GATE 2027: exam pattern, marking scheme and dates
The facts every GATE 2027 candidate needs, in one place. Each one is taken from the official GATE 2027 website run by IIT Madras and was last checked on .
GATE 2027 at a glance
| Organising institute | IIT Madras |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-based test (CBT), in English |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Papers | 30 test papers (all 30 GATE papers) |
| Questions | 65: 10 General Aptitude + 55 subject |
| Total marks | 100: General Aptitude 15 + subject 85 |
| Question types | MCQ, MSQ and NAT; each carries 1 or 2 marks |
| Score validity | Three years from the date the result is announced |
GATE 2027 exam dates
| Registration (regular, extended and special window) | Closed on 16 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| City allotment notification | 4 January 2027 |
| Admit card download | To be announced |
| GATE 2027 exams | 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027 |
| Results | 19 March 2027 |
The official site notes that all dates are liable to change. Which paper is on which day comes from the official schedule and your admit card.
GATE 2027 exam pattern
Every paper has a General Aptitude section of 10 questions for 15 marks, common to all 30 papers, and 55 questions on your chosen subject for 85 marks. Subject questions come in three formats:
- MCQ (multiple choice): one correct option.
- MSQ (multiple select): one or more correct options.
- NAT (numerical answer type): you type a number; there are no options.
The official pattern says questions test recall, comprehension, application, and analysis and synthesis.
Marks split by paper
In 17 papers the 85 subject marks include 13 marks of Engineering Mathematics written for that paper: GATE CSE, GATE AE, GATE AG, GATE BM, GATE BT, GATE CE, GATE CH, GATE EC, GATE EE, GATE ES, GATE IN, GATE ME, GATE MN, GATE MT, GATE NM, GATE PE, GATE PI. That leaves 72 marks for the core subjects.
In the other 12 papers the full 85 marks are subject questions, with no separate Engineering Mathematics share: GATE DA, GATE AR, GATE CY, GATE EY, GATE GE, GATE GG, GATE MA, GATE PH, GATE RA, GATE ST, GATE XH, GATE XL. XE is different again, as its Engineering Mathematics section XE0 carries 15 marks.
Seven papers have a common part and an optional part. Their official split, after 15 marks of General Aptitude:
| Paper | Common part | Optional part | Option chosen |
|---|---|---|---|
| GATE AR | Part A: 60 | B1 Architecture or B2 Planning: 25 | during the exam |
| GATE GE | Part A: 55 | B1 Surveying and Mapping or B2 Image Processing and Analysis: 30 | during the exam |
| GATE GG | Part A: 25 | B1 Geology or B2 Geophysics: 60 | at the time of application |
| GATE RA | Part A: 60 | B1 Electrical or B2 Mechanical: 25 | during the exam |
| GATE XE | XE0 Engineering Mathematics: 15 | any two sections: 2 × 35 | during the exam |
| GATE XH | XH0 Reasoning and Comprehension: 25 | any one section: 60 | at the time of application |
| GATE XL | XL0 Chemistry: 25 | any two sections: 2 × 30 | during the exam |
GATE 2027 marking scheme
- Each question carries 1 or 2 marks.
- A wrong answer to a 1-mark MCQ costs 1/3 mark; a wrong answer to a 2-mark MCQ costs 2/3 mark.
- MSQ and NAT questions have no negative marking.
- MSQs have no partial marking: you score only if you choose exactly the correct options.
A quick example: three wrong 2-mark MCQs cost you 2 marks, the same as losing one whole 2-mark question. Leaving an MCQ blank costs nothing, so guess only when you can rule out options.
