GATE 2027 Registration Starts September 2 After Two Postponements

GATE 2027 Registration Timeline: How the Date Shifted

GATE 2027 Important Dates

The exam will be held in two shifts each day, forenoon and afternoon, across the six exam dates spread over three weekends in February 2027.

What Has Changed for GATE 2027

Along with the registration delay, this year's cycle carries several structural changes candidates should be aware of before applying.

• A new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper has been introduced, taking the total number of test papers to 30
• DigiLocker verification has been made mandatory for all Indian national applicants
• Live facial verification is being introduced as part of the application and exam process
• The XE, XH and XL paper codes have been modified
• The syllabus has been revised for select subjects, including Digital Logic, Computer Organization and Architecture, and Computer Networks in the Computer Science paper

Candidates are advised to create and verify their DigiLocker account in advance, since this step is compulsory and cannot be completed at the last minute during the application process.

GATE 2027 Registration Fee

Candidates applying for two papers under an approved combination need to pay the applicable fee separately for each paper. The fee is non‑refundable once paid and can be submitted only through online modes, including net banking, debit card, credit card and UPI.

How to Register for GATE 2027

• Visit the official website at gate2027.iitm.ac.in
• Create a verified DigiLocker account linked to Aadhaar, if not already done
• Click on the GOAPS registration link and complete the enrolment step to receive a unique Enrolment ID
• Log in and fill in personal, academic and category details
• Select your test paper, or an approved combination of two papers
• Upload your photograph, signature and required documents as per the specified format
• Review all entered details carefully on the preview screen before proceeding
• Pay the applicable fee online and download the confirmation page for your records

Frequently Asked Questions

When did GATE 2027 registration finally open? Registration opened on September 2, 2026, at 7 pm, after being postponed twice from the original August 14, 2026 date.

Why was GATE 2027 registration postponed twice? IIT Madras has not officially stated a reason, but the delay is believed to be linked to the technical readiness of new features such as mandatory DigiLocker verification and live facial verification.

What is the last date to register for GATE 2027 without a late fee? The regular registration deadline is September 27, 2026. Candidates can still apply till October 5, 2026, with a late fee.

When is the GATE 2027 exam? The exam will be conducted on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027.

Is DigiLocker verification compulsory for GATE 2027? Yes, DigiLocker verification is mandatory for all Indian national applicants this year.

What is the GATE 2027 application fee? The fee is Rs 2,000 per paper for General, OBC‑NCL and EWS candidates, and Rs 1,000 per paper for Female, SC, ST and PwD candidates, during the regular registration period.