PrepMaticExam questions answered · GATE
Can third-year students write GATE?
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Yes. GATE 2027 is open to anyone in the third year or above of any undergraduate degree, so you do not have to wait for your final year. Lateral-entry B.E. students in their third year are eligible too. If you have not applied yet, the late-fee registration window for GATE 2027 closes on 12 October 2026.
Which degrees and from which year
| Your degree | Eligible from |
|---|---|
| B.E., B.Tech., B.Pharm. | 3rd year |
| B.Arch. (5-year), Naval Architecture, Planning (4-year) | 3rd year |
| B.Sc. (Research), B.S. | 3rd year |
| B.Sc., B.A., B.Com., BCA (3-year) | 3rd year |
| Integrated or dual degree (5-year) | 3rd year |
| MBBS, BDS, BVSc, AYUSH degrees | 5th semester |
| M.Sc., M.A., MCA | 1st year |
The same rule also covers anyone who has already completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities. The complete list is in the GATE eligibility guide.
Why a third-year student might sit it early
- The score lasts three years from the result date, so a score earned in your third year can still be valid when you apply for M.Tech or a job after graduating. See how long a GATE score is valid.
- There is no cap on attempts. A first sitting becomes a trial run you can improve on; see how many times you can attempt GATE.
- You learn the paper's style before your final-year placement and project load.
What you need to register
Registration for GATE 2027 runs through the GOAPS portal. Indian nationals must register with DigiLocker, and a live face photo is captured during registration. Marksheets of Class 10, 12 or your degree are not needed to register.
For GATE 2027, the registration dates were: opened 2 September 2026, regular window closed 5 October, late-fee window closes 12 October, and the correction window runs 14 to 21 October 2026. All dates are liable to change, so confirm them on the official site. The GATE 2027 exam date page has the exam schedule.
A point to check before you rely on this
Being eligible for GATE is not the same as being eligible for a job or a course that uses the score. PSUs and institutes set their own conditions. For example, POWERGRID's Engineer Trainee 2027 advertisement asks for at least 60% in the degree and allows final-year students to apply only if results are out by 31 August 2027. Read each advertisement.
Official source
Eligibility and registration are on the GATE 2027 website of IIT Madras, gate2027.iitm.ac.in, and in the GATE 2027 Information Brochure at gate2027ib.iitm.ac.in.
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- BSc, BCA, BCom and GATEGATE 2027 accepts B.Sc., B.A., B.Com. and BCA students from the third year, and M.Sc., M.A. and MCA students from the first. Which papers suit non-engineers.
- Age limit for GATEGATE has no age limit and no cap on attempts. The age limits that matter come from PSUs, such as POWERGRID's 28 years for 2027, and from admitting institutes.
- GATE score validityA GATE score is valid for 3 years from the result date. For GATE 2027, scorecards are issued only until 31 December 2027, so download yours. Key dates inside.
- GATE eligibilityWho can apply for GATE 2027: degrees and year of study, no age limit or attempt cap, foreign candidates, documents, fees and the 12 October late-fee deadline.
- How to prepare for GATEHow to prepare for GATE 2027: a plan for the 17 weeks left, plus 6-month and 12-month plans, subject order, revision, mocks and tips for working aspirants.
More in GATE
- PSU jobs through GATEPSUs recruit engineers on GATE scores only when they advertise for your paper. How it works, a verified POWERGRID 2027 example and what GATE does not promise.
- Two GATE papersGATE 2027 lets you take one paper or two. The second must be on the allowed list for the first, in one application. Sample pairs, banned pairs and the rules.
- Number of questions in GATEGATE has 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours: 10 General Aptitude and 55 subject questions, worth 1 or 2 marks. The marks split by paper and question types.
- Number of GATE 2027 papersGATE 2027 has 30 papers. Robotics and Automation (RA) is new, and Textile Engineering (TF) is now section XE9 of Engineering Sciences. The list and new codes.
- What is a good GATE score?There is no single good GATE score. What 350 and 900 mean on the score scale, how qualifying marks work and how to set a target for your institute or PSU.
- MSQ negative marking in GATEGATE has no negative marking for MSQ or NAT questions, only for MCQs (1/3 or 2/3 mark). MSQs give no partial credit, so pick every correct option.
- M.Tech stipend after GATEM.Tech students admitted with a valid GATE score can get ₹12,400 a month, generally for 22 months. Direct PhD fellowship amounts and who decides who gets it.
- GATE previous year papersThe official GATE 2027 site has question papers from 2007 to 2026 and papers with answer keys for 2021 to 2026. Where to find them and how to use them for 2027.