The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has announced certain important changes in the Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) 2021 examination process due to the ongoing pandemic. The application process is to take place on the official website appsgate.iitd.ac.in. The formalities will begin on September 14, 2020, and the last date is September 30, 2020. The exam will be conducted on February 5 to 7 and 12 to 14, 2021. It is for candidates looking to pursue post-graduate courses in science-related subjects.
There are various changes made in the GATE 2021 exam format. GATE 2021 will have Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ES), and Humanities and Social Sciences (XH) as two new subjects. So, the total number of GATE subjects has increased from 25 to 27. Candidates will also be allowed to select two subject papers. GATE 2021 has relaxed the eligibility criteria for the exam due to the ongoing pandemic. So, third-year undergraduates are also eligible to apply for the examination.
Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) have also been added to the exam format. For this pattern, Engineering Mathematics will be of 13 marks, subject questions will have 72 marks and General Aptitude questions will be of 15 marks. IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay and IIT Roorkee have been added as exam centres. IIT Madras will not be the exam centre this year.
The announcement of the application form was done by the institute on August 7, 2020.The application process will begin from September 14. Last date to register is September 30, 2020.The last date for submission of application form along with additional late fee of Rs. 500 is October 7. The dates for the correction facility will be announced once the registration process ends.
Last date to change the GATE exam paper, category, city, etc is November 13, 2020. Date for the GATE mock test release will be announced soon. The exam admit card will be released on January 8, 2021. Gate 2021 will take place on February 5 to 7 and 12 to 14, 2021. Dates for declaration of result and release of answer key will be announced soon.
To apply for GATE 2021, candidates must fulfil certain eligibility criteria. Candidate must be a citizen of India. Candidates from outside can also apply if they meet the eligibility requirements. There are no age-related restrictions for the exam. Candidates must have completed the final/pre-final year of Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology (B. Tech) or any other science-related subject. No minimum cut-off percentage is required.
The registration process will take place on the official portal i.e. appsgate.iitb.ac.in. All the eligible candidates will have to register through Gate Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) The fees for women (all categories) and SC/ST/PwD candidates is Rs. 750 if paid on or before the due date. It will increase to Rs. 1250 if paid during the extended period. The fees for male category (Open/OBC) is Rs. 1500 if paid on or before the due date. It will increase to Rs. 2000 if paid during the extended period.
Candidates choosing Dubai and Singapore as exam centres will have to pay US$100. It will increase to US$120 during the extended period. Candidates choosing Addis Ababa, Colombo, Dhaka and Kathmandu as exam centres will have to pay US$50. It will increase to $70 during the extended period.
