By Team INVC | INVC NEWS
Published: September 2, 2026 |10 : 30 AM IST
CHENNAI, India | September 2, 2026 —
GATE 2027 Registration will open today, September 2, as IIT Madras prepares to activate the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering online application portal by 7 PM. Candidates planning to appear for the national-level examination should get their DigiLocker accounts, personal details and required documents ready before starting the application.
IIT Madras, the organising institute for GATE 2027, has also introduced major changes this year. Indian candidates must use a verified DigiLocker account during registration, while a new Robotics and Automation paper expands the examination to 30 test papers.
The application window will remain open without a late fee until September 27, 2026. Candidates who miss the regular deadline can submit their forms during the extended period until October 5, 2026, after paying a higher application fee.
GATE 2027 Registration Portal to Open by 7 PM Today
IIT Madras has confirmed on the official GATE 2027 portal that online registration will open on or before 7 PM on September 2.
The update matters because the registration process faced earlier schedule changes.
Authorities had initially announced an earlier opening date and later revised the timetable. Candidates should therefore rely on the latest schedule displayed by IIT Madras rather than older registration dates circulating online.
Once IIT Madras activates the GOAPS portal, candidates can create their application, verify required information and complete the fee payment online.
DigiLocker Becomes Mandatory for Indian Candidates
GATE 2027 introduces one of the biggest changes to the application process.
IIT Madras has made DigiLocker registration mandatory for all Indian nationals appearing for GATE 2027.
Candidates should create or update a verified DigiLocker account before starting their application.
The system will fetch several details through DigiLocker, including the candidate’s name, date of birth, mobile number, email address, profile photograph, address and verified identification details.
This change aims to reduce manual data entry and simplify candidate verification.
Applicants should ensure that their personal information in DigiLocker is correct before submitting the GATE application.
GATE 2027 Adds Robotics and Automation Paper
IIT Madras has introduced Robotics and Automation, or RA, as a new GATE paper for 2027.
The addition increases the total number of GATE test papers to 30.
The new paper reflects growing academic and industry demand in robotics, automation, intelligent manufacturing and related technologies.
IIT Madras has also revised syllabi across several GATE papers and announced changes involving Biotechnology, Textile Engineering and Fibre Science, and sectional codes under XE, XH and XL.
Candidates should therefore check the latest syllabus for their chosen paper instead of preparing entirely from an older GATE syllabus.
Who Can Apply for GATE 2027?
IIT Madras allows a broad range of undergraduate students and graduates to appear for GATE 2027.
Students currently studying in the third year or higher of an undergraduate degree programme can apply if their programme has government approval.
Candidates who have already completed recognised degree programmes in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities can also apply.
This means GATE is no longer restricted only to traditional engineering degree holders.
Eligible candidates studying or holding qualifying degrees from outside India can also apply, subject to the examination rules.
GATE 2027 Application Fee
Candidates applying during the regular registration period will pay different fees depending on category.
Female, SC, ST and PwD candidates: ₹1,000 per test paper during the regular period and ₹1,500 during the extended period.
All other candidates, including foreign nationals: ₹2,000 per test paper during the regular period and ₹2,500 during the extended period.
Candidates choosing two test papers must pay the applicable fee for both papers separately.
Payment-related service or processing charges, where applicable, may apply in addition to the examination fee.
September 27 Is the Regular Registration Deadline
Candidates will have until September 27, 2026 to submit the GATE 2027 application without a late fee.
IIT Madras will then keep the extended registration window open until October 5, 2026.
Candidates should avoid waiting until the final day because heavy traffic on the application portal can create unnecessary problems.
The application correction window will open on October 14 and close on October 21, 2026.
GATE 2027 Exam Will Run Across Three Weekends
IIT Madras has scheduled GATE 2027 across six examination days in February.
The examination will take place on:
February 6 and 7, 2027
February 13 and 14, 2027
February 20 and 21, 2027
The organising institute will conduct the papers as computer-based tests.
City allotment information is scheduled for January 4, 2027, while the admit-card download date will be announced separately.
IIT Madras plans to announce the GATE 2027 result on March 19, 2027.
GATE Score Will Remain Valid for Three Years
Candidates who qualify in GATE 2027 can use their score for three years from the date of the result.
Institutes use GATE scores for admission to various postgraduate and doctoral programmes, while several public sector undertakings also use GATE results during recruitment.
However, clearing GATE does not automatically guarantee admission, financial assistance or a PSU job.
Individual institutions and employers apply their own eligibility and selection rules.
What Candidates Should Do Before Registration Opens
Candidates waiting for the GATE 2027 Registration portal should use the remaining hours to verify their DigiLocker account, check personal details, select the appropriate test paper and review the updated syllabus.
They should also keep payment details and other required information ready.
Most importantly, candidates should not panic if the application portal is unavailable during the morning.
IIT Madras has specifically stated that GATE 2027 registration will open on or before 7 PM today, September 2.
With the registration deadline still nearly four weeks away, applicants have sufficient time to complete the process carefully rather than submitting inaccurate information in a rush.
