Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all India examination that primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of the candidates in various undergraduate subjects in Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture and post-graduate level subjects in Science. The GATE score of a candidate reflects a relative performance level in a particular subject in the examination across several years. The score is used for admissions to post-graduate programs (e.g., M. E., M. Tech and direct Ph.D.) in centrally funded Indian institutes of higher education (i.e., institutes which are provided with financial assistance by MHRD and other Government agencies). The score is also used by some Public and Private Sector Undertakings for employment processes. Direct recruitment to Group A level posts i.e., Senior Field Office (SFO Tele), Senior Research Officer (SRO) (Crypto) and SRO(S&T) in Cabinet Secretariat is now being done on the basis of GATE scores.
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs at Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee) jointly administer the conduct of GATE. The operations related to GATE in each of the 8 zones are managed by a zonal GATE Office at the IITs or IISc. The Organizing Institute (OI) is responsible for the end-to-end process and coordination amongst the administering Institutes. The name of GATE organizing institute (OI) will be announced at the time of official notification each year.
Financial Assistance for Qualified GATE aspirants
A valid GATE score is essential for obtaining financial assistance during Master’s programs and direct Doctoral programs in Engineering/Technology/Architecture, and Doctoral programs in relevant branches of Science in Institutes supported by the MHRD or other Government agencies. As per the directives of the MHRD, the following procedure is to be adopted for admission to the post-graduate programs (Master’s and Doctoral) with MHRD scholarship/assistantship. Depending upon the norms adopted by a specific institute or department of the Institute, a candidate may be admitted directly into a course based on his/her performance in GATE only or based on his/her performance in GATE and an admission test/interview conducted by the department to which he/she has applied and/or the candidate’s academic record. If the candidate is to be selected through test/interview for postgraduate programs, a minimum of 70% weightage will be given to the performance in GATE and the remaining 30% weightage will be given to the candidate’s performance in test/interview and/or academic record, as per MHRD guidelines. The admitting institutes could however prescribe a minimum passing percentage of marks in the test/interview. Some colleges/institutes specify GATE qualification as the mandatory requirement even for admission without MHRD scholarship/assistantship.
To avail of the financial assistance (scholarship), the candidate must first secure admission to a program in these Institutes, by a procedure that could vary from institute to institute. Qualification in GATE is also a minimum requirement to apply for various fellowships awarded by many Government organizations. Candidates are advised to seek complete details of admission procedures and availability of MHRD scholarship/assistantship from the concerned admitting institution. The criteria for postgraduate admission with scholarship/assistantship could be different for different institutions. The management of the post-graduate scholarship/assistantship is also the responsibility of the admitting institution. Similarly, reservation of seats under different categories is as per the policies and norms prevailing at the admitting institution and Government of India rules. GATE offices will usually not entertain any enquiry about admission, reservation of seats and/or award of scholarship/assistantship.
Employment with GATE Score
Several public sector undertakings, have, in the past, used GATE scores for screening. A select few such organizations are: Indian Oil Corporation Limited, National Thermal Power Corporation, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Power Grid India. Note: GATE administration is not responsible for employment opportunities. The qualified candidates must check newspapers and other reliable sources for any such information.
GATE Administration
GATE is administered and conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB)-GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India. The GATE committee, which comprises of representatives from these administering institutes, is the sole authority for regulating the examination and declaring the results.
GATE is conducted through the collaboration of eight zones. The zones and the corresponding administrative institutes are:
Zone-1: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Zone-2: Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Zone-3: Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
Zone-4: Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati
Zone-5: Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
Zone-6: Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Zone-7: Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
Zone-8: Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
The overall co-ordination and responsibility for conducting GATE examination lies with the organizing institution (OI) which will be any of the zonal institutes mentioned above and it will be notified along with the official notification each year.
Basic features of GATE Examination:
- Examinations for all the 23 papers will be conducted by an ONLINE Computer Based Test (CBT). The online examination paper will contain some questions for which numerical answers must be keyed in by the candidate using the virtual keypad. Rest of the questions shall be of Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) type.
- Biometric information (Photograph and Fingerprints) for randomly selected candidates may be captured before the start of the examination.
- Examinations will be held during forenoon and afternoon sessions on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) between January and February each year (Exact date will be notified in the original notification each year). Examination for some of the papers in GATE will be held in multiple sessions. Exact details regarding complete examination schedule will be notified at a later date.
