GATE 2027 Registration Last Date: Complete Guide to GOAPS, Fees, DigiLocker and Application Status Before September 27
Published 26 Sept 20265 min read
GATE 2027 registration without late fee closes tomorrow, September 27, 2026. Applications remain open with a late fee until October 5, 2026. As of the latest update, IIT Madras has not extended the regular deadline. Here's a complete, organised reference covering fees, DigiLocker rules, required documents, and what your application status means — built for anyone finishing their form today.
GATE 2027 Registration: Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date without late fee | September 27, 2026 |
| Last date with late fee (additional ₹500) | October 5, 2026 |
| Application correction window | October 14–21, 2026 |
| GATE 2027 exam dates | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027 |
GATE 2027 Application Fees
| Category | Regular | Extended (late fee) |
|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD candidates (per test paper) | ₹1,000 | ₹1,500 |
| Other candidates | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
The GATE application fee is non-refundable, regardless of category.
How to Register on GOAPS
- Go to the official website: gate2027.iitm.ac.in
- Click the GATE exam registration link and continue with DigiLocker.
- Check and confirm your fetched details to generate your enrolment ID and password.
- Complete facial registration and upload the required documents.
- Pay the application fee and submit the form.
DigiLocker for GATE 2027: What's Mandatory, What's Not
DigiLocker is a government digital document locker linked to Aadhaar. For GATE 2027, linking a DigiLocker account is mandatory for Indian nationals — GOAPS uses it to fetch your name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, address and identity proof directly, cutting down on manual entry and mismatched records.
However, the account does not need to be verified. Candidates facing DigiLocker verification trouble can proceed with an unverified account, provided they change their consent validity to three years. Important: candidates should not delete their DigiLocker account (verified or unverified) after submitting the application and paying the fee — all future GATE 2027 communication is tied to the DigiLocker account used at submission.
If there's a data mismatch between your GATE 2027 details and DigiLocker, complete e-KYC on DigiLocker and try again.
Fixing "Verification Failed"
This error typically appears for one of these reasons:
- ID proof not selected for document verification.
- Consent validity not set to three years.
- The "purpose" field during consent wasn't set to "verification" and confirmed.
PwD candidates facing issues specifically with Live Photo Capture should contact the GATE helpcentre directly rather than repeatedly retrying.
Documents Required by Category
| Category | Documents to Upload in "GATE2027" DigiLocker Folder |
|---|---|
| General, OBC-NCL, EWS | None required |
| SC / ST | Category certificate only, saved as "CATEGORY.pdf" |
| PwD | PwD/Dyslexic certificate as specified — filenames: PWD_CERT.pdf, UDID_CERT.pdf, APPENDIX-B1.pdf, APPENDIX-B2.pdf |
Photo, Signature and Facial Registration Requirements
| Document | Format | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | JPG/JPEG | 5–600 KB |
| Signature | JPG/JPEG | 3–300 KB |
Note: an earlier general instruction cites a blanket 10–600 KB range for DigiLocker folder uploads — treat the table above as the more specific reference, and confirm against the current official brochure if your file falls outside either range.
Signature must be written using blue or black ink. Your Aadhaar or DigiLocker photo will not be used for the application — GOAPS instead uses a live photo captured during facial registration, plus a separately uploaded recent photo (not older than three months). During facial registration:
- A liveness check confirms you're a real person.
- Remove glasses or sunglasses; keep your face clearly visible.
- Centre your face in the frame and look directly at the camera.
- Ensure good lighting.
- Follow on-screen liveness prompts (e.g., turn your head, blink, smile).
GATE 2027 Eligibility: Who Can Apply
Candidates must be in the third year or higher of an approved bachelor's degree programme (Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities), or have already completed one. There is no age limit and no cap on the number of attempts.
Diploma-only candidates cannot apply directly — a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification. Candidates who joined a B.Tech programme via lateral entry after a diploma become eligible once they reach the third year of that B.Tech programme.
Exam City Selection
Candidates can choose up to six exam cities, all within the same GATE zone. Finalise city choices before the registration window closes.
Understanding Your GATE Application Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Application Received | Your form has been received successfully |
| Application Form Under Scrutiny | Under review/verification |
| Application Submitted | Submitted, but payment not yet completed |
| Application Submitted and Payment Received Successfully | Submitted and paid; moves to scrutiny next |
| Under Scrutiny: Defect Rectification Done | Earlier defects were fixed; back in scrutiny |
| Application Incomplete or Defective | Defects found, not yet rectified |
| Accepted | Approved for admission purposes |
Can You Edit the Form After Submission?
Yes, but only during the dedicated correction window: October 14–21, 2026. Editing specific particulars during this window has historically required a ₹500 fee (based on last year's process — confirm the exact 2027 fee once officially notified). This is a one-time opportunity — once changes are made, they cannot be edited again.
Is the GATE 2027 Fee Refundable?
No. The application fee is non-refundable for all categories.
What Happens Next
- GATE 2027 will be held over six sessions: February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027.
- The application correction window opens October 14, 2026.
- Candidates should retain access to the DigiLocker account used at submission, since all further communication is routed through it.
Official Website
Complete registration only through the official GOAPS portal: gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
FAQ
Q: Has the GATE 2027 registration deadline been extended?
A: No — as of the latest update, the regular-fee deadline remains September 27, 2026.
Q: Is it mandatory to register through DigiLocker for GATE 2027?
A: Yes, linking a DigiLocker account is mandatory for Indian nationals. However, it does not need to be verified — you can proceed with an unverified account.
Q: Is GATE free for girls?
A: No. Female applicants pay a reduced fee — ₹1,000 (regular) or ₹1,500 (extended) — same as SC/ST/PwD candidates, but it isn't free.
Q: Is the GATE 2027 application fee refundable?
A: No, the fee is non-refundable for all categories.
Q: Can diploma students apply for GATE 2027?
A: Not directly. A bachelor's degree (in progress, third year or higher, or completed) is the minimum requirement. Diploma holders who join a B.Tech via lateral entry become eligible once they reach the third year of that programme.
Q: How many exam cities can I select?
A: Up to six, all within the same GATE zone.
Q: What does "Application Under Scrutiny" mean?
A: Your application has been received and is under review/verification — it isn't an error state.