Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
Quick facts
| Conducted by | Indian Institutes of Technology (JEE Advanced) (IIT) |
|---|---|
| Exam level | National |
| How often | Once a year (February) |
| Mode | Online |
| Qualification | Final year of graduation or above in engineering, science, commerce, arts and more |
| Age relaxation | none |
| Official website | gate.iitk.ac.in |
No age limit.
Overview
GATE is conducted by an IIT or IISc in rotation. A good GATE score opens M.Tech/PhD admissions at IITs, NITs and IISc with a stipend, and jobs in PSUs such as NTPC, IOCL, ONGC, BHEL, PowerGrid and others that recruit through GATE.
Eligibility
- Education: students in the third year or higher of any undergraduate degree, or those who have completed a government-approved degree in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, arts or humanities.
- Age: no age limit.
- You can write one paper or a permitted combination of two papers.
Exam pattern & syllabus
| Section | Marks |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15 |
| Subject paper (with engineering maths for most papers) | 85 |
65 questions, 3 hours, MCQs (with negative marking), MSQs and numerical answer questions (no negative marking). The score is valid for 3 years.
How to prepare
- Revise core subjects from standard textbooks and your class notes.
- Solve 15–20 years of previous GATE papers subject-wise.
- Use the virtual calculator during practice – it is the only calculator allowed.
- Take full-length mocks in the last 2 months.
Latest GATE updates
No notification posted yet. Get an email alert when the next one comes out.
Frequently asked questions
Which PSUs recruit through GATE?
Many, including NTPC, IOCL, ONGC, BHEL, PowerGrid, GAIL and others. Each PSU announces its own GATE-based recruitment with cut-offs.
Is there an age limit for GATE?
No age limit for the exam, but PSUs that recruit through GATE have their own age limits.
Please note: eligibility, age limits and exam pattern change from year to year. This page gives general guidance only; the official notification for each year is final.