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GATE Full Form: What is GATE Exam? Eligibility, Syllabus & Benefits

GATE Full Form: What is GATE Exam? Eligibility, Syllabus & Benefits

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Mar 19, 2025 04:25 PM IST | #GATE

What is the GATE full form?

The GATE full form is Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. It is an admission test held in subjects like Engineering/Technology/Architecture and post-graduate level subjects like Arts, Commerce, and Science. As the GATE full form suggests, it is a national-level entrance examination conducted for admission to postgraduate programmes at engineering colleges in India or PSU recruitment. Every year more than 9 lakh students appear for the GATE exam. The exam is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). This year, IIT Roorkee will conduct the GATE 2025 exam. The authority has announced the GATE 2025 exam date as February 1, 2, 15 and 16, 2025. The authority has extended the GATE 2025 registration date to October 11 (with a late fee). Candidates were able to complete the GATE 2025 registration without a late fee by October 3, 2024.

GATE Full Form: What is GATE Exam? Eligibility, Syllabus & Benefits
GATE Full Form: What is GATE Exam? Eligibility, Syllabus & Benefits

Sections in GATE

Many applicants lack the section-by-section preparation methods required to get high GATE scores. To ensure a good score despite the tough competition, candidates must have some clarity on the various sections. The GATE exam is divided into two sections: general aptitude (GA) and the candidate's chosen branch (Core subject). The test paper comprises 65 questions, 10 of which are from General Aptitude.

  • The weightage of marks in the AE, AG, BT, BM, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PE, PI, TF, ST, and XE papers is divided into three sections according to the GATE exam pattern.
  • Engineering Mathematics accounts for around 13% of total marks or 13 marks.
  • The General Aptitude section will account for 15% of the total marks or 15 marks.
  • The remaining 72 marks are devoted to the paper's content (technical portion).
  • Section B, the candidate's chosen branch (subject), included MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions), and NATs (Numerical Answer Type) questions from the topic.
  • GATE will be a computer-based online test for 30 streams held at exam centres around the country. The examination will last three hours.
  • Negative marking is assigned to MCQs, but no negative marking is assigned to NAT.

Related searches: GATE 2025 subjects list with paper codes | GATE two paper combination

Benefits of qualifying GATE

It is no surprise that GATE is one of the most prestigious tests, opening so many possibilities for students to advance their careers. Let's look at how you may develop a great career after passing the GATE test and at some of the advantages of the GATE exam:

  • Post-Graduation Program: If you pass the GATE test with a perfect score, the finest opportunity you can have is post-graduation from a reputable institute. After passing the GATE test, you can study M.Tech or ME at prestigious universities such as IITs, NITs, or IISC. You can narrow down your options depending on your primary subjects and GATE score. These institutes, on the other hand, are allowed to define their admittance criteria. You must reach the cutoff for admission to these elite engineering institutions.

  • Candidates: Who have passed GATE and wish to pursue a research career can apply for this position at research institutes. They are also qualified for Junior Research Fellowships in CSIR Laboratories and CSIR-funded projects. You no longer have to be concerned about your wages because you may earn a substantial stipend while conducting research and development. These scholarships also include a monthly stipend of Rs 31, 000 to Rs 35, 000.

  • International Study: Another fantastic advantage of passing the GATE test. You can now pursue higher education overseas. GATE scores are accepted by several overseas institutes, including the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, Technical University of Germany, and RWTH Aachen University. Students who wish to study abroad might obtain this option by passing the GATE exams.

  • Job Opportunities: It is another intriguing benefit associated with the GATE examination. After passing the GATE test, you will have access to a plethora of excellent employment prospects. Furthermore, if you are admitted to a prestigious institute like IIT or NIT, the odds are that you will be posted on the college campus. And we all know that universities like IIT and NIT are known for providing excellent on-campus possibilities.

  • PSU sectors: Many GATE applicants dream of working in a PSU (Public Sector Undertaking), and this is another advantage of the GATE test. You may realize your desire by passing the GATE exams. PSU has a special spot for kids with high GATE scores, and they contact them for additional recruiting. Candidates who qualify the exam and meet the eligibility criteria will be eligible for PSU recruitment through GATE at prestigious firms like BHEL, IOCL, ONGC, SAIL, NTPC, HPCL, PGCIL, BARC, and many more. A combination of high-level technical work and the benefits of a government income is sufficient to make your career rewarding.

  • Teaching position: Many colleges and universities now employ postgraduate engineering candidates from their campuses. If you want to pursue a career in academia, you can do so after earning your ME or M.Tech by applying for a faculty job at a reputable university. No surprise, teaching is one of the most prestigious careers you may obtain by passing the GATE.

  • Possibilities of Being Placed in Renowned Foreign Companies: Here's an incredible advantage of passing the GATE exam. Following your post-graduate program, candidates can potentially try their luck in worldwide firms. If you have ever wished to work abroad and advance your career, GATE can assist you. By taking the GATE exam, you can gain admission to a foreign university. So, after finishing your postgraduate program at an international university, you can look for work.

GATE Previous Year Question Paper's
Download GATE previous year question papers to understand exam pattern and difficulty level. Practice with these papers to boost your preparation and improve your score.
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GATE 2025 Exam pattern

Students studying for the GATE examinations will benefit from the GATE exam pattern. The best strategy to perform well and score well in the examination is to prepare by referring to the prescribed GATE syllabus and exam pattern. The GATE exam papers are all objective. Some MCQs (multiple choice questions) and numerical answer type (NAT) questions may be included in the question pattern. Students are advised to examine the marks and topic weighting in the GATE curriculum's comprehensive marking system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the GATE exam eligibility?

