GATE 2027 Registration Begins: IIT Madras Opens Applications, Announces Exam Dates and New Robotics Paper
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has started the GATE 2027 registration process. Candidates seeking to appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 can now submit their applications through the official GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS).
The application portal officially went live on September 2, 2026. Candidates can submit applications without a late fee until September 27, 2026, while the extended registration window with a late fee will remain available until October 5, 2026.
IIT Madras has also introduced several significant changes for GATE 2027. The biggest addition is a new Robotics and Automation (RA) test paper, taking the total number of GATE papers to 30. Registration through DigiLocker is mandatory for Indian nationals this year.
GATE 2027 Official Website and Registration Portal
GATE 2027 Registration: Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2027 |
| Short Name | GATE 2027 |
| Organizing Institute | IIT Madras |
| Registration Status | Started |
| Registration Start Date | September 2, 2026 |
| Regular Registration Deadline | September 27, 2026 |
| Extended Registration Deadline | October 5, 2026 |
| Application Rectification | October 14–21, 2026 |
| City Allotment Notification | January 4, 2027 |
| Examination Dates | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027 |
| Result Date | March 19, 2027 |
| Number of Test Papers | 30 |
| New Paper | Robotics and Automation (RA) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Score Validity | 3 years |
| Official Portal | gate2027.iitm.ac.in |
The examination will be held across six dates in February 2027, with sessions conducted in the forenoon and afternoon.
GATE 2027 Registration Started on September 2
IIT Madras officially activated the GATE 2027 application portal on September 2, 2026.
The registration date had previously been revised. The official important-dates page records the registration opening date as initially August 14, then August 27, before the portal ultimately opened on September 2.
Candidates therefore need to follow the current schedule, rather than older registration dates appearing in earlier announcements.
The Indian Express also reported on September 2 that the application process had officially commenced and candidates could begin registering through the GATE 2027 portal.
GATE 2027 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| GATE 2027 Registration Started | September 2, 2026 |
| Regular Registration Closes | September 27, 2026 |
| Extended Registration With Late Fee Closes | October 5, 2026 |
| Application Rectification Starts | October 14, 2026 |
| Application Rectification Ends | October 21, 2026 |
| Examination City Allotment Notification | January 4, 2027 |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| GATE 2027 Exam – Week 1 | February 6–7, 2027 |
| GATE 2027 Exam – Week 2 | February 13–14, 2027 |
| GATE 2027 Exam – Week 3 | February 20–21, 2027 |
| GATE 2027 Result | March 19, 2027 |
These dates are listed on IIT Madras's current GATE 2027 schedule.
Candidates should note that the official portal currently lists the admit-card download date as TBA, so any specific GATE 2027 admit-card date circulating elsewhere should not yet be treated as confirmed.
GATE 2027 Registration Last Date
Candidates can submit the application without paying a late fee until:
September 27, 2026
Those who miss the regular deadline can use the extended registration window until:
October 5, 2026
However, an additional late fee will apply during the extended period.
Candidates should ideally complete registration during the regular application period rather than waiting for the extended window.
GATE 2027 Exam Dates Announced
IIT Madras has scheduled GATE 2027 for:
February 6, 2027
February 7, 2027
February 13, 2027
February 14, 2027
February 20, 2027
February 21, 2027
The examination will therefore be conducted over six days across three weekends. IIT Madras has stated that examinations will be conducted in forenoon and afternoon sessions.
Candidates should wait for the paper-wise schedule before assuming which of these dates applies to their chosen test paper.
GATE 2027 Introduces New Robotics and Automation Paper
One of the biggest changes this year is the introduction of a new paper:
Robotics and Automation — RA
With the addition of RA, GATE 2027 will have a total of 30 test papers.
The addition reflects the growing academic and industrial importance of areas such as robotics, automation and intelligent engineering systems.
Candidates interested in the new paper should study the official RA syllabus carefully instead of relying on the syllabus of an existing engineering paper.
GATE 2027 Has 30 Test Papers
GATE 2027 will be conducted for 30 papers covering subjects across engineering, technology, science, architecture, commerce, arts and humanities.
Candidates can appear for one or two papers, provided the two-paper combination selected is among the combinations permitted by IIT Madras.
