The GATE eligibility criteria are simple: you may register once you reach year three of a bachelor's programme, or if a government approved degree is already in your hands, in any field from engineering and the sciences to commerce, arts and humanities. GATE has no upper age limit, and the official criteria set no minimum percentage.
What changes from one degree to another is the year from which you may apply. The table below follows the eligibility list on the current official GATE website, organised by IIT Madras.
Exam at a glance
GATE full form
Graduate Aptitude Test in EngineeringMinimum stage
Third year of most undergraduate degreesAge limit
NoneMinimum marks
None stated in the GATE criteriaNumber of papers
One, or two from the allowed combinationsOfficial website
GATE full form eligibility basics and who can apply
GATE stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, but the exam is no longer only for engineers. Its 30 papers now include sciences, statistics, architecture, life sciences and humanities. That is why the eligibility rules list a wide range of degrees, from BTech and BPharm to BSc, BA and BCom.
The eligibility of GATE exam candidates also covers higher degrees: if you are pursuing a degree higher than the ones in the table, or already hold one, you are also eligible.
GATE eligibility criteria by degree
| Degree or programme | Eligible from |
|---|---|
| BE, BTech, BPharm | 3rd year onwards, or completed |
| BArch (5 years), Naval Architecture or BPlanning (4 years) | 3rd year onwards, or completed |
| BSc (Research) or BS | 3rd year onwards, or completed |
| BSc, BA, BCom, BCA (3 years) | 3rd year, or completed |
| BSc Agriculture, Horticulture or Forestry (4 years) | 3rd or 4th year, or completed |
| Pharm.D (6 years after 10+2) | 3rd to 6th year, or completed |
| MBBS, BDS, BVSc, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, BNYS | 5th semester onwards, or completed |
| MSc, MA, MCA or equivalent | 1st year onwards, or completed |
| Integrated ME or MTech after BSc (4 years) | 1st to 4th year, or completed |
| Integrated ME, MTech, MPharm or dual degree (5 years) | 3rd to 5th year, or completed |
| Integrated MSc, integrated BS or MS (5 years) | 3rd year onwards, or completed |
| Professional society exams equal to BE, BTech or BArch | After completing Section A or equivalent |
Rules for BSc, BA and BCom graduates
Students in the third year of a three year BSc, BA, BCom or BCA, and those who have finished one, may write GATE. The official note adds that three year degree holders are allowed so that they can seek admission to master's programmes at IITs and IISc. Admission rules for MTech at other institutes, and recruitment rules at PSUs, may still ask for a four year degree, so check those separately.
Pooja is in the third year of BSc statistics. She is eligible for the ST or MA paper now, and a good score can support her application to master's programmes at IITs. If she later wants an MTech at a particular NIT, she should read that institute's own admission rules.
Professional society certificates
Members of bodies such as the Institution of Engineers (India), IETE, the Aeronautical Society of India, the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Indian Institute of Metals and the Indian Institution of Industrial Engineering may apply once they have completed Section A or its equivalent. Their certificates must be recognised by the Ministry of Education, AICTE, UGC or UPSC as equal to BE, BTech, BArch or BPlanning. Students enrolled with bodies that had permanent recognition up to 31 May 2013 are also accepted under an AICTE circular.
GATE exam eligibility age limit and percentage
There is no age limit for GATE. Working professionals, career changers and older graduates can all apply. The criteria also do not name a minimum percentage or CGPA in your degree. Keep in mind that institutes and PSUs using GATE scores often set their own minimum marks or age limits for admission or jobs, so read their notices too.
Candidates with foreign degrees
Candidates studying or educated abroad must be in the third year or a higher year of a bachelor's degree of at least three years, or must have finished one, in any of the disciplines GATE recognises. For the current cycle, the official site lists exam cities in India only, with no international centres, so plan travel if you live outside India.
Choosing one paper or two
You may write a single paper, or two papers provided the organising institute has approved that pairing. Your second choice goes on the original form rather than a new one. Submitting more than one application is not allowed, and duplicate applications are rejected without refund.
Once you are sure of your eligibility, study the GATE syllabus for your paper, see how qualifying marks have moved in our GATE cut off tables and begin timed practice with GATE previous papers.
Eligibility details are revised from time to time. Recheck the degree table and the list of documents in this cycle's official brochure before paying the fee.
Frequently asked questions
Can a second year BTech student apply for GATE?
No. BE and BTech students become eligible from the third year. Second year students need to wait one more year.
Is there any age limit for the GATE exam?
No. Anyone of any age who meets the degree condition may sit the paper. Institutes or PSUs that use GATE scores may apply their own age rules for admission or recruitment.
Can BCom or BA students write GATE?
Yes. Third year students and graduates of three year BA and BCom programmes are eligible, and papers such as XH and others suit them. The official note links this to admission into master's programmes at IITs and IISc.
Do I need a minimum percentage for eligibility for GATE?
The GATE criteria do not set one. Admission and job notices that use GATE scores may ask for minimum marks in your degree.
Can diploma holders apply for GATE?
A diploma alone is not listed. Diploma holders who move into the third year of a BE or BTech, for example through lateral entry, become eligible at that stage.
Can I write two GATE papers?
Yes, if the two papers form one of the approved combinations listed by the organising institute. Both are added to a single application.