GATE Full Form: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

The full form of GATE is Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. It is a prestigious examination that is jointly conducted by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). GATE assesses candidates' comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in the fields of engineering, technology, and architecture. It is used for admission to postgraduate programs (M.Tech, M.S.) in various institutions across India, as well as for recruitment in public sector enterprises (PSUs).

GATE exam is usually held in the month of February each year. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is held in eight zones across India and is organised by IISc (Indian Institute of Science) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). This exam is held every year in the first two weeks of February. The examination takes place once a year.

GATE Full Form With All Details 

GATE or Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is an entrance examination that evaluates the knowledge and understanding of undergraduate subjects in engineering, technology, and architecture. Conducted jointly by IITs and IISc, it is one of the most competitive exams for students aiming to pursue higher education or secure job opportunities in prestigious public sector companies.

Given below is an overview of GATE examination:

GATE 2025 Exam: Organising Body, Exam Details 

GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) exam 2025 is to be conducted by IIT Roorkee. The exam is scheduled for February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025, with two sessions on each day. 

GATE 2025 Time Table Branch Wise

Check the following table to know the subject wise GATE 2025 exam timetable, timing. 

GATE Full Form: Eligibility Criteria 

Candidates should be informed that GATE eligibility criteria differ based on the paper they are attempting. The GATE eligibility criteria are provided below for candidates' reference

What is GATE Syllabus?

The GATE syllabus is released by IIT Roorkee for all 30 papers. The syllabus includes a new two-paper combination list. The GATE exam syllabus comprises three major sections: Engineering Mathematics, General Aptitude, and Subject-Specific Topics. For a detailed description of syllabus, please refer to the official website: gate.iitkgp.ac.in

The papers of GATE are:

• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Instrumentation Engineering
• Production and Industrial Engineering
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Environmental Science and Engineering

What is GATE Registration fee?

The registration fee for GATE depending on the category one is from.The application fee can be paid online through credit/debit card, net banking, or e-Challan. Given below is the registration fee for various categories:

• General/OBC: Rs. 1500
• SC/ST/PwD: Rs. 750

Benefits of GATE Exam: Career Opportunities After Qualifying GATE 

Candidates appearing for the GATE exam 2025 or planning to appear for the upcoming GATE Examinations should have knowledge about the benefits of qualifying the GATE exam. The following are some of the benefits of qualifying the GATE exam:

• Postgraduate Studies

• Admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other prestigious institutions: Qualifying GATE allows you to pursue M.Tech,M.E.,or M.S. programs in top engineering and science institutions.
• Study Abroad Opportunities: Some international universities (e.g., in Singapore and Germany) accept GATE scores for admission to their postgraduate programs.
• Financial Assistance: Qualified candidates receive a monthly stipend (around 12,400) under MHRD guidelines while pursuing M.Tech/PhD.

• Research Opportunities

• Direct PhD Programs: GATE scores are often considered for admission to direct PhD programs in engineering, science, and humanities.
• CSIR and DRDO Projects: Opportunities are available to work as Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) or Research Scientists in organizations like CSIR, DRDO, ISRO and BARC.

• Employment in Public Sector Undertakings(PSUs)

• Recruitment in PSUs: Many PSUs such as ONGC, IOCL, NTPC, BHEL, BPCL, HPCL, and GAIL use GATE scores for recruitment into high-paying technical and managerial positions.

• Higher Pay Scales:  Engineers recruited through GATE into PSUs typically enjoy salaries starting from ₹8-20 LPA, along with other perks.

• Government Sector Jobs

• Positions in railways, Defense, and Research: GATE scores are sometimes considered for various technical roles in Indian Railways, defense services, and scientific research organizations like ISRO and DRDO.

• Academic and Teaching Opportunities

• Assistant Professorship: GATE qualification makes you eligible for lecturerships or assistant professor roles in various universities and colleges.

• Lab and Workshop Instructor Roles: Many institutions hire GATE-qualified candidates for technical and practical education roles.

List of IITs in India

As of January 2025, there are 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in India. These institutions are considered to be the country's premier engineering institutes. Each of the IITs were established in different years. The oldest IIT is IIT Kharagpur. Here is a list of various IITs offering admissions through GATE exam.