GATE
Engineering
Updated on 2025
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee for GATE 2025, on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB) – GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. Jointly administered by IISc Bangalore and seven Indian Institutes of Technology, GATE serves as a gateway to higher education in engineering, technology, architecture, science, and humanities. Held annually in February, the computer-based test evaluates candidates across 29 diverse papers, encompassing areas from traditional engineering disciplines to emerging fields like Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. It serves as a crucial benchmark for postgraduate admissions and public sector recruitment. Appearing for GATE is often the first major step for students aspiring to pursue M.Tech or Ph.D. at India’s most reputed institutions including the IITs, IISc, NITs, and IIITs. With a single exam score, aspirants can apply to multiple colleges across the country — making it a centralised, merit-based selection tool. The GATE examination is a three-hour computer-based test featuring 65 questions for a total of 100 marks. These questions include a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Each paper includes 15 marks for General Aptitude and 85 marks for the subject-specific content, reflecting the depth of knowledge required in the chosen discipline. The syllabus for each of the 29 papers is meticulously designed, drawing from undergraduate-level engineering, science, or humanities curricula. This comprehensive coverage ensures that candidates are tested on fundamental concepts and advanced topics relevant to their field of study, preparing them for rigorous academic or professional pursuits. GATE scores are highly regarded for admissions to various postgraduate programs like Master of Technology (M.Tech), Master of Engineering (M.E.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in centrally funded technical institutions, including the prestigious IITs and IISc. Beyond academics, GATE scores are also extensively utilized by numerous Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) for recruitment into executive and technical positions, offering a direct path to coveted government jobs. The examination witnesses a substantial number of applicants each year, with high competition for top scores due to the limited number of seats and positions. While specific cutoff trends vary widely across disciplines and categories each year, strong performance consistently places candidates in a favorable position for admission or recruitment. The cutoffs are influenced by factors such as the difficulty of the paper, the number of applicants, and the available seats. Securing a competitive GATE score can unlock a multitude of opportunities, making it an indispensable examination for career progression in technical and scientific fields. The score validity of three years provides candidates with flexibility to plan their academic or professional future effectively.
Full Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering |
Short Name | GATE |
Conducting Authority | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (for GATE 2025) on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB) – GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. Jointly conducted by IISc Bangalore and seven IITs. |
Domain | Engineering |
Academic Level | PG (Postgraduate admissions and Public Sector Undertaking recruitment) |
Acceptance Level | National |
Exam Type | National Level Entrance Exam |
Exam Mode | Online (Computer Based Test - CBT) |
Exam Frequency | Annual |
Application Period | August - October (with late fee) |
General Category Fee | INR 1800 (Regular Period), INR 2300 (Extended Period) |
Reserved Category Fee | INR 900 (Regular Period for Women/SC/ST/PwD), INR 1400 (Extended Period for Women/SC/ST/PwD) |
Typical Exam Months | February |
Result Declaration | March |
Score Validity | 3 Years |
Component | Details |
---|---|
Total Papers | 29 papers |
Duration per Session | 3 hours |
Total Questions | 65 questions per paper |
Total Marks | 100 marks per paper |
Question Types |
|
Syllabus Based On | Graduation Level |
Class Level Syllabus | Graduation |
Comprehensive computer-based test for diverse disciplines, serves both academic admissions and public sector job opportunities
Candidates apply to respective institutions/PSUs based on GATE scores. CCMT is used for NITs/IIITs/GFTIs. COAP is used for IITs/IISc for admission offer management. PSUs have independent recruitment processes.
Counselling Body | CCMT (Centralized Counselling for M.Tech/M.Arch/M.Plan admissions), COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal for IITs, IISc) |
Domain of Acceptance | Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Humanities |
Official Website | https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in |
Official Email | gate2025@iitr.ac.in |
Helpline Numbers | NA |
Information Brochure | https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in/Information-Brochure.pdf |
Year | Applicants (in lacs) |
---|---|
2023 | 5.17 |
2024 | 6.71 |
2022 | 6.72 |
2021 | 7.11 |
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a vital national-level examination for postgraduate admissions and public sector recruitment, with the GATE 2025 examination being conducted by IIT Roorkee. The application process for GATE 2025 commences on August 29, 2024, with the last date for regular online application being October 13, 2024. Candidates requiring an extension can apply until October 20, 2024, by paying a late fee. To apply, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria, typically requiring an undergraduate degree in engineering, technology, architecture, science, or humanities, or be in their final year of such programs. Required documents usually include academic certificates, identity proof, and a recent photograph and signature. The application fee for GATE 2025 is INR 1800 for general category candidates during the regular period, increasing to INR 2300 during the extended period. Concessional fees apply for women, SC, ST, and PwD candidates, set at INR 900 during the regular period and INR 1400 with a late fee. Payments are processed online through various digital methods. Important instructions include ensuring all personal and academic details are accurate, as corrections might incur an additional fee, such as INR 500 for changing an exam city, or a fee difference plus INR 500 for category or paper changes. Common mistakes to avoid include submitting incomplete applications, uploading incorrect documents, or missing the deadlines. The GATE examination is a three-hour Computer Based Test comprising 65 questions for a total of 100 marks. These questions are a blend of Multiple Choice, Multiple Select, and Numerical Answer Types, covering General Aptitude and subject-specific content. The admission process post-GATE involves applying to specific institutions or PSUs; for postgraduate admissions, candidates utilize platforms like CCMT for NITs and IIITs, or COAP for IITs and IISc. The GATE score remains valid for three years from the date of result declaration, which for GATE 2025 is March 16, 2025. It is crucial for applicants to adhere strictly to the application timeline and guidelines to ensure a smooth process.
Chat with us