GATE 2027 Registration Closes October 5 Without Late Fee: Fee Table, October 12 Late Date and DigiLocker Steps
Published 28 Sept 20265 min read
IIT Madras has extended GATE 2027 registration. Candidates can apply without a late fee until Monday, October 5, 2026, and with a late fee until Monday, October 12, 2026. Applications are filed on the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) at gate2027.iitm.ac.in. Indian nationals must log in through DigiLocker. IIT Madras says all dates are liable to change, so check the portal for the current status [VERIFY].
GATE 2027 Registration: Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| GOAPS opened | September 2, 2026 |
| Last date without late fee (extended) | Monday, October 5, 2026 |
| Last date with late fee (extended) | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Application correction window | October 14 to 21, 2026 |
| City allotment notification | January 4, 2027 |
| Admit card download | To be announced |
| GATE 2027 exam | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027 |
| Result announcement | March 19, 2027 |
No closing time is given for either deadline [VERIFY].
What Has Changed
The no-late-fee deadline moved from September 21 to September 27, and then to October 5. The late-fee deadline moved from September 30 to October 5, and now to October 12. The GOAPS opening date was also revised twice before September 2.
The extension applies only to GATE registration. It does not change the M.Tech admission dates set by individual institutes.
GATE 2027 Application Fee
| Category | One paper (regular) | Two papers (regular) | One paper (late fee) | Two papers (late fee) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 |
| All other candidates, including foreign nationals | ₹2,000 | ₹4,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹4,500 |
PwD refers to Persons with Benchmark Disability. Female candidates are not exempt from the fee. They pay the lower rate. The late-fee columns are ₹500 higher than the regular columns [VERIFY]. The source says the fee is non-refundable [VERIFY against the official FAQ].
How to Apply for GATE 2027
- Go to gate2027.iitm.ac.in and click Apply Now.
- Indian nationals continue with DigiLocker. Foreign nationals log in with their enrolment ID and password.
- Read the instructions and keep your documents ready.
- Confirm your details and generate your enrolment ID and password.
- Complete facial registration and upload your photograph and signature.
- Choose your paper or papers and your exam cities.
- Pay the fee and submit the form.
- Download the confirmation PDF.
Submit only one application. If more than one is filed, only one is accepted and the rest are rejected without a refund. A candidate who wants a second paper should add it to the original application.
DigiLocker: What Candidates Need to Know
DigiLocker registration is mandatory for Indian applicants. Name, date of birth, mobile number, email, address and ID details are fetched from it.
- Candidates with an unverified account can still apply by selecting the default ID proof. Their applications are scrutinised after the registration deadline, and they must show original documents at the exam centre. IIT Madras recommends a verified account.
- Do not delete the DigiLocker account after applying, because future GATE communication will use it.
- Some candidates report a "Verification Failed" error. One reported cause is holding two DigiLocker accounts, one verified and one unverified, on the same email [VERIFY]. Candidates with persistent problems should contact the helpdesk.
Photograph, Signature and Documents
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Live photo | Captured during registration; webcam or phone front camera of at least 5 MP, in good light |
| Uploaded photograph | JPEG, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background, 5 to 600 kB, 200×260 to 530×690 pixels |
| Signature | JPEG, black or dark blue ink, 3 to 300 kB, 250×80 to 580×180 pixels |
| SC/ST certificate | PDF named CATEGORY.pdf, in the GATE2027 folder in DigiLocker |
| PwD certificate | PDF named UDID_CERT.pdf or PWD_CERT.pdf, in the same folder |
General, OBC-NCL and EWS candidates do not need to upload a category document. Candidates must carry the same ID that was verified in DigiLocker, in original, to the exam.
Exam Cities and Eligibility
Candidates can choose six exam cities, all from the same GATE zone. IIT Madras may add or remove cities, or allot a city outside the choices. GATE 2027 will be held only at centres within India.
Eligible candidates are those in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate programme, and those who have completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities. Degree-wise rules are on the official eligibility page.
New in GATE 2027
The exam has 30 test papers, including the new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper. Textile Engineering and Fibre Science is now a section (XE9) within the Engineering Sciences paper. Candidates may take one or two papers. Each paper carries 100 marks, with General Aptitude worth 15 [VERIFY].
