• Examinations for all the 23 papers will be conducted by an ONLINE Computer Based Test (CBT). The online examination paper will contain some questions for which numerical answers must be keyed in by the candidate using the virtual keypad. Rest of the questions shall be of Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) type.
• Biometric information (Photograph and Fingerprints) for randomly selected candidates may be captured before the start of the examination.
• GATE 2016 examinations will be held during forenoon and afternoon sessions on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) between 30th January 2016 and 07th February 2016. Examination for some of the papers in GATE 2016 will be held in multiple sessions. Exact details regarding complete examination schedule will be notified at a later date.
• For GATE 2016 the entire process of filling up of application form, uploading of certificates/documents etc., will be online and the candidates should not send any hard copy of their application form/documents etc., to IISc or any of the IIT’s zonal GATE office.
• The payment of application fees would be through electronic mode online as well as through payment at bank counters using e-challan.
• The admit cards for GATE 2016 would be available through the online process only. Candidates can download their admit card from GATE 2016 website. No printed copy of admit cards will be posted to the candidates.

Application Process:
For GATE 2016, all information related to the candidates will be available in a single GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS). Candidates have to register and fill the application via ONLINE mode ONLY. The photograph and signature of the applicant must be uploaded during the online application. Please note that all necessary certificates, such as, degree certificate/certificate from the Principal and the category certificate, if any are also to be uploaded. Please note that no application form is available for sale anywhere.

Downloadable Admit Card:
Admit cards will ONLY be downloadable from the GOAPS website tentatively from 17th December 2015. The candidate has to bring a printed copy of the admit card to the test centre along with at least one original and valid photo identification. The only permitted photo identifications are: Driving license, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhaar UID, College ID, Employee identification card, or a notarized affidavit which contains the candidate’s Photo, Signature, Date of Birth and Residential Address. The details of this ID proof have to be given while filling the online application.

Numerical Answer Type Questions:
The question paper for GATE 2016 will consist of questions of both multiple-choice type and numerical answer type. For multiple choice type questions, candidates have to choose the answer from the given choices. For numerical answer type questions, candidates have to enter a number as the answer using a virtual keypad.

Before starting the application process, the candidate must ensure that he/she meets the eligibility criteria of GATE 2016 given in Table So please study the following table carefully and make sure that your year of qualification is not later than what is specified.

In case a candidate has passed one of the qualifying examinations as mentioned above in 2015 or earlier, the candidate has to submit the degree certificate / provisional certificate / course completion certificate / professional ceritificate / membership certificate issued by the society or institute. In case, the candidate is expected to complete to complete one of the qualifying criteria in 2016 or later as mentioned above, he/she has to submit a certificate from Principal or a copy of marks card for section A of AMIE.

Certificate from Principal

Candidates who have to submit a certificate from their college Principal have to obtain one from his/her institution beforehand and upload the same during the online submission of the application form.

Candidates with Backlogs

Candidates, who have appeared in the final semester/year exam in 2015, but with a backlog (arrears/failed subjects) in any of the papers in their qualifying degree should

• upload a copy of any one of the mark sheets of the final year,
  
  OR
• obtain a declaration from their Principal along with the signature and seal beforehand and upload the same during the online submission of the application form.

For the GATE 2016 examination, a candidate can apply for only one of the 23 papers listed in Table given below. The syllabus for each of the papers is given separately. Making a choice of the appropriate paper during GATE application is the responsibility of the candidate. Some guidelines in this respect are suggested below.

The candidate is expected to appear in a paper appropriate to the discipline of his/her qualifying degree. However, the candidate can choose any paper according to his/her admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the institutions in which he/she wishes to seek admission. For more details regarding the admission criteria in any particular institute, the candidate is advised to refer to the website of that institute

*XE (Engineering Sciences) and **XL (Life Sciences) papers are of general nature and will comprise of Sections listed in the above table. More detailed explanation is given below.

General Aptitude Questions

All the papers will have a few questions that test the General Aptitude (Language and Analytical Skills), apart from the core subject of the paper.