Taking two GATE papers
You may take a second paper only from the list allowed for your primary paper. The official GATE 2027 combinations:
| Primary paper | Second paper allowed |
|---|---|
| GATE DA | GATE CSE, GATE EC, GATE EE, GATE MA, GATE ME, GATE PH, GATE RA, GATE ST, GATE XE |
| GATE CSE | GATE DA, GATE EC, GATE GE, GATE MA, GATE ME, GATE PH, GATE RA, GATE ST |
| GATE AE | GATE CE, GATE ME, GATE XE |
| GATE AG | GATE CE |
| GATE AR | GATE CE, GATE GE |
| GATE BM | GATE BT, GATE IN |
| GATE BT | GATE BM, GATE ES, GATE EY, GATE XL |
| GATE CE | GATE AE, GATE AG, GATE AR, GATE ES, GATE GE, GATE NM, GATE XE |
| GATE CH | GATE ES, GATE PE, GATE XE |
| GATE CY | GATE XE, GATE XL |
| GATE EC | GATE DA, GATE CSE, GATE EE, GATE IN, GATE PH, GATE RA |
| GATE EE | GATE DA, GATE EC, GATE IN, GATE PH, GATE RA |
| GATE ES | GATE BT, GATE CE, GATE CH, GATE GE |
| GATE EY | GATE BT, GATE XL |
| GATE GE | GATE CSE, GATE AR, GATE CE, GATE ES, GATE GG |
| GATE GG | GATE GE |
| GATE IN | GATE BM, GATE EC, GATE EE, GATE ME, GATE RA |
| GATE MA | GATE DA, GATE CSE, GATE PH, GATE ST |
| GATE ME | GATE DA, GATE CSE, GATE AE, GATE IN, GATE NM, GATE PI, GATE RA, GATE XE |
| GATE MN | None |
| GATE MT | GATE XE |
| GATE NM | GATE CE, GATE ME, GATE XE |
| GATE PE | GATE CH |
| GATE PH | GATE DA, GATE CSE, GATE EC, GATE EE, GATE MA, GATE XE |
| GATE PI | GATE ME, GATE XE |
| GATE RA | GATE DA, GATE CSE, GATE EC, GATE EE, GATE IN, GATE ME |
| GATE ST | GATE DA, GATE CSE, GATE MA, GATE XH |
| GATE XE | GATE DA, GATE AE, GATE CE, GATE CH, GATE CY, GATE ME, GATE MT, GATE NM, GATE PH, GATE PI |
| GATE XH | GATE ST |
| GATE XL | GATE BT, GATE CY, GATE EY |
Who can take GATE 2027
Students in the third or higher year of any undergraduate degree, and anyone who has completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities, are eligible. Certain professional-society qualifications also count. The official eligibility page has the full table by degree.
Calculator and extra time
Recent GATE exams have provided an on-screen virtual scientific calculator and have not allowed physical calculators. The GATE 2027 information brochure will confirm the rules, so practise with the virtual calculator anyway.
The official pattern allows eligible PwD candidates to request compensatory time of one hour, on the conditions set out in its Appendix B1.
GATE 2027 score and result
Results are announced on 19 March 2027, and a GATE score is valid for three years from that date. The official site adds that qualifying in GATE does not by itself guarantee admission, a scholarship or a job.
Preparing for GATE 2027
Start with the GATE DA preparation guide or the GATE CSE preparation guide, or find yours among the GATE 2027 preparation guides for every paper. For practice, use the GATE previous year questions and free GATE practice tests.
GATE 2027 FAQs
What is the GATE 2027 exam pattern?
GATE 2027 is a 3-hour computer-based test in English with 65 questions for 100 marks: 10 General Aptitude questions worth 15 marks and 55 subject questions worth 85 marks. Questions are MCQ, MSQ or NAT and carry 1 or 2 marks.
What is the GATE 2027 marking scheme?
A wrong answer to a 1-mark MCQ loses 1/3 mark and a wrong answer to a 2-mark MCQ loses 2/3 mark. MSQ and NAT questions have no negative marking, and MSQs have no partial marking.
When is GATE 2027?
GATE 2027 exams are on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027, and results are announced on 19 March 2027. The organising institute, IIT Madras, says all dates are liable to change.
Who is organising GATE 2027?
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the organising institute for GATE 2027.
How long is a GATE 2027 score valid?
A GATE score is valid for three years from the date the result is announced.
Can I take two GATE papers in 2027?
Yes, but only in the combinations the official two-paper table allows. Each primary paper has a fixed list of permitted second papers, and some, such as MN, have none.
Is a calculator allowed in GATE 2027?
Recent GATE exams have provided an on-screen virtual scientific calculator and have not allowed physical calculators. The GATE 2027 information brochure will confirm the rules.
Sources
Checked on 29 October 2026 against the official GATE 2027 website: