GATE 2027 Application: Step-by-Step Registration Guide

GATE 2027 registration closed on October 5, 2026; the application rectification window is now live at gate2027.iitm.ac.in from October 14–21, 2026, allowing students to correct limited fields in their submitted forms.

GATE 2027 is conducted by IIT Madras on behalf of the National Coordination Board – GATE, Ministry of Education, Government of India. This year introduced a significant new requirement: all Indian nationals must complete DigiLocker verification before registering on GOAPS. The exam will be held across six dates in February 2027, covering 30 papers including the newly introduced Robotics and Automation (RA) subject.

• Official Portal: gate2027.iitm.ac.in
• Conducting Institute: IIT Madras
• Registration Mode: Online only through GOAPS
• DigiLocker: Mandatory for all Indian nationals (new in 2027)
• Rectification Window: October 14–21, 2026 (currently active)
• Exam Dates: February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027
• Result Declaration: March 19, 2027

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GATE 2027 Eligibility Criteria

GATE 2027 is open to students in the final year of their qualifying degree as well as those who have already graduated. There is no age limit to appear for GATE 2027.

Students who are in their final year and have not yet received their degree certificate should upload a bonafide letter from their institution at the time of application.

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GATE 2027 Registration Dates

IIT Madras officially released the GATE 2027 schedule on July 20, 2026. The table below lists all key events.

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DigiLocker Requirement — New for GATE 2027

For the first time in GATE history, DigiLocker verification is mandatory for all Indian nationals. This is a key change from previous years and must be completed before you can proceed with the GOAPS application form.

• What is DigiLocker? A government-run digital document wallet linked to your Aadhaar number. It stores verified certificates issued by government bodies and educational institutions.
• Why is it required? IIT Madras has integrated DigiLocker with GOAPS to authenticate the identity of all Indian applicants at the point of registration.
• How to activate it: Visit digilocker.gov.in, register using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, and verify your account before beginning GATE registration.
• International students are exempt from DigiLocker verification and follow the standard GOAPS enrollment process.

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How to Apply for GATE 2027: Step by Step

GATE 2027 registration is an eight-step process completed entirely on GOAPS at gate2027.iitm.ac.in. Indian nationals must complete DigiLocker verification in Step 2 before filling any other details.

Step 1: Enroll on GOAPS

1. Go to gate2027.iitm.ac.in and click "Enroll" on the GOAPS homepage.
2. Enter your full name, email address, mobile number, and country of residence.
3. Create a strong password. A confirmation email containing your Enrollment ID will be sent to your registered email address.
4. Save your Enrollment ID — you will need it for all future logins on GOAPS.

Step 2: Complete DigiLocker Verification (Indian Nationals Only)

1. Log in to GOAPS using your Enrollment ID and password.
2. Follow the DigiLocker linking prompt to verify your Aadhaar-based identity. This step must be completed before the application form becomes accessible.

Step 3: Fill Personal Details

1. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your degree certificate or marksheet.
2. Provide your date of birth, gender, nationality, and category (General / OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD).
3. Enter your parent or guardian’s name and your correspondence address with PIN code.

Step 4: Fill Academic Details

1. Select your qualifying degree and specialisation from the provided dropdown list.
2. Enter your college or university name, enrollment or registration number, and year of passing (or expected year).
3. Select "Appearing" if you are currently in your final year and have not yet graduated.

Step 5: Choose Your GATE Paper and Exam Cities

1. Select your GATE 2027 paper from the 30 available subjects. The newly introduced Robotics and Automation (RA) paper is available for the first time this cycle.
2. If you are eligible to appear for two papers in a permitted combination, select both. An additional fee applies for the second paper.
3. Choose three exam city preferences in order. Your actual exam centre is allocated based on availability and seat capacity.

Step 6: Upload Documents

1. Upload a recent passport-size photograph (JPEG, white background, 480×640 px recommended).
2. Upload your signature in black ink on white paper (JPEG, 160×560 px recommended).
3. Upload your degree or provisional certificate. Final year students upload a bonafide letter from their institution.
4. Upload your category certificate (SC / ST / OBC-NCL / PwD) if you are applying under a reserved category.

Ensure all files meet the size and format requirements listed on the portal. Blurry uploads and incorrect dimensions are the leading cause of application errors.

Step 7: Pay the Application Fee

1. Review your entire application before proceeding to the payment gateway.
2. Pay using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
3. Do not close the browser or refresh the page during payment. A failed payment can be retried from the GOAPS dashboard.
4. Download and save the payment receipt immediately. The fee is non-refundable.

Step 8: Submit and Save Your Confirmation

1. Read through all entered details carefully before clicking "Submit".
2. Once submitted, download the complete application PDF and store it safely for future reference, including admit card and result processes.

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Documents Required for GATE 2027 Application

Keep these documents ready in digital format before you begin. Uploading the wrong file or a low-resolution scan is the most common reason for application errors or rejection.

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GATE 2027 Application Fee

The application fee is paid online during the form submission step on GOAPS. The fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, including cases where an application is rejected.

Adding a second GATE paper where permitted attracts an additional application fee. Confirm the exact additional fee for two-paper combinations on gate2027.iitm.ac.in.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid in GATE 2027 Registration

These errors are reported every year by students and are entirely avoidable with careful preparation:

• Skipping DigiLocker setup: Indian nationals who have not activated their DigiLocker account cannot proceed past the GOAPS enrollment step. Set up DigiLocker at digilocker.gov.in before visiting the GATE portal.
• Name mismatch: Enter your name exactly as printed on your degree certificate or marksheet. Even a single character difference can create issues during document verification at admission time.
• Incorrect paper selection: Check your chosen GATE paper carefully before payment. Paper changes are generally not permitted during the rectification window.
• Low-quality photograph: Use a recent photograph with a plain white background. Selfies, photos with spectacles, or images with shadows are frequently rejected.
• Expired OBC-NCL certificate: OBC-NCL certificates must typically be current (issued within one year). An expired certificate results in loss of the fee concession and reservation benefit.
• Creating duplicate GOAPS accounts: Do not register more than once on GOAPS. IIT Madras cancels duplicate registrations without refund.
• Payment interruption: Always wait for the payment success screen before closing the browser. A failed transaction can be reattempted from the GOAPS payment history section.