GATE 2027 Registration Date Postponed to August 27: Check Revised Application Dates, Fees and Exam Schedule
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 registration process has been postponed, with the online application portal now scheduled to open on August 27, 2026.
IIT Madras, the organising institute for GATE 2027, has officially revised the registration schedule. The GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) was earlier scheduled to open on August 14, but registration will now begin on August 27, 2026.
The change also affects the application closing dates. Candidates can submit applications without a late fee until September 27, while extended registration with a late fee will remain available until October 5, 2026.
GATE 2027 Registration: Revised Dates
| Activity | Previous Date | Revised Date |
|---|---|---|
| GOAPS Registration Opens | August 14, 2026 | August 27, 2026 |
| Regular Registration Closes | September 21, 2026 | September 27, 2026 |
| Extended Registration With Late Fee Closes | September 30, 2026 | October 5, 2026 |
| Application Rectification Opens | — | October 14, 2026 |
| Application Rectification Closes | — | October 21, 2026 |
| Exam City Allotment Notification | — | January 4, 2027 |
| Admit Card | — | To Be Announced |
| GATE 2027 Exam | — | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027 |
| Result | — | March 19, 2027 |
IIT Madras notes that the announced dates remain liable to change.
Is GATE 2027 Registration Postponed?
Yes.
IIT Madras officially announced on August 13, 2026 that registration had been rescheduled to:
August 27, 2026
The official notification also states that the closing date has been changed.
Therefore, candidates looking for the GATE 2027 application form on August 14 should not expect the registration portal to be active.
When Will GATE 2027 Registration Start?
The GATE Online Application Processing System will go live on:
August 27, 2026
Candidates will then be able to create their application and complete registration through the official GATE 2027 portal.
Why Was GATE 2027 Registration Postponed?
The official GATE website confirms the rescheduling but does not state a specific reason for postponing registration.
Candidates should therefore avoid speculation about technical problems, administrative delays or other reasons unless IIT Madras issues a separate explanation.
GATE 2027 Regular Registration Last Date
The revised deadline for submitting an application without a late fee is:
September 27, 2026
The earlier deadline was:
September 21, 2026.
This means the opening has been pushed back, but IIT Madras has also extended the regular closing date.
GATE 2027 Registration With Late Fee
Candidates who miss the regular deadline can use the extended application period.
The revised extended deadline is:
October 5, 2026
The earlier extended deadline was September 30.
Additional application charges apply during the extended period.
GATE 2027 Application Fee
The official fee structure is:
| Candidate Category | Regular Period | Extended Period |
|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,000 per paper | ₹1,500 per paper |
| All Other Candidates | ₹2,000 per paper | ₹2,500 per paper |
Candidates appearing in two papers need to pay twice the applicable single-paper fee.
GATE 2027 Regular Fee Period
The regular application-fee period will run from:
August 27 to September 27, 2026.
Applying within this period avoids the additional late fee.
GATE 2027 Extended Fee Period
The extended application period is:
September 28 to October 5, 2026
During this period:
Female/SC/ST/PwD candidates pay ₹1,500 per paper.
Other candidates pay ₹2,500 per paper.
DigiLocker Registration Mandatory for Indian Candidates
A major change for GATE 2027 is the use of verified DigiLocker accounts.
The official GATE 2027 website states that:
GATE 2027 registration through DigiLocker is mandatory for all Indian nationals.
Candidates are being advised to create or update their verified DigiLocker account before August 27.
What Information Will Be Fetched From DigiLocker?
The official GATE website currently lists data such as:
Name
Date of birth
Mobile number
Email ID
Profile picture
Address
Verified ID card number
as information to be fetched from DigiLocker during the registration process.
Candidates should ensure their DigiLocker information is correct before registration starts.
What Should Candidates Do Before August 27?
Candidates can use the postponement period to prepare their application details.
Recommended steps include:
Create or update a verified DigiLocker account.
Check name and date of birth.
Ensure mobile number and email are active.
Review GATE eligibility.
Select the appropriate test paper.
Check two-paper combinations if planning to appear in two papers.
Review the revised syllabus.
Decide six preferred examination cities.
Prepare category documents if applicable.
Keep payment arrangements ready.
GATE 2027 Eligibility
The official FAQ states that students currently in the third year or higher of an eligible government-approved undergraduate programme can apply.
Eligible disciplines include programmes in areas such as:
Engineering
Technology
Architecture
Science
Commerce
Arts
Humanities
Candidates who have already completed an eligible degree can also apply subject to the applicable eligibility rules.
