Status update (25 October 2026): GATE 2027 registration is closed. GOAPS opened on 2 September 2026, the regular deadline was 5 October, the late-fee deadline was 12 October, and the special window closed at 10:29 AM on 16 October 2026. If your application has been marked defective, you can upload corrected documents in the rectification window until 31 October 2026. Sources: GATE 2027 Important Dates, Notifications.
GATE 2027 asks for fewer documents than many guides suggest. Under the official rules, every applicant needs a live photo captured during registration, a photograph and a signature that meet the specifications, and a valid photo ID. Indian nationals register through DigiLocker. SC/ST candidates add a category certificate, and PwD candidates add a UDID or PwD certificate. Degree certificates, bonafide letters, marksheets and OBC-NCL/EWS certificates are not required (sources: GATE 2027 Required Documents, IIT Madras; GATE 2027 FAQs; Official GATE 2027 Information Brochure, Sections 6.4.3 and 6.6, pp.15, 17).
What Documents Are Required for GATE 2027 Registration?
Required from all candidates
| Item | Official specification |
|---|---|
| DigiLocker account (Indian nationals) | Mandatory. A verified (e-KYC) account is recommended, and you must consent to GATE 2027 accessing your DigiLocker data |
| Live photo | Captured during registration on a webcam or a phone front camera of at least 5 MP, in a well-lit area |
| Photograph | Colour, passport size (3.5 × 4.5 cm), JPEG/JPG, 5 kB–600 kB, 200 × 260 to 530 × 690 px, aspect ratio 0.66–0.89, face covering 60–70%, white background, not older than 3 months |
| Signature | JPEG/JPG, 3 kB–300 kB, 250 × 80 to 580 × 180 px, height:width 1:R (R = 2.75–3.75), signature filling 70–80% of the image, black or dark blue ink |
| Valid photo ID | Aadhaar-UID (preferred), Aadhaar Virtual ID, Passport, PAN card, Voter ID, Driving License, or any valid Central/State Government photo ID |
Sources: Required Documents; Photograph & Signature; Information Brochure, Sections 6.4, 6.4.3, 6.6, 6.7, pp.13–18.
Additional documents by category
| Category | Document and how it is submitted |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | Valid certificate from an authorised official (see Appendix A), as a PDF named CATEGORY.pdf in the "GATE2027" folder of your DigiLocker Drive |
| PwD | UDID (preferred) or PwD certificate as UDID_CERT.pdf or PWD_CERT.pdf in the same folder. The concession applies only to benchmark disability (40% or more) |
| PwD/dyslexic candidates asking for a scribe or compensatory time | Appendix B1 and/or B2 or a dyslexia certificate (as applicable), combined with the PwD certificate into one PWD_CERT.pdf |
| OBC-NCL | Nothing at the application stage |
| EWS | Nothing at the application stage |
Sources: Required Documents; FAQs; Information Brochure, Section 6.6 (p.17), Table 5 footnote (p.14), Appendices A–B (pp.30–33). A 17 Sep 2026 notification says each DigiLocker Drive file should be 10 KB–600 KB.
Also Read: GATE Exam Eligibility 2027: Who Can Apply?
GATE 2027 Photo and Signature Specifications
Photograph
- Colour photo, passport size (3.5 cm wide × 4.5 cm high), JPEG/JPG
- Face covering 60–70% of the image after cropping. The official website gives 60–70%. Brochure Section 6.7 gives 60–70% after cropping but 30–35% for the passport-size photograph, so treat the cropped upload as the one that must meet 60–70%
- Aspect ratio between 0.66 and 0.89. Resolution between 200 × 260 and 530 × 690 pixels
- File size between 5 kB and 600 kB
- White background with no other objects or people. Frontal view showing forehead, eyes, nose and chin
- No caps, hats, sunglasses or tinted glasses, and no glare on spectacles. Head coverings are allowed only for religious reasons, with the full face visible
- A latest photo, not older than 3 months (Information Brochure, Section 6.4.3, p.15)
Signature
- JPEG/JPG, height:width aspect ratio 1:R with R between 2.75 and 3.75
- Signature filling 70–80% of the image after cropping
- Black or dark blue ink only, signed by the applicant
- File size between 3 kB and 300 kB. Resolution between 250 × 80 and 580 × 180 pixels
- Not accepted: initials, signatures in all capitals, digital signatures, signatures on a dark background or with extra writing behind them, and signatures that are too small or unclear
Source: GATE 2027 Photograph & Signature page; Information Brochure, Section 6.7 and Tables 6–7, pp.18–20. Note: the brochure gives only the maximum sizes (600 kB and 300 kB). The minimums of 5 kB and 3 kB come from the official website.
