The?Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering?(GATE) is an all-India?examination that primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in?engineering and science. GATE is conducted jointly by the?IISc?and seven?Indian Institutes of Technology?(IIT Bombay,IIT Delhi,?IIT Guwahati,?IIT Kanpur,?IIT Kharagpur,?IIT Madras?and?IIT Roorkee) on behalf of the National Coordination Board ? GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of?Human Resource Development?(MHRD), Government of India. The?GATE score?of a candidate reflects the relative performance level of a candidate. The score is used for admissions to various post-graduate programmes?(e.g. M.E., M.Tech, direct Ph.D.) in Indian higher education institutes with financial assistance provided by MHRD and other Government agencies. The score may also be used by Public sector units for employment screening purposes.?
A valid GATE score is essential for obtaining a financial assistance during Masters programmes and in some cases during direct Doctoral programmes in Engineering/Technology/Architecture, and?Doctoral programs?in relevant branches of Science in an Institution supported by the MHRD or other Government organizations. To avail the financial assistance (scholarship), the candidate must first secure admission to a programme in these Institutes, by a procedure that could be different for each institute. Qualification in GATE is also a minimum requirement to apply for various fellowships awarded by many Government organizations.
However, candidates with a Master?s degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture may seek admission to relevant Doctoral programmes with scholarship/assistantship without appearing in the GATE examination