Payment Problems, Status and Helpdesk
If a payment fails or is unclear, check your bank account for the transaction. Then log back into the GATE portal after some time and check the payment status. To check your application status, log in to GOAPS with your enrolment ID and password.
- Helpdesk email: helpdesk@gate.iitm.ac.in
- Phone: 044-22578200
- Application-related query hours: Monday to Friday, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Raise issues with screenshots well before the deadline.
What Happens Next
After registration closes, the correction window runs from October 14 to 21, 2026. City allotment follows on January 4, 2027. Admit card dates are yet to be announced. The exam runs across six days in February 2027, and results are due on March 19, 2027. The source does not say which fields can be edited during correction [VERIFY].
Official Portal
Apply and check updates only at gate2027.iitm.ac.in. Avoid links shared on social media.
Live Updates
ended- Latest#10
GATE 2027 application: how to update your DigiLocker details
Follow these steps to get your DigiLocker account ready for the GATE 2027 form:
- Open the official DigiLocker website and go to the Login/Sign Up tab.
- Enter your registered mobile number.
- Select your account, enter your six-digit security PIN and verify.
- Open the "Issued Documents" section and check the details shown.
- To add certificates or other files, go to the "Drive" section and upload them.
- Make sure your name, date of birth, mobile number and email ID are correct.
- #9
Central bodies likely to hire through GATE 2027 scores
GATE 2027: ISRO, BARC, DRDO, NIC, IB and the Cabinet Secretariat may recruit through GATE scores. Notices awaited.
- #8
GATE 2027 application fees: what candidates pay for two papers
Here are the GATE 2027 application fees, by category and by when you apply:
Category Regular period Extended period Female / SC / ST / PwD candidates (per test paper) ₹2,000 ₹3,000 Other candidates ₹4,000 ₹5,000 - #7
GATE 2027: Central government bodies likely to recruit through GATE scores
These organisations may use GATE scores for technical recruitment, based on past trends:
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- National Informatics Centre (NIC)
- Intelligence Bureau: ACIO Grade-II (Tech)
- Cabinet Secretariat: Deputy Field Officer (Technical)
- #6
GATE 2027 Registration Live: When is the GATE 2027 exam?
IIT Madras will hold GATE 2027 on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027, in two shifts. The paper-wise schedule will be announced soon at gate2027.iitm.ac.in, and all dates are subject to change. You can still apply without a late fee until Monday, 5 October 2026, or with a late fee until Monday, 12 October 2026. - #5
IIT Madras GATE Registration 2027 Last Date Extended: Candidates Can Select Six Test Cities
The GATE 2027 registration deadline has been extended, giving candidates additional time to complete their applications. Candidates can select up to six test cities while filling out the GATE 2027 application form. The revised deadline to apply without a late fee is October 5, 2026, while candidates can submit their applications with a late fee until October 12, 2026. - #4
Can Commerce Students Apply for GATE 2027?
Yes, commerce students can apply for GATE 2027. Candidates currently studying in the 3rd year or higher of any government-approved undergraduate programme in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities are eligible to appear for the GATE 2027 examination. - #3
GATE 2027 Registration Live: DigiLocker is mandatory for Indian applicants
IIT Madras has made DigiLocker mandatory for Indian nationals applying for GATE 2027, and the form pulls your details from your account. Make sure your name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, profile picture, address and verified ID number are up to date before you log in. Unverified accounts can still apply with the default ID proof, but must show original documents at the exam centre. Foreign nationals don't need DigiLocker. The last date to apply without a late fee is Monday, 5 October 2026. - #2
GATE 2027 Registration Live: How to create the GATE2027 folder in DigiLocker
Indian applicants must log in through DigiLocker, so set up your folder before you start: 1) Open your DigiLocker account and go to Drive. 2) Create a folder named GATE2027 (no space). 3) Upload your documents in the prescribed format. Only SC/ST and PwD candidates need to upload a certificate (CATEGORY.pdf for SC/ST, UDID_CERT.pdf or PWD_CERT.pdf for PwD). Don't delete your account after applying, as GATE will use it for future communication. - #1
GATE 2027 Registration Live: Mismatch in ID cards and educational documents
GATE verifies your identity using the photo ID card you submit during registration. Your academic documents are checked later, at the examination stage, so use the same ID you'll carry to the exam centre. GATE only conducts the exam. Admission on the basis of your score is decided solely by each institute under its own eligibility and selection criteria.