XE Paper

A candidate appearing in the XE paper has to answer the following

• Section A – Engineering Mathematics (compulsory)
• GA – General Aptitude (compulsory)
• Any two of XE sections B to G

The choice of two sections from B to G can be made during the examination after viewing the questions. Only two optional sections can be answered at a time. A candidate wishing to change midway of the examination to another optional section must first choose to deselect one of the previously chosen optional sections (B to G).

XL Paper

A candidate appearing in the XL paper has to answer the following

Section H – Chemistry (compulsory)

GA – General Aptitude (compulsory)

Any two of XL sections I to M

The choice of two sections from I to M can be made during the examination after viewing the questions. Only two optional sections can be answered at a time. A candidate wishing to change midway of the examination to another optional section must first choose to deselect one of the previously chosen optional sections (I to M).

Duration and Examination Type

The GATE examination consists of a single paper of 3-hour duration that contains 65 questions carrying a maximum of 100 marks. The question paper will consist of both multiple choice questions (MCQ) and numerical answer type questions. Click here for the pattern of question papers.

The examination for all the papers will be carried out in an ONLINE Computer Based Test (CBT) mode where the candidates will be shown the questions in a random sequence on a computer screen. The candidates are required to either select the answer (for MCQ type) or enter the answer for numerical answer type question using a mouse on a virtual keyboard (keyboard of the computer will be disabled). Each candidate will be provided with a scribble pad for rough work. The scribble pad has to be returned after the examination. At the end of the 3-hour window, the computer will automatically close the screen from further actions.

All candidates have to apply only ONLINE. Details of the application fee are shown below. The application fee is non-refundable.

* PwD: Person with a Physical Disability

For GATE 2016 payments would have to be made through online by using net banking or debit card or e-challan facilities. Additional charges will be applicable as per the rule of the bank from where the money is being transferred. This charge will be specified on the payment portal.

* - Bank charges will be applicable as per norm.

The Admit Card can only be downloaded from the GATE portal tentatively from 17th December 2015. Admit Cards will NOT be sent by post/ email. Bring a print-out of the downloaded Admit Card to the Test Center along with the original and valid photo identification (NO photocopy/ scanned copy/ NOT expired). Please note that you have to give details of this ID proof while filling the online application. Candidates will NOT be permitted to take the test, if this original and valid photo identification is not presented. It may be noted that you would have specified one of the following IDs during the online application process: Driving License, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhaar UID, College ID, Employee Identification Card, or a Notarized Affidavit with Photo, Signature, Date of Birth and Residential Address.

All candidates have to apply only ONLINE. Details of the application fee are shown below. The application fee is non-refundable.

* PwD: Person with a Physical Disability

For GATE 2016 payments would have to be made through online by using net banking or debit card or e-challan facilities. Additional charges will be applicable as per the rule of the bank from where the money is being transferred. This charge will be specified on the payment portal.

GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS)

An online interface is provided for your interaction with the GATE Office. With this interface you can

• Apply for the examination online.
• Upload photograph, signature and other documents like graduation certificate/ certificate from Principal, caste certificate (if applicable) etc.
• Pay the application fee through net-banking or debit card or e-challan.
• Check the Status of your application form: Received, Under Scrutiny, Accepted, Defect Status, Status after Rectification, Rejected with Valid Reasons, Admit Card Ready for Download, etc.
• Contact the zonal GATE Office in case of any queries/problems.
• Download Admit Card.
• View your answers, marks and GATE score.

The login to this interface uses your GOAPS password. Keep your password information safe and do not disclose it to anyone.

Filling in Application Online

• GOAPS: GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS website) has the web address

  http://appsgate.iisc.ernet.in

  It can also be accessed from the website of the respective Zonal GATE Offices or from the website of the GATE 2016 Organizing Institute.
  
• Registration: A candidate must first register by providing a valid email address, mobile number and a GOAPS password. All communications from the GATE Offices will be sent to this email address (ONLY ONE PERSON CAN REGISTER WITH ONE e-mail ADDRESS). Give your personal mobile number because most of the communications may also be sent via SMS.
  
