The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level examination. GATE is designed to evaluate candidates’ comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate-level subjects in Engineering, Technology, Science, Architecture, and Humanities. In the year 2024, GATE is being organized by the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. GATE scores are used for post-graduate admission, scholarships as well as recruitment by different organizations. In this article, we will discuss all this in detail.
GATE Organization:
GATE 2024 is a collaborative effort between IISc Bengaluru and seven IITs, namely Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, and Roorkee. The National Coordination Board (NCB), operating under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, oversees the coordination and execution of the examination.
Opportunities with GATE:
The opportunities stemming from a successful performance in GATE are vast and diverse. Qualified candidates can pursue admission to Master’s and direct Doctoral programs in various fields. Additionally, GATE scores are instrumental in securing financial assistance and scholarships for eligible candidates. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) also utilize GATE scores in their recruitment processes.
Admission through GATE:
A valid GATE score acts as a key to unlock doors for admission to Master’s programs, direct Doctoral programs, and Ph.D. programs in relevant branches of Engineering, Technology, Science, Architecture, and Humanities. The institutions offering these programs are supported by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and other Government agencies. All the important institutes like IISERs, NISERs and IISc coincides the GATE scores for admission.
Financial Assistance-
Candidates with qualifying GATE scores are eligible for financial assistance towards their educational journey.
- For Master’s programs, the financial aid is Rs. 12,400 per month for 22 months.
- Ph.D. programs, initiated after B.E./B.Tech/M.Sc. equivalent with a valid GATE score, receive Rs. 37,000 per month for the first two years and Rs. 42,000 per month from the third to the fifth year, as per the Ministry of Finance circular.
Recruitment through GATE-
Numerous Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) employ GATE scores in their recruitment processes. Some of the prominent organizations include:
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
- Coal India Limited (CIL)
- Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS)
- Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL)
- Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
- Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)
- Engineers India Limited (EIL)
- Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
- Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL)
- National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO)
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
- NLC India Limited (NLCIL)
- National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)
- Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
- National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
- Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL)
- Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO)
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), etc.
GATE Test Papers:
GATE 2024 will feature 30 test papers, including full papers and sectional papers. Candidates can opt to appear for one or two test papers from the available two-paper combinations. It’s crucial to note that the GATE score obtained remains valid for a period of three years from the date of result announcement.
Eligibility Criteria for GATE 2024:
Before applying for GATE 2024, candidates should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. Those currently studying in the 3rd year or higher of any undergraduate degree program, or those who have completed any government-approved degree program in Engineering/Technology/Science/Architecture/Humanities, are eligible to appear for GATE 2024.
Candidates from countries other than India, pursuing or having completed a Bachelor’s degree, can also apply if they meet the specified criteria.
Certain Professional Societies such as The Institution of Engineers (IE) conducts examination in various fields of engineering. Candidates who have Certifications from these professional societies must ensure that these examinations are approved by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC to be equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch./B.Planning.
Detailed eligibility criteria is mentioned on the GATE website and the table below:-
| Degree / Program | 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 already completed |
| 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 already completed |
| B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. | Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma / 4 years after 10+2) | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Pharm. D.
(after 10+2) |
6 years degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, during third year onwards | Currently in the 3rd/ 4th/ 5th/ 6th year or already completed |
| M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc. | Degree holders of M.B.B.S. / B.D.S. / B.V.Sc and those who are in the 5th/ 6th/ 7th semester or higher semester of such programme. | 5th/ 6th/ 7th or higher semester or already completed |
| 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 already Completed |
| Int. M.E. / M.Tech.
(Post-B.Sc.) |
Post-B.Sc Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering / Technology (4-year program) | Currently in the 1st/ 2nd/ 3rd/ 4th year or already completed |
| Int. M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Pharm or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) | Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering / Technology (5-year program) | Currently in the 3rd/ 4th/ 5th year or already completed |
| B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. | Bachelor degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Commerce (3 year program) | Currently in the 3rd year or already completed |
| Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S. / M.S. | Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.-M.S. program | Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
| Professional Society Examinations* (equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch.) | B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MoE / UPSC / AICTE (e.g. AMIE by Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India and so on) | Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry) | 4-years program | Currently in the 3rd/ 4th year or already completed |
*Students enrolled with the professional bodies and institutions as per MHRD OM (No. 11-15/2011-AR (TS.II)) with permanent recognition upto 31st May 2013, stand recognized. See circular No. 13/56/PC/ODL-Mode/AICTE/2020, Dated 23rd November 2020 for more details.
GATE 2024 Exam Pattern:
General Exam Pattern-
| Particulars | Details |
| Examination Mode | The test papers will be in English. Computer Based Test (CBT) [will be conducted at select centers in select cities]. |
| Duration | 3 Hours* |
| Number of Subjects (Papers) | 30 |
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate’s Selected Subjects |
| Type of Questions | Candidate’s Selected Subject(s)
(a) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) (b) Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and/or (c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
| Questions for testing these abilities | (a) Recall
(b) Comprehension (c) Application (d) Analysis & Synthesis |
| Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL | General Aptitude: 15 marks
Engineering Mathematics**: 13 marks Subject Questions: 72 marks Total: 100 marks (**XE includes Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 marks) |
| Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL | General Aptitude: 15 marks
Subject Questions: 85 marks Total: 100 marks |
| Marking Scheme | Questions carry 1 mark or 2 marks |
Marking Scheme-
| Paper Code | General Aptitude (GA) Marks | Compulsory Section | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Total Time* (Minutes) |
| AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF; Subject marks in these papers include questions on Engineering Mathematics (13 marks), which are paper-specific. | 15 | — | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST | 15 | — | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| AR [Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B1 or Part B2 can be selected during Exam. B1: Architecture or B2: Planning] | 15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 |
| GE [Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B1 or B2 can be selected during the Exam.
B1 – Surveying and Mapping or B2 -Image Processing and Analysis.] |
15 | 55 | 30 | 100 | 180 |
| GG [Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B can either be Geology (B1) or Geophysics (B2) — which must be chosen at the time of Application.] | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XE [Section A (Engineering Mathematics) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam] | 15 | 15 | 2 x 35 | 100 | 180 |
| XH [Section B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any ONE additional Section at the time of Application] | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XL [Section P (Chemistry) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam] | 15 | 25 | 2 x 30 | 100 | 180 |
*PwD candidates with benchmark disability greater than 40% are eligible for compensatory time of one hour. PwD candidates with less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing are eligible for compensatory time subject to production of a certificate as stated in Appendix-I of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Conclusion:
GATE 2024 is an important national level exam that is conducted by IISc Bangalore and seven IITs. The scores of GATE are used for admission into postgraduate programs as well as for financial assistance and recruitment. Detailed eligibility criteria and Exam pattern for GATE 2024 is mentioned in the article.
FAQs:
When is the GATE 2024 examination scheduled?
The GATE 2024 examination is scheduled on [insert date].
Can international candidates apply for GATE 2024?
Yes, international candidates can apply for GATE 2024 if they meet the specified eligibility criteria.
How long is the validity of GATE scores?
GATE scores remain valid for a period of three years from the date of result announcement.
Are there specific scholarships available for international candidates?
Scholarship details for international candidates may vary. It is advisable to check with the respective institutions.
How can candidates access more information about GATE 2024?
For more detailed information, candidates can visit the official GATE 2024 website.
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