GATE 2027 registration opens today, August 27, 2026, and the application process comes with a change Indian candidates cannot skip. IIT Madras, the organising institute, has made verified DigiLocker-based registration compulsory for every Indian national applying through the GATE Online Application Processing System, or GOAPS.
The move means several personal details will be pulled directly from DigiLocker instead of being typed afresh. The official GATE 2027 website also shows that registration was postponed from the earlier August 14 opening date. Regular applications will now remain open until September 27, followed by an extended window with a late fee until October 5.
What Will IIT Madras Fetch From DigiLocker For GATE 2027?
The official required-documents page says Indian applicants must create or update a verified DigiLocker account before completing the GATE 2027 form. During registration, GOAPS will fetch seven pieces of information from the account:
- Candidate’s name
- Date of birth
- Mobile number
- Email ID
- Profile picture
- Address
- Verified ID card number
That does not mean every document stored in DigiLocker will be transferred to GATE. IIT Madras has specifically said candidates do not need to upload Class 10, Class 12, undergraduate, or postgraduate marksheets to DigiLocker for the examination application. Academic documents are not required for the GATE examination process at this stage.
There is another useful distinction. The profile picture available through DigiLocker is among the fields fetched, but the official GATE FAQs say an old, blurred, or mismatched Aadhaar or DigiLocker photo will not be used as the applicant’s GATE photograph. The live photograph and the recent photograph uploaded during the application process will be considered.
Candidates with a spelling error or name mismatch should preferably correct it in DigiLocker before applying. The official FAQ says the name will be verified through DigiLocker, although eligible corrections can also be handled later during the correction window under applicable rules.
GATE 2027 Registration Dates, Fees And Eligibility
IIT Madras has revised the application calendar after shifting the opening date. GOAPS goes live on August 27. The regular registration deadline is September 27, while the extended deadline is October 5. The application rectification window is scheduled from October 14 to October 21.
For one test paper, female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates will pay ₹1,000 during the regular period and ₹1,500 during the extended period. All other candidates, including foreign nationals, will pay ₹2,000 normally and ₹2,500 during the late window. Candidates choosing two permitted papers must pay the applicable fee twice, according to the official GATE application-fee page.
Eligibility remains broad. Students currently in the third year or above of an undergraduate programme, as well as graduates from government-approved programmes in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts or Humanities, can apply. IIT Madras also states there is no age limit and no cap on the number of GATE attempts.
Applicants should use the official GATE 2027 portal for the form, the Government of India’s DigiLocker website for account verification, and the official eligibility page before paying any fee.
Robotics Joins GATE As Exam Expands Across Three Weekends
GATE 2027 is not only changing registration. A new Robotics and Automation paper, coded RA, has been introduced, taking the examination to 30 test papers. IIT Madras has also revised syllabi and updated two-paper combinations, while sectional codes in XE, XH and XL have changed.
The new RA paper has General Aptitude worth 15 marks, a 60-mark common Part A and a 25-mark Part B. During the examination, candidates can select either the Electrical or Mechanical option for Part B. The overall GATE paper remains a three-hour, 100-mark computer-based test. Candidates can check the official GATE 2027 paper pattern before choosing their paper.
This year’s calendar is also spread across three weekends. The examinations are scheduled for February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027. Results are due on March 19, and the GATE score will remain valid for three years.
What Applicants Should Check Before Submitting
The safest approach is to check the data being pulled from DigiLocker before moving ahead. A wrong date of birth, outdated address or name mismatch can create avoidable correction work later. Candidates should also check their selected paper code carefully, especially after the syllabus and combination changes.
The application should be filed only through GOAPS linked from the official GATE website. IIT Madras has also warned that one candidate should submit only one application. Anyone appearing for two permitted papers must add the second paper within the same application rather than creating another enrolment ID.
GATE 2027 FAQs
Is DigiLocker Mandatory For GATE 2027?
Yes, every Indian applicant for GATE 2027 must use a verified DigiLocker account for registration.
What Details Will GATE 2027 Fetch From DigiLocker?
It fetches name, birth date, mobile, email, profile picture, address and verified identification card number.
Do Candidates Need Marksheets In DigiLocker For GATE 2027?
No, Class 10, 12, UG or PG marksheets are not required in DigiLocker for registration.
When Is The Last Date For GATE 2027 Registration?
Regular registration closes September 27, 2026, while late-fee applications remain available until October 5, 2026.
When Will GATE 2027 Be Conducted?
GATE 2027 will run on six dates: February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21.
