name, valid personal email ID, and mobile number to obtain your enrollment password.
2.Identity Verification:Complete Live Facial and DigiLocker Check.
Log into your account. Authenticate your personal identity parameters via DigiLocker and grant web camera permissions to complete the mandatory Live Facial Capture verification.
3.Paper and Center Selection:Choose Test Papers and Preferred Cities.
Select your primary GATE paper code (and secondary paper code if applicable). Choose three exam cities in order of preference from the dropdown list of test hubs.
4.Upload Photo, Signature, and Category Proofs:
Upload your recent passport photo, clean signature crop, photo identity card (Aadhaar, Passport, or PAN), and category certificate (SC/ST/PwBD/EWS) meeting the required KB resolution guidelines.
5.Fee Payment & Printout:Settle Payment via Integrated Banking Gateway.
Review all entered data during the preview step. Proceed to the online payment portal to settle your application fee via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI. Save and print out the system-generated GOAPS Application Confirmation Slip.
GATE 2027 Examination Blueprint
The computer-based assessment runs for 3 hours and features a total of 100 marks:
• Total Question Count: 65 Questions. • Question Types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. • Section Distribution:
- General Aptitude (GA): 10 Questions = 15 Marks (Compulsory for all papers).
- Engineering Mathematics: 13 Marks (For relevant technical engineering codes).
- Core Subject Questions: 72 Marks. • Negative Marking Policy: 1/3rd mark is deducted for 1-mark incorrect MCQs and 2/3rd mark for 2-mark incorrect MCQs. No negative marking applies to MSQ or NAT questions.