The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is widely considered a gateway for academic and personal progression. It grants the opportunity for students to get admission to PG programmes like Master in Technology (M.Tech.), Master of Engineering (M.E.) and PhD programmes from top-notch colleges in our country. Since cracking the GATE examination is considered one of the finest ways to secure the future, more and more candidates appear for the examination every year. And thus, higher competitiveness is experienced by the candidates. Usually, the examination is conducted in the month of January or February every year. There are some eligibility criteria that each aspirant needs to meet to appear for the GATE examination.
A proper understanding of the eligibility criteria is very imperative for candidates appearing for the GATE examination. To help them ensure that they are fit to appear in the examination, we have provided a table below with all details. Candidates can easily go through the details provided below and expand their insight regarding the GATE age limit, educational qualification, nationality etc.
| Criteria | Eligibility |
| 1. Nationality |
|
| 2. Education Qualification |
|
| 3. GATE Exam Age Limit |
|
GATE Eligibility Criteria by Qualifying Degree
| Degree/Programme | Qualifying Degree/Examination | Description of Eligible Candidates |
| B.E./B.Tech./B. Pharm. | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc. / Diploma in Engineering / Technology) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or have already completed the course |
| B. Arch. | Bachelor’s degree of Architecture (5-year course) / Naval Architecture (4-year course) / Planning (4-year course) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or have already completed the course |
| B.Sc. (Research)/B.Sc. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/4 years after 10+2) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or have already completed the course |
| Pharm. D. (after 10+2) | 6 years degree programme, consisting of internship or residency training, from the third year onwards | Currently in the 3rd/4th/5th/6th year or have already completed the course |
| M.B.B.S./B.D.S. | Degree holders of M.B.B.S./B.D.S. and those who are in the 5th/6th/7th semester or higher semester of such programmes. | Currently in the 5th, 6th, 7th or higher semester or have already completed the course |
| M. Sc./M.A./MCA or equivalent | Master’s degree in any branch of Arts/Science/Mathematics/Statistics/ Computer Applications or equivalent | Currently in the first year or higher or have already completed the course |
| Int. M.E./M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) | Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programmes in Engineering/ Technology (4-year programme) | Currently in any year |
| Int. M.E./ M.Tech./M.Pharm or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree programme or Dual-degree programme in Engineering/Technology (5-year programme) | Currently in the 3rd /4th/5th year or have already completed the course |
| B.Sc./B.A./B.Com. | Bachelor degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Commerce (3 year programme) | Currently in the 3rd year or have already completed the course |
| Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S. / M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.-M.S. programme | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or have already completed the course |
| Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch.) | B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognised by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (For example, AMIE by the Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India and so on) | Completed Section A or the equivalent of such professional courses |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-years programme | Currently in the 3rd/4th year or have already completed the course |
The entrance examination is conducted to analyse the comprehensive knowledge of students in Science and Engineering. Since the number of candidates appearing for the examination is rapidly increasing, the exam conducting authorities increase the level of competitiveness year by year. Candidates should attempt a Computer-based Test (CBT) and solve Multiple-choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple-select Questions (MSQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Since the competition is higher, before attempting the examination, candidates have to ensure that they are well-prepared and confident to crack it. The GATE examination conducting authorities will release the subject-wise GATE answer keys and the qualifying marks required on the official website before the declaration of the results. Candidates who have appeared for the examination can access the answer key and analyse it with the marking schemes to get an idea about the probable score that they will get in the examination. For more information related to the GATE examination, visit BYJU’S website.
