GATE 2027: Register by Sep 27 for regular fees

IIT Madras, the organising institute for GATE 2027, has announced that the regular registration window for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 will close on September 27, 2026. Aspiring candidates must complete their applications through the GOAPS portal on the official website, gate2027.iitm.ac.in, by this deadline to avoid late fees.

The application process, which commenced on September 2, 2026, includes new features such as mandatory DigiLocker-based registration and live facial verification for Indian nationals. The GATE exam evaluates understanding of undergraduate-level subjects across various disciplines and is conducted jointly by IISc and IITs on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India.

Application Deadlines and Fee Structure

Candidates who miss the regular registration deadline of September 27, 2026, will have an extended opportunity to apply with a late fee until October 5, 2026. The application fee is non-refundable, and candidates are advised to complete their payments well in advance to prevent any issues with payment gateways.

The application correction window for GATE 2027 is scheduled from October 14, 2026, to October 21, 2026, allowing applicants to rectify specific fields in their submitted forms. The GATE 2027 Information Brochure, detailing all aspects of the examination, was released on July 20, 2026.

Eligibility and New Test Paper Introduction

There is no upper age limit for GATE 2027. Candidates in their third year or higher of a four-year undergraduate degree, or those who have already completed a qualifying degree, are eligible to apply. Qualified candidates can utilise their GATE scores for admission to postgraduate and doctoral programmes, as well as for recruitment by Public Sector Undertakings. GATE scores remain valid for three years from the date of result announcement.

For GATE 2027, a new test paper, Robotics and Automation (RA), has been introduced, bringing the total number of test papers to 30. Candidates can select up to six examination city choices from the same zone during the application process.

Document Upload Specifications and Mandatory Requirements

Applicants are required to upload a recent passport-size photograph and a scanned signature per specific guidelines. The photograph must be in JPEG/JPG format, with a minimum resolution of 200×260 pixels and a maximum of 530×690 pixels, and a maximum file size of 600 KB. The signature must also be in JPEG/JPG format, with a minimum resolution of 250×80 pixels and a maximum of 580×180 pixels, and a maximum file size of 300 KB.

For Indian nationals, mandatory DigiLocker-based registration is a new requirement. Also, SC/ST and PwD certificates must be uploaded during registration. OBC-NCL and EWS certificates are generally required at the counselling stage, rather than during the initial application. Common mistakes during registration often include incorrect photo and signature uploads, leading to application rejection.

Further reading

• ITM Business School admission guide released: know programs, financial aid, GATE cutoffs
• GATE 2027 conducted by IIT Madras: no specific IIT sets toughest paper
• GATE exam pattern: sections, marking and duration Next step
• M.Pharm 2026: Apply with B.Pharm scores, GPAT, or CUET PG for Delhi NCR admissions
• NID Registration 2027: Application Link Soon at admissions.nid.edu
• KAU BTech Agricultural Engineering ICAR spot admission: Apply by Sep 25, 2026 Applications open

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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