Candidates who are unable to complete their applications within the regular deadline will still have an additional opportunity to register. The extended registration window with a late fee will remain open until October 5, 2026. The latest schedule is important for candidates who are still preparing their documents, completing DigiLocker formalities or finalising their GATE paper choices.

The question of whether IIT Madras will provide another extension has also emerged after the registration deadline for another national-level examination was extended. However, no further extension beyond the currently announced GATE 2027 schedule has been announced so far. Candidates should therefore avoid waiting for another extension and complete their applications within the prescribed deadline.

The GATE 2027 application schedule has already undergone changes. The registration opening date was initially scheduled for August 14, then revised to August 27, before the application portal finally opened on September 2, 2026. The regular registration deadline has now been fixed at September 27, while the late-fee window ends on October 5.

GATE 2027 Registration Last Date

The latest GATE 2027 application schedule is as follows:

The official schedule states that the dates are subject to change.

Will IIT Madras Extend GATE 2027 Registration Deadline Again?

At present, there is no announcement of another extension to the GATE 2027 registration deadline.

The current schedule provides candidates with two opportunities:

• September 27, 2026: Apply without late fee

• October 5, 2026: Apply with late fee

The possibility of another extension has become a topic of discussion because IIT Kharagpur recently extended the registration deadline for IIT JAM 2027. However, the GATE 2027 schedule currently published by IIT Madras continues to show October 5 as the final extended deadline.

Candidates should therefore consider September 27 as the immediate deadline if they want to avoid the additional late fee. Those who miss it should use the extended window rather than waiting for another possible revision.

Why Was the GATE 2027 Registration Schedule Revised?

The GATE 2027 application schedule has undergone multiple revisions even before the registration portal became operational.

The registration was initially scheduled to begin on August 14, 2026. It was subsequently postponed to August 27 and later revised again, with the application portal eventually opening on September 2.

Along with the revised opening date, the regular registration deadline was shifted from September 21 to September 27, while the late-fee deadline moved from September 30 to October 5.

This means candidates should rely on the latest schedule displayed on the GATE 2027 portal rather than earlier dates circulating online.

GATE 2027 Registration Through DigiLocker

One of the major changes in the GATE 2027 registration process is the use of DigiLocker.

For Indian nationals, registration through DigiLocker is part of the GATE 2027 application process. Candidate information such as name, date of birth, mobile number, email address, profile photograph, address and verified identification details can be fetched from DigiLocker during registration.

Candidates were initially advised to use a verified DigiLocker account. However, IIT Madras has subsequently clarified that candidates can also register using an unverified DigiLocker account by selecting the applicable default ID proof.

Applications submitted through unverified accounts will be scrutinised after the registration deadline. Such candidates may also be required to undergo original document verification at the examination centre.

Candidates are advised not to delete the DigiLocker account used for GATE 2027 registration after submitting the application and paying the fee because future GATE-related communication will be associated with the DigiLocker account used during registration.

GATE 2027 Application Form: Important Details

Candidates filling out the GATE 2027 application form need to provide several academic, personal and examination-related details.

The application process requires information such as:

• Personal details

• Date of birth

• Parent or guardian details

• Degree information

• College/institute details

• GATE test paper choice

• Examination city preferences

• Category information, wherever applicable

• Photograph and other required documents

• Fee-payment details

The candidate's name should match the valid photo identification document that will be produced at the examination centre. The date of birth fetched through DigiLocker also plays an important role in the application process.

GATE 2027 Application: Documents and Photograph Requirements

Candidates should keep the required documents ready before starting the application process.

A live photograph is captured during registration. Candidates using a computer can use a webcam, while those using a mobile device should have a front-facing camera of at least 5 MP.

The official instructions also specify requirements for photograph and signature files.

For candidates belonging to categories requiring supporting certificates, documents such as SC/ST and PwD certificates need to be uploaded in the prescribed DigiLocker folder and file format.

Candidates should carefully follow the document naming and file-size requirements because errors in document uploads can affect the application process.

GATE 2027 Application Fee

The GATE 2027 registration fee depends on the candidate's category and the timing of application.

Candidates applying within the regular registration period pay the prescribed standard fee, while applications submitted during the extended window attract an additional late fee.

The application fee is non-refundable, except where a duplicate transaction is established and the required proof is submitted. IIT Madras has specifically advised candidates to retain details of their payment transactions.

Candidates should check the fee applicable to their category directly in the application portal before making payment, particularly if they are applying during the extended registration period.

GATE 2027 Eligibility Criteria

GATE is open to candidates pursuing or who have completed eligible undergraduate degrees and other recognised programmes, subject to the eligibility conditions specified for the particular examination year.

Students in the relevant years of eligible undergraduate programmes can appear for GATE, while candidates who have already completed qualifying degrees may also apply.

GATE does not have a general upper age limit for appearing in the examination.

Candidates should, however, carefully check the detailed eligibility conditions applicable to their degree, year of study and chosen paper before submitting the application.

