Engineering graduates eyeing an MTech seat or a public sector job are down to their final hours. The special GATE 2027 registration window opened by IIT Madras is closing today, October 16, at 10:29 AM, and the institute has made it clear that no further extension will be granted after this.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, jointly organised by IISc Bengaluru and the seven older IITs with IIT Madras as this year’s organising institute, is the country’s biggest gateway to postgraduate engineering programmes. For thousands of aspirants who missed the regular and extended deadlines, this 24-hour reopening is the last door in.
A 24-hour lifeline for late applicants
The reopening follows a wave of requests from candidates who could not complete their forms in time. IIT Madras switched the portal back on at 10:30 AM on October 15, giving applicants exactly one day to get their applications in with the applicable late fee.
Candidates must submit everything through the GATE Online Application Processing System, known as GOAPS, on the official portal gate2027.iitm.ac.in. The process is entirely online, and the clock is ticking in Indian Standard Time, so anyone planning to apply should not leave it for the last hour.
What it costs to apply now
Applications in this window attract the late-fee rate, which is a flat Rs 500 on top of the base fee per paper. Here is how the fee structure looks:
- Women, SC, ST and PwD candidates: Rs 1,000 per paper plus the late fee, working out to Rs 1,500 per paper
- All other Indian candidates: Rs 2,000 per paper plus the late fee, working out to Rs 2,500 per paper
- Two-paper applicants: the fee doubles accordingly
Payment is accepted through net banking, debit card, credit card and UPI. The fee is non-refundable, so candidates should double-check their paper choices before paying. Where a double debit happens on the same transaction, the extra amount is typically refunded within about fifteen working days.
DigiLocker is non-negotiable this year
One of the biggest changes to the GATE 2027 process is the mandatory use of DigiLocker. Every Indian applicant must link a DigiLocker account while filling the GOAPS form, with consent validity set to three years.
Category and disability certificates must be uploaded into a folder named GATE2027 in the DigiLocker Drive. SC and ST candidates need their category certificate as CATEGORY.pdf, while PwD candidates must upload their disability certificate as PWD_CERT.pdf along with the UDID certificate as UDID_CERT.pdf. Each file must be between 10 KB and 600 KB.
There is also a new live facial capture step inside the GOAPS portal while creating the candidate profile. Applicants should complete this in good lighting with a clear, recent photograph.
Key dates to keep on your wall
- October 16, 2026 (10:29 AM): special registration window closes
- January 4, 2027: exam city and centre intimation
- February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027: computer-based exam across three weekends
- March 19, 2027: result declaration
The exam will be held only at domestic centres this year, with no international examination cities on offer. Thirty test papers are available, including the newly introduced Robotics and Automation paper, and candidates can opt for one or two papers.
Why the rush makes sense
A valid GATE score remains the most versatile credential in Indian engineering. It opens the door to MTech and PhD admissions at IITs, NITs and IIITs, and it is accepted by public sector undertakings such as IOCL, GAIL and BHEL for recruitment. The scorecard stays valid for three years from the result date, which means this single application keeps options open well into 2030.
That three-year shelf life is precisely why missing the deadline hurts. There is no walk-in alternative, and the next cycle is a full year away.
How to file the form without errors
- Keep a verified DigiLocker account, a recent photograph, a scanned signature and all certificates ready before starting
- Make sure the name on the application matches the photo ID exactly
- Select the paper or papers carefully; two-paper combinations have fixed subject pairings
- Review every field, pay online, and download the acknowledgement page
- Do not delete the DigiLocker account after payment, since all future communication will go through it
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for GATE 2027?
The special registration window closes on October 16, 2026, at 10:29 AM. IIT Madras has stated that no further extension will be granted.
How much is the late fee for GATE 2027?
The late fee is a flat Rs 500 per paper on top of the base fee, so women, SC, ST and PwD candidates pay Rs 1,500 per paper and all other candidates pay Rs 2,500 per paper in this window.
Is DigiLocker mandatory for GATE 2027?
Yes, all Indian nationals must link a DigiLocker account during the GOAPS application, and documents like category certificates must be uploaded through the DigiLocker Drive.
When is the GATE 2027 exam?
The computer-based test will be held on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027, with results expected on March 19, 2027.
How long is the GATE 2027 score valid?
The scorecard is valid for three years from the date of result declaration, for admissions and PSU recruitment.
If you have been putting off the form, this is the morning to finish it. Once the portal shuts at 10:29 AM, the conversation moves on to preparation, and the next chance comes only with GATE 2028.
