Registration for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 opens today, September 2, 2026, with IIT Madras confirming on the official GATE 2027 website that the online application will be activated on or before 7:00 PM. The application link is live on the GOAPS portal, gate2027.iitm.ac.in, and candidates can begin submitting their forms from this evening.
A Schedule That Shifted Twice Before Today
This opening comes after two earlier postponements. IIT Madras had originally scheduled registration for August 14, 2026, then pushed it to August 27, before the official portal briefly listed the opening date as TBA (to be announced) while the institute finalised the revised process. The institute has now confirmed September 2 as the actual opening date, with activation by 7:00 PM this evening.
GATE 2027 Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Originally planned opening (superseded) | August 14, 2026 |
| Second planned opening (superseded) | August 27, 2026 |
| Confirmed registration opening | September 2, 2026 (by 7:00 PM) |
| Last date to apply without late fee | September 27, 2026 |
| Last date to apply with late fee | October 5, 2026 |
| Correction window | October 14 to 21, 2026 |
| City allotment | January 4, 2027 |
| GATE 2027 exam dates | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027 |
How to Apply Online for GATE 2027
- Visit the official GOAPS portal, gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number to generate your enrolment ID.
- Log in and fill in personal, academic, and category details.
- Select your test paper (or a permitted two-paper combination) and up to three preferred exam city choices.
- Upload photograph, signature, and category/PwD certificates as applicable, meeting the prescribed specifications.
- Complete facial verification and, where applicable, DigiLocker-based document verification.
- Pay the application fee online and submit the form.
This cycle adds live facial verification and DigiLocker integration to registration, so candidates should have an active, verified DigiLocker account with a working linked mobile number ready before starting the form, not partway through it. Given two earlier postponements this cycle, apply early rather than waiting near the deadline.— CaderaEdu Advisory
GATE 2027 Application Fee
During the regular registration period, the application fee is Rs 1,000 per test paper for Female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates, and Rs 2,000 per test paper for all other candidates, including foreign nationals. During the extended, late-fee period from September 28 to October 5, 2026, these rise to Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,500 per paper respectively. Candidates opting for two papers pay the fee for both. The application fee is non-refundable once paid, regardless of the outcome of the application.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility
Candidates currently in the third year or higher of a four-year Bachelor's degree programme in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities are eligible to apply, along with those who have already completed an approved qualifying degree. This allows final-year and pre-final-year students to appear for GATE without waiting to complete their degree, supporting early planning for postgraduate admissions or PSU recruitment that accepts GATE scores.
What's New in GATE 2027
GATE 2027 introduces a new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper, bringing the total number of test papers to 30. The RA paper carries 100 marks over 180 minutes, split into 15 marks for General Aptitude, 60 marks for a common Part A section covering engineering mathematics, mechatronics basics, and principles of robotics and automation, and 25 marks for an optional Part B section in either Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, chosen during the exam itself. Separately, the Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) paper has been folded into a section under the Engineering Sciences (XE) paper rather than continuing as a standalone paper. The exam continues to be conducted only in English, as a computer-based test across multiple cities in India.
Exam Pattern and Marking
The overall GATE exam pattern remains unchanged for 2027. Negative marking applies to wrong answers on Multiple Choice Questions, with one-third of a mark deducted for a wrong one-mark MCQ and two-thirds for a wrong two-mark MCQ; there is no negative marking for Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions, or unanswered questions. GATE 2027 scores will remain valid for three years from the date results are announced.
Documents to Keep Ready
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature, per the prescribed format
- A valid photo ID: Aadhaar-UID, Aadhaar Virtual ID, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Driving Licence
- An active, verified DigiLocker account with a working linked mobile number
- Category, PwD, or other applicable certificates
- Qualifying degree or current enrolment details
Conclusion
With GATE 2027 registration confirmed to open today by 7:00 PM, candidates have until September 27 to apply without a late fee, and until October 5 with one. Given the added facial verification and DigiLocker steps this cycle, and two earlier postponements to the opening date itself, candidates should start the application early rather than leaving it to the last few days.
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