GATE 2027 Exam Dates

The GATE 2027 examination will be conducted over six days across three weekends.

The scheduled examination dates are:

• February 6, 2027

• February 7, 2027

• February 13, 2027

• February 14, 2027

• February 20, 2027

• February 21, 2027

The examination will be conducted in multiple sessions as per the final schedule and candidate allotment.

Candidates should download their admit cards once released and verify the examination date, session and allotted test centre carefully.

GATE 2027 Exam Pattern

GATE is a computer-based examination designed to assess candidates' understanding of undergraduate-level concepts in engineering, technology, architecture, science, commerce, arts and related disciplines, depending on the selected paper.

The examination generally includes:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

• Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

• Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions

The exact question distribution and marks vary according to the selected GATE paper.

Candidates should therefore study the syllabus and examination pattern of their chosen paper rather than relying solely on the general GATE structure.

New GATE 2027 Paper: Robotics and Automation

A notable development for GATE 2027 is the introduction of a new test paper in Robotics and Automation (RA).

IIT Madras has also indicated revisions to the syllabi of various GATE test papers. Changes have been made to certain paper codes and two-paper combinations as well.

Candidates should therefore download and review the latest GATE 2027 syllabus for their selected paper before beginning or finalising their preparation.

GATE 2027 Two-Paper Option

Candidates can select eligible combinations of two GATE papers where permitted.

However, not every combination is available. Candidates must choose from the officially permitted two-paper combinations listed for GATE 2027.

The introduction of the revised paper structure and changes to paper combinations make it particularly important for candidates to verify their preferred combination before submitting the application.

GATE 2027 Application Correction Window

Candidates who successfully submit their applications will have an opportunity to make permitted corrections during the application rectification period.

The current schedule places the correction window between:

October 14 and October 21, 2026.

Candidates should use this period carefully and verify whether the specific field they want to modify is permitted under the correction rules.

The correction facility should not be treated as an opportunity to change every application detail. Only specified fields can be modified according to the applicable correction rules.

GATE 2027 City Allotment

The notification regarding examination city allotment is scheduled for January 4, 2027.

Candidates should monitor the GATE portal after the city-allotment notification and subsequently download the admit card once IIT Madras announces its availability.

GATE 2027 Result Date

The GATE 2027 result is scheduled to be announced on March 19, 2027.

Candidates will be able to check their results and subsequently access their scorecards through the designated GATE portal.

The GATE score can be relevant for several purposes, including postgraduate admissions, research opportunities and recruitment processes conducted by participating organisations. However, qualifying GATE by itself does not guarantee admission, scholarship or employment; individual institutions and organisations apply their own eligibility and selection rules.

What Candidates Should Do Before September 27?

Candidates who have not yet completed the GATE 2027 application should avoid waiting until the final hours.

Before submitting the form, candidates should:

1.    Ensure their DigiLocker details are correct.

2.    Check the spelling of their name against their valid ID.

3.    Verify their date of birth.

4.    Confirm their qualifying degree details.

5.    Select the correct GATE paper.

6.    Check whether their desired two-paper combination is permitted.

7.    Upload photographs and documents according to the prescribed specifications.

8.    Select examination cities carefully.

9.    Verify category and certificate details, where applicable.

10.                   Review the complete application before payment.

11.                   Save the application confirmation and payment details.

Candidates who are unable to complete the process by September 27 can use the late-fee window until October 5, subject to the applicable additional fee.

GATE 2027 Registration: Key Takeaways

The important points for GATE 2027 aspirants are:

• IIT Madras is conducting GATE 2027.

• The registration portal opened on September 2, 2026.

• The last date to apply without a late fee is September 27, 2026.

• The extended application deadline with a late fee is October 5, 2026.

• No further extension has been announced as of the latest update.

• Indian nationals are required to register through DigiLocker.

• Candidates can currently register using an unverified DigiLocker account under the specified procedure.

• Application rectification is scheduled from October 14 to October 21, 2026.

• City allotment notification is scheduled for January 4, 2027.

• GATE 2027 examinations will be held on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027.

• The GATE 2027 result is scheduled for March 19, 2027.

• A new Robotics and Automation (RA) test paper has been introduced.

• Candidates should check the revised syllabus and permitted two-paper combinations before applying.

• The GATE 2027 registration fee is non-refundable except for eligible duplicate transactions.

Conclusion

The GATE 2027 registration deadline without late fee is September 27, 2026, while candidates who miss the regular deadline can submit their applications with the applicable late fee until October 5, 2026. Although candidates are discussing the possibility of another extension following changes to other entrance-examination schedules, IIT Madras has not announced any additional extension at present.

With the examination scheduled across six dates in February 2027, aspirants should complete the application process at the earliest rather than waiting for a possible last-minute change. Candidates should also pay particular attention to the DigiLocker-based registration system, revised paper combinations, the new Robotics and Automation paper and updated GATE 2027 syllabi.

Once the application is submitted, candidates should focus on preparation, monitor the rectification window in October, check the city-allotment notification in January and download the admit card when it becomes available.