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How many papers are there in GATE 2027?
GATE 2027 has 30 papers. Robotics and Automation (RA) is a new paper, and Textile Engineering and Fibre Science (TF) is no longer a separate paper: from 2027 it is section XE9 inside Engineering Sciences (XE). The count therefore stays at 30. The syllabi of all papers were revised for 2027.
The 30 paper codes
AE, AG, AR, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, CY, DA, EC, EE, ES, EY, GE, GG, IN, MA, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PH, PI, RA, ST, XE, XH and XL.
The ones that tend to need a second look are:
| Code | Paper |
|---|---|
| CS | Computer Science and Information Technology |
| DA | Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (introduced in GATE 2024) |
| RA | Robotics and Automation (new in 2027) |
| GG | Geology and Geophysics (choose Geology or Geophysics at application) |
| XE | Engineering Sciences (sections XE0 to XE9) |
| XH | Humanities and Social Sciences (XH0 to XH6) |
| XL | Life Sciences (XL0 to XL5) |
Full names of all 30 papers are in the GATE exam pattern guide.
What changed from 2026
- New paper: RA, with Part A of 60 marks and a choice in Part B between Electrical and Mechanical (25 marks).
- TF merged: if you planned to write TF, you now choose XE. XE0 (Engineering Mathematics) is compulsory, you pick two of XE1 to XE9, and XE9 is Textile Engineering and Fibre Science.
- Section codes now use numbers. In XE, XH and XL, the letter-based codes (for example XE-A, XH-C1, XL-P) became XE0, XH1 and XL0.
- All syllabi revised, the first revision in about five years. Do not copy topic lists from 2021 to 2026 pages.
Choosing among them
You can choose a paper outside your own discipline; the admitting institute decides whether to accept it. You may also take one paper or two, with the second paper on the allowed list (can I write two GATE papers). Some papers (GG, XH) require you to choose your section at application, while others (XE, XL) let you choose during the exam.
GATE is conducted by IIT Madras this year (who is conducting GATE 2027), and the marks structure that applies to each paper is explained in how many questions are in GATE.
Official source
The list of papers and syllabus is on the exam papers and syllabus page of gate2027.iitm.ac.in, and in the Information Brochure.
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- 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.
- GATE 2027 organiserIIT Madras is the organising institute for GATE 2027, on behalf of the National Coordination Board. Recent organisers, the IISc and IIT system, and the site.
- 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.
- GATE exam patternGATE 2027 pattern: 65 questions, 100 marks, 3 hours, MCQ, MSQ and NAT, negative marking, marks split by paper, 30 papers and two-paper combinations.
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.
- 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.
- Third-year students and GATEGATE 2027 is open from the third year of any undergraduate degree, not just final year. Which degrees qualify, from when, and the 12 October late-fee deadline.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- GATE exam cities in Tamil NaduGATE 2027 lists 24 tentative exam cities in Tamil Nadu, from Chennai and Coimbatore to Ooty and Pollachi. How city choice and the 4 January 2027 allotment work.