  GOAPS Password: The candidate chooses a password during Enrollment at GOAPS. This password must be remembered along with the GOAPS Enrolment ID to login to GOAPS. It is strongly encouraged to choose a password that cannot be guessed easily (it should not be the candidate’s name, date of birth, or some easily guessable string of numbers or letters like 12345 or abcd).
• GOAPS Enrollment ID: Upon registration, an email containing the GOAPS Enrolment ID will be sent to the candidate.
• Data Requirement for Application Filling: The following data will be required while filling the form at GOAPS:
  
  • Personal information (name, date of birth, your personal mobile number, parents’ name, parents’ mobile number, etc.).
  • Address for Communication (including PIN code),
  • Eligibility degree details
  • College address, PIN code of college,
  • GATE paper, choice of GATE examination cities,
  • High quality image of your photograph conforming to the requirements specified
  • Good quality image of your signature conforming to the requirements specified
  • Scanned copy of Degree Certificate or Certificate from Principal/HODs in pdf format.
  • Scanned copy of Category/PwD Certificate (if applicable) in pdf format.
  • Details of a valid ID Proof that you will carry to the examination hall.
  • Your net-banking details.
• Application Filling: The GOAPS allows you to enter data, “Save” partially filled form, “Logout”, and resume filling in by logging in again. The GOAPS portal is self-explanatory and user-friendly. Online help about using GOAPS is also available.
• Before you make the payment, you will be shown a “Preview” of your application, where you have to carefully check for any errors.
• Once you press “Confirm and Final Submit” button, no further changes to the application can be made by you.
• For online payment follow the instructions given for payment options.
• Problems in Login into GOAPS – In case of forgotten user ID or password, follow instructions on the GOPAS portal to retrieve them.

Supporting Documents

Eligibility Documents

Eligibility criteria and necessary supporting documents can be found from the eligibility table for GATE.

SC/ST/PwD Certificate

Candidates who are in any of the above categories have to upload a valid documentary evidence (Appendix A).

Certificate from Principal

Candidates who mention that they are yet to complete their course, will have to upload a certificate from the Principal. This certificate must mandatorily have the signature and seal of the college Principal with current date.

Zone-wise List of Cities in which GATE 2016 will be held

There are two primary choices and one secondary choice. If you choose a particular city as your first choice, then the corresponding zone to which this city belongs will appear, and you will be able to choose another city as your second choice only from this zone. These choices will be your primary choices in a specific zone. However, a third choice has also been introduced in GATE 2016, which is your secondary choice. The list of 3rd choice cities will be as specified by each zone and this will be used only when your cities of primary choice are not available. However, because of operational constraints, the GATE committee reserves the right to add a new city or remove an existing one, and allot a city that may not be any of the choices of a candidate.

Table below gives the tentative list of the cities (zone-wise) in which GATE 2016 will be held. Also shown in the table is the Zonal Offices (one of the IITs or IISc.). The Zonal Office dealing with your application will be your point of contact for any enquiries regarding your examination center and other matters.

GATE 2016 results will be announced on March 19, 2016 at 17:00 hours and will be available on the GATE Online Application Website.

GATE 2016 score is valid for THREE YEARS from the date of announcement of the results.

GATE 2016 results may be made available on payment basis to Government organizations (educational institutions, R & D laboratories, industries, etc.) in India and abroad based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Indian institute of Science and the organization intending to use the GATE score. Details in this regard can be obtained from The Organizing Chairman, GATE 2016, Indian Institute of Science.

GATE is jointly administered and conducted by the Indian Institute of Science and seven Indian Institutes of Technology. Table 8.1 gives the details of each Zonal Office. Each of the institutes administers a zone and caters to a list of examination cities that fall under that zone. Candidates are assigned a zone at the time of application, based on the first city of choice. Candidates must note this zone number for contact purposes.

Candidates must first try to read FAQs. If a query if not resolved even after going through FAQs, then they should use GOAPS (GATE Online Application Processing System) to contact zonal GATE offices, which will provide quicker and clearer information.