GATE 2027 Syllabus and Exam Pattern: 30+ Papers, New Robotics and Automation Paper, Marking Scheme
IIT Madras is conducting GATE 2027 in 30+ test papers, including a new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper. Exam pattern, section-wise marks, question types, negative marking, two-paper combinations and where to download the official paper-wise syllabus.
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GATE 2027 Syllabus and Exam Pattern
IIT Madras is the organising institute for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027. The exam will be held in 30+ test papers, and this cycle introduces a new paper, Robotics and Automation (RA).
Registration opened on 2 September 2026. The regular deadline is 27 September 2026, and the late-fee deadline is 5 October 2026. The exam will be held over three weekends in February 2027.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Organising institute | IIT Madras |
| Test papers | 30+ (new: Robotics and Automation – RA) |
| Mode | Computer-based test |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Questions / Marks | 65 questions / 100 marks |
| Exam dates | 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2027 |
| Result | 19 March 2027 |
| Official website | gate2027.iitm.ac.in |
GATE 2027 Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks (most papers) |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | 10 | 15 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 55 | 13 |
| Core subject | 72 | |
| Total | 65 | 100 |
For papers such as XE, XL, XH and some science papers, the non-GA part is split differently. Check the paper-specific structure in the information brochure.
Question Types and Negative Marking
| Type | Marks | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice (MCQ) | 1 or 2 | 1/3 for 1-mark, 2/3 for 2-mark questions |
| Multiple Select (MSQ) | 1 or 2 | None (no partial marks) |
| Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 1 or 2 | None |
General Aptitude Syllabus (Common to All Papers)
- Verbal Aptitude: grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, narrative sequencing
- Quantitative Aptitude: data interpretation, ratios, percentages, powers, series, mensuration, basic probability and statistics
- Analytical Aptitude: logic (deduction and induction), analogy, numerical relations
- Spatial Aptitude: transformation of shapes, paper folding and cutting, patterns in 2D and 3D
GATE 2027 Papers
The papers cover engineering, science, architecture, humanities and commerce. They include Aerospace (AE), Agricultural (AG), Architecture & Planning (AR), Biomedical (BM), Biotechnology (BT), Civil (CE), Chemical (CH), Computer Science (CS), Chemistry (CY), Data Science & AI (DA), Electronics (EC), Electrical (EE), Environmental (ES), Ecology & Evolution (EY), Geomatics (GE), Geology & Geophysics (GG), Instrumentation (IN), Mathematics (MA), Mechanical (ME), Mining (MN), Metallurgy (MT), Naval Architecture (NM), Petroleum (PE), Physics (PH), Production & Industrial (PI), Robotics & Automation (RA – new), Statistics (ST), Textile (TF), Engineering Sciences (XE), Humanities (XH) and Life Sciences (XL).
Two-Paper Combinations
Candidates may take two papers from the approved combinations. For example, a CS candidate can pair CS with DA, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, RA or ST. The full list of permitted pairs is in the brochure.
How to Download the Official Syllabus
Step 1: Go to gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
Step 2: Open the Syllabus section.
Step 3: Click your paper code to download the PDF. For the new RA paper, read the full syllabus carefully, as there are no previous-year papers.
Application Fee (Per Paper)
| Category | Till 27 Sept 2026 | Till 5 Oct 2026 (late) |
|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,000 | ₹1,500 |
| All others | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which IIT is conducting GATE 2027?
IIT Madras.
Q2. What is new in GATE 2027?
A new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper. Confirm the final paper list in the official brochure.
Q3. How many marks is General Aptitude worth?
15 marks out of 100.
Q4. Is there negative marking for NAT questions?
No. Negative marking applies only to MCQs.
Q5. What is the last date to apply?
27 September 2026 without late fee; 5 October 2026 with late fee.
Conclusion
If you have not registered, do so before 27 September to avoid the late fee. Then download the official syllabus for your paper and plan your preparation around the February 2027 exam dates.