A photo or signature that does not meet the specifications gets the application marked DEFECTIVE, and it must be replaced during rectification (FAQs). Our photo and signature size guide covers this in detail.
Proof of Identity for GATE 2027
You must bring the same ID, in original, to the exam together with a printed admit card. Otherwise you may not be allowed to take the exam (Information Brochure, Sections 6.4 and 6.10, pp.13, 21).
Indian candidates can use: Aadhaar-UID (preferred), Aadhaar Virtual ID, Passport, PAN card, Voter ID, Driving License, or any valid photo ID issued by the Central or State Government. Upload the ID that was issued most recently. It must clearly show your name, photo, ID number and date of birth (Information Brochure, Sections 6.4 and 6.6, pp.13, 17). If those details are on both sides, upload the front and back in a single PDF (FAQs). In DigiLocker you can choose which verified document to use, such as Aadhaar, PAN, Driving Licence or APAAR ID (FAQs).
Foreign nationals can use only a valid Passport, a Government-issued ID or a Driving License (Information Brochure, Section 6.6, p.17).
Your name in the application must be exactly the same as on the photo ID, with no prefixes such as Mr./Dr. (Section 6.4.3, p.15). If your name has changed after marriage, upload the ID in your old name with an affidavit and carry the affidavit to the exam (FAQs).
Academic Documents: Not Required
GATE 2027 does not collect degree certificates, provisional certificates, bonafide letters or marksheets. The official FAQ says you do not need to upload 10th, 12th, UG or PG marksheets in DigiLocker for registration, and "Academic documents are not required during the examination process." The application only asks for your degree details and your institute's name and PIN code (Information Brochure, Section 6.4.3, p.15; Required Documents). Admitting institutes check academic eligibility later, at admission.
If you are preparing for GATE DA, the GATE DA complete guide covers eligibility across different academic backgrounds.
Category Certificate Requirements
SC/ST certificate
Only certificates issued by authorised officials are valid. Appendix A lists them, including District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Taluk Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tahsildar, and the Sub-Divisional Officer of the area where you or your family normally live (Information Brochure, Appendix A, p.30). The admitting institute, not GATE, is responsible for verifying it (Section 6.6, p.17).
OBC-NCL and EWS
No certificate is uploaded for GATE 2027 (Section 6.6, p.17; FAQs). There is no fee concession for these categories, but the qualifying mark is 90% of the General qualifying mark (Section 8.1, p.28). Requirements for certificate format and validity date are set by admitting institutes and counselling bodies, not by GATE.
PwD certificate
You need a recently obtained, valid PwD certificate from the competent authority. Uploading a UDID, or a UDID enrollment number, is encouraged. The fee concession applies only to benchmark disability, meaning at least 40% impairment (Section 6.6, p.17; Appendix A, p.30). Certificates for a scribe or compensatory time follow Appendix B1/B2 under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment O.M. dated 1 August 2025 (Section 6.5, p.16; Appendix B, pp.31–33).
How the Upload Works on GOAPS
- Sign in through DigiLocker and give consent, including DigiLocker Drive access.
- SC/ST/PwD only: create a "GATE2027" folder (no space) in DigiLocker Drive and add the correctly named PDF(s). Use the same DigiLocker account you applied with. The official troubleshooting guide lists a wrong file name, a file over 600 KB, or the folder being in a different account as common causes of errors (GATE 2027 Registration: Common Issues and Solutions, Issue 3).
- Capture your live photo and upload your photograph and signature in GOAPS.
- Click "Save and View Application" to check everything. After "Submit and Proceed to Payment", you cannot make changes (Information Brochure, Section 6.4.3, p.15).
The Required Documents page warns that "uploading unreadable documents may lead to delays in processing the application and may lead to rejection of candidature."
