GATE 2027 registration has been delayed after IIT Madras did not activate the application link on August 27, 2026, as previously scheduled. The official portal has removed the specific registration start date and now states that online registration will “start soon”.The postponement affects candidates preparing to apply for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027. The regular application closing date remains September 27, 2026. Candidates can monitor the IIT Madras GATE 2027 portal for the registration link.Registration postponed until further noticeThe current status shows that registration is temporarily postponed. IIT Madras has not issued an official reason for the delay. The postponement is likely linked to technical load-testing of the new mandatory DigiLocker integration and live facial recognition systems.The registration deadline is currently unchanged despite the delayed opening of applications.Exam pattern and marking schemeGATE 2027 will be a three-hour Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted entirely in English. The paper will contain 65 questions carrying 100 marks.
| Component | Details |
| General Aptitude | Compulsory; 15 marks |
| Core domain subject | Primary subject; 85 marks |
| Question types | MCQ, MSQ and NAT |
| Wrong 1-mark MCQ | One-third mark deducted |
| Wrong 2-mark MCQ | Two-thirds mark deducted |
| MSQ and NAT | No negative marking |
Negative marking applies only to MCQs.• Direct link to visit the official websiteNew paper and syllabus changesIIT Madras has introduced Robotics and Automation (RA) as the 30th paper. The addition provides a dedicated paper for candidates focused on smart systems, mechatronics and robotics engineering.The Biotechnology (BT) syllabus and subject weightage have been revised. Structural and formatting changes have also been made to Engineering Sciences (XE), Humanities and Social Sciences (XH), and Life Sciences (XL). Textile Engineering (TF) has received changes to its code structure and content framework.Approved two-paper combinationsCandidates choosing two papers must follow the approved combinations.
| Primary paper | Permitted second papers |
| CS | DA, EC, GE, MA, ME, PH, RA, ST |
| DA | CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, RA, ST, XE |
| ME | AE, CS, DA, IN, NM, PI, RA, XE |
| EC | CS, DA, EE, IN, PH, RA |
| EE | DA, EC, IN, PH, RA |
| CE | AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE |
Registering for a second paper doubles the application fee structure.New registration requirementsIndian national applicants must have a verified DigiLocker account before filling out the application form. The system will retrieve verified identification details through DigiLocker.The application architecture also requires live facial recognition through the candidate’s device camera to verify identity, rather than relying only on an uploaded photograph.
