GATE 2027 eligibility: who can apply, age limit and fees
Third-year undergraduates can take GATE, there is no age limit, and you can sit it as many times as you like. Here are the rules and the 2027 fees.
GATE has some of the widest eligibility rules of any Indian entrance exam. The authority is the official GATE 2027 eligibility page; this page summarises it.
Who is eligible for GATE 2027?
You can apply if either of these is true:
- You are currently in the third or a higher year of any government-approved undergraduate degree programme.
- You have completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities.
Candidates with a degree from outside India are eligible on the same terms, as long as their bachelor’s degree is at least three years long.
Is there an age limit or an attempt limit?
No to both. GATE has no age limit and no limit on the number of attempts.
Eligibility by degree
The official page has a detailed table by degree. These are the entries with a stated minimum stage:
| Degree or programme | Minimum stage to apply |
|---|---|
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. / BCA | Third year, or completed |
| B.Sc. Agriculture | Third year or higher |
| MBBS / BDS / BVSc / AYUSH | Fifth semester or higher |
| M.Sc. / M.A. / MCA | First year or higher |
| Professional-society exams such as AMIE | Section A completed |
The table also covers B.E., B.Tech. and B.Pharm.; B.Arch.; B.Sc. (Research) and B.S.; Pharm.D.; integrated M.E./M.Tech. and dual-degree programmes; and integrated M.Sc. For those, check the exact condition on the official eligibility page.
How much is the GATE 2027 application fee?
Fees are per paper. Taking two papers costs double. The extended period, which closes on 12 October 2026, costs ₹500 more per paper.
| Category | Regular, 1 paper | Regular, 2 papers | Extended, 1 paper | Extended, 2 papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 |
| All others, including foreign nationals | ₹2,000 | ₹4,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹4,500 |
Source: GATE 2027 application fees.
Can I take two GATE papers?
Yes, but only in one of the two-paper combinations IIT Madras allows. The list of 30 papers is on the syllabus page, and the combinations are on the official site.
Before you apply
- Check that you meet the condition for your degree and year of study.
- Pick your paper, or your two papers from an allowed combination.
- Note the deadline: the extended window closes on 12 October 2026. All dates are on the important dates page.
- Read the exam pattern for your paper, because the marks split differs between paper types.
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