Candidates planning to appear for two papers should therefore check the official combination list before making their selection.
Major GATE 2027 Changes
Apart from the new Robotics and Automation paper, candidates should be aware of several other changes.
1. Robotics and Automation Added
A new RA – Robotics and Automation test paper has been introduced.
2. Textile Engineering Paper Changed
The earlier Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) paper has been converted into a sectional paper under Engineering Sciences (XE).
3. Sectional Paper Codes Updated
Changes have been made to sectional paper codes under:
Engineering Sciences (XE)
Humanities and Social Sciences (XH)
Life Sciences (XL)
Candidates appearing for these papers should verify the updated codes before selecting their sections.
4. Syllabi Revised
IIT Madras states that the GATE 2027 syllabi have been revised. The institute's July announcement said this broader syllabus revision came after five years.
Candidates preparing from older GATE material should therefore compare their preparation plan with the 2027 syllabus.
DigiLocker Mandatory for GATE 2027 Registration
Another major change concerns registration.
IIT Madras has made DigiLocker-based registration mandatory for Indian nationals appearing for GATE 2027.
The official portal advised Indian applicants to create or update a verified DigiLocker account before registration.
The Indian Express reported that information such as a candidate's name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, profile picture, address and verified identity-card number can be fetched through DigiLocker during the registration process.
Candidates should therefore ensure that their DigiLocker information is accurate before proceeding.
How to Apply for GATE 2027
Candidates can register through the official GATE 2027 website.
Apply for GATE 2027 through the Official Portal
The application process broadly involves:
Visit the official GATE 2027 portal.
Open the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS).
Complete the required DigiLocker-linked registration process.
Enter the requested personal and contact information.
Fill in academic and eligibility details.
Select the preferred GATE test paper.
Select a permitted second paper if you intend to appear for two papers.
Provide the required examination-city preferences.
Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
Review the application carefully.
Pay the applicable examination fee.
Submit the application.
Save the submitted application details for future reference.
Candidates should complete the process by September 27 to avoid the late-registration fee.
Who Can Apply for GATE 2027?
GATE eligibility is broader than engineering graduates alone.
The examination evaluates candidates in undergraduate-level subjects spanning Engineering, Technology, Science, Architecture, Commerce, Arts and Humanities.
Candidates currently studying in the third year or higher of an eligible undergraduate degree programme, or candidates who have already completed an approved degree programme, can generally apply subject to the detailed qualification rules.
Candidates holding or pursuing relevant degrees from outside India may also be eligible under the prescribed conditions.
Applicants should check the qualification-specific eligibility table before submitting their form, particularly where the degree structure differs from a conventional four-year engineering programme.
Is There an Age Limit for GATE 2027?
GATE does not prescribe an age limit for appearing in the examination.
This means candidates should focus on satisfying the educational eligibility requirements rather than an upper-age restriction.
However, admission institutions and organizations recruiting through GATE scores can impose their own eligibility, age or experience conditions.
Qualifying GATE therefore does not override the separate eligibility requirements of an IIT, NIT, university or employer.
GATE 2027 Examination Pattern
GATE 2027 will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
IIT Madras has confirmed:
30 test papers
Papers conducted in English
Option to appear for one or two permitted papers
Computer-based examination
Subject-specific and aptitude-based assessment.
Candidates choosing two papers must ensure their combination is included in IIT Madras's permitted two-paper combinations.
Can Candidates Appear for Two GATE Papers?
Yes.
A candidate can appear for:
One test paper
or
Two test papers
However, the second paper cannot be selected arbitrarily. It must form part of an officially permitted two-paper combination.
Candidates should consider factors such as:
Academic background
Postgraduate programme requirements
Career goals
PSU requirements
Overlap between paper syllabi
Permitted combinations
before selecting a second paper.
GATE 2027 Application Correction Window
Candidates who need to make permitted changes to their application will have a rectification window from:
October 14 to October 21, 2026.
Not every field may necessarily be freely editable, and certain changes may involve conditions or additional charges.
Candidates should therefore enter all details correctly during the original application rather than depending on the correction facility.
GATE 2027 City Allotment
IIT Madras currently lists the city-allotment notification date as:
January 4, 2027.
