The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), is the national test conducted as an eligibility criterion for masters and doctoral programmes in engineering and architecture, and arts and science doctoral programmes with financial aid from the Central Government.
GATE score is also considered for appointments to public sector institutions. It is used for direct appointments to job positions listed under Group A of the Central Government.
The next GATE exam is scheduled for February 4, 5, 11, and 12, 2023. There will be two computer-based sessions one each in the morning and one in the afternoon. However, one paper can be appeared for only once.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur conducts the examination (https://gate.iitk.ac.in) with the cooperation of other 6 IITs and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
One can apply online for the examination through the GATE website from August 30 to September 30. The last date to apply with late fees in until October 7. The application fee can be paid online at Rs 1700 per paper. For girls, scheduled sections and physically challenged sections, the fee is Rs 850 per paper. Rs 2200 / 1350 including the late fee will be collected until October 1, excluding bank charges.
Double the fee is charged for those appearing for two exams from foreign countries. However, only one application is needed. The results would be published on March 16, 2023.
GATE is not an admission test. It is only a criterion for eligibility. One has to apply for admissions and jobs in the institutions of interest as and when called for.
Complete information regarding the syllabus and the application format is on the site. For further details or doubts, Chairperson, GATE, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur – 208016, Phone: 0512 – 2597412 can be contacted.
One can also get the details from the Chairperson in the zone in which one applies for through email.
Key information
Students doing their third-year bachelor's degree in any stream of engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce and arts and those who have completed graduation can appear for the GATE exam.
Bachelor's degree holders in dental surgery, veterinary sciences, agriculture, horticulture and forestry can apply for GATE.
Those with professional candidature recognized as equivalent to the specified bachelor's degrees or higher qualifications can apply and appear for GATE as many times as needed.
There are a total of 29 subject papers. Objective questions (3 types - Multiple choice / multiple select questions / numerical answer). Duration for all is 3 hours. 10 questions to test the aptitude and 55 subject-related questions would be there in each paper.
Each paper’s weightage is 100 marks including Aptitude – 15, Engineering maths – 13, and the subject – 72 marks. There are no maths in 9 subjects in which the maths’ marks would be given for the respective subject.
There will be negative marks for multiple choice questions. The earlier question papers from 2007 through 2022 can be referred to on the website.
One or two papers can be appeared as per one’s preference. If appearing for two, it must be chosen from the specified combinations. The combinations would soon be published in table 4.3 in the brochure.
There is no age limit for GATE candidature.
The GATE score is valid for three years from the date of result publication.
GATE centres for Kerala
1. IISc Bengaluru zone (Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur)
2. IIT Madras zone (Alappuzha, Aluva- Ernakulam, Kollam, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram)
Three centres from each zone can be selected in the application. Besides the main cities in India, centres are also there in Dubai, Singapore, Kathmandu and Dhaka.