Scan Quality Tips
These are our practical tips, not official rules. Scan or photograph certificates in even light with no shadows, keep them upright, and make sure the full document, including seals and signatures, is visible and readable. Any phone scanning app works if the result is sharp and the PDF stays under 600 KB.
Key Takeaways
- All candidates need a live photo, a photograph (JPEG/JPG, 5–600 kB, face covering 60–70%), a signature (JPEG/JPG, 3–300 kB) and a valid photo ID. Indian nationals register through DigiLocker.
- Aadhaar-UID is the preferred ID. Aadhaar Virtual ID, Passport, PAN, Voter ID, Driving License and other government photo IDs are also accepted. College ID cards are not.
- SC/ST upload
CATEGORY.pdf, and PwD uploadUDID_CERT.pdforPWD_CERT.pdf, to the DigiLocker "GATE2027" folder. - OBC-NCL and EWS candidates upload nothing. Nobody uploads degree certificates or marksheets.
- Registration is closed. Defects can be rectified until 31 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents are required for GATE 2027 registration?
All candidates need a live photo captured during registration, a photograph and signature that meet the specifications, and a valid photo ID. Indian nationals register through DigiLocker. SC/ST candidates add a category certificate and PwD candidates a UDID or PwD certificate, uploaded to the DigiLocker "GATE2027" folder. Source: GATE 2027 Required Documents.
What are the GATE 2027 photo and signature specifications?
Photograph: JPEG/JPG, 5–600 kB, 200 × 260 to 530 × 690 px, aspect ratio 0.66–0.89, face covering 60–70%, white background. Signature: JPEG/JPG, 3–300 kB, 250 × 80 to 580 × 180 px, height:width 1:2.75 to 1:3.75, black or dark blue ink, filling 70–80% of the image. Source: official Photograph & Signature page; Information Brochure, Section 6.7.
Which identity proof is preferred for GATE 2027?
Aadhaar-UID is preferred. Aadhaar Virtual ID, Passport, PAN card, Voter ID, Driving License and other valid Central or State Government photo IDs are also accepted. Bring the same ID in original on exam day. Source: Information Brochure, Sections 6.4 and 6.6.
Do final-year students need to submit a degree or bonafide certificate?
No. GATE 2027 does not ask anyone to upload a degree certificate, bonafide letter or marksheet. You only enter your degree and college details. Source: GATE 2027 FAQs; Information Brochure, Section 6.4.3.
Do OBC-NCL or EWS candidates need to upload a certificate for GATE 2027?
No. OBC-NCL and EWS candidates are not required to upload any category certificate while filling in the application. Source: Information Brochure, Section 6.6; GATE 2027 FAQs.
How do SC/ST and PwD candidates upload certificates?
Create a folder named "GATE2027" in your DigiLocker Drive and upload CATEGORY.pdf (SC/ST) or UDID_CERT.pdf / PWD_CERT.pdf (PwD). Keep each file under 600 KB, and use the same DigiLocker account you applied with.
When did GATE 2027 registration open, and is it still open?
It opened on 2 September 2026 on GOAPS (IIT Madras) and is now closed. The last special window ended at 10:29 AM on 16 October 2026. The rectification window for scrutiny defects runs until 31 October 2026.
What happens if my name on my ID doesn't match my GATE 2027 application?
Your name must be exactly the same as on your photo ID. The FAQ says a misspelt name that leads to a DEFECTIVE mark can be corrected later by furnishing supporting documents. Unfixed defects can make the application provisional or get it rejected.
Sources
- GATE 2027 Required Documents, IIT Madras
- GATE 2027 Photograph & Signature, IIT Madras
- GATE 2027 FAQs, IIT Madras
- GATE 2027 Information Brochure (revised version, 17 October 2026), IIT Madras: Sections 6.4–6.7, 6.10, 8.1, Appendices A–B
- GATE 2027 Application: Common Issues and Solutions, IIT Madras
- GATE 2027 Important Dates, IIT Madras
- GATE 2027 Notifications, IIT Madras
Prepare for GATE DA with Structure
Your documents are one part of a well-planned exam strategy. The real work is mastering the syllabus, building problem-solving speed and taking targeted mock tests. Explore TheMLHub's GATE DA online course for structured preparation covering machine learning, probability, linear algebra, databases and programming.