- The entire process of filling up of application form, uploading of certificates/documents etc., will be online and the candidates should not send any hard copy of their application form/documents etc., to IISc or any of the IIT’s zonal GATE office.
- The payment of application fees would be through electronic mode online as well as through payment at bank counters using e-challan.
- The admit cards would be available through the online process only. Candidates can download their admit card from GATE website. No printed copy of admit cards will be posted to the candidates.
Application Process: For GATE exam, all information related to the candidates will be available in a single GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS). Candidates have to register and fill the application via ONLINE mode ONLY. The photograph and signature of the applicant must be uploaded during the online application. Please note that all necessary certificates, such as, degree certificate/certificate from the Principal and the category certificate, if any are also to be uploaded. Please note that no application form is available for sale anywhere.
Downloadable Admit Card: Admit cards will ONLY be downloadable from the GOAPS website tentatively from December month. The candidate has to bring a printed copy of the admit card to the test centre along with at least one original and valid photo identification. The only permitted photo identifications are: Driving license, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhaar UID, College ID, Employee identification card, or a notarized affidavit which contains the candidate’s Photo, Signature, Date of Birth and Residential Address. The details of this ID proof have to be given while filling the online application.
Numerical Answer Type Questions: The question paper for GATE exam will consist of questions of both multiple-choice type and numerical answer type. For multiple choice type questions, candidates have to choose the answer from the given choices. For numerical answer type questions, candidates have to enter a number as the answer using a virtual keypad.
Eligibility for GATE Examination
Before starting the application process, the candidate must ensure that he/she meets the eligibility criteria of GATE exam given in Table (Subjects related to Biological Science / Life Sciences only are mentioned here)
In case a candidate has passed one of the qualifying examinations as mentioned above, the candidate has to submit the degree certificate / provisional certificate / course completion certificate / professional certificate / membership certificate issued by the society or institute. In case, the candidate is expected to complete to complete one of the qualifying criteria in one year (the GATE year) or later as mentioned above, he/she has to submit a certificate from Principal or a copy of marks card for section A of AMIE.
Certificate from Principal
Candidates who have to submit a certificate from their college Principal have to obtain one from his/her institution beforehand and upload the same during the online submission of the application form.
Candidates with Backlogs
Candidates, who have appeared in the final semester/year exam in 2015, but with a backlog (arrears /failed subjects) in any of the papers in their qualifying degree, should upload a copy of any one of the mark sheets of the final year,
or
Obtain a declaration from their Principal along with the signature and seal beforehand and upload the same during the online submission of the application form.
GATE Papers:
GATE will be conducted in the subjects (also referred to as “papers”) shown in Table. Candidates must familiarize with the paper code for the paper of their choice, as this knowledge will be required at the time of application form submission and appearing for the examination. A candidate is allowed to appear in ONLY ONE paper.
Since a candidate is allowed to appear in ONLY ONE of the 23 papers the candidate has to make the choice of the paper he/she wishes to write carefully.
Table following table gives the list of GATE papers and paper codes for GATE.
Papers related with biology/life science are highlighted with yellow colour
Zone-wise List of Cities in which GATE exam will be Held
Choice of Examination City: There are two primary choices and one secondary choice. If you choose a particular city as your first choice, then the corresponding zone to which this city belongs will appear, and you will be able to choose another city as your second choice only from this zone. These choices will be your primary choices in a specific zone. However, a third choice will be there, which is the secondary choice. The list of third choice cities will be as specified by each zone and this will be used only when the cities of primary choice of a candidate are not available. However, because of operational constraints, the GATE committee reserves the right to add a new city or remove an existing one, and allot a city that may not be any of the choices of a candidate.
Following table gives the tentative list of the cities (zone-wise) in which GATE will be held. Also shown in the table is the Zonal Offices (one of the IITs or IISc). (Candidates are requested to check the official website before your final selection)
How to apply:
All candidates have to apply only ONLINE. Details of the application fee are shown in Table. The application fee is non-refundable. (Candidates are requested to check the official notification, the fee structure may vary)
PwD means a person who is physically challenged.
Payments would have to be made through online by using net banking or debit card or e-challan facilities. Additional charges will be applicable as per the rule of the bank from where the money is being transferred. This charge will be specified on the payment portal.
GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS)
An online interface is provided for your interaction with the GATE Office. With this interface you can
- Apply for the examination online.
- Upload photograph, signature and other documents like graduation certificate/ certificate from Principal, caste certificate (if applicable) etc.
- Pay the application fee through net-banking or debit card or e-challan.
