GATE 2027 in short (checked 9 November 2026): IIT Madras is organising GATE 2027, and the exam is on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027. Registration has closed. Your exam city will be notified on 4 January 2027, and the result is on 19 March 2027. There are 30 papers, each 3 hours long, with 65 questions and 100 marks.
GATE 2027 important dates
| Event | Date (official site) |
|---|---|
| Registration opened | 2 September 2026 |
| Registration status | Closed |
| City allotment notification | 4 January 2027 |
| Admit card | To be announced |
| Exam: week 1 | 6 and 7 February 2027 |
| Exam: week 2 | 13 and 14 February 2027 |
| Exam: week 3 | 20 and 21 February 2027 |
| Result | 19 March 2027 |
IIT Madras says these dates are liable to change. Registered candidates should not delete their DigiLocker account, because all future GATE 2027 communication will use the account the application was submitted with.
GATE 2027 paper pattern
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode and language | Computer-based test, in English |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Questions | 10 General Aptitude + 55 subject = 65 |
| Total marks | 100 (General Aptitude 15, the rest from your subject) |
| Question types | MCQ, Multiple Select (MSQ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
| Marks per question | 1 or 2 |
GATE negative marking, made simple
- 1-mark MCQ wrong: lose 1/3 mark.
- 2-mark MCQ wrong: lose 2/3 mark.
- MSQ and NAT wrong: no negative marking.
- MSQ: there is no partial marking.
This changes your strategy. A numerical question with no penalty is worth attempting if you have a reasoned answer, while a wild guess on an MCQ can reduce your score.
What is new in GATE 2027?
- A new paper, Robotics and Automation (RA), has been introduced.
- The XE, XH and XL sectional paper codes have changed.
- The syllabi have been revised, so check your paper’s updated syllabus rather than relying on old notes.
Popular two-paper combinations
If you registered for two papers, they must be from the permitted list. Examples from the official table are below.
| Primary paper | Allowed second papers |
|---|---|
| CS | DA, EC, GE, MA, ME, PH, RA, ST |
| DA | CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, RA, ST, XE |
| EC | CS, DA, EE, IN, PH, RA |
| EE | DA, EC, IN, PH, RA |
| ME | AE, CS, DA, IN, NM, PI, RA, XE |
A 13-week plan until February
| Period | What to do |
|---|---|
| Now to mid-December | Finish remaining syllabus. Solve past papers subject by subject |
| Mid-December to mid-January | Weekly full mocks. Revise weak subjects and maths |
| Mid-January onwards | Two mocks a week at your exam timing. Practise General Aptitude daily |
| Final week | Short notes only. No new topics |
Easy marks that people ignore
- General Aptitude is 15 marks on every paper, and short daily practice is enough for most students.
- Engineering Mathematics is 13 marks on many engineering papers.
- The virtual calculator: practise on a screen, so that you do not lose time in the exam.
How to analyse a GATE mock
- Sort your mistakes: a concept gap needs study, while a calculation slip needs slower working.
- Check your MSQs: with no partial marks, one missed option loses the whole question.
- Track your time: note which subjects take longest, and decide your attempt order before the real exam.
- Write down recurring errors: reread that list in the final week.
What is a GATE score used for?
The official site says qualified candidates can use GATE scores for admission to postgraduate and doctoral programmes, with possible financial assistance, in institutions supported by the Ministry of Education. Several public sector undertakings also use GATE scores for recruitment. The official site lists the score as valid for 3 years. Each institute and company sets its own criteria, so read their notices.
Prepare smarter
CS and DA candidates can strengthen their basics with our programming guide and GitHub guide. ChatGPT can explain a concept, but verify solutions against a standard textbook. If you are also considering a master’s overseas, see our study abroad guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is GATE 2027?
On 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027. The dates are liable to change.
Can I still register for GATE 2027?
The official site shows that application registration is closed.
Which IIT is conducting GATE 2027?
IIT Madras is the organising institute.
Is there negative marking in GATE NAT questions?
No. Negative marking applies only to MCQs. MSQ and NAT questions have none.
When will the GATE 2027 result come?
The official site lists 19 March 2027.
How this guide was prepared
On 9 November 2026 we read the GATE 2027 official pages for dates, the question pattern and two-paper combinations. AYORAHUB is not connected with IIT Madras or GATE. The study plan is our own general advice.
Official references
Last checked: 9 November 2026. Follow the Information Brochure and official site if anything differs.