GATE 2027 Eligibility Rules Released by IIT Madras

Key points

• Undergraduate students currently in their third or higher year of any government-approved degree program are eligible to apply for GATE 2027.^[1][2]
• There is no upper age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts for the GATE 2027 examination.^[1][3]
• GATE 2027 exams are scheduled for February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027, across domestic test centres only.^[1][3]
• Applicants do not need to upload marksheets to DigiLocker, but Address, Date of Birth, and Name verification will be fetched via Aadhaar/DigiLocker.^[1][3]

General Eligibility, Age Limits, and Attempt Rules

IIT Madras has officially released the eligibility requirements for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027. Undergraduates currently studying in their third year or higher, as well as graduates who have completed a government-approved degree program in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities, can appear for the examination.^[2][3]

• Age limit: There is no age limit for applicants.
• Attempt limits: Candidates may appear for the examination any number of times.
• Minimum percentage for exam: No minimum percentage is required to sit for the GATE 2027 test.
• Post-exam admission benchmark: For M.Tech admissions and PSU recruitment, General/OBC candidates require at least 55% marks or a 5.5 CGPA, while SC/ST/PwD candidates require 50% marks or a 5.0 CGPA.^[1][3]

Degree-Wise Qualifying Requirements for GATE 2027

Eligibility status is determined by the specific degree program and the student's current year of study:^[2][3]

• B.E./B.Tech./B.Pharm. (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years post-Diploma/B.Sc.): Currently in the 3rd year or higher, or already completed.
• B.Arch. (5-year course), Naval Architecture (4-year course), Planning (4-year course): Currently in the 3rd year or higher, or already completed.
• B.Sc./B.A./B.Com./BCA (3-year program): Currently in the 3rd year or already completed.
• B.Sc. (Research)/B.S. (Post-Diploma or 4 years after 10+2): Currently in the 3rd year or higher, or already completed.
• B.Sc. in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Forestry (4-year program): Currently in the 3rd/4th year, or already completed.
• Pharm.D. (6-year program after 10+2): Currently in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th year, or already completed.
• M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc.: Currently in the 5th, 6th, 7th or higher semester, or already completed.
• M.Sc./M.A./MCA or equivalent: Currently in the 1st year or higher, or already completed.
• Post-B.Sc. Integrated M.E./M.Tech. (4-year program): Currently in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th year, or already completed.
• Integrated M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (5-year program): Currently in the 3rd, 4th, 5th year, or already completed.
• Integrated M.Sc./Int. B.S.-M.S.: Currently in the 3rd year or higher, or already completed.
• Professional Society Examinations (AMIE, AMICE, etc. recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE): Must have completed Section A or equivalent, with enrollment recognized up to May 31, 2013.^[2][3]

Degree Verification Checklist for Final-Year Undergraduates

Undergraduate students preparing to register for GATE 2027 should verify their application parameters using the following step-by-step checklist:^[1][2]

• Step 1: Check Current Year Standing — Confirm you are currently in at least your third year of an undergraduate program or have completed Section A of an approved professional society exam.
• Step 2: Confirm Government Approval — Verify that your degree or diploma lateral-entry program is recognized by standard regulatory bodies (UGC, AICTE, MoE, or UPSC).
• Step 3: Paper Selection Alignment — Select one or two allowed subject paper combinations that align with your qualifying degree discipline.
• Step 4: DigiLocker and Aadhaar Check — Ensure the name on your DigiLocker and Aadhaar profiles matches your official academic records before registration starts on the GOAPS portal.
• Step 5: Document Requirement Check — Note that 10th, 12th, UG, or PG marksheets are not required during registration, but SC/ST/PwD category certificates must be uploaded to claim application fee concessions.^[1][2]

Registration Rules, Verification, and Exam Logistics

• DigiLocker Integration: Address and Date of Birth will be fetched directly from DigiLocker/Aadhaar during registration. Names will also be verified via DigiLocker.
• Photographs: Uploaded recent photos and live photographs will be used for the application. Old or blurred photos in Aadhaar/DigiLocker will not affect the application.
• Single Account Policy: Only one application form can be submitted per email address. Candidates applying for two papers must select both in a single application form.
• Test Centre Choices: Candidates must select six examination cities. GATE 2027 will only be held at examination centres located within India.
• International Applicants: Foreign nationals and Indian citizens residing abroad must select examination centres within India and arrange their own travel and accommodation.
• Exam Schedule: GATE 2027 will take place across six dates: February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2027.^[1][3]

What to do next

1. Verify that your name, address, and date of birth match on DigiLocker and Aadhaar before GOAPS registration opens.
2. Obtain valid SC, ST, or PwD category certificates in digital format if applying for fee concessions.
3. Monitor gate2027.iitm.ac.in for the official opening of the online application portal.

Still unconfirmed

• GATE 2027 online registration start and closing dates
• Detailed subject-wise paper combinations available for dual-paper selection
• Full category-wise fee structure details on the application fees portal page

Sources

1. GATE 2027 — faqs gate2027.iitm.ac.in
2. GATE 2027 — eligibility criteria gate2027.iitm.ac.in
3. GATE Eligibility Criteria 2027 (Out) - Who can Apply, Age Limit engineering.careers360.com