- Check the Status of your application form: Received, Under Scrutiny, Accepted, Defect Status, Status after Rectification, Rejected with Valid Reasons, Admit Card Ready for Download, etc.
- Contact the zonal GATE Office in case of any queries/problems.
- Download Admit Card.
- View your answers, marks and GATE score.
The login to this interface uses your GOAPS password. Keep your password information safe and do not disclose it to anyone.
Filling in Application Online
GOAPS: GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS website) will be notified along with the original notification each year
It can also be accessed from the website of the respective Zonal GATE Offices or from the website of the Organizing Institute.
Registration: A candidate must first register by providing a valid email address, mobile number and a GOAPS password. All communications from the GATE Offices will be sent to this email address (ONLY ONE PERSON CAN REGISTER WITH ONE e-mail ADDRESS). Give your personal mobile number because most of the communications may also be sent via SMS.
GOAPS Password: The candidate chooses a password during Enrollment at GOAPS. This password must be remembered along with the GOAPS Enrolment ID to login to GOAPS. It is strongly encouraged to choose a password that cannot be guessed easily (it should not be the candidate’s name, date of birth, or some easily guessable string of numbers or letters like 12345 or abcd).
GOAPS Enrollment ID: Upon registration, an email containing the GOAPS Enrolment ID will be sent to the candidate.
Data Requirement for Application Filling: The following data will be required while filling the form at GOAPS.
a) Personal information (name, date of birth, your personal mobile number, parents’ name, parents’ mobile number, etc.).
b) Address for Communication (including PIN code),
c) Eligibility degree details
d) College address, PIN code of college,
e) GATE paper, choice of GATE examination cities,
f) High quality image of your photograph conforming to the requirements specified in Section along with what type of photograph is accepted
g) Good quality image of your signature conforming to the requirements
h) Scanned copy of Degree Certificate or Certificate from Principal/HODs in pdf format.
i) Scanned copy of Category/PwD Certificate (if applicable) in pdf format.
j) Details of a valid ID Proof that you will carry to the examination hall.
k) Your net-banking details.
Application Filling: The GOAPS allows you to enter data, “Save” partially filled form, “Logout”, and resume filling in by logging in again. The GOAPS portal is self-explanatory and user-friendly. Online help about using GOAPS is also available.
Before you make the payment, you will be shown a “Preview” of your application, where you have to carefully check for any errors.
Once you press “Confirm and Final Submit” button, no further changes to the application can be made by you.
For online payment follow the instructions given in Section 4.4.3 for payment options.
Problems in Login into GOAPS –In case of forgotten user ID or password, follow instructions on the GOPAS portal to retrieve them.
Supporting Documents
SC/ST/PwD Certificate
Candidates who are in SC or ST or PwD category have to upload a valid documentary evidence (Appendix A).
Certificate from Principal
Candidates who mention that they are yet to complete their course, will have to upload a certificate from the Principal. This certificate must mandatorily have the signature and seal of the college Principal with current date.
Application Fee Payment Options
The application fee and various payment options are shown in Table. The application fee is non-refundable. All charges given below are in Indian Rupees.
*Bank charges may be applicable as per the norms, fee may change year to year
Online Net-banking Payment Details
1. From the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS), you will be redirected to the website of the bank of your choice.
2. The fee can be paid with net-banking or debit card or e-challan.
3. The fee amount and bank charges will be shown to you, and you have to confirm that the payment is for GATE
4. Once you confirm and the payment is successful, you will be redirected back to the GATE Online Application Website.
5. If you have a difficulty (due to internet connection or power failure, for example), and you are not sure whether your payment has been processed or not, then please login back to GOAPS and check the status of the payment. You can also check the status from your bank.
6. In case the fee amount has been debited from your bank account and GOAPS does not acknowledge any fee payment, then the money will be credited back to your account within seven working days.
7. In such a case, you may initiate a fresh payment using GOAPS, even without waiting for the money to be credited back to your account, so that your application is on time.
8. Once the payment is successful a “Fee Payment Number” will be generated which is unique and MUST be saved by the candidate as it will be used in the later stages when he/she fills up the GATE Application form.