Is There an Age Limit for GATE 2027?
No.
The official GATE FAQ states that there is no age limit to appear for the examination.
Is There a Limit on GATE Attempts?
No.
Candidates can appear for GATE any number of times.
How Many GATE Papers Can a Candidate Take?
Candidates can appear in:
One or two test papers
subject to the approved two-paper combinations.
Candidates opting for two papers need to select both papers within a single application form.
GATE 2027 Introduces Robotics and Automation Paper
GATE 2027 introduces a new test paper:
Robotics and Automation (RA).
With the addition of RA, GATE 2027 will be conducted across:
30 test papers.
This is one of the major academic changes in the 2027 examination.
GATE 2027 Syllabus Revised
IIT Madras has also revised the syllabi for GATE 2027.
The official website advises candidates to check the latest syllabus rather than relying entirely on previous-year preparation material.
IIT Madras states that the syllabus revision comes after five years and is intended to reflect evolving academic and technical requirements.
Important Changes in GATE 2027 Papers
Apart from the introduction of Robotics and Automation, IIT Madras has highlighted updates relating to:
Biotechnology syllabus
Two-paper combinations
Textile Engineering and Fibre Science
XE sectional codes
XH sectional codes
XL sectional codes
Candidates should check the current information brochure and syllabus pages before finalising preparation.
GATE 2027 Exam Dates
GATE 2027 will be conducted over three weekends.
Week 1
February 6 and 7, 2027
Week 2
February 13 and 14, 2027
Week 3
February 20 and 21, 2027.
IIT Madras has stated that examinations will be conducted in forenoon and afternoon sessions on the applicable exam days.
GATE 2027 Exam Mode
GATE 2027 will be conducted as a:
Computer-Based Test (CBT).
Candidates should therefore include computer-based mock tests in their preparation strategy.
GATE 2027 City Allotment Date
The examination-city allotment notification is scheduled for:
January 4, 2027.
Candidates should distinguish city allotment from the admit card.
The exact centre-related information will follow through the examination process.
GATE 2027 Admit Card Date
The official GATE schedule currently shows:
Admit Card Download – TBA
meaning the exact admit-card date has not yet been announced.
Candidates should not treat unofficial admit-card dates circulating on coaching websites as confirmed.
GATE 2027 Result Date
The result is scheduled to be announced on:
March 19, 2027.
Candidates qualifying GATE can use their score according to the admission, fellowship or recruitment rules of participating institutions and organisations.
GATE Score Validity
The official GATE 2027 website states that the GATE score remains valid for:
3 years.
However, candidates should check individual institutes or recruitment organisations because their accepted GATE years can vary.
What Can GATE Score Be Used For?
A GATE score can be relevant for:
Master's programme admissions
Direct doctoral programmes
Doctoral admissions
Financial assistance at eligible institutions
Recruitment by certain Public Sector Undertakings
Other participating organisations
IIT Madras notes that qualifying GATE itself does not guarantee admission, scholarship or PSU employment.
GATE 2027 Application Rectification
The application correction window is scheduled from:
October 14 to October 21, 2026.
Candidates should nevertheless fill the original application carefully rather than assuming every field can later be corrected.
Six Examination City Choices Required
The official FAQ says candidates are required to provide:
Six examination city choices.
The organising committee will try to allot the first preference, but operational constraints may lead to another listed city or, if required, a different city.
No International GATE 2027 Centres
The official GATE portal currently indicates that GATE 2027 examination centres are domestic and that there are no international centres.
Candidates outside India should take this into account when planning to appear for the examination.
Category Certificate Requirements
According to the official FAQ:
SC/ST/PwD candidates need to upload the applicable category certificate to claim the application-fee concession.
OBC-NCL and EWS candidates do not need to upload their category certificate for the GATE application itself.
Candidates should still maintain valid documents for later admission or recruitment processes where required.
How to Apply for GATE 2027
Once GOAPS opens on August 27, candidates can broadly follow these steps:
Open the official GATE 2027 portal.
Access the application portal.
Complete DigiLocker-based registration where applicable.
Create the candidate account.
Enter personal information.
Enter academic details.
Select one or two test papers.
Choose examination cities.
Upload required documents.
Complete live facial verification/details as required.
Pay the application fee.
Review the form.
Submit the application.
Save the application confirmation.
The official brochure notes that applicants are required to provide live facial details during registration.
