Exams
GATE 2027 Registration Begins: Documents Required, Fees, DigiLocker Rule and Exam Dates
Published on
02 September 2026
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 registration process has officially started from September 2, 2026. The examination is being organised by Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
The registration schedule had earlier undergone changes, with the application opening date initially planned for August before being postponed. IIT Madras has now activated the application process for candidates preparing to appear for GATE 2027.
Candidates should avoid waiting until the final days to submit the form, particularly if they need to arrange category, PwD or other supporting certificates.
One of the important changes for GATE 2027 is the introduction of mandatory DigiLocker-based registration for Indian applicants.
Candidates have been advised to create or update their DigiLocker accounts before completing the application process. This makes it important for applicants to ensure that their personal details and identity-related information are correctly updated before starting the GATE application.
The DigiLocker requirement is particularly important for candidates who have not previously used the platform, as completing the account setup at the last minute could create unnecessary delays.
Candidates should keep digital copies of the following documents ready before filling out the application form:
The photo ID submitted during registration should also be available in its original form when the candidate appears for the examination.
Candidates should check the prescribed file format, size and image-quality requirements before uploading documents rather than resizing or modifying files repeatedly during the application process.
The regular application fee varies according to the candidate's category.
For the regular registration period, the fee is:
| Candidate category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Male / Other candidates in the applicable regular category | ₹2,000 |
| Female candidates | ₹1,000 |
| SC candidates | ₹1,000 |
| ST candidates | ₹1,000 |
| PwD candidates | ₹1,000 |
Candidates should verify the fee applicable to their category on the GATE 2027 application portal before making payment.
The GATE 2027 examination will be conducted on multiple dates in February.
The scheduled examination dates are:
The examination will be conducted according to the paper and session allotted to individual candidates.
Before starting the GATE 2027 application, candidates should make sure that:
A small documentation error can create problems later in the admission or examination process, so candidates should review the complete application carefully before final submission.
GATE 2027 also brings several changes to the examination structure. IIT Madras has introduced Robotics and Automation (RA) as a new paper, taking the total number of available GATE papers to 30.
Candidates can also opt for two papers, but the second paper must be selected from the combinations permitted by the examination authorities.
The examination continues to be relevant for postgraduate engineering and technology admissions and can also be considered for certain recruitment opportunities. However, qualifying GATE by itself does not guarantee admission, scholarship or employment.
For students targeting IITs, IISc and other participating institutions, GATE is an important part of the postgraduate admission pathway. Completing registration early gives candidates time to correct application-related issues and organise any documents that may be required later.
It is especially advisable for candidates belonging to reserved categories or those seeking PwD-related facilities to verify their supporting documents well before the deadline.