Important: It is essential that the candidate fills in the details in GOAPS without any error as the application is liable to be rejected if there is any error. As a checklist the candidate MUST verify that he/she has filled in and uploaded the following as required
a) Personal information (name, date of birth, personal mobile number, parent’s name, parent’s mobile number etc.).
b) Address for Communication (including PIN code).
c) Eligibility degree details (College address, PIN code of college).
d) The signed application form (with photograph affixed) with Principal’s certificate, if that is the proof of your eligibility to appear in GATE OR other eligibility documents required to appear in GATE (e.g., degree certificate).
e) High quality image of a recent photograph is required.
f) Category certificate in case a discounted application fee is claimed.
g) Good quality image of signature is required
h) Details of the same valid ID Proof that will be carried to the examination hall.
i) Fee payment number.
Note: Before submitting the GATE Application, please ensure that all the details and all the necessary supporting documents are filled / uploaded and there is NO ERROR. An application once submitted CANNOT be changed / rectified. The current status of an application will be updated after the receipt and scrutiny of the application by the respective zonal GATE Office. This status can be checked anytime by logging into GOAPS.
Photograph and Signature Requirements
The GATE Online Application Processing System requires that your photograph and signature be uploaded electronically at the time of submitting your application. Uploading photograph or signature that does not meet the specifications can result in the disqualification of the application without any refund of the application fee.
Photograph Requirements
Please pay attention to upload good quality photograph. Poor quality of the photograph submitted will lead to rejection of your GATE application, without any refund of the application fee. The GATE score card will be printed with the photograph you submit.
The photograph must be in color and taken in the current year in a professional studio. Photographs taken using a mobile phone and other self-composed portraits may result in rejection of application.
Background of the photograph must be white or a very light colour.
The face should occupy at least 50% of the area of the photograph with a full-face view looking into the camera directly.
The main features of the face must not be covered by hair of the head, any cloth or any shadow. Forehead, eyes, nose and chin should be clearly visible.
If you normally wear spectacles, glare on glasses is not acceptable in your photo. While you may wear spectacles for the photo shoot, if glare cannot be avoided, then remove the spectacles.
You must not wear spectacles with dark or tinted glasses, only clear glasses are permitted.
Ask your photo studio to provide the image in a JPEG format and also on a standard 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm (Width x Height) print.
Maximum pixel resolution for JPEG: 480 × 640 (0.3 Mega pixel) (Ask your studio to reduce it to this resolution if it is higher). 9. Minimum pixel resolution for JPEG: 240 × 320. 10. The photograph must match with your appearance on the day of the examination.
Signature Specifications
1. Please draw a rectangular box of size 2 cm × 7 cm (Height x Width) on an A4 white paper. Sign with black or dark blue ink pen within this box.
2. Get the digital image of the rectangular box (with your signature inside) scanned by a professional using a scanner. Crop it to the border of the box.
3. Only JPEG image formats will be accepted.
4. The maximum pixel resolution for the image is 160 × 560.
5. The minimum pixel resolution for the image is 80 × 280. 6. Photographs of the signatures taken using mobile phone are not acceptable, and can result in disqualification of the application without any refund of the fee.
Admit Card: The Admit Card can only be downloaded from the GATE portal tentatively from December month. Admit Cards will NOT be sent by post/email. Bring a print-out of the downloaded Admit Card to the Test Center along with the original and valid photo identification (NO photocopy / scanned copy/NOT expired). Please note that you have to give details of this ID proof while filling the online application. Candidates will NOT be permitted to take the test, if this original and valid photo identification is not presented. It may be noted that you would have specified one of the following IDs during the online application process: Driving License, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhaar UID, College ID, Employee Identification Card, or a Notarized Affidavit with Photo, Signature, Date of Birth and Residential Address.
GATE Score Card
There is no provision for the issue of hard copies of the GATE Scorecards.
The GATE Committee has the authority to decide the qualifying mark/score for each GATE paper. In case any claim or dispute arises in respect of GATE, the Courts and Tribunals in Bangalore alone shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to entertain and settle any such dispute or claim.
GATE Results
GATE results will be announced March month and will be available on the GATE Online Application Website.
The GATE score will be valid for THREE YEARS from the date of announcement of the results.
GATE results may be made available on payment basis to Government organizations (educational institutions, R & D laboratories, industries, etc.) in India and abroad based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Indian institute of Science and the organization intending to use the GATE score.
GATE Score Card
After the declaration of results, qualified candidates can download their GATE Score Card for the paper (for which he/she has taken the examination). The GATE score cards can be downloaded between March to May (tentatively) and for that the candidate should access the GOAPS portal.
In case any candidate requires the soft copy of his/her GATE Score they can do so by paying a fee of 500 (five hundred only) on the GOAPS portal.
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