GATE 2027 registration extended: apply by October 5 with regular fees

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) announced today, September 27, 2026, an extension to the application deadlines for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027. This extension aims to provide candidates with additional time to complete and submit their examination forms through the official website, gate2027.iitm.ac.in.

The GATE examination is a national-level test jointly conducted by IISc & IITs on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India. Qualified candidates use GATE scores for admission to postgraduate and doctoral programs in MoE-supported institutions, and Public Sector Undertakings also utilise these scores for recruitment. This year introduces a new Robotics & Automation paper, revised syllabi, updated paper codes for XE/XH/XL, and an upgraded registration process featuring live facial verification and DigiLocker integration.

Revised Application Deadlines and Fees

The deadline for submitting the GATE 2027 application form with regular fees has been extended to October 5, 2026. Following this, candidates will have an additional period to apply with late fees, with the final submission date set for October 12, 2026. The application portal for GATE 2027 initially opened on September 2, 2026.

The application fees vary depending on the candidate category and the submission period. For Female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the regular fee is ₹1,000, which increases to ₹1,500 during the extended deadline. For all other candidates, including foreign nationals, the regular fee is ₹2,000, rising to ₹2,500 for applications submitted during the extended period. The application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.

Mandatory Digilocker and Facial Registration

A significant change for GATE 2027 is the mandatory registration through DigiLocker for all Indian nationals. Candidates must link their verified or unverified DigiLocker account to apply and set the consent year validity for DigiLocker access to three years. In addition, candidates are required to provide facial registration at the time of filling the form on the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS).

The application process involves several steps: candidate registration, filling in personal and academic details, selection of exam centres, and fee payment. One email address can be used for only one application form. Candidates wishing to appear for two papers must select both in a single application form.

Key Dates and Examination Structure

Following the application period, the GATE 2027 application correction window is scheduled from October 14 to October 21, 2026. The city allotment notification is expected on January 4, 2027. The examinations are set to take place on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027, across various sessions. The results for GATE 2027 will be announced on March 19, 2027.

GATE 2027 is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) consisting of 65 questions, carrying a maximum of 100 marks, to be completed within three hours. The exam evaluates understanding of undergraduate-level subjects in Engineering, Technology, Science, Commerce, Arts, Architecture, and Humanities. A new Robotics & Automation (RA) paper has been introduced for GATE 2027, bringing the total number of test papers to 30. The GATE score remains valid for three years from the date of result announcement.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Requirements

Candidates currently in their third year or higher of an eligible undergraduate degree program, or those who have already completed one, are eligible to apply for GATE 2027. There is no age limit to appear for the examination. The GATE 2027 Information Brochure, detailing all regulations and guidelines, was released on July 20, 2026.

Applicants must adhere to specific requirements for photograph and signature uploads. Photographs must be recent colour photos in JPEG/JPG format, with a minimum resolution of 200×260 px and a maximum of 530×690 px, and a file size not exceeding 600 KB. The background must be plain white, and the face should cover 60-70% of the photo. Signatures must be in black or dark blue ink on white paper, in JPEG/JPG format, with a minimum resolution of 250×80 px and a maximum of 580×180 px, and a file size not exceeding 300 KB. The signature must cover 70-80% of the image after cropping.

Further reading

• GATE topper salary: Maharatna PSUs offer up to 2.5 lakh per month, private sector up to 2 lakh
• GATE 2026 statistical report out: 10.11 lakh registered, cutoffs detailed
• 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.

View all posts →