Can One Email Address Be Used for Multiple Forms?
No.
The official GATE FAQ states that:
One email address can be used for only one application form.
Candidates should therefore avoid creating duplicate applications using the same email.
Do You Need Two Forms for Two GATE Papers?
No.
Candidates selecting two eligible papers should choose both within:
one application form.
The fee, however, is charged separately for each paper.
GATE 2027 Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Rescheduling Notice | August 13, 2026 |
| GOAPS Opens | August 27, 2026 |
| Regular Registration Deadline | September 27, 2026 |
| Extended Registration Deadline | October 5, 2026 |
| Correction Window Opens | October 14, 2026 |
| Correction Window Closes | October 21, 2026 |
| Exam City Notification | January 4, 2027 |
| Admit Card | To Be Announced |
| Examination | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027 |
| Result | March 19, 2027 |
What Candidates Should Do Now
Candidates should use the additional time before August 27 to:
Verify DigiLocker.
Check eligibility.
Download the latest syllabus.
Review approved two-paper combinations.
Decide examination-city preferences.
Collect required documents.
Check name and DOB consistency.
Prepare photograph and identity details.
Begin GATE preparation.
Avoid unofficial registration links.
Do Not Look for an Active Application Link Yet
As of August 14, 2026, registration has not started.
The official GATE website says the application portal will become active when registration opens.
Therefore:
GATE 2027 application link – Not active yet
Registration begins – August 27, 2026
Why Candidates Should Not Wait Until September 27
Although regular registration remains open until September 27, candidates should submit early.
Last-day risks can include:
GOAPS congestion
DigiLocker issues
Payment failure
Document upload errors
Internet problems
Mistakes discovered too late
Completing registration earlier leaves more time to resolve issues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Candidates should avoid:
Trying to register on August 14.
Using the old September 21 deadline.
Assuming September 30 is still the late-fee deadline.
Ignoring the DigiLocker requirement for Indian nationals.
Preparing from an outdated syllabus.
Missing the new Robotics and Automation paper.
Creating multiple forms with the same email.
Filling two separate forms for two papers.
Waiting until the final registration day.
Treating an unofficial admit-card date as confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GATE 2027 registration postponed?
Yes. IIT Madras has officially rescheduled registration from August 14 to August 27, 2026.
When will GATE 2027 registration start?
Registration begins on August 27, 2026.
What is the last date to apply without a late fee?
The revised regular deadline is September 27, 2026.
What is the last date with a late fee?
Extended registration closes on October 5, 2026.
Why was registration postponed?
IIT Madras has confirmed the rescheduling but has not published a specific reason in the official notice.
Who is organising GATE 2027?
IIT Madras is the organising institute for GATE 2027.
Is DigiLocker mandatory?
Yes. The official GATE portal states that DigiLocker-based registration is mandatory for Indian nationals.
How much is the application fee?
Female/SC/ST/PwD candidates pay ₹1,000 per paper during regular registration, while other candidates pay ₹2,000 per paper. Late-period fees are ₹1,500 and ₹2,500 respectively.
When is GATE 2027?
The exam will be conducted on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027.
When will the GATE 2027 result be declared?
The result is scheduled for March 19, 2027.
Has the admit-card date been announced?
No. The official schedule currently lists the admit-card download date as TBA.
Is there a new GATE paper in 2027?
Yes. Robotics and Automation (RA) has been introduced as a new test paper.
How many test papers are there in GATE 2027?
There are 30 test papers.
Is there an age limit for GATE?
No. There is no age limit.
How many times can a candidate appear for GATE?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts.
What’s Next?
The immediate timeline is:
Prepare DigiLocker & Documents → GOAPS Registration Opens August 27 → Apply Without Late Fee by September 27 → Extended Registration Until October 5 → Correction Window October 14–21 → City Allotment January 4 → GATE Exam in February → Result March 19
Final Update
The GATE 2027 registration process will now begin on August 27, 2026, after IIT Madras officially postponed the earlier August 14 opening date. The organising institute announced the schedule change on August 13 and simultaneously revised the closing dates.
Candidates can apply without a late fee until September 27, while the extended application period with a late fee will continue until October 5, 2026. The GATE 2027 examination dates remain February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, with results scheduled for March 19, 2027.
A major requirement this year is that Indian nationals must use a verified DigiLocker account for GATE 2027 registration. Candidates should therefore use the period before August 27 to verify their DigiLocker details, review the revised syllabus and check the updated two-paper combinations.
