GATE 2027 Registration: Late-Fee Window Open Till 12 October, Check Dates, DigiLocker Steps and Common Errors

GATE 2027 will be a three-hour computer-based test, with negative marking on multiple-choice questions [VERIFY against the official brochure]. The exam pattern is as follows:

Tip: Candidates should practise with the virtual calculator and the mock test interface, and read the official GATE 2027 brochure for the full marking details.

The General Aptitude (GA) section is common to every GATE 2027 test paper, so all candidates answer the same type of GA questions, regardless of their branch [VERIFY in the official brochure].

Tip: Candidates should check the official GATE 2027 syllabus PDF on gate2027.iitm.ac.in before planning their GA preparation.

Candidates preparing for the GATE 2027 Life Sciences (XL) paper can focus on the following topics, which are commonly treated as high-weightage [VERIFY against the official syllabus and past papers].

Tip: Candidates should check the official GATE 2027 XL syllabus on gate2027.iitm.ac.in and practise previous years' papers before settling on a study plan.

GATE 2027 candidates will use an on-screen virtual calculator during the computer-based test and cannot bring their own [VERIFY on the official brochure]. The calculator works as follows [VERIFY]:

Tip: Candidates should practise on the mock test interface, so that mouse-based entry does not slow them down on exam day [VERIFY that IIT Madras has released a mock test].

After submitting the form, candidates can track their GATE 2027 application status by logging in to the GOAPS portal via gate2027.iitm.ac.in. The status messages mean the following [VERIFY on the portal]:

Tip: Candidates should keep the submission confirmation and check their registered email, SMS, or WhatsApp for defect alerts [VERIFY].

Log in to GOAPS and check your application status. Confirmation messages can be delayed, so the portal is the reliable check.

What to do

• Check your spam or junk folder.
• Make sure your registered mobile number and email are correct.
• Expect delays during heavy traffic near the deadline.
• If you can download the PDF copy of your submitted form, your submission went through.

If money was deducted but you got no acknowledgement: Check your bank transaction and log in to GOAPS again later. If payment isn't received, pay again without waiting for the refund. The debited amount returns to your account within 15 working days.

Still stuck? Email helpdesk@gate.iitm.ac.in or call 044-22578200.

Deadlines: October 5 (no late fee) | October 12 (with late fee)

Photograph rules

• Recent photo, not older than 3 months.
• Front view, with forehead, eyes, nose and chin clearly visible.
• No cap, hat, sunglasses or coloured glasses. Normal spectacles are allowed if there is no glare.
• No shadows, blur or other people in the frame.

Signature rules

• Signed by the candidate only. No digital signatures, capital letters or initials.
• A signature that doesn't match at the exam centre can lead to disqualification.

Deadlines: October 5 (no late fee) | October 12 (with late fee)

Yes, for Indian nationals. IIT Madras requires registration through DigiLocker. Other nationals register directly on the GOAPS portal with their name, email, mobile number and a password.

Details DigiLocker fetches (check that all are correct):

• Name
• Date of birth
• Mobile number
• Email ID
• Profile picture
• Address
• Verified ID number

Key points

• An unverified account is allowed, but a verified one is recommended for a smoother process, including at the exam centre.
• Your name and date of birth must match your photo ID exactly.
• Don't delete your DigiLocker account after submitting the application and paying the fee.

How to resize: Open the image in MS Photos or Paint, crop it to the size above, save it as JPG and check the file size.

How to upload

1. Go to gate2027.iitm.ac.in and continue with DigiLocker.
2. Fill in your personal and educational details.
3. Upload the photo, signature and other documents in the designated spaces.
4. Click "Save and View Application" to check before submitting.

Photos or signatures that don't meet the specifications can lead to rejection, and the fee is not refunded. Deadlines: October 5 (no late fee) | October 12 (with late fee)

IIT Madras has allowed candidates to apply for GATE 2027 with an unverified DigiLocker account. Their forms and documents will be checked during scrutiny after submission.

How to check your application status

• Log in to GOAPS with your Enrolment ID and password.
• View your status on the dashboard.

"Application Under Scrutiny" means your form is being verified. There is no need to worry.

If there is an error: The GATE office will contact you by email, SMS or WhatsApp. Fix the defect within the given time.

Deadlines: October 5 (no late fee) | October 12 (with late fee)

• Haryana: Faridabad, Gurugram
• Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu (Samba), Srinagar
• Ladakh: Leh
• Madhya Pradesh: Indore, Ujjain
• New Delhi: New Delhi
• Rajasthan: Ajmer, Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur
• Uttar Pradesh: Greater Noida, Mathura

Candidates can choose three cities, all from the same GATE zone. The list is tentative, and city allotment will be notified on January 4, 2027.

Registration closes October 5 without a late fee and October 12 with a late fee.

The fee is charged per paper. Candidates applying for two papers pay double.

Key points

• The same fee applies to General, EWS and OBC-NCL candidates.
• The late fee is an extra ₹500 per paper.
• The fee does not include service charges and is non-refundable.
• Pay online through the GOAPS portal after uploading documents.

Who is eligible: Candidates with a benchmark disability, meaning at least 40% impairment, whatever the type of disability.

What to submit: A recently obtained, valid PwD certificate. Candidates opting for the concession should upload it as per the portal's instructions. For DigiLocker Drive uploads, candidates report using a "GATE2027" folder with the files named PWD_CERT.pdf or UDID_CERT.pdf, each under 600 KB. Confirm the exact rules in the Information Brochure.

Concession amount: ₹1,000 in the regular window and ₹1,500 in the late-fee window, per paper.

Verification: The admitting institute is responsible for verifying the certificate at the time of admission. The GATE 2027 Committee is not responsible for incorrect PwD declarations.

UDID: Candidates can check the Unique Disability ID (UDID) scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for details.

Scribe or compensatory time: For candidates who need a scribe or extra time because of difficulty in writing, the certificate must come from a multi-member medical authority:

• Chief Medical Officer, Civil Surgeon or Chief District Medical Officer (Chairperson)
• Orthopaedic or PMR specialist (Member)
• Another expert nominated by the Chairperson, based on the candidate's condition (Member)

Deadline: Registration closes on October 5 without a late fee and October 12 with a late fee.