Candidates should distinguish this from the admit card.
The official schedule currently marks the admit-card download date as TBA.
GATE 2027 Result Date
The GATE 2027 result is scheduled to be announced on:
March 19, 2027.
Candidates qualifying the examination will subsequently be able to use their scores for eligible admissions and other purposes subject to institutional requirements.
GATE Score Valid for Three Years
A GATE score remains valid for three years from the date of announcement of the result.
The score can be used, subject to individual institutional rules, for admission to relevant postgraduate and doctoral programmes.
However, candidates should not assume that every recruitment organization accepts a GATE score throughout the entire three-year validity period. Recruitment rules are determined separately by each employer.
What Is GATE Used For?
GATE is not only an entrance examination for M.Tech programmes.
Qualified candidates can use GATE scores for admission, subject to applicable institutional rules, to programmes including:
Master's programmes
Direct doctoral programmes
Doctoral programmes
in relevant disciplines at participating institutions.
Financial assistance may also be available in eligible programmes at institutions supported by the Ministry of Education and other government agencies.
GATE scores are also used by several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and other organizations as part of their recruitment processes.
A GATE qualification itself, however, does not guarantee admission, scholarship or a PSU job.
Why Candidates Should Check the Revised Syllabus
Candidates who began preparing using an older GATE syllabus should compare it against the official 2027 syllabus.
IIT Madras has specifically announced that the syllabi have been revised, while Biotechnology and permitted two-paper combinations have also received updates during the preparation cycle.
The introduction of Robotics and Automation and changes involving Textile Engineering further make older paper lists unreliable for GATE 2027.
GATE 2027 Registration: What Candidates Should Do Now
With registration open, candidates should first create or update their verified DigiLocker account if they are Indian nationals.
Next, they should:
Verify GATE 2027 eligibility.
Download/check the latest syllabus.
Decide whether to appear for one or two papers.
Check permitted two-paper combinations.
Prepare the required documents.
Complete the GOAPS application.
Verify all details before payment.
Submit the form before September 27 to avoid the late fee.
Keep the application credentials securely for future login.
Candidates should not rely on the originally announced August registration dates. The current official opening date is September 2, 2026.
GATE 2027: Key Takeaways
GATE 2027 registration has officially started.
Organizing institute: IIT Madras
Registration started: September 2, 2026
Regular registration deadline: September 27, 2026
Extended registration deadline: October 5, 2026
Correction window: October 14–21, 2026
City allotment: January 4, 2027
Exam dates: February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027
Result date: March 19, 2027
Number of papers: 30
New paper: Robotics and Automation (RA)
Score validity: Three years
DigiLocker: Mandatory for Indian nationals during registration.
FAQs
Has GATE 2027 registration started?
Yes. IIT Madras activated the GATE 2027 application portal on September 2, 2026.
Who is conducting GATE 2027?
IIT Madras is the organizing institute for GATE 2027.
What is the last date to register for GATE 2027 without a late fee?
The regular registration deadline is September 27, 2026.
What is the GATE 2027 extended registration deadline?
Candidates can submit applications with the applicable late fee until October 5, 2026.
When will GATE 2027 be conducted?
GATE 2027 will be held on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027.
What is the new paper in GATE 2027?
IIT Madras has introduced Robotics and Automation (RA) as a new test paper.
How many papers are there in GATE 2027?
There are 30 test papers.
Is DigiLocker mandatory for GATE 2027?
Yes. IIT Madras states that GATE 2027 registration through DigiLocker is mandatory for Indian nationals.
Can I appear for two GATE 2027 papers?
Yes. Candidates can appear for one or two papers, but the second paper must be selected from the officially permitted two-paper combinations.
When is the GATE 2027 application correction window?
Application rectification is scheduled from October 14 to October 21, 2026.
When will the GATE 2027 admit card be released?
IIT Madras has not yet announced the admit-card download date. The official schedule currently lists it as TBA.
When will the GATE 2027 result be announced?
The result is scheduled for March 19, 2027.
How long is a GATE score valid?
A GATE score is valid for three years from the date the result is announced.
Where can candidates apply for GATE 2027?
Candidates should use IIT Madras's official GATE 2027 portal.
