GATE 2027 Notification Out: Dates, New Eligibility Rule and Syllabus Changes

IIT Madras has officially released the GATE 2027 notification. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 is being organised by IIT Madras. The notification is now live, and candidates can check the full schedule, eligibility criteria, updated syllabi, and application process on the official website gate2027.iitm.ac.in (via the GOAPS portal).

GATE 2027 will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode across 30 papers, each carrying 100 marks over three hours.

Key Highlights

• Conducting Body: IIT Madras
• Exam Dates: February 6–7, 13–14, and 20–21, 2027 (across three weekends)
• Application Window (GOAPS opens): August 14, 2026 Regular registration closes: September 21, 2026 Extended registration (with late fee) closes: September 30, 2026
• New Eligibility: Students currently in the 3rd year or higher of a 4-year undergraduate degree (or equivalent) are eligible to apply.
• Syllabus Updates: Syllabi have been revised for several papers. A new paper — Robotics and Automation (RA) — has been introduced. Notable changes also apply to papers like Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA), Civil Engineering (CE), Environmental Science and Engineering (ES), Textile Engineering & Fibre Science (TF), and sectional papers under XE/XH/XL.
• Total Marks per Paper: 100 (15 marks General Aptitude + 85 marks subject-specific)

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GATE 2027 Key Highlights

GATE 2027 tests conceptual depth across engineering, technology, science, architecture, and select humanities disciplines. A valid GATE score opens doors to M.Tech and PhD admissions at IITs, NITs, IISc, and hundreds of other institutions. It is also the primary qualifying exam for direct recruitment by major public sector undertakings (PSUs). The exam carries 100 marks and runs for three hours per paper.

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GATE 2027 Important Dates

IIT Madras has released the complete event calendar alongside the GATE 2027 notification. The application window opens on August 25, 2026, and closes on September 25, 2026. A late-fee submission window will remain open until October 14, 2026. Students are advised not to wait until the last date, as portal traffic spikes significantly near deadlines.

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New Eligibility Rule for GATE 2027

The most significant update in the GATE 2027 notification is an expanded eligibility window for undergraduate students. IIT Madras has revised the criteria so that students currently in the 3rd year or above of a 4-year undergraduate degree program (BE/BTech/BSc Research/BS) can now appear for GATE 2027. The earlier rule restricted eligibility to final-year students and those who had already completed their qualifying degree.

This change allows you to plan your postgraduate admissions and PSU applications without waiting until your final semester. There is no age limit and no minimum percentage requirement to apply. International students from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the UAE can also apply under bilateral government agreements.

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GATE 2027 Syllabus Changes

IIT Madras has revised the syllabus for three papers in GATE 2027. If you are appearing in any of these papers, download the latest syllabus PDF from gate.iitm.ac.in and cross-check against your current study material. Do not rely on GATE 2026 or earlier syllabus PDFs for these papers.

All remaining 27 papers carry forward their GATE 2026 syllabi with minor editorial corrections only. The General Aptitude section (10 marks, 10 questions) is unchanged across all papers. Engineering Mathematics (applicable to most engineering papers) also carries no substantive changes for GATE 2027.

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How to Apply for GATE 2027

Applications open on August 25, 2026 through the GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) portal at gate.iitm.ac.in. Follow these steps to complete your GATE 2027 registration:

1. Create a GOAPS account – enter your name, email address, and mobile number to receive your Enrollment ID and password.
2. Fill the application form – provide personal details, qualifying degree information, your chosen paper(s), and your top three preferred exam city choices.
3. Upload required documents – a recent passport-size photograph, your signature, and a scanned copy of your degree certificate or current enrollment letter.
4. Pay the application fee – via net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. The exact fee structure is listed in the official information brochure at gate.iitm.ac.in.
5. Submit and save your confirmation – download the confirmation page and check your registered email for a GOAPS acknowledgment.

GATE 2027 allows you to select up to two papers in a single application, subject to the permitted paper combination list published in the official brochure. Review the combination table at gate.iitm.ac.in before completing your payment.