Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026: Official Notification, Pattern, Syllabus & Mock Tests
GATE is India's most prestigious competitive examination for engineering graduates, serving as the gateway for Master's/Ph.D. admissions in IITs/IISc/NITs and direct executive recruitment in top Maharatna/Navratna PSUs (IOCL, ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, PowerGrid, GAIL).
Examination Overview
GATE is India's most prestigious competitive examination for engineering graduates, serving as the gateway for Master's/Ph.D. admissions in IITs/IISc/NITs and direct executive recruitment in top Maharatna/Navratna PSUs (IOCL, ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, PowerGrid, GAIL).
| Exam Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | IITs & IISc on behalf of NCB-GATE / MHRD |
| Exam Level | National |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) / Written Examination |
| Language of Exam | English, Hindi & State Regional Languages |
| Official Website | https://gate.iitk.ac.in/ ↗ |
Important Dates & Events
Timeline confirmed from official notices issued by IITs & IISc on behalf of NCB-GATE / MHRD.
| Event / Milestone | Important Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Application Window | August - September |
| GATE Examination | First two weekends of February |
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
Computer Based Test: 65 Questions, 100 Marks, 3 Hours. General Aptitude (15 Marks) + Engineering Mathematics (13 Marks) + Core Technical Discipline (72 Marks). Types of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ with negative marking of 1/3rd or 2/3rd), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ with no negative marking), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT with no negative marking).
| Examination Parameter | Scheme Details | Remarks / Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Question Format | Multiple Choice Questions (Objective MCQs) | 4 or 5 options per question |
| Evaluation Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) / Offline OMR Sheet | Centralized Evaluation System |
| Negative Marking Scheme | Standard 1/3rd or 1/4th negative deduction | Penalized for incorrect responses |
| Language Medium | Bilingual (English & Hindi) + Regional State Languages | Language toggle available in CBT |
| Normalization | Equipercentile or Percentile method across shifts | Multi-shift normalization applied |
Selection Process & Stages
Candidate progression through sequential recruitment tiers:
Preliminary / Tier 1 Examination
Comprehensive objective screening test covering core aptitude, reasoning, general knowledge and language skills.
Mains / Tier 2 / Skill Test
Advanced written assessment or post-specific technical/descriptive examination determining the final merit order.
Document Verification & Medical
Scrutiny of original certificates, category credentials, age proofs and required medical fitness examination.
Eligibility Criteria (Age & Educational Qualification)
Candidates currently studying in the 3rd or higher years of any undergraduate degree programme or who have already completed any government-approved degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture/Science/Commerce/Arts. No upper age limit.
| Parameter | Eligibility Condition | Relaxation Norms |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Criteria | Candidates currently studying in the 3rd or higher years of any undergraduate degree programme or who have already completed any government-approved degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture/Science/Commerce/Arts. No upper age limit. | Recognized Board / University required |
| Age Requirement | As specified in official notification (General Category) | SC/ST: +5 Years | OBC: +3 Years | PwD: +10 Years |
| Citizenship | Citizen of India | Subject of Nepal/Bhutan as per Central/State rules |
| Language Proficiency | Regional / English & Hindi working knowledge | Applicable as per State / National jurisdiction |
Detailed Syllabus by Subject
Engineering Mathematics, General Aptitude, and branch-specific core curriculum (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science, Electronics, Chemical, Data Science & AI).
📖 General Studies & Current Affairs
- Current National & International Events
- Indian History & Freedom Struggle
- Indian & World Geography
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Indian Polity, Constitution & Governance
- Basic Economic Concepts & Budget Highlights
🔢 Quantitative & Numerical Aptitude
- Simplification, Number System, HCF & LCM
- Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Time, Speed & Distance, Time & Work
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar & Pie Charts)
🧩 Reasoning & Mental Ability
- Analogies, Classification & Series Completion
- Coding-Decoding & Blood Relations
- Direction Sense Test & Ranking Order
- Syllogisms, Statements & Assumptions
- Non-Verbal Reasoning & Figure Counting
📝 Language Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension Passages
- Vocabulary, Synonyms & Antonyms
- Grammar, Error Spotting & Sentence Correction
- Cloze Test, Idioms & Phrases
- One Word Substitutions & Spelling Check
Preparation Strategy & Cut-Off Trends
Historical scoring benchmarks and safe score targets for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) based on competitive trends:
| Category | Safe Target Percentage | Preparation Focus | Benchmark Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 75% - 82% | Speed + Negative Control in Reasoning & Quant | 90%+ Accuracy |
| OBC / EWS | 70% - 76% | High Scoring in Current Affairs & Language | 88%+ Accuracy |
| SC / ST | 62% - 70% | Syllabus Coverage & Previous Year Papers | 85%+ Accuracy |
| PwD / Ex-SM | 55% - 65% | Sectional Cut-Off clearance + Accuracy | 82%+ Accuracy |
Official Mock Test Series & CBT Practice
Practice full-length CBT tests matching the exact GATE pattern with bilingual questions and instant rank analysis.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 Official Practice Series
1 Total Tests • 1 Free Tests • English, Hindi, Bengali
2027 Official Practice Series & Question Bank
2027 CYCLE READYTargeted subject-wise and topic-wise practice series for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). Featuring expected question predictions, pattern mastery, and instant step-by-step CBT solutions.
GATE 2027: Expected Questions 2027 (Practice Predictions)
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027: High-Yield Expected Questions (Set 2)
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027: Core Subject Mastery & Concept Test
Official Previous Year Solved Question Papers
Practice authentic past year papers in real CBT exam mode with step-by-step verified explanations.
Official previous year papers are being processed in interactive CBT format.
Browse All Solved Papers →Free Online Practice Quizzes (10 Questions Each)
Practice topic-wise and subject-wise 10-minute micro quizzes with instant scores, countdown timer, and detailed explanations.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) General Studies Quiz 1
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) General Studies Quiz 2
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) General Studies Quiz 3
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Quantitative Aptitude Quiz 1
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Quantitative Aptitude Quiz 2
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Quantitative Aptitude Quiz 3
Frequently Asked Questions
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