A candidate who has completed 10+2+2 or 10+3+1 & are in the 3rd or higher years of any UG courses or has completed a government-approved degree program in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, or the arts is qualified to take the GATE test. Candidates who have certification from any of the professional societies, however, must ensure that the examinations administered by the societies are recognized by the MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC as equal to B.E., B.Tech., B.Arch., B.Planning, etc. 

2. What is the difference between GATE and JEE?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is the entrance exam for postgraduate studies at prestigious institutes like the IITs, IISc, and NIT. The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), on the other hand, is the entry point to graduation. Both tests serve various goals.

3. What is the maximum number of attempts in GATE?

Exam scores are normally valid for three years from the day the results are released. As a result, if a candidate performs well in the test, they should avoid taking the GATE for the next three years. Aside from that, let us check how many GATE exam tries a candidate may get. There is no restriction on the number of GATE exam attempts. How many GATE attempts a candidate can make is entirely up to him or her. While some PSUs may say that the age limit is 28 or 30, the number of GATE exam tries for admission to research and post-graduate seats is totally dependent on the institution. Even though a score is only valid for three years after it is released, there is no age limit or limit on the number of attempts for GATE tests. A candidate may take the GATE examinations an unlimited number of times.

4. Is GATE difficult?

The second question that is likely to be asked is, "How difficult is GATE?"As previously said, while many students assume GATE is a tough exam, it is not. Many students have scored on the exams throughout the decades. Students that work hard will be able to successfully complete the GATE exam. Furthermore, a GATE aspirant can take the GATE test as many times as they desire, and there is no age limit to take the examinations, which might be advantageous to applicants. GATE hopefuls should also tackle questions they are confident in and avoid giving incorrect responses, which may result in a negative grade. The greater the candidate's GATE score, the more right answers they can provide. Avoiding negative marking ensures that the candidate's grades are not diminished. As a result, we can readily infer that the answer to the question "Is GATE Tough?" is that GATE exams, while frequently regarded as difficult, are not insurmountable. It is feasible to do well in these tests. And, depending on the exam preparations, "how difficult is GATE?" can also be answered.

5. Which branch is best for GATE?

The best field is Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). However, the best branch of engineering in GATE is the one that you believe is the best for you.

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Questions related to GATE

Have a question related to GATE ?

GATE Textile Fiber (TF) focuses on subjects like textile technology, fiber science, yarn & fabric manufacturing, and finishing. The exam includes 65 questions—10 from General Aptitude and 55 from core TF subjects.

Total marks are 100, and the duration is 3 hours. It opens opportunities in PSUs, research, and M.Tech/M.E. admissions in textile-related fields.

Preparing from NITRA books, IIT Delhi lecture notes, and past papers is highly recommended.


Hi ,

It’s great that you're exploring interdisciplinary options like Environmental Engineering at IIT Delhi. The eligibility for MTech programs at IITs usually depends on the specific department requirements. Since your background is in Computer Science and you're planning to apply with a GATE score in Environmental Science and Engineering , it's important to note that IIT Delhi’s Civil Engineering department generally prefers students with core branches such as Civil, Chemical, Environmental, or Biotechnology.Some interdisciplinary and research-oriented programs may consider applicants from varied backgrounds if the student shows strong foundational understanding and interest in environmental applications. However, just qualifying the GATE-ES paper doesn’t automatically guarantee eligibility the department’s brochure or admission portal will clarify this.

You should carefully check the admission brochure and contact the department directly for confirmation if needed. Also, keep checking on the shortlisting criteria they usually publish it each year for transparency.

All the best!

Yes, you can take admission in M.Tech Computer Science in IITs or NITs through GATE, even if you have completed your B.Tech in Information Technology and Mathematical Innovation from Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi but there are a few things to keep in mind:

Eligibility depends on GATE paper: You need to appear for the GATE Computer Science paper. If your degree has sufficient CS or IT subjects, you’re eligible for this paper.

Each IIT or NIT has its own criteria: While most IITs or NITs accept related branches like IT, some specific institutes might have particular course requirements. So, check the official brochure of each institute.

Admission is based on GATE score and category: A high GATE score improves your chances, especially for top IITs. You’ll also need to apply through COAP for IITs and CCMT for NITs.

So yes, you're eligible, but always cross-check eligibility criteria of the specific institute during admission time

If you're from Bangladesh and currently studying B.Tech in CSE in India, you can appear for the GATE exam in India itself. You don’t need to go back to Bangladesh to write the exam.

Since you're already studying at an Indian institute, you are considered a foreign national studying in India, and you’re allowed to write GATE just like Indian students. You can apply online, choose your exam center in India, and write it here.

Just make sure to have the required documents ready like your valid ID proof, passport or student visa (if asked), and eligibility proof like your college ID or certificate, Everything else in the GATE process remains the same.

Hello Aspirant,

With a GATE 2025 score of 352 and OBC rank 21421 in CSE it can be probable for M.Tech in CSE or AI at JNTUA (Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur). In the initial rounds it can be challenging as the cutoffs for CSE/AI are usually high, core branches tend to have low cutoffs relative to all other branches and will only get higher in general rounds. If your only applying for CSE and AI only, you might have a foot in the door with later rounds or spot admissions to fill vacancies from those rejected in the initial rounds or those that declined the offer, if they have not confirmed their seats. Again, keep an eye on either CCMT or on at the university level counselling, soon enough it will be quite an academic year!

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