GATE
What is GATE?
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a highly competitive examination conducted in India, testing the comprehensive understanding of various engineering and science subjects. Administered jointly by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), GATE serves as a benchmark for admission to postgraduate programs in engineering, technology, and research.
GATE evaluates candidates on their knowledge of subjects such as mechanical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and more. It not only assesses theoretical proficiency but also gauges practical application and problem-solving skills. The exam is conducted annually and is considered a gateway for admission to prestigious institutions and opportunities for research and development.
Beyond postgraduate admissions, GATE scores are utilized by numerous public and private sector organizations for recruitment purposes. Many PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) use GATE scores as a criterion for hiring engineers, enhancing the exam’s significance in shaping career paths.
GATE-Exam Highlights
Aspect | Details |
Conducting Authority | Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) |
Purpose | Admission to postgraduate programs in engineering, technology, and research; Recruitment in public and private sector organizations |
Frequency | Conducted annually |
Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Subjects | Various engineering and science subjects, including Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical, Civil, and more |
Sections | General Aptitude (GA) and Subject-Specific Sections |
Question Types | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions |
Exam Duration | 3 hours |
Validity of Score | GATE scores are valid for three years |
Score Range | The total GATE score is out of 1000, with individual subject scores |
Admission Criteria | Admission to postgraduate programs based on GATE scores and subsequent counseling processes |
PSU Recruitment | Many Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) use GATE scores for hiring engineers |
International Centers | GATE is also conducted in some international cities |
GATE- Eligibility and Admission
GATE Eligibility:
- Qualifying Degree: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture or a master’s degree in Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications, or an equivalent degree.
- Final Year Students: Students in their final year of qualifying exams are also eligible to apply, provided they submit the required documents at the time of admission.
- International Candidates: Candidates from countries other than India can also apply. They should have completed or be in the final year of their qualifying degree.
- GATE Score Validity: The GATE score is valid for three years from the date of announcement of results.
GATE Admission Process:
- Online Application: Candidates need to fill out an online application form during the specified registration period. The form includes personal details, educational qualifications, and a choice of examination cities.
- Admit Card: After successful registration, candidates can download the admit card, which contains exam details and venue.
- Examination: GATE is a computer-based test consisting of multiple-choice questions and numerical answer type questions. The exam assesses a candidate’s understanding of their chosen subject and general aptitude.
- Declaration of Results: GATE results are usually declared a few weeks after the examination. The scorecard reflects the candidate’s performance in the exam.
- Scorecard Utilization: The GATE scorecard is used for admissions to postgraduate programs in various engineering institutes and for recruitment by public and private sector organizations.
- Counseling/Admission Procedure: For admission to postgraduate programs, candidates need to apply to individual institutes based on their GATE score. Institutes may conduct further interviews or written tests as part of their admission process.
- PSU Recruitment: Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) use GATE scores for recruiting graduate engineers. Qualified candidates can apply for job vacancies in these organizations.
GATE- Registration Process
Visit the Official GATE Website:
Go to the official GATE website. The website address typically follows the pattern: https://gate.iitd.ac.in/ (Note: The domain might change based on the organizing institute).
Navigate to Registration Section:
Look for a section on the website related to “Registration” or “Apply Online.” This section is where you’ll find information about the registration process and the link to the registration form.
Create an Account:
If you are a new user, you’ll likely need to create an account on the portal. Provide the necessary details, such as your name, email address, and phone number, to register.
Fill in the Application Form:
Once registered, log in to your account and fill in the GATE application form. You will need to provide personal details, educational qualifications, and other relevant information. Make sure to have all the required documents handy.
Upload Documents:
The application process usually requires you to upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other necessary documents. Ensure that the documents meet the specified requirements.
Pay the Application Fee:
After filling in the form, proceed to pay the application fee. The fee can often be paid online through net banking, debit/credit cards, or other payment methods specified on the website.
Submit the Form:
Review your filled-in application form, and if everything is accurate, submit it. After submission, you may receive a confirmation email or acknowledgment.
GATE- Documents List
Personal Information:
- Passport-sized photograph (JPEG format).
- Signature (JPEG format).
- Valid photo ID proof (Aadhar card, passport, voter ID, PAN card, etc.).
Educational Qualifications:
- Degree certificate or provisional certificate (if completed).
- Proof of final year enrollment or completion for those in the final year.
- College address and pin code.
Category Certificate (if applicable):
- For candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories, a valid category certificate is required.
Disability Certificate (if applicable):
- For PwD candidates, a valid disability certificate is required.
Bank Details:
- For online payment of the application fee, you may need bank account details, including account number, branch, and IFSC code.
GATE Scorecard (for M.Tech/M.E. admissions):
- If you have appeared in GATE in a previous year, you might need the GATE scorecard.
GATE- Exam Pattern
Examination Mode:
- GATE is a Computer-Based Test (CBT), where candidates interact with the computer to answer questions.
Sections:
The question paper consists of two sections:
- General Aptitude (GA) section: Compulsory for all candidates.
- Subject-specific section: Based on the chosen GATE paper (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, etc.).
Question Types:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): These have four options, and candidates need to select the correct answer.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions: These require candidates to enter a numerical value as the answer using the virtual numeric keypad.
Marking Scheme:
- For MCQs, there may be negative marking for incorrect answers.
- For NAT questions, there is no negative marking.
Duration:
- The total duration of the GATE exam is 3 hours (180 minutes).
Total Marks:
- The maximum marks for the GATE exam typically range from 100 to 1000, depending on the paper.
Number of Questions:
- The number of questions varies across papers but is generally in the range of 65 to 100.
Paper Code:
- GATE papers are identified by codes corresponding to various engineering disciplines and subjects.
Exam Sessions:
- GATE is conducted in multiple sessions, and candidates may have different question sets.
Syllabus:
- The syllabus for the GATE exam is specific to each paper and is available on the official GATE website.
GATE- Appliction Fee
Category | Early Bird Application Fee | Regular Application Fee |
General/OBC | INR 1500 | INR 2000 |
SC/ST/PwD/Female | INR 750 | INR 1250 |
International Candidates | US$ 50 | US$ 70 |
GATE-Exam Date 2024
Particulars | Dates |
GATE Online Application Processing | August, 2023 |
Closing of submission of application form | October 2023 |
Last Date of Extended period for Online Registration Application (With Late Fees) | October, 2023 |
Last date for requesting a change of examination city | November 2023 |
Admit Card | January 2024 |
GATE 2024 Examination | 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th February, 2024 |
Announcement of Result | 16th March, 2024 |
GATE- Exam Counseling
Declaration of Results:
- GATE results are typically declared a few weeks after the exam.
Application to Institutes:
- Candidates who have qualified in GATE need to apply separately to the institutes where they are interested in pursuing postgraduate programs.
Institute-Specific Procedures:
- Each institute has its own admission process, and candidates must follow the application and admission procedures specified by the respective institute.
- Some institutes may conduct interviews, written tests, or other additional rounds as part of their selection process.
Counseling and Seat Allotment:
- Institutes may conduct counseling sessions to provide information about the programs, answer candidate queries, and facilitate the seat allotment process.
Publication of Merit Lists:
- Institutes often publish merit lists based on GATE scores, and candidates are allotted seats according to their ranks.
Confirmation of Admission:
- Candidates who are offered seats need to confirm their admission by paying the requisite fees within the stipulated time.
Waitlist Movement:
- In some cases, institutes may have a waitlist, and candidates on the waitlist might be offered admission if seats become available.
GATE- Cut Off 2022
GATE Paper Name | General | OBC | SC/ST/PwD |
Aerospace Engineering (AE) | 29.8 | 26.8 | 19.8 |
Agriculture Engineering (AG) | 26.3 | 23.6 | 17.5 |
Architecture and Planning (AR) | 37.3 | 33.5 | 24.8 |
Biomedical Engineering (BM) | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Biotechnology (BT) | 35.5 | 31.9 | 23.6 |
Civil Engineering (CE) | 30.4 | 27.3 | 20.2 |
Chemical Engineering (CH) | 25.3 | 22.7 | 16.8 |
Computer Science & Information Technology (CS) | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Chemistry (CY) | 27.5 | 24.7 | 18.3 |
Electronics & Communication Engineering (EC) | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Electrical Engineering (EE) | 30.7 | 27.6 | 20.4 |
Environmental Science & Engineering (ES) | 25.9 | 23.3 | 17.2 |
Ecology & Evolution (EY) | 33.4 | 30 | 22.2 |
Geology and Geophysics (GG-G1) | 48.7 | 43.8 | 32.4 |
Geology and Geophysics (GG-G2) | 54.8 | 49.3 | 36.5 |
Instrumentation Engineering (IN) | 42.4 | 38.1 | 28.2 |
Mathematics (MA) | 27.3 | 24.5 | 18.2 |
Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 28.1 | 25.2 | 18.7 |
Mining Engineering (MN) | 25.5 | 22.9 | 17 |
Metallurgical Engineering (MT) | 46.2 | 41.5 | 30.8 |
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NM) | 27.8 | 25 | 18.5 |
Petroleum Engineering (PE) | 37.8 | 34 | 25.1 |
Physics (PH) | 26.5 | 23.8 | 17.6 |
Production & Industrial Engineering (PI) | 43.7 | 39.3 | 29.1 |
Statistics (ST) | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
Textile Engineering & Fiber Science (TF) | 38.8 | 34.9 | 25.8 |
Engineering Sciences (XE) | 40.3 | 36.2 | 26.8 |
XH-C1 | 55.5 | 49.9 | 37 |
XH-C2 | 51.9 | 46.7 | 34.5 |
XH-C3 | 53.1 | 47.7 | 34.5 |
XH-C4 | 50.7 | 45.6 | 33.8 |
XH-C5 | 62.1 | 55.8 | 41.4 |
XH-C6 | 59.7 | 53.7 | 39.8 |
Life Sciences (XL) | 33.9 | 30.5 | 22.5 |
